How far do you need to communicate?
When I am using my tractor, a couple of miles to the base station is all I need.
I wouldn't want some big antenna getting hung up on trees in the woods or in a barn.
Unless you really need extreme range, a 1/4 wave mounted someplace other than the roof (if you have a roof) would be worth thinking about. The inside top of a fender maybe (on the side that you don't get on and off from so it isn't in your way).
While I have 50 watt radios and 5/8 wave antennas on my trucks, All I ever do in my tractor is take an HT with me. If I need to get off the tractor, I take the HT with me. I must admit, and external speaker would be nice though. As it is right now, with the volume up all the way I could hear if someone was calling but would have to idle it to understand what they are saying. I don't have a roof or a cab, so it is a little noisy if the engine is doing any sort of real work.
Rick
When I am using my tractor, a couple of miles to the base station is all I need.
I wouldn't want some big antenna getting hung up on trees in the woods or in a barn.
Unless you really need extreme range, a 1/4 wave mounted someplace other than the roof (if you have a roof) would be worth thinking about. The inside top of a fender maybe (on the side that you don't get on and off from so it isn't in your way).
While I have 50 watt radios and 5/8 wave antennas on my trucks, All I ever do in my tractor is take an HT with me. If I need to get off the tractor, I take the HT with me. I must admit, and external speaker would be nice though. As it is right now, with the volume up all the way I could hear if someone was calling but would have to idle it to understand what they are saying. I don't have a roof or a cab, so it is a little noisy if the engine is doing any sort of real work.
Rick
