need help finding a two way radio antenna

[nberpa]

Hi,
I don't know much about radio technology or anything, but I need to find a permanent mount antenna for a vehicle I have. I will be purchasing a Kenwood TK-730 45 watt radio and I need an antenna to be capable of receiving and broadcasting on the 151-158 mhz frequency range. The frequencies I will be using are 151.625, 151.505, and 158.400. I don't want to get a real big antenna; only something that is small and low profile, but will have a big range. The antenna can't be magnet mount because the vehicle has a fiberglass cab and roof.
Any help would be greatly appreciated!!

 

[robertmac]

As this is for commercial radio, could look or ask to have this post moved to the Commercial Antenna thread. Any Larsen antenna for VHF should be great.

 

[W8RMH]

You will need a wide band no ground plane VHF antenna, click the link below:

Laird Tech B1322W form The Antenna Farm

Since you will be mounting it to a fiberglass roof just any VHF antenna won't do. You will need one that doesn't require a ground plane (a connection to a metal roof). You will also need an NMO mount, ordered separately.

 

[mikepdx]

something that is small and low profile, but will have a big range.

You may have to scale back your requirements a bit.
You cannot get something from nothing.

Although, you may be able to use a quarter wave
if you create an artificial ground plane using mesh
or some type of foil inside the vehicle's roof.

Antenna Specialists used to have a kit with
aluminum tape as a ground plane kit
for boats, fiberglass vehicles, etc.
The concept is something to think about.

If you decide to make roll-your-own ground plane,
do not transmit until you've checked your SWR.

 

[buddrousa]

TK-730 is not a narrow band radio and would not meet the new narrow band radio standards.

http://wirelessradio.net/pdfs/Kenwood NB Radio Compatibility Matrix 3-17-2010.pdf