Multiple Antenna Question for 2M/70CM

[vagrant]

Here's a video where the regular LMR-240 is used. You can get an idea of how stiff the solid center is compared to the ultra flex stranded version.

 

[mmckenna]

The LMR-240UF showed up today. I think it will route just fine, doesn't seem too stiff to me.

Here's a video where the regular LMR-240 is used. You can get an idea of how stiff the solid center is compared to the ultra flex stranded version.

Yeah, difference is the "UF" for the Ultra Flex stuff. If it was straight LMR-240, you'd have a hard time routing it. It can be done, but it's not easy. Kinking it is bad ju-ju.

 

[ccg_ga]

Here's a video where the regular LMR-240 is used. You can get an idea of how stiff the solid center is compared to the ultra flex stranded version.

Yeah, difference is the "UF" for the Ultra Flex stuff. If it was straight LMR-240, you'd have a hard time routing it. It can be done, but it's not easy. Kinking it is bad ju-ju.

Ok, that would have been an issue. I’m glad you suggested the UF version. That stripper is way bigger than it looks in photos too. I think I would have had to get a tube bender to make the regular stuff work..

 

[ccg_ga]

Photos to come tomorrow, but I got the timer installed today. Works great!!

 

[W5lz]

COMPACTenna
Describing it as any sort of efficient is a joke, it isn't. It may 'work' but that's a far cry from 'well'.
LMR-240 is the equivalent of RG-58. If it suits your purpose (as in a short'ish run) knock your self out. Look at the electrical description, it will tell you what you need to know... if you know what it means. If you don't then I would suggest you learn, it really is worth the effort.

 

[mmckenna]

LMR-240 is the equivalent of RG-58. If it suits your purpose (as in a short'ish run) knock your self out. Look at the electrical description, it will tell you what you need to know... if you know what it means. If you don't then I would suggest you learn, it really is worth the effort.

No, LMR-195 is the RG-58 equivalent. LMR-240 has about half the loss of RG-58.

 

[prcguy]

So please tell us what you have tested the COMPACTenna against to come to this conclusion? Or are you just guessing?

COMPACTenna
Describing it as any sort of efficient is a joke, it isn't. It may 'work' but that's a far cry from 'well'.
LMR-240 is the equivalent of RG-58. If it suits your purpose (as in a short'ish run) knock your self out. Look at the electrical description, it will tell you what you need to know... if you know what it means. If you don't then I would suggest you learn, it really is worth the effort.

 

[ccg_ga]

COMPACTenna
Describing it as any sort of efficient is a joke, it isn't. It may 'work' but that's a far cry from 'well'.
LMR-240 is the equivalent of RG-58. If it suits your purpose (as in a short'ish run) knock your self out. Look at the electrical description, it will tell you what you need to know... if you know what it means. If you don't then I would suggest you learn, it really is worth the effort.

I assume this comment is directed at me.

There is a constructive way to voice your opinion. Your comment didn’t do that very well.

I don’t know what everything in the “electrical description” means. That is the entire point of this thread, to learn. I’m thankful that the people who contributed to it have helped me do that.

If you want to troll, find another thread to do that. It is not welcome here.

 

[mmckenna]

There is a constructive way to voice your opinion. Your comment didn’t do that very well.

Seagull. Verb:
A critical amateur radio operator who makes brief appearances to put on a meaningless but unpleasant display for others to try to show they're knowledgeable or important. They swoop in, make a lot of noise, crap on everything, then fly away.

 

[prcguy]

I'll pick this apart a little more. The statement of LMR-240 being the equivalent of RG-58 is ludicrous. At most frequencies to 1GHz LMR-240 has roughly half the loss of RG-58. LMR-240 is much better for a low loss mobile or base install compared to RG-58 and especially for its size. All you have to do is "look at the electrical description" as someone mentioned, but apparently didn't bother to do.

The COMPACtenna has been proven to be superior to a full length 1/4 wave whip on VHF. So that would be an 11" tall antenna outperforming a 19" long antenna. That is a substantial achievement in antenna design and anyone who has a COMPACtenna can easily test and prove this. But others might just sit in their worn out, stained and stinky easy chair and throw out guesses or lies, since they have never owned or even seen a COMPACtenna in person. If you have a COMPACtenna in your hand and legitimately test it against something else, then you can back up your words. Otherwise your just flapping your gums in the wind.

