Recommendation for dual band HAM antenna on 80 series

[BiggSean]

Hey guys, I will soon be installing a Kenwood TM-D710A into my 97 LX450.

I plan on installing the antenna using a clamp on ARB antenna bracket, as all of my other tabs are currently occupied.

What dual band antenna do you recommend for this setup?

Thanks in advance!

 

[george_tlc]

Most of us mount the antenna on the rear upper tailgate.

Search and you'll find various mounts and antenna recommendations. Much of your choice will be based on terrain you cover - i.e. how well protected/flexible the antenna needs to be.

I carry 2 antenna units - a short flexible comet and a longer comet. Short one can and does scrape when going into parking garages (if the 80 fits at all) so can handle a lot of abuse. The longer one is for trips when we're more in the open. I use a Diamond brand mount (or maybe it's a comet - can't remember off hand).

If you have a HRO nearby, visit them to check out your options and ask for some opinions.

Having it on the tailgate provides reasonable protection and then added height helps get the signal out a bit further and there's less 'shadow' from the rest of the vehicle versus on the ARB.

I wouldn't mount it on the ARB - watching an antenna bounce around day in and day out will wear thin and will always be in the way when you need access to the engine bay. Just my opinion.

cheers,
george.

 

[Kofoed]

There is an Ham Radio Outlet in Burbank if you ever get down that way. They have all the stuff on the floor or on display....You could also go mag-mount if only used it on trips...

 

[GJCruiser]

IMO, hard to go wrong with the black, open wound coil version of teh Larsen NMO270B.

 

[rusty_tlc]

Larsen hatch mount, don't look back.

 

[PabloVTA]

I just added a flat Baja rack and RTT to the top of my truck, I've been running the rear hatch mount and a shorty black rubber antenna, but now it swings up and hits the tent body.

Thinking of switching it to a mount that attaches right to the rack itself, do I need a ground plane antenna?

looking for something that's not overly huge and tall. I use it mostly for simplex, but would like to try cross band repeat and hitting some far away locations. anything kind of middle of the road?

thanks.

 

[abruzzi]

I used the Gamiviti fender mount, but the antenna is a Larsen 2/70 with NMO mount. They're a bit pricy ($70) but practically indestructible. The only mod needed is if you are in tree cover, take a length of heat shrink, and shrink it around the open coil so it doesn't catch branches.

 

[terrx]

I use a Diamond trunk lip mount base (http://www.diamondantenna.net/k400snmo.html) clamped on the rear air deflector. The small diameter coax routes inside and seals reasonably well past the hatch seal. In the open street/desert I use a Diamond NR73BNMO antenna at that location. In tree cover it comes off and I switch to a NR770 on the front fender.

 

[Kofoed]

I just added a flat Baja rack and RTT to the top of my truck, I've been running the rear hatch mount and a shorty black rubber antenna, but now it swings up and hits the tent body.

Thinking of switching it to a mount that attaches right to the rack itself, do I need a ground plane antenna?

looking for something that's not overly huge and tall. I use it mostly for simplex, but would like to try cross band repeat and hitting some far away locations. anything kind of middle of the road?

thanks.

Get a half-wave vertical, about 40 inches, and no ground plane needed.

 

[terrx]

Although the NR73 doesn't have huge gain it's reasonably compact and 1/2 wave on 2M. When mounted on the air deflector it ends up being as high overall as a longer antenna mounted lower on the hatch rim. It also works good on the FJ40 with the fiberglass roof. Obviously it's only one of many options.