Would I really degrade the signal if I mounted the antenna on my ARB bumper versus I the roof? The antenna is only about 2 feet in size, it is a wilson.
Thanks for the help.
Thanks for the help.
Place to Install the Ham Radio Antenna....
- Thread starter dtt255
- Start date
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Yes it probably would.
Have you looked at the Diamond KC-900? It's a hatch mount several hams are using on our LC's. Not quite a roof mount, but it does get even a short antenna above the roof line and that's important. I run an SBB-1 that's a whooping 18" for trail use and it's just fine. I do use an SBB-7 which is a towering 3+" tall for general use around town. Used the SBB-1 before purchasing the SBB-7. There's definitely more range with the half wave SBB-7 over the quarter wave SBB-1, but it's not a bad little antenna.
Have you looked at the Diamond KC-900? It's a hatch mount several hams are using on our LC's. Not quite a roof mount, but it does get even a short antenna above the roof line and that's important. I run an SBB-1 that's a whooping 18" for trail use and it's just fine. I do use an SBB-7 which is a towering 3+" tall for general use around town. Used the SBB-1 before purchasing the SBB-7. There's definitely more range with the half wave SBB-7 over the quarter wave SBB-1, but it's not a bad little antenna.
Here are a few with the hatch mount - each with different antenna.
-m
edit:
By the way, the one showing the side mounted antenna is a really bad idea for tight spaces. Tree branches will rip it off. So will other cars when they are trying to parallel park behind to you. I had a guy catch it with his mirror and rip it off. That is why I have the lip mount set up for use in trail situations.
-m
edit:
By the way, the one showing the side mounted antenna is a really bad idea for tight spaces. Tree branches will rip it off. So will other cars when they are trying to parallel park behind to you. I had a guy catch it with his mirror and rip it off. That is why I have the lip mount set up for use in trail situations.
Isn't that the Diamond K400 mount?
bpenn1980
SILVER Star
I run the hatch mount k400 and an sbb1. I've hit a repeater at 150 miles a couple times. Nice clear conversation. I'm happy. No need for a roof mount for me right now.
- Thread starter
- #7
Thanks for all the answers!
I went with the Kc900 motorized mount for the roof rack.
Once I get it installed, I will post pics.
I just need to find a hack of a better switch then that cheesy one they give!
I went with the Kc900 motorized mount for the roof rack.
Once I get it installed, I will post pics.
I just need to find a hack of a better switch then that cheesy one they give!
The front ARB bumper location actually results in a fairly good ground plane (image plane) with only marginal loss of the signal pattern - it is slightly better than the hood lip mount options and only marginally worse than the center of the roof.
However, the DC ground on the ARB front bumper sucks courtesy the nice powder coated paint job. You can solve this, but it takes a bit of work (not plug and play).
Also, any 1/2 wave antenna will perform better than an otherwise equal 1/4 or 5/8 wave antenna when poor ground plane is an issue b/c the 1/2 wave with a properly matched coax will use the coax as a ground radial.
The only fair way to compare mounting locations is with the same identical antenna on the same vehicle with the same radio and same settings. e.g. mount a Larsen NMO 2/70 in the center of your roof and connect to your xxxx radio and try it out. Then move the antenna to an NMO hood-lip mount leaving all radio & settings the same (same coax too) and compare. Then move the antenna to an NMO mount on the ARB and leave all radio and settings the same (yep, coax too) and compare.
You can probably check this really quickly if you know the weak spots for hitting your local repeaters. Just park there and start moving the antenna.
Good luck!
However, the DC ground on the ARB front bumper sucks courtesy the nice powder coated paint job. You can solve this, but it takes a bit of work (not plug and play).
Also, any 1/2 wave antenna will perform better than an otherwise equal 1/4 or 5/8 wave antenna when poor ground plane is an issue b/c the 1/2 wave with a properly matched coax will use the coax as a ground radial.
The only fair way to compare mounting locations is with the same identical antenna on the same vehicle with the same radio and same settings. e.g. mount a Larsen NMO 2/70 in the center of your roof and connect to your xxxx radio and try it out. Then move the antenna to an NMO hood-lip mount leaving all radio & settings the same (same coax too) and compare. Then move the antenna to an NMO mount on the ARB and leave all radio and settings the same (yep, coax too) and compare.
You can probably check this really quickly if you know the weak spots for hitting your local repeaters. Just park there and start moving the antenna.
Good luck!
Would it be bad to drill the roof right at the back but still centered? I'd do it in the middle of the roof but there will be a rack in the way.
I don't really like the lip mount or bumper mounts.
I don't really like the lip mount or bumper mounts.
