1. snovarc@snovarc.groups.io
   Date   
Re: Mobile rig antennas - advice and tips welcomed

Jackson Beard
 


On Mon, May 4, 2020, 09:03 Mike Jacob <golferguy02@...> wrote:
Well, I'm finally getting ready to put a mobile rig into my truck.
I am pretty sure I've settled on a Kenwood TM-V71A. 

I'd love to get your opinions and any pics you want to share about antenna mounting, models and performance you wish to share.

Some details about my rig:
Toyota truck
I use a canopy for several months a year so mounting on the inside edge of the bed rail is not going to work. 
I know that a roof mount is probably best for performance, but I'm hesitant to put on there as I'll likely break it off going into the parking garages near work as they have short clearances. (and I'll surely forget to lower it every time).
This is making me think a hood mount is the next best option.  It doesn't necessarily provide the best ground plane.  Does anyone have a hood mounted antenna and do you get "good enough" performance? 

I'm thinking something along the lines of these, but would love feedback or opinions:

Antenna models:




Potential mounting location:  (not my truck) 🙂


Thanks for sharing your opinions and any tips or mistakes to avoid. 

-Mike J
W7GR
Re: Mobile rig antennas - advice and tips welcomed

Rowland
 

Here are pics of my F350 and Explorer installs.  They both work great.  I did have a mag mount on p/u for several years but had a tree branch blow it off the top of my truck and destroy it.

image.png
image.png



Thanks,

Rowland



On Mon, May 4, 2020 at 11:06 AM Jason Frazier <frazierjason@...> wrote:
I have my my V/u antenna mounted in the same place, hood next to A-pillar.  Note that if you have a 2015 or newer F-150 you must look for an aluminum bar with isolation washer and special stainless screw, to prevent galvanic corrosion on either the aluminum body or steel frame.  I found mine easily on Amazon.

A-pillar position has worked well for me, certainly better than mag-mounting the same antenna on my other vehicle.

73 de Jason W7DM


-------- Original message --------
From: Mark McClain <n6oby@...>
Date: 5/4/20 10:44 (GMT-08:00)
Subject: Re: [SnoVARC] Mobile rig antennas - advice and tips welcomed

I have also had pretty good luck with front fender/hood mounted antennas. 

 

I did some experimentation on a Chrysler minivan I had many years ago with two different mounts on the drivers side.  One was back close to the column (pillar) and the other was forward near the nose.  My testing showed a noticeable difference between the two and the forward-mounted antenna did better when testing to a repeater that was behind the van.  So you might want to give some consideration to how close to your pillar it is mounted.

 

Mark

 

 

From: snovarc@snovarc.groups.io <snovarc@snovarc.groups.io> On Behalf Of Jackson Beard via groups.io
Sent: Monday, May 4, 2020 9:07 AM
To: snovarc@snovarc.groups.io
Subject: Re: [SnoVARC] Mobile rig antennas - advice and tips welcomed

 

I use a hood mount designed for my Ram, and it works just fine. I can hit the repeater from Skagit and Lewis counties.

 

They make a hood mount for your truck too.

 

On Mon, May 4, 2020, 09:03 Mike Jacob <golferguy02@...> wrote:

Well, I'm finally getting ready to put a mobile rig into my truck.

I am pretty sure I've settled on a Kenwood TM-V71A. 

I'd love to get your opinions and any pics you want to share about antenna mounting, models and performance you wish to share.

Some details about my rig:
Toyota truck

I use a canopy for several months a year so mounting on the inside edge of the bed rail is not going to work. 

I know that a roof mount is probably best for performance, but I'm hesitant to put on there as I'll likely break it off going into the parking garages near work as they have short clearances. (and I'll surely forget to lower it every time).
This is making me think a hood mount is the next best option.  It doesn't necessarily provide the best ground plane.  Does anyone have a hood mounted antenna and do you get "good enough" performance? 

I'm thinking something along the lines of these, but would love feedback or opinions:

Antenna models:


 


Potential mounting location:  (not my truck) 🙂

 

 

Thanks for sharing your opinions and any tips or mistakes to avoid. 

