Amateur (Ham) Radio BS and Callsign Thread!

Ok... Ok.... Here's the situation..... I love my Larson NMO.. But dam.. The whip is long.. Is there something smaller with the same quality... I will fork out the cash too for a good one. For once in my life I get to park in a garage.. Eventually I want to get all my licenses so I am ok with a Tri band or what ever you call them. Oh eventually I want to be able to mount it on my new bumper.
HI REMEMBER ME... The noob!!

Thanks again in advance.


Oh anybody looking for a whip and wants mine?!?! Maybe a trade or something....

 

Shorter means going to a 1/4 wave, you most likely have a 1/2 or 5/8 wave. You are going to loose quality/range. If you are mainly hitting repeaters or others guys running trails with you, that won't be a problem.

If you go tri band, those things are really long and like to hit everything.

If you look back in this thread, near the early middle I think, there was a few posts about a 1/4 wave that you could bend into a loop. Several guys said it was great. I get out of my truck every time I pull into/out of the garage to lower/raise my antenna. I have been looking into the motorized antenna mount, lower or raise at a touch of a button. The reviews online aren't great, but I know two hams that have 3+ on their SUVs and love them. I keep thinking about making my own, but that requires time.

 

Tri is Bad!! Haahaa... Guess I could have two antennas. I mostly will use it for trail rides and in an emergency situation. Plus I like listening to the old men bitch about theirs wives during the lunch time chatter.. Lol.. It's like they use it as their home phones.. Pretty comical..
Good idea... Use the motor from my radio antenna...

 

If you're going to get your General and put an HF radio in the truck, plan on the antenna being massive. There's no way around it.

For a good, short 2m/70cm dual band for hitting repeaters around town, take a look at the Comet

$71 SBB-2 146/446 MHz Dual Band Mobile Antenna 18" PL-259

SBB-2. It does an ok job and is about a foot or a foot and a half tall on the mount.
The whips that were being discussed are STI-Co Flexi-Whips. Which can be had on Ebay for about $50 each including the NMO mount and coax. These mounts if put on the roof will require drilling holes in the sheet metal. (unless you pick up a Green Lee or similar Die set, which is my plan)

 

The main difference between 1/4, 1/2 and 5/8 wave is the angle of the signal. I don't remember which is which, but one sends the angle more horizontal and one is more vertical. So depending on your terrain, they may make a difference in your need.

 

I will get a home System when I go up to general. I guess in the long run I really might just look at the comet SSB-2 for my LX.. Thanks

Or any other suggestions once again thanks in advance...

 

As mentioned, I'd go for the Flexi-Whip if I needed something shorter and more flexible.

 

wow what a great evening on 20m. 57 on 10w to New Zealand, 59 with 100w my first QSO into New Zealand...

 

Why cant you stick it on an NMO mag mount?

 

Why dont you get something with a foldover mount or put a quick disconnect on?
They even have motorized mounts now

 

you can totally do a magnetic NMO mount. I hate magnetic antennas for anything other than temporary solutions.

 

Same here. But id do anything not too drill... put a roof rack on and clamp/drill to that lol

 

I have an access cab. A roof rack requires drilling too.

A headache rack, with a row of NMOs wouldn't be bad

 

Or a headache rack that has a bar go forward over the cab!

 

That's a good idea... Run it along my rack...

Hmm wonder if my rack clears the garage..

 

I mounted an NMO mount to my roof rack. Works great continuously for two years running.

 

Just ordered the Sena Sr10 to hook my HT up to and have Bluetooth comms on my bike. Will post pics once I figure out the mounting and get it all fired up.

 

I didn't see this posted recently, but the FCC has dropped the fee for vanity call signs. Please don't abuse it!

 

I want a refund from 3 months ago

 

The US government doesn't refund money. If you complain, they audit you, and then fine you for something so confusing you don't understand it enough to argue with them.