Mobile Antenna Mount

[motorman105]

I'm getting a Yaesu FT 7800R and I'd like to mount the antenna using a hood mount. I have a 2005 Ford Ranger Supercab and I park in a parking garage with a very low ceiling.
Has anyone else done this and could recommend a mount manufacturer...and for that matter a good dual band antenna?
I was thinking of using a glass mount but I think it would still be too tall for the parking garage ceiling and I'd have to listen to it scrape as I drove in and out.
Thanks,
Terry

 

[bReed11091]

I've had good results with comet antennas and diamond mounts. I suggest going with an NMO mount antenna.

Diamond Mounts:
https://www.hamcity.com/store/pc/viewPrd.asp?idcategory=563&idproduct=728
https://www.hamcity.com/store/pc/viewPrd.asp?idcategory=563&idproduct=729

I haven't shopped for mobile antennas lately, but look at the links below and read up on reviews and choose the best one for you.

https://www.hamcity.com/store/pc/viewCategories.asp?idCategory=473
eHam.net Reviews - Antennas: VHF/UHF Omnidirectional (verticals, etc)

 

[stevolene]

does larsen still make a 5/8 wave dual band antenna?

 

[newsphotog]

Stay away from glass-mount antennas. I used a glass-mount as my first antenna and I was not pleased with its performance. From what I gather, the general consensus on glass-mount antennas is that you shouldn't use them. Rear defrost wires just make it even worse.

I really just use generic trunk lip NMO mounts that my radio garage provides for me and I haven't noticed a difference performance-wise compared to the Diamond K400C mount.

I believe those Diamond mounts that bReed11091 mentioned above have the ability to fold down, but I cannot remember for certain. If they do, you would need to keep a hex key with you and it's not something you're going to want to do very often. It might come in handy depending on how low the parking garage's ceiling hangs, how high up your truck sits, and how long of a whip you want.

Personally I use the Diamond® Antenna ~ NR72BNMO Dualband Mobile Antenna which I prefer because it has decent gain for it's short stature.

And then there are antennas like Diamond® Antenna ~ SG7500NMO Dualband Mobile Antenna which have the ability to fold-down, but I don't have any experience with these and I haven't seen one in the while yet. Hopefully someone here can tell you more about this kind.

 

[blinddog50]

If I may make a suggestion.
ARIZONA ROCKY ROAD ANTENNA MOUNTS FOR JEEP WRANGLER, UNLIMITED AND LIBERTY makes an antenna mount that is designed for Jeep Wranglers.
However I have met others that have used them mounted on their truck beds.
It has a vertical shaft that the antenna mounts on, but is still low enough to avoid hitting on low parking decks.
As far as an antenna recommendation I would suggest a Maldol EX-107B.
I use both the mount and antenna on my Jeep Rubicon.
It has been beat on rocks and tree limbs and still performs like a pristine city slicker antenna.
Definitely go with an nmo mount.

 

[AK9R]

does larsen still make a 5/8 wave dual band antenna?

You may be thinking of the Larsen NMO2/70, which is a 1/2 wave on 2m and a colinear 5/8 over 5/8 on 440. The NMO2/70 (chrome whip with closed coil) or NMO2/70B (black whip with open coil) has been my standard dual-band amateur antenna for many years.

 

[stevolene]

thanks thats the one, i didnt know if those were still made, Ive heard nothing but stellar reports about these antenna's, but I rarely see them for sale nor advertised

 

[WX4JCW]

I Have had the SG7500, not bad performance, the fold over will work loose after a while though,

today I bought a Comet CSB 770A witha PL-239 mount, it is a fold over i believe as well and with a lip mount gives me acceptable SWR's as well