-Mike J
W7GR

 

 
Re: Mobile rig antennas - advice and tips welcomed

Jason Frazier
 

I have my my V/u antenna mounted in the same place, hood next to A-pillar.  Note that if you have a 2015 or newer F-150 you must look for an aluminum bar with isolation washer and special stainless screw, to prevent galvanic corrosion on either the aluminum body or steel frame.  I found mine easily on Amazon.

A-pillar position has worked well for me, certainly better than mag-mounting the same antenna on my other vehicle.

73 de Jason W7DM


-------- Original message --------
From: Mark McClain <n6oby@...>
Date: 5/4/20 10:44 (GMT-08:00)
To: snovarc@snovarc.groups.io
Subject: Re: [SnoVARC] Mobile rig antennas - advice and tips welcomed

I have also had pretty good luck with front fender/hood mounted antennas. 

 

I did some experimentation on a Chrysler minivan I had many years ago with two different mounts on the drivers side.  One was back close to the column (pillar) and the other was forward near the nose.  My testing showed a noticeable difference between the two and the forward-mounted antenna did better when testing to a repeater that was behind the van.  So you might want to give some consideration to how close to your pillar it is mounted.

 

Mark

 

 

From: snovarc@snovarc.groups.io <snovarc@snovarc.groups.io> On Behalf Of Jackson Beard via groups.io
Sent: Monday, May 4, 2020 9:07 AM
To: snovarc@snovarc.groups.io
Subject: Re: [SnoVARC] Mobile rig antennas - advice and tips welcomed

 

I use a hood mount designed for my Ram, and it works just fine. I can hit the repeater from Skagit and Lewis counties.

 

They make a hood mount for your truck too.

 

On Mon, May 4, 2020, 09:03 Mike Jacob <golferguy02@...> wrote:

Well, I'm finally getting ready to put a mobile rig into my truck.

I am pretty sure I've settled on a Kenwood TM-V71A. 

I'd love to get your opinions and any pics you want to share about antenna mounting, models and performance you wish to share.

Some details about my rig:
Toyota truck

I use a canopy for several months a year so mounting on the inside edge of the bed rail is not going to work. 

I know that a roof mount is probably best for performance, but I'm hesitant to put on there as I'll likely break it off going into the parking garages near work as they have short clearances. (and I'll surely forget to lower it every time).
This is making me think a hood mount is the next best option.  It doesn't necessarily provide the best ground plane.  Does anyone have a hood mounted antenna and do you get "good enough" performance? 

I'm thinking something along the lines of these, but would love feedback or opinions:

Antenna models:


 


Potential mounting location:  (not my truck) 🙂

 

 

Thanks for sharing your opinions and any tips or mistakes to avoid. 

-Mike J
W7GR

 

 
Re: Mobile rig antennas - advice and tips welcomed

Mark McClain
 

I have also had pretty good luck with front fender/hood mounted antennas. 

 

I did some experimentation on a Chrysler minivan I had many years ago with two different mounts on the drivers side.  One was back close to the column (pillar) and the other was forward near the nose.  My testing showed a noticeable difference between the two and the forward-mounted antenna did better when testing to a repeater that was behind the van.  So you might want to give some consideration to how close to your pillar it is mounted.

 

Mark

 

 

From: snovarc@snovarc.groups.io <snovarc@snovarc.groups.io> On Behalf Of Jackson Beard via groups.io
Sent: Monday, May 4, 2020 9:07 AM
To: snovarc@snovarc.groups.io
Subject: Re: [SnoVARC] Mobile rig antennas - advice and tips welcomed

 

I use a hood mount designed for my Ram, and it works just fine. I can hit the repeater from Skagit and Lewis counties.

 

They make a hood mount for your truck too.

 

On Mon, May 4, 2020, 09:03 Mike Jacob <golferguy02@...> wrote:

Well, I'm finally getting ready to put a mobile rig into my truck.

I am pretty sure I've settled on a Kenwood TM-V71A. 

I'd love to get your opinions and any pics you want to share about antenna mounting, models and performance you wish to share.

