Need Antenna Recomendation
- Thread starter warpdriv
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Jeff, a 1/2-wave antenna would be certain to tune-up well there; a 5/8-wave may or may not (due to its requirement for ground plane). For 2m only, a great 1/2-wave antenna is the Larsen NMO-150 in half-wave; second row on this page: Larsen Amateur Mobile Antennas NMO
I'm running one on the spare tire mount of my 40 and I'm able to get a signal out to a repeater from most anywhere except the very bottom of a narrow canyon (using a 50-watt Kenwood TM-D710A). Your VX-7R would do fine for trail group commo and repeaters around Austin.
I'm running one on the spare tire mount of my 40 and I'm able to get a signal out to a repeater from most anywhere except the very bottom of a narrow canyon (using a 50-watt Kenwood TM-D710A). Your VX-7R would do fine for trail group commo and repeaters around Austin.
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Just an aside about Larsen (Pulse)...
Prior to a trip back to oz Oct/Nov last year, I bought one of their NMO 70SH units for the top of my patrol. The antenna has a spring base and I bought it at HRO on their recommendation in terms of being able to take a licking when hit by low branches etc. Anyhow, it was dealing well up to about the 10th day when I noticed the whip part was gone. I guess the 2 grub screws that hold it in the spring base had slowly worked loose and a branch 'wiped' it out of the spring base.
Oh, well, figured it was the end of the trip and I'd buy a replacement whip on my return to the US. Well, turns out the whip is not available separately and you have to buy the entire antenna again (about $50). So, the months went by and then I saw a post that another fellow had contacted Larsen for some warranty issue and they sent him a new antenna. Figured, what the heck and went onto Larsen's website and sent an email to a nice lady (Rita) that over a couple of weeks asked various questions (after confirming the whip is not available separately). I explained truthfully how the antenna was mounted and that it appeared the grub screws had come loose at some point and she recommended that I use loctite on my future unit, then asked where/when I bought it. A week goes by and I get an email from her with UPS tracking number for a full new replacement. CAN'T COMPLAIN about that kind of service!
Anyhow, on the new antenna I marked the position of the whip from the factory, then loosened the 2 grub screws, remove the whip and cut (dremel into the stainless steel) a slot/flat into the whip where one grub screw makes contact with the whip. Then replaced the whip and used loctite on the 2 grub screws. At least if the main grub screw ever becomes a little loose, the slot will prevent the whip from coming out.
So, in summary, I was VERY pleased with the support from Larsen and it's great to see a company stand behind their product. I've used Comet antenna units in the past which hopefully have as good support if ever needed.
cheers,
george.
Prior to a trip back to oz Oct/Nov last year, I bought one of their NMO 70SH units for the top of my patrol. The antenna has a spring base and I bought it at HRO on their recommendation in terms of being able to take a licking when hit by low branches etc. Anyhow, it was dealing well up to about the 10th day when I noticed the whip part was gone. I guess the 2 grub screws that hold it in the spring base had slowly worked loose and a branch 'wiped' it out of the spring base.
Oh, well, figured it was the end of the trip and I'd buy a replacement whip on my return to the US. Well, turns out the whip is not available separately and you have to buy the entire antenna again (about $50). So, the months went by and then I saw a post that another fellow had contacted Larsen for some warranty issue and they sent him a new antenna. Figured, what the heck and went onto Larsen's website and sent an email to a nice lady (Rita) that over a couple of weeks asked various questions (after confirming the whip is not available separately). I explained truthfully how the antenna was mounted and that it appeared the grub screws had come loose at some point and she recommended that I use loctite on my future unit, then asked where/when I bought it. A week goes by and I get an email from her with UPS tracking number for a full new replacement. CAN'T COMPLAIN about that kind of service!
Anyhow, on the new antenna I marked the position of the whip from the factory, then loosened the 2 grub screws, remove the whip and cut (dremel into the stainless steel) a slot/flat into the whip where one grub screw makes contact with the whip. Then replaced the whip and used loctite on the 2 grub screws. At least if the main grub screw ever becomes a little loose, the slot will prevent the whip from coming out.
So, in summary, I was VERY pleased with the support from Larsen and it's great to see a company stand behind their product. I've used Comet antenna units in the past which hopefully have as good support if ever needed.
cheers,
george.
I have an MFJ-259B antenna analyzer that you are welcome to use next time you are in D/FW or I am in Austin. The 1/2-wave Larsen will be close enough from the factory to use without too much worry until you can check it. Most ham equipment is vastly better quality than cb stuff.
another vote for Larson for me