I got a new to me transceiver that I would like to install into my Jeep, but I'm not sure what antenna would best suit me! I have a mounting point for an antenna on my rear bumper as well and would like to use that location to mount it. Seeing as the roof is fibreglass there would be no benefit to mount it on the roof..... So going back to the question, what would you pros recommend for my situation? What ones should I stay away from? BTW there is no APRS on my local repeater, if that makes a difference! Thanks for your help!
Mobile antenna suggestions for Kenwood TM-710G
- Thread starter Rotaxxx
- Start date
Larsen NMO2/70B. It should be mounted in a way that gets the antenna above the roof, but also with a ground plane. I know that is difficult on a Jeep.
Without a ground plane, a 1/2 wave antenna on 2 meters is what you're looking for. I use a Diamond NR770HB which is black. They also have a chrome version. It is mounted to a motorized Diamond lift on my roof rack so that I can lower it and get it into the garage. I also use another Diamond NR770HB down near my rear bumper. That is connected to a 5 watt APRS beacon transmitter.
Alternatively, there is the Compactenna. I have this antenna as well and it really works best without a ground plane. Also, as AK9R noted, getting the antenna above your roofline will help. This avoids interaction with the metal on your vehicle and improves the overall line of sight.
Just so you know, APRS is not incorporated into a repeater. It may be at the same location and the antenna on the same tower, but it would be a separate TX/RX device depending on what is setup.
To answer your question on what to stay away from, as you do not have a suitable ground plane, stay away from a 1/4 wave antenna.
Alternatively, there is the Compactenna. I have this antenna as well and it really works best without a ground plane. Also, as AK9R noted, getting the antenna above your roofline will help. This avoids interaction with the metal on your vehicle and improves the overall line of sight.
Just so you know, APRS is not incorporated into a repeater. It may be at the same location and the antenna on the same tower, but it would be a separate TX/RX device depending on what is setup.
To answer your question on what to stay away from, as you do not have a suitable ground plane, stay away from a 1/4 wave antenna.
mmckenna
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You really don't want the antenna mounted on the bumper. That's going to put it in a place where it's running in close proximity to the body. That's going to make it perform very poorly. You want the antenna up above the body panels. Jeeps are a challenge, but may have successfully installed amateur radio antennas on jeeps.
You -can- mount the antenna on the fiberglass roof, you just need to supply a ground plane under the antenna.
yes, you can do a half wave antenna, which doesn't require a ground plane, but it's going to work better with one. Plus, I haven't seen any good half wave dual band antennas that would be appropriate.
So, two options:
Use a thick mount NMO through the fiberglass. Install metal foil adhesive tape under the mount in an "X" pattern, with each of the 4 legs of the X being 20 inches long.
or, get a diplexer. That'll split the antenna output on that radio into two separate ports. One port will be for the VHF side, the other for UHF.
Then, install two NMO thick mounts through the fiberglass roof and install a 1/2 wave VHF and a 1/2 wave UHF. If you want to go a step further, add the metal ground plane under the antenna mounts and get some more gain easily.
But, if you want to mount one antenna and not on the roof, I'd second the Larsen NMO-2/70. That's one of the most respected antennas in the hobby.
