RV Camper Vertical Dipole

[slowmover]

Am trying to find an inexpensive “mobile” local comms CB antenna setups for some of my neighbors.

While there are those who come and go, some of us are longer-term residents (RV Park). We utilize a cellphone group chat (term?), but that’s rather impersonal. And service dependent. CB is seen as desirable. RV Channel 14 Kick Start

I’ve helped with one pickup truck to get him prepped for better radio/antenna — have another waiting — but it’s the composite-body camper vehicles have me hesitant.


Big truck experience not finished (next link). Still have the MFJ-347 with which to experiment. Mount I have in mind can get it about 10” away from MoHo body. 4’ & 2’ Francis to get 1.5-2.0’ above roof.

Same as here:

Big Truck: Dipole Antenna Install

Can’t get the immediacy of a dipole for big truck out of my head. The typical vertical can take more than a day of work to route coax and install RF bonds. When one is assigned another fleet tractor, the leisure to do that work (if ever done) is off in the future. I figure that a sort of...

forums.radioreference.com

A more standard thread example reference of RV CB:

CB Base antenna for a Camper Trailer

Some of you responded to my questions about an antenna mount for my pickup and the answers were very helpful. Thanks. Well, my wife spoke to me and she feels that a base antenna for the camper trailer takes priority over the truck antenna. I feel she made some very good sound points and decided...

forums.radioreference.com

This inexpensive base pictured looks good for a vertical (Francis whips). A MOONRAKER item being carried by DX-E. DPC-38

Moonraker 09-159 Moonraker DPC-38/38V Dipole Center Mounts | DX Engineering

Free Shipping - Moonraker DPC-38/38V Dipole Center Mounts with qualifying orders of $99. Shop Stealth Antenna System Components at DX Engineering.

www.dxengineering.com

Motorhome where factory antenna was in this position over drivers street side window (below) is my start. Owner interested in a QT40 + speaker. Has a built-in diesel genset and several hundred gallon fuel reserve. (I expect this rig to grow in capability).

Most folks here are backed-into their space and this antenna location also good for some 5th wheels (even if a longer coax run to lounge area). It’s assumed for stationary operation only.



I’m avoiding base station or “external” antennas (non-mobile) for others because I don’t want to get into base station NEC problems. (RV Park electric is grounded at service entrance to park, not at one’s lot space PowerPole).

We are located down in a river vale surrounded by higher ridges most directions. From vacationers lost to wandering livestock and children, CB is being seen as fast & easy versus text/chat. Party Line

The park owner wants The Real Thing (QT40), but that’s another thread of its own. I’d imagine the “company vehicles” could get CB, and there are several of us already with vehicle CB.

— A few examples get to working and things will grow. Randy would be right at home, in fact I expect that route will be preferred for “home” (still need external antenna).

Budget is the problem (mine). I’ve quite a bit of wiring/cable to use up, and a few gadgets/gizmos (like cable glands) to share around. Extra antennas. Etc. I expect owner participation (get radio) but would still like to keep costs low.

But what mount . . . where to start?
(On what would you mount DPC-38? How far out from vehicle?). Assume no metal RV exterior or structure.

Lowest cost & least intrusive are the guidelines, not barriers. I’m open to what could work with the assumption it’s a “mobile radio rig” operating off of the 12V DC of a composite-body coach/trailer electrical system; stationary-only.

Thanks in advance.

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[prcguy]

I've built a lot of end fed half wave antennas using a 49:1 transformer for 80-10m and at one point tested a transformer just for CB/10m by connecting 1/2 wave of wire or about 18ft. That worked really well and with a 33ft fiberglass mast holding up the 18ft of wire and small transformer it worked a lot better than a 9ft whip on the vehicle I was using for testing.

So, if you can get away with a telescoping fiberglass mast you have have base station performance in a rapid deploy and takedown temporary setup that should not have to abide by NEC for grounding.

I used the small home made transformer in the black box below which will handle up to 100w SSB or maybe 25w AM. The transformer cost under $10 to make including box and hardware. The chalk line reel of wire is for 40-10m operation. The small roll of coax has a number of turns through a ferrite core as an RF choke which is recommended.

 

[slowmover]

I've built a lot of end fed half wave antennas using a 49:1 transformer for 80-10m and at one point tested a transformer just for CB/10m by connecting 1/2 wave of wire or about 18ft. That worked really well and with a 33ft fiberglass mast holding up the 18ft of wire and small transformer it worked a lot better than a 9ft whip on the vehicle I was using for testing.