Some details about my rig:
Toyota truck

I use a canopy for several months a year so mounting on the inside edge of the bed rail is not going to work. 

I know that a roof mount is probably best for performance, but I'm hesitant to put on there as I'll likely break it off going into the parking garages near work as they have short clearances. (and I'll surely forget to lower it every time).
This is making me think a hood mount is the next best option.  It doesn't necessarily provide the best ground plane.  Does anyone have a hood mounted antenna and do you get "good enough" performance? 

I'm thinking something along the lines of these, but would love feedback or opinions:

Antenna models:


 


Potential mounting location:  (not my truck) 🙂

 

 

Thanks for sharing your opinions and any tips or mistakes to avoid. 

-Mike J
W7GR

 

 
Re: Mobile rig antennas - advice and tips welcomed

Jackson Beard
 

I use a hood mount designed for my Ram, and it works just fine. I can hit the repeater from Skagit and Lewis counties.

They make a hood mount for your truck too.

On Mon, May 4, 2020, 09:03 Mike Jacob <golferguy02@...> wrote:
Well, I'm finally getting ready to put a mobile rig into my truck.
I am pretty sure I've settled on a Kenwood TM-V71A. 

I'd love to get your opinions and any pics you want to share about antenna mounting, models and performance you wish to share.

Some details about my rig:
Toyota truck
I use a canopy for several months a year so mounting on the inside edge of the bed rail is not going to work. 
I know that a roof mount is probably best for performance, but I'm hesitant to put on there as I'll likely break it off going into the parking garages near work as they have short clearances. (and I'll surely forget to lower it every time).
This is making me think a hood mount is the next best option.  It doesn't necessarily provide the best ground plane.  Does anyone have a hood mounted antenna and do you get "good enough" performance? 

I'm thinking something along the lines of these, but would love feedback or opinions:

Antenna models:




Potential mounting location:  (not my truck) 🙂


Thanks for sharing your opinions and any tips or mistakes to avoid. 

-Mike J
W7GR
Re: Mobile rig antennas - advice and tips welcomed

Rowland
 

My antenna is mounted like the one in the picture. On hood drivers side. The difficulty is getting coax through fire wall unless you have a pass through hole already there.

On Mon, May 4, 2020 at 9:03 AM Mike Jacob <golferguy02@...> wrote:
Well, I'm finally getting ready to put a mobile rig into my truck.
I am pretty sure I've settled on a Kenwood TM-V71A. 

I'd love to get your opinions and any pics you want to share about antenna mounting, models and performance you wish to share.

Some details about my rig:
Toyota truck
I use a canopy for several months a year so mounting on the inside edge of the bed rail is not going to work. 
I know that a roof mount is probably best for performance, but I'm hesitant to put on there as I'll likely break it off going into the parking garages near work as they have short clearances. (and I'll surely forget to lower it every time).
This is making me think a hood mount is the next best option.  It doesn't necessarily provide the best ground plane.  Does anyone have a hood mounted antenna and do you get "good enough" performance? 

I'm thinking something along the lines of these, but would love feedback or opinions:

Antenna models:




Potential mounting location:  (not my truck) 🙂


Thanks for sharing your opinions and any tips or mistakes to avoid. 

-Mike J
W7GR


--
Thanks,
Rowland
Mobile rig antennas - advice and tips welcomed

Mike Jacob
 

Well, I'm finally getting ready to put a mobile rig into my truck.
I am pretty sure I've settled on a Kenwood TM-V71A. 

I'd love to get your opinions and any pics you want to share about antenna mounting, models and performance you wish to share.

Some details about my rig:
Toyota truck
I use a canopy for several months a year so mounting on the inside edge of the bed rail is not going to work. 
I know that a roof mount is probably best for performance, but I'm hesitant to put on there as I'll likely break it off going into the parking garages near work as they have short clearances. (and I'll surely forget to lower it every time).
This is making me think a hood mount is the next best option.  It doesn't necessarily provide the best ground plane.  Does anyone have a hood mounted antenna and do you get "good enough" performance? 