For someone who obviously doesn't know these things I will throw their own words back at them. "If you don't then I would suggest you learn, it really is worth the effort."

COMPACTenna
Describing it as any sort of efficient is a joke, it isn't. It may 'work' but that's a far cry from 'well'.
LMR-240 is the equivalent of RG-58. If it suits your purpose (as in a short'ish run) knock your self out. Look at the electrical description, it will tell you what you need to know... if you know what it means. If you don't then I would suggest you learn, it really is worth the effort.

 

[ccg_ga]

I removed the 2nd maxi fuse block and mounted the timer on the firewall on the passenger side. After about an hour of trying to figure out how to mount it in that location with self-tapping screws, I decided to use two pieces of Gorilla heavy duty mounting tape instead of screws. I used this on the hinge for a tailgate table I made and so far it has held up great.





Since I removed the relay and re-ran the 8 gauge power wire I also put the Insultherm high temp braided sleeving on. I used a 1.5" 3-foot pieces for the 8 gauge wires and a 5/8" piece for the coax attached to the Larsen NMO 2/70B. The sleeving is rated up to 1,200 degrees so it is way more than is actually needed, but I like the peace of mind that it offers so I don't have to worry about burning up all of the wires and coax since it is so close to the engine manifold.

The +BAT terminal is the 8 gauge 12V positive power wire that is fed from the Blue Sea maxi fuse block that is in the engine compartment. The +OUT runs to the Blue Sea distribution fuse block that is under the passenger seat.

The GRD is grounded to the body on the firewall (see above) and the IGN/ALRM is connected to the bottom pin on a Blue Sea SPST momentary switch.

 

[AK9R]

The COMPACtenna has been proven to be superior to a full length 1/4 wave whip on VHF.

Which model? COMPACtenna lists seven different antenna models on their website that cover 2m along with other bands.

 

[prcguy]

I tested the tri band amateur 2m/220/440 model and the Scan III and both outperformed a full size 1/4 wave whip on VHF. I also have the older Scan model but have not done any A/B testing on it yet.

Which model? COMPACtenna lists seven different antenna models on their website that cover 2m along with other bands.

 

[bill4long]

For those interested, a coax-loss chart

Ham Radio Coaxial Cable Power Handling and Loss Specifications - Velocity Factors of Feedlines

 

[cmdrwill]

Not mentioned here, there ARE many knock-off coax cables out there.

LMR-195 is the RG-58 equivalent. LMR-240 has about half the loss of RG-58.

And the real LMR240 is about the same diameter of REAL RG8X.

 

[K9DWB]

Looks like you did a good clean install. Congrats and hope it does well. Looks like a straight 6 there.

 

[ccg_ga]

Looks like you did a good clean install. Congrats and hope it does well. Looks like a straight 6 there.

Thank you, I appreciate that.

It is a 4.0L straight six. Mine is a 2004 TJ and they all either the 4.0 or a smaller 2.5L 4 cylinder.

 

[K9DWB]

Here's to best wishes the radio project does great.

 

[W5lz]

So please tell us what you have tested the COMPACTenna against to come to this conclusion? Or are you just guessing?

I don't have,and won't have one. It can certainly be called a 'guess' but it's an educated one. It is not 'large'/long enough to be any significant part of a wave length (1/4, 1/2, etc.) so it certainly will not perform as if it were. Is a tuned circuit (capacitor and coil) "equal" to a larger antenna (1/4, 1/2, etc)? I think we both know the answer to that one. So my "guess" is a valid one.

 

[prcguy]

Still looks like an uneducated guess on your part. You mention a capacitor and coil, have you taken a COMPACtenna apart to see what's in it? There is no coil and no specific capacitor so lets assume you have not taken one apart and are guessing wrong again. Apparently you didn't read some of the test reports on RR where the COMPACtenna was compared to a full size 1/4 wave and the COMPACtenna won, at least on VHF. I was skeptical, but I got one and tested it. Then I got two more. Now I know the truth. Maybe someday you will know, or maybe not.

I don't have,and won't have one. It can certainly be called a 'guess' but it's an educated one. It is not 'large'/long enough to be any significant part of a wave length (1/4, 1/2, etc.) so it certainly will not perform as if it were. Is a tuned circuit (capacitor and coil) "equal" to a larger antenna (1/4, 1/2, etc)? I think we both know the answer to that one. So my "guess" is a valid one.