So, if you can get away with temporary telescoping fiberglass masts you have have base station performance in a rapid deploy and takedown temporary setup that should not have to abide by NEC for grounding.

I used the small home made transformer in the black box below which will handle up to 100w SSB or maybe 25w AM. The transformer cost under $10 to make including box and hardware. The chalk line reel of wire is for 40-10m operation. The small roll of coax has a number of turns through a ferrite core as an RF choke which is recommended.

View attachment 192572

An encouraging start, thank you.

I’ve come to realize as others have noted that we live in a feminized era where even the men are stopped in their tracks by their feelings, versus a logic the situation demands.

A grey coating on an extendable painters pole in a grey 5-gal fits the description of one of my antenna set-ups. Still visually noticeable.

Being Texas — and 50-miles west of IH35 — we do have a high winds probability greater than most of the eastern USA. It wouldn’t be seen as successful having to chase antenna problems at the point where radio use is high. It’s an option I’ll offer to owner as End-Fed makes sense. But I don’t know squat (today) about a DIY transformer.

Not to worry about the NEC angle sounds great (fingers crossed). The motorcoach owner besides the park owner is likely the only one who’ll want SSB at home.

I’m in the @mmckenna end of the pool where “general appliance” expectations rule over the Amateur highly-personal experience to which I’ve become accustomed.

I’ll guess the folks here can be happy with AT500 given integrated NRC & FM plus an excellent audio speaker if Randy doesn’t appeal.

For those without a Weather Radio in an RV (not optional) this’ll be an easier sell than to have to buy that separately.

May have to change antenna brand (design) to ensure compatibility with that feature.


The problem for most with disaster preps is that it ain’t vital until too late. We are also in a flood zone dependent on a river authority to do their job correctly.

It’s my hope that most’ll want a CB for their automobile once they put the pieces together.

July 4th near Austin



The aftermath of clean-up is long & arduous.
Radio of service throughout.
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[slowmover]

This painters pole fit the bill for length & storage in my truck past price (SIRIO Boomerang).

Anyone with links to decent quality push-up is appreciated.

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[slowmover]

Without abandoning DIY as an end here is TennTennas Mini EFHW 49:1 Transformer 25W All Mode SOTA POTA Antenna

25’ coax minimum.
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[slowmover]

And I’ve gone thru frustration in DIY of:

Antenna Feedpoint Coax Choke

Feedpoint Choke Mobile, it’s a nicely impressive addition to add a feedpoint choke in my experience. Reduction of CMC with another coax choke at transceiver end. I’ve used a somewhat expensive version that’s been difficult to mount on the exterior of the big truck. Time for simpler. Buried...

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It’ll be nice — should the opportunity arise — to again tackle this. Successfully.

My experience with manufactured units has made them obligatory on my rigs.

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[EAFrizzle]

For those without a Weather Radio in an RV (not optional) this’ll be an easier sell than to have to buy that separately.

May have to change antenna brand (design) to ensure compatibility with that feature.

For Wx reception, whatever CB antenna you use will work fine, so long as it's vertical. No need for a different type since it's not transmitting in that range.

 

[slowmover]

For Wx reception, whatever CB antenna you use will work fine, so long as it's vertical. No need for a different type since it's not transmitting in that range.

Okay, . . but I’ve had some seemed better than others in this regard. Skipshooter vs metal mid-coil.

Never did back-to-back testing. Usually a whole vehicle radio rig install as compared to remembrance of last one.

— Realized in starting this thread to be cautious; the need to dot “i” and cross “t” ahead of time as ideal is to be once through; not re-do.

Tools, Supply, Procedure.

Thx.

 

[EAFrizzle]

Different CB antennas definitely have different performance on VHF, but about any antenna that performs well on CB will get enough signal from a NWS station in range.

Right now, my QT-60Pro is inside, hooked up to a Li'l Wil on the roof. I'm getting Corsicana, Greenville/Sulphur Springs, and both Dallas stations full quieting, with Palestine showing a signal but unreadable audio. Pretty good for a lower-performance antenna. Barring terrain, an EFHW should do just fine.

 

[EAFrizzle]

Just hooked a VHF 1/4 wave to the QT-60Pro to check performance on WX, Palestine became readable, but no other stations heard. Readable audio on all 7 WX channels on the VHF rig.

To me, the WX performance seems fine on a CB antenna, and unless you need SAME alerting, I'd be comfortable with it for weather using whatever antenna.