I'm thinking something along the lines of these, but would love feedback or opinions:

Antenna models:




Potential mounting location:  (not my truck) 🙂


Thanks for sharing your opinions and any tips or mistakes to avoid. 

-Mike J
W7GR
Re: Antenna Tuner or Tune an Antenna with an Analyzer?

Paul Butzi (W7PFB)
 

I would say it depends.  If it’s a single band antenna I say tune the antenna for best match across the band or at the frequency of concern, and if the SWR is still too high at the point of resonance, build a transformer into the feedline to get close to 1:1.

If you want to use the same antenna on multiple bands, a tuner is darn useful.  My two HF radios both have very capable built in auto tuners, and I’ve used my OCFD on bands where it would otherwise be unusable.


-p W7PFB
73, Don’t forget to smile and have fun!

On May 3, 2020, at 2:44 PM, Howard E. Mahran / WA1HEM <wa1hem@...> wrote:

What say you?
--
*************************
Howard E. Mahran
WA1HEM
(425) 864 - 5104
*************************

Re: Antenna Tuner or Tune an Antenna with an Analyzer?

Jackson Beard
 

Tuner provides multiple band use.


On Sun, May 3, 2020, 14:44 Howard E. Mahran / WA1HEM <wa1hem@...> wrote:
What say you?
--
*************************
Howard E. Mahran
WA1HEM
(425) 864 - 5104
*************************

Antenna Tuner or Tune an Antenna with an Analyzer?

Howard E. Mahran / WA1HEM
 

What say you?
--
*************************
Howard E. Mahran
WA1HEM
(425) 864 - 5104
*************************
Asteroids

Rowland
 

I was watching an interesting show this morning on asteroids and close approaches to the earth.  During this presentation they referred to a NASA website that has lots of information on this subject.  If you are interested take a look.




Thanks,

Rowland
New EXTRA question pool on July 1 is smaller!

Howard E. Mahran / WA1HEM
 

For those of you Hams out there with your Tech and General licenses that have thought about getting your Extra license (like me). The new question pool for the Extra exam starting on July 1 will be 91 one questions smaller - 621 down from 712! 

This is a great time to use the shelter-in-place time to study especially since there's 13% less to know!

73
--
*************************
Howard E. Mahran
WA1HEM
(425) 864 - 5104
*************************
SnoVarc Thursday (5/7) Business and Elmer Monthly Meeting - Its ONLINE! (Updated Login Info)

Howard E. Mahran / WA1HEM
 

We have moved the monthly meetings to Zoom. The login information for the May 7th meeting is:

 
Meeting ID: 918 5052 4747
Password: 678188
One tap mobile
+12532158782,,91850524747#,,1#,678188# US (Tacoma)

Let me know if you have any questions. See you there!

73s,
Howard
*************************
Howard E. Mahran
WA1HEM
(425) 864 - 5104
*************************
Re: Testing

Paul Butzi (W7PFB)
 

We moved down to 7160 for that reason.

-p W7PFB
73, Don’t forget to smile and have fun!

On Apr 26, 2020, at 4:09 PM, Ken Kosters <kenkosters@...> wrote:

I would try more civilized part of the band. Splatter from 7.255

Ken

On Apr 26, 2020, at 3:44 PM, Paul Butzi (W7PFB) <w7pfb@...> wrote:

ok, give me a few minutes to get this thing configured for voice…

-p W7PFB
73, Don’t forget to smile and have fun!

On Apr 26, 2020, at 3:42 PM, Jackson Beard <macleanofduart@...> wrote:

Yes, please. I'm at 7.250

On Sun, Apr 26, 2020, 15:42 Paul Butzi (W7PFB) <w7pfb@...> wrote:
40m, sure.  Voice?

-p W7PFB
73, Don’t forget to smile and have fun!

On Apr 26, 2020, at 3:41 PM, Jackson Beard <macleanofduart@...> wrote:

I'm 80 to 10. 40 meters?

On Sun, Apr 26, 2020, 15:40 Paul Butzi (W7PFB) <w7pfb@...> wrote:
My station is currently configured to do digital modes (psk, ft8 etc.) so if you want to try SSB phone I’ll need to switch some cables around.  I can do pretty much any band 80-6m.  Pick your poison.

