Best Antenna For a iCom V8000 2m??

[Boston Mangler]

Hey Guys

What antenna would you all recommend for an iCom 75watt V8000?

I am looking into a permanent mount, as short as possible, but dont want to sacrifice quality too much.

Anyone?

Thanks

[Kofoed]

Any of the big manufacturers are fine. There is a Ham Radio Outlet in San Diego. The longer the antenna whip, the greater the gain, which means the higher effective radiated power (and receive).

For example, if one antenna has a gain of 3dB over another antenna, that means the effective radiated power is DOUBLED.

[e9999]

the shorty Comet SBB1 1/4wave is wonderfully flexible, but its SWR can be much worse than that of the longer SBB5 1/2w (see other thread), so short is good for trees but not necessarily so great for the xceiver if it's not tuned... It also gives you 1.5dB less. Some compromise needed there I guess.

[ginericLC]

My only advice is make sure you compare DB to DB and not to DBi.

[Cruiserdrew]

Kevin-You have probably figured this out already, but, there is no free lunch. For best performance on a permanent mount you need a fairly long antenna, mounted as high as possible. Since you have a huge reflecting surface of the 80 for counterpoise, you can run a 5/8 wave antenna for best performance.

For trail use, short and flexible is best, hence Eric mentioning the SBB1 which is very short and very flexible. Since it's a 1/4 wave antenna, it's performance is not nearly as good. It works, though, just don't expect super long distance contacts. Compared to CB, it's still miles better.

If you are brave, and don't use a roof rack, you can drill a hole in your roof, and run an NMO mount. This is by far the best arrangement electrically, but, you have to drill a 3/4 hole in your roof! A lip mount on the rear hatch is a good compromise.

I have been playing around this week with some steel whip antennas from Larsen. I am trying to get better performance from my radio and still have an antenna that will take the blows, tree branches, rock overheads etc that are part of every trail. I'm thinking that steel whip may be ideal because it's tough, and easily replaceable if it gets bent or lost. For $12 you can even carry a spare. Just something to consider. I just put the Larsen 150CHW on my 40 and think it might be the ticket for offroading. You could run the 5/8 wave equivalent on your 80. I'm going to try that for Death Valley in March.

[Boston Mangler]

Originally Posted by Cruiserdrew

Kevin-You have probably figured this out already, but, there is no free lunch.

DAMNIT! I am starving!!!

Originally Posted by Cruiserdrew

For best performance on a permanent mount you need a fairly long antenna, mounted as high as possible. Since you have a huge reflecting surface of the 80 for counterpoise, you can run a 5/8 wave antenna for best performance.

Yeah, that is what i figured, i run a roof rack and roof tent, so space it limited. I will likely mount a plate to my rack and use a permanent mount to it.

Originally Posted by Cruiserdrew

For trail use, short and flexible is best, hence Eric mentioning the SBB1 which is very short and very flexible. Since it's a 1/4 wave antenna, it's performance is not nearly as good. It works, though, just don't expect super long distance contacts. Compared to CB, it's still miles better.

Yeah, this will basically ONLY be used on the trail and communicating with other rigs on the trail. It will never be used for chatting with other radio folks while sitting at home!

Originally Posted by Cruiserdrew

If you are brave, and don't use a roof rack, you can drill a hole in your roof, and run an NMO mount. This is by far the best arrangement electrically, but, you have to drill a 3/4 hole in your roof!

That is what i am thinking, going to check the exact fitment of my rack and where its positioned and see if i can pull it off!

Originally Posted by Cruiserdrew

A lip mount on the rear hatch is a good compromise.

Care to elaborate?

Originally Posted by Cruiserdrew

I have been playing around this week with some steel whip antennas from Larsen. I am trying to get better performance from my radio and still have an antenna that will take the blows, tree branches, rock overheads etc that are part of every trail. I'm thinking that steel whip may be ideal because it's tough, and easily replaceable if it gets bent or lost. For $12 you can even carry a spare. Just something to consider. I just put the Larsen 150CHW on my 40 and think it might be the ticket for offroading. You could run the 5/8 wave equivalent on your 80. I'm going to try that for Death Valley in March.

Thanks for the tips!