**@CAPACITY**Idyllwild 4/29 camping-wheeling-(most likely bs too)

@MuricaTaco Nick, a dual antenna setup is easy, but, like I thought, you need a "co-phased" cable. I also read-up on the signal pattern. Pretty easy when it comes down to it. But, you just need that special cable or else it won't work. I read-up on dual antenna setups a long time ago and remembered that there was something special about that setup. It would be neat to do one for sure!!! As far as the RF signal pattern, you actually INCREASE range front/back, but your left/right sides get hammered to shi-!!! So, which is it gonna be, "head or stomach", LOL!!! Finally, it is still advisable to get as long of an antenna as possible for dual setups!!! Just for your information!!!

I wish you brought your antenna so that we could have checked out the final setup! I know, for a fact, with a 4ft whip, you can easily get 4-6mi even within city areas. I was talking to one guy that was about 5mi away, IN the city area (i.e. buildings, trees, etc) and he was coming in nice and clear!!! Alot of it has to do with the tuning of your antenna system and, of course, wattage output (handhelds typically have less wattage output and this is more likely to save battery power)! I have a COBRA handheld that outputs around 2watts. Mobiles will typically output close to the max of 4watts, which was the other thing I wanted to check out of your radio with my SWR/Watt meter... AND... I found my damn cables I was looking for, LOL!!! My dumba$$ packed them in a box... since I'm moving alot of stuff to storage, LOL!!! WTF, WHY pack when I'm unnnnpacking shi- all over again??? LOL!!!

Anyways, can't wait to install the 4ft whip and whatever configuration you decide to go with?

 

Ohhhhh, gotcha. Maybe someone will get a meet together closer to where ur at.
As for this one, there's already so many ppl coming I'm worried about the integrity of the trail runs. It's just annoying with all the stop and go of a zillion trucks on a narrow trail hahah. We'll see how it goes.

 

Yeah I definitely get that. Too many trucks can make a run a nightmare. Makes it annoying for the people at the back if there's a tough spot and for anyone trying to pass

 

taken from Firestik's page, optimal distance between co-phased (twin) antennas is 9', can run as narrow as 5'
Would be a problem on any small truck. Not to say it's impossible but may be more trouble than it's worth.

"SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS


Single antenna installations for 2-Way Radio requires 50-ohm coaxial cables such as RG-58A/U or RG-8X. Dual antenna installations require 75-ohm coaxial cable (co-phase harness) to perform properly. Note: From time to time we hear from people in the field that have made co-phase harnesses from 50-ohm coax and report better than average SWR. In tests performed at our facility we found that the lower SWR readings were a results of power losses that often exceeded 50% of the radio output when compared to RG-59A/U coax and higher SWR readings. Accordingly, do not use 50-ohm coax for co-phase antenna installations.


Spacing of the antennas in a dual antenna installation will have an affect on the radiation pattern of the antennas. Technically, spacing between the antennas should be nine feet (2.7m) to have the most balanced pattern. If that distance cannot be achieved, that alone should not discourage you from using co-phased antennas as you will still receive most of the benefits of a dual antenna set-up. However, spacing less than five feet (1.5m) may require some special tuning skills in order to achieve satisfactory SWR readings."

 

Thank you for this! I was reading more about co-phase antenna systems. Pretty interesting read!!! I still wouldn't mind trying something either way though!

 

For sure, worst case is you can't get your VSWR down to an acceptable level and go back to a single antenna (after replacing the cable too).

 

LOL, yeah, no kidding, huh! I'm expecting that same result!!! LOL!!! Again though, thank you for helping me look into this as well!!!

 

Bust through dem obstacles

I'm just sitting over here like reading all this radio talk hahaha, maybe I'll be able to get my head around it after I get some sleep finally this week

Hope there's not too much stop & go, otherwise it'll be like Main Divide how I was worried about getting stuck on every stop hahahaha. What trails are we planning for Saturday anyways? Oh and is your friend Cameron coming out, guy with the ranger

 

Nah that kid doesn't talk to me anymore, got butt hurt or something. We're doing Thomas mountain and Black mountain

 

Is everyone going to be on a CB or HAM radio? I'm picking up a handheld HAM radio today.

 

I'm ham

 

Speaking of Ham radio I need to charge mine

 

@YotaGurlIAm
Replacing my bearing this weekend. Also getting some ditch lights for the truck and Sidneys quad. Going to retro a Cali-Raised
White for Sids headlight
Also it looks like if i go i will be a looner.

 

Its a stock height 2wd 5 lug non pre-runner, not much fun off-road, lol
Tons of fun on the street though, hope you guys have fun!

 

I'll be on HAM as well

 

Ham

 

I prefer the yelling out the window method but I have a CB and a ham

 

False I like running in the back. You can help people if there is a tough spot, and the front of the pack should realize it is tough and help as well. As far as people trying to pass fuck'em we are 20 trucks deep

I eventually want a snorkel, but think it would look dumb on my truck at the moment

Idk why you were worried... everyone else was in 2wd and you have an automatic.... I only went in four to get past things people struggled on and didnt want to waste my time, lol

lol

 

If no HAM is Turkey OK?

 

Naw man you need cheese!