-p W7PFB
73, Don’t forget to smile and have fun!

On Apr 26, 2020, at 3:36 PM, Jackson Beard <macleanofduart@...> wrote:

You name it, Paul.

On Sun, Apr 26, 2020, 15:35 Paul Butzi (W7PFB) <w7pfb@...> wrote:
Yes.  What would you like to try?

-p W7PFB
73, Don’t forget to smile and have fun!

On Apr 26, 2020, at 3:31 PM, Jackson Beard <macleanofduart@...> wrote:

Anyone willing to help me test my new hf station on air?
Re: Testing

Ken Kosters
 

I would try more civilized part of the band. Splatter from 7.255

Ken

On Apr 26, 2020, at 3:44 PM, Paul Butzi (W7PFB) <w7pfb@...> wrote:

ok, give me a few minutes to get this thing configured for voice…

-p W7PFB
73, Don’t forget to smile and have fun!

On Apr 26, 2020, at 3:42 PM, Jackson Beard <macleanofduart@...> wrote:

Yes, please. I'm at 7.250

On Sun, Apr 26, 2020, 15:42 Paul Butzi (W7PFB) <w7pfb@...> wrote:
40m, sure.  Voice?

-p W7PFB
73, Don’t forget to smile and have fun!

On Apr 26, 2020, at 3:41 PM, Jackson Beard <macleanofduart@...> wrote:

I'm 80 to 10. 40 meters?

On Sun, Apr 26, 2020, 15:40 Paul Butzi (W7PFB) <w7pfb@...> wrote:
My station is currently configured to do digital modes (psk, ft8 etc.) so if you want to try SSB phone I’ll need to switch some cables around.  I can do pretty much any band 80-6m.  Pick your poison.

-p W7PFB
73, Don’t forget to smile and have fun!

On Apr 26, 2020, at 3:36 PM, Jackson Beard <macleanofduart@...> wrote:

You name it, Paul.

On Sun, Apr 26, 2020, 15:35 Paul Butzi (W7PFB) <w7pfb@...> wrote:
Yes.  What would you like to try?

-p W7PFB
73, Don’t forget to smile and have fun!

On Apr 26, 2020, at 3:31 PM, Jackson Beard <macleanofduart@...> wrote:

Anyone willing to help me test my new hf station on air?
Re: Testing

Paul Butzi (W7PFB)
 

ok, give me a few minutes to get this thing configured for voice…

-p W7PFB
73, Don’t forget to smile and have fun!

On Apr 26, 2020, at 3:42 PM, Jackson Beard <macleanofduart@...> wrote:

Yes, please. I'm at 7.250

On Sun, Apr 26, 2020, 15:42 Paul Butzi (W7PFB) <w7pfb@...> wrote:
40m, sure.  Voice?

-p W7PFB
73, Don’t forget to smile and have fun!

On Apr 26, 2020, at 3:41 PM, Jackson Beard <macleanofduart@...> wrote:

I'm 80 to 10. 40 meters?

On Sun, Apr 26, 2020, 15:40 Paul Butzi (W7PFB) <w7pfb@...> wrote:
My station is currently configured to do digital modes (psk, ft8 etc.) so if you want to try SSB phone I’ll need to switch some cables around.  I can do pretty much any band 80-6m.  Pick your poison.

-p W7PFB
73, Don’t forget to smile and have fun!

On Apr 26, 2020, at 3:36 PM, Jackson Beard <macleanofduart@...> wrote:

You name it, Paul.

On Sun, Apr 26, 2020, 15:35 Paul Butzi (W7PFB) <w7pfb@...> wrote:
Yes.  What would you like to try?

-p W7PFB
73, Don’t forget to smile and have fun!

On Apr 26, 2020, at 3:31 PM, Jackson Beard <macleanofduart@...> wrote:

Anyone willing to help me test my new hf station on air?
Re: Testing

Jackson Beard
 

Yes, please. I'm at 7.250


On Sun, Apr 26, 2020, 15:42 Paul Butzi (W7PFB) <w7pfb@...> wrote:
40m, sure.  Voice?

