Hey I was wondering if there are 2M Ham antennas which are somewhat flexible for use on 4 wheel drives, or is everyone just being careful with their antenna when travelling off road? I don't have a HAM radio yet, or even a license, but I plan on it. Any input is appreciated. Thanks.
I've got the SBB1 and it's very flexible, but I made the mistake of letting the sales guy at the local HAM shop convince me to put it on a Mag-mount. I'm now looking for a permanent mount which I should have done in the first place. Mag-mounts don't work to well on the trail when you’re driving under low hanging trees.
I had it on the roof rack inside the garage while playing with the 2m.
Of course, I forgot that when the garage door opens it goes right on top of the antenna. Thankfully, the mag mount slid off the support I had it on and the antenna was not damaged. Had I had it on a fixed mount, may have been bent or worse...
I've got deep scratches all over my roof now from my mag mount sliding around. In fact every mag mount I've ever had left some kind of mark or other on my roof. Flexable antanas are much better for minimizing impact problems in my opinion.
You asked if there were flexible antennas available. There are more than you could realistically mention here. I could have named one. I could have told you to "Search". I could have told you to google it. I figured that simply answering the question, yes there are flexible antennas out there should be sufficient for anyone with some common sense.
A suggestion was made to use a "unity" antenna" which has no gain. I mentioned that this is fine for close in use, but an antenna with some gain would be a better choice if range is a concern.
In my book both both provided input and both were helpful. If you don't feel that way, no skin off my nose. Your question did not give any reason to suspect that you were a radio expert who only needed some specific advice on a narrow question, but rather that you were a total newbie on the subject.
And considering the amount of "wow that's cool", "I want one too", "neat rig dude" and other pointless comments that can be found taking up space in some many of the threads around here, I find it puzzling that you aren't posting this criticism constantly all over the board.
If you want a class on radios and antennas and a couple of sales catalogs as well, then say so.
If my only exposure were to one antenna and I liked it, then like lots of other folks I'd be happy to jump up and say "this is the best thing out there. Get it!!!" But since that's not the case, and other than the fact that you drive a stock FJ cruiser and you want a flexible antenna and you have no experience with Hams, I know nothing about your needs so offering specific suggestions for an antenna would be kinda pointless.
You might want to take a look back at your own posts before you start complaining about posts that don't contain enough "helpful input".
But hey, no problem. I'll be more than happy not to offer any input to any future question you might ask.
It's guys like you who make guys new to HAM radio just say screw it and go do our own research and not even bother asking. So what if I buy something that is crap right? So what if I don't know what I am doing, it doesn't matter right?
I figured anyone who was experienced with off roading with a HAM radio antenna knew which ones were good, and which ones a guy should not even bother with and would be glad to offer up some info. CB antennas are easy- go buy a wilson or firestik, pop on a spring to the mount and you're done. HAM, well it's a little different. They aren't on the shelf down at your local truck stop. I'll stop bothering experts like you Mark, and just google and find whatever I can until I get what I want.
I too am a new Ham, I know enough to be dangerous.
You asking a question of "hey is this a good antenna" is a difficult question. Its like asking if the FJ is a good 4x4. Sure it is for you, but I've got kids and too many to fit in the FJ so for me it isn't a good 4x4.
Questions of what your going to use it for, how high you can go to fit into a garage (if any), and where you are going to mount it is nice info.
Now if your driving in a group in tight tight brush and your worried about clearance, then this may be a great fit for you. Heck I'm so new i don't even feel smart enough to offer advice. I would find some antennas you like and look at eham.net. There is a section there that offers reviews.
This weekend a fellow ham helped me tune my CB. I was WAY off on my CB! To be honest I never knew that you could tune a CB antenna. I also found out that I was grounded out on ARB bar and could be doing damage to my radio.
I don't think Mark was being rude, I just thing he was telling you about the gain problem with that flexi antenna. I've never had any problems with a ham being rude to me. I know I make mistakes constantly on the air, everyone has been kind so far.