 

[slowmover]

Just hooked a VHF 1/4 wave to the QT-60Pro to check performance on WX, Palestine became readable, but no other stations heard. Readable audio on all 7 WX channels on the VHF rig.

To me, the WX performance seems fine on a CB antenna, and unless you need SAME alerting, I'd be comfortable with it for weather using whatever antenna.

Those posts appreciated.
Thank you for the trouble taken.

Yes, SAME, mentioned by most I’ve known as desirable. ( I added external antenna & strobe to a Midland-120.)

We hear NG651 Parker Cnty, here. Palo Pinto known to bust through. (Somervell harder to pick up; get Tarrant Cnty on occasion.

I’m in favor of a stand-alone NOAA receiver, but I’d be glad to know more neighbors would be not totally reliant on TV or broadcast AM/FM beyond cell phone.

Since we’re a little west of the MetroHex the weather warnings get deep & heavy in Spring; around the clock. Many turn it off.

Randy 3 FCC (EU model linked) and ANYTONE AT500 both look like good radios to recommend given they also have this feature (past NRC now available on both).



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[slowmover]

A series of articles on EFHW

Ham Radio Articles about

Ham Radio articles with a focus on .

www.hamradio.me

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[slowmover]

Gotten approval from coach owner for Antenna-in-a-Bucket (EFHW). We figured out locations for radio install and where to locate said bucket.

Next to figure out the 12VDC run & speaker location.

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[prcguy]

Gotten approval from coach owner for Antenna-in-a-Bucket (EFHW). We figured out locations for radio install and where to locate said bucket.

Next to figure out the 12VDC run & speaker location.

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If its a commercially made EFHW I hope your planning on cutting the wire down to about 18ft to make a vertical half wave end fed for CB and not 40-10m, etc.

 

[slowmover]

If its a commercially made EFHW I hope your planning on cutting the wire down to about 18ft to make a vertical half wave end fed for CB and not 40-10m, etc.

Thanks. That’s the idea as per Post #2.

The simplicity is intriguing given performance accolade, and that’s ahead of the deploy/stow character which is enough all on its own.

My painters pole is more than what’s required. So (I suppose) some sort of telescoping fishing pole looks attractive. I need to read details of How To.

Low price yet somewhat sturdy push-up pole I’m still on the hunt. Someone will get me into that bind. Likely the wholly separate rig design for the property owners building.

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[slowmover]

Home Base antenna issues/set up Suggestions

I just purchased a Uniden 980ssb and with a little will for the car. Love the set up small compact and works well in the car. Swr 1.5 across the board right out of the box. I have a power supply in the house and are ready to use the uniden in the house. I have a metal roof on my town house, so...

forums.radioreference.com

Retail example:

Par End-Fedz EF-11 Par EndFedz® Antennas | DX Engineering

Free Shipping - Par EndFedz® Antennas with qualifying orders of $99. Shop Wire Antennas at DX Engineering.

www.dxengineering.com

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[prcguy]

Home Base antenna issues/set up Suggestions

I just purchased a Uniden 980ssb and with a little will for the car. Love the set up small compact and works well in the car. Swr 1.5 across the board right out of the box. I have a power supply in the house and are ready to use the uniden in the house. I have a metal roof on my town house, so...

forums.radioreference.com

Retail example:

Par End-Fedz EF-11 Par EndFedz® Antennas | DX Engineering

Free Shipping - Par EndFedz® Antennas with qualifying orders of $99. Shop Wire Antennas at DX Engineering.

www.dxengineering.com

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The PAR mono band end feds are a different design than the multiband with 64:1 or 49:1 transformer. They do work fine however. You will have to extend the wire length a couple of inches and its more than you think since its a 1/2 wave. You end up adding twice what you would if it were a 1/4 wave.

 

[prcguy]

Lookey here, I thought I had a couple of PAR end feds. This one is a 10m version but with new longer silver/Teflon wire and tuned for CB. I have another on 10m and a couple of multiband jobs. They are very handy for portable/temporary setups.

 

[slowmover]

Thx for clarifications.

I’m swimming around in circles, but having a pretty good time. The advice is appreciated.

Search term, “11M EFHW antenna”, is only okay

Heavy rain today cancels most else.

Got the rear of the pickup bed set up past two days as a work station aimed at these things after helping the neighbor. Unlike being in a house or something with more storage space every task has set-up ahead of it. Which affects yet other projects.

— Looks like I need to pull everything for my own pair of stations ahead of a job for another before I get too much farther.

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