jnojr
Member
I'm thinking I might want two... a short / "stubby" one to leave on most of the time, and a longer one I can use for longer drives. I'm having an NMO mount installed.
Mobile 70cm/2M antenna recommendations
- Thread starter jnojr
- Start date
This is really the only good choice, as Larsen Antennas are used in public safety and will outlast your vehicle. You need to purchase an NMO mount type of your choice for the vehicle.
PulseLarsen NMO2/70SH
Short 144 / 440 MHz Dual Band Mobile Antenna - NMO Base - Requires Mount & Cable
www.hamradio.com
For the longer one.
theantennafarm.com
Larsen NMO2/70B Premium Larsen 2m/70cm Amateur Ham Radio Antenna Dual Band
Covering the 144/440 bands. Features 3.8 dB gain on VHF and 5.2 dB on UHF. Use with a dual band radio or two separate radios. Watts: 100, Whip Length 34 3/4".
theantennafarm.com
mmckenna
I ♥ Ø
This is really the only good choice, as Larsen Antennas are used in public safety and will outlast your vehicle. You need to purchase an NMO mount type of your choice for the vehicle.
PulseLarsen NMO2/70SH
Short 144 / 440 MHz Dual Band Mobile Antenna - NMO Base - Requires Mount & Cablewww.hamradio.com
I ran one of those for a long time. A good solid antenna that will outlast your car, and the one after that, and the one after that. Passed it down to my brother in law a few years back.
Ditto. It's been a while since I've owned any ham gear, but when I did, I'd often run just a VHF 1/4 wave whip since that's what I used most of the time. On 70cm, they operate as a 3/4 wave antenna. The radiation angle on UHF shoots a bit above the horizon, but not a big deal for most users. It can actually be beneficial if you are using 70cm repeaters on mountain tops.
Plus, they blend in well. The thin whip is usually much more lower profile than the so called "low profile" antennas. And they work better.
This is the best performing dual band amateur antenna I have found.For the longer one.
Larsen NMO2/70B Premium Larsen 2m/70cm Amateur Ham Radio Antenna Dual Band
Covering the 144/440 bands. Features 3.8 dB gain on VHF and 5.2 dB on UHF. Use with a dual band radio or two separate radios. Watts: 100, Whip Length 34 3/4".
What vehicle do you have and where do you intend to mount it?
jnojr
Member
2022 Hyundai Palisade. My intention is to go on the roof.
I've been doing the same for several years as well with my 4Runner. The 1/4 whip is less obnoxious when going thru parking garages in town. I swap the 2/70 back when I'm out 4Wheeling. And, joining the consensus of opinions, the Larsen 2/70 is very well made. I've modified mine to add a spring at the base to give it a little more flex when 4Wheeling.
K6GBW
Member
A lot of it depends on what you want to do. In Los Angeles we have high repeaters and lots of parking garages. I've found a small antenna like the Comet B-10NMO is a good compromise. If I lived in an area with lower repeaters and few overhead obstacles the Larsen 2/70 is pretty much the gold standard. Good choice going with an NMO mount. Once you use them you'll never go back to janky mag-mounts or various other clip on mounts. The NMO's just work.
bill4long
Member
For the longer antenna, I've been using these for many years.
Well built, fold over, excellent performer.
Available for UHF or NMO. Color unpainted (steel) or black.
DIAMOND NR-770H-NMO
Chrome 144 / 440 MHz Dualband Vertical Mobile Antenna - 40 Inches tall - NMO Connector
www.hamradio.com
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bill4long
Member
For that I use this Diamond MR-77, which I leave on most of the time.
Diamond Antenna MR77 Diamond Antenna Dual-Band Mobile Antennas | DX Engineering
Free Shipping - Diamond Antenna Dual-Band Mobile Antennas with qualifying orders of $99. Shop VHF/UHF Mobile Vertical Antennas at DX Engineering.