-p W7PFB
73, Don’t forget to smile and have fun!

On Apr 26, 2020, at 3:41 PM, Jackson Beard <macleanofduart@...> wrote:

I'm 80 to 10. 40 meters?

On Sun, Apr 26, 2020, 15:40 Paul Butzi (W7PFB) <w7pfb@...> wrote:
My station is currently configured to do digital modes (psk, ft8 etc.) so if you want to try SSB phone I’ll need to switch some cables around.  I can do pretty much any band 80-6m.  Pick your poison.

-p W7PFB
73, Don’t forget to smile and have fun!

On Apr 26, 2020, at 3:36 PM, Jackson Beard <macleanofduart@...> wrote:

You name it, Paul.

On Sun, Apr 26, 2020, 15:35 Paul Butzi (W7PFB) <w7pfb@...> wrote:
Yes.  What would you like to try?

-p W7PFB
73, Don’t forget to smile and have fun!

On Apr 26, 2020, at 3:31 PM, Jackson Beard <macleanofduart@...> wrote:

Anyone willing to help me test my new hf station on air?
Re: Testing

Paul Butzi (W7PFB)
 

40m, sure.  Voice?

-p W7PFB
73, Don’t forget to smile and have fun!

On Apr 26, 2020, at 3:41 PM, Jackson Beard <macleanofduart@...> wrote:

I'm 80 to 10. 40 meters?

On Sun, Apr 26, 2020, 15:40 Paul Butzi (W7PFB) <w7pfb@...> wrote:
My station is currently configured to do digital modes (psk, ft8 etc.) so if you want to try SSB phone I’ll need to switch some cables around.  I can do pretty much any band 80-6m.  Pick your poison.

-p W7PFB
73, Don’t forget to smile and have fun!

On Apr 26, 2020, at 3:36 PM, Jackson Beard <macleanofduart@...> wrote:

You name it, Paul.

On Sun, Apr 26, 2020, 15:35 Paul Butzi (W7PFB) <w7pfb@...> wrote:
Yes.  What would you like to try?

-p W7PFB
73, Don’t forget to smile and have fun!

On Apr 26, 2020, at 3:31 PM, Jackson Beard <macleanofduart@...> wrote:

Anyone willing to help me test my new hf station on air?
Re: Testing

Jackson Beard
 

I'm 80 to 10. 40 meters?


On Sun, Apr 26, 2020, 15:40 Paul Butzi (W7PFB) <w7pfb@...> wrote:
My station is currently configured to do digital modes (psk, ft8 etc.) so if you want to try SSB phone I’ll need to switch some cables around.  I can do pretty much any band 80-6m.  Pick your poison.

-p W7PFB
73, Don’t forget to smile and have fun!

On Apr 26, 2020, at 3:36 PM, Jackson Beard <macleanofduart@...> wrote:

You name it, Paul.

On Sun, Apr 26, 2020, 15:35 Paul Butzi (W7PFB) <w7pfb@...> wrote:
Yes.  What would you like to try?

-p W7PFB
73, Don’t forget to smile and have fun!

On Apr 26, 2020, at 3:31 PM, Jackson Beard <macleanofduart@...> wrote:

Anyone willing to help me test my new hf station on air?
Re: Testing

Paul Butzi (W7PFB)
 

My station is currently configured to do digital modes (psk, ft8 etc.) so if you want to try SSB phone I’ll need to switch some cables around.  I can do pretty much any band 80-6m.  Pick your poison.

-p W7PFB
73, Don’t forget to smile and have fun!

On Apr 26, 2020, at 3:36 PM, Jackson Beard <macleanofduart@...> wrote:

You name it, Paul.

On Sun, Apr 26, 2020, 15:35 Paul Butzi (W7PFB) <w7pfb@...> wrote:
Yes.  What would you like to try?

-p W7PFB
73, Don’t forget to smile and have fun!

On Apr 26, 2020, at 3:31 PM, Jackson Beard <macleanofduart@...> wrote:

Anyone willing to help me test my new hf station on air?