Amateur (Ham) Radio BS and Callsign Thread!

Why did you decide to drill your roof for antennae ?

I’ve got a AluCab aluminum canopy - how would recommend mounting a dual band antennae to canopy ?

I was thinking about mounting antennae on canopy, putting the radio in the canopy somewhere and running CAT wire to the cab for the head unit ..

 

I mounted it there because it's the most ideal location according to folks that know a whole lot more than I do.
And propagation is excellent, so they seem to be correct.

Regarding the Al topper. I've read non-ferrous metals make a poor ground plane. But to combat being (if) it's your only mounting alternative a square piece of steel sheet can be affixed to the topper and the antenna directly mounted to that. I've seen 1/8" sheet from 1'x1' to 3'x3' to be recommended.

But that's only what I've read. I haven't any direct experience with it.

I'm sure someone else will chip in.

 

If your topper is aluminium and you put a plane steel sheet next to it you are risking galvanic corrosion. I would recommend a stainless steel sheet instead, you can get that in the ferrous variety if you like.

 

Do you think you could get the same effect from mounting and antenna to a steel bed bar near the cab so it isn't partially blocked by the cab itself? Not too keen on drilling holes in my room just yet either.

 

I'm not sure I know what you mean by bed bar. Generally, you want it as high as possible with the biggest ground plane as possible. BUT there is going to be a point of diminishing returns where going through the effort and expense just isn't worth the time. At a certain point, it's going to work "good enough". How good is "good enough"? That's up to you and your wallet.

 

Good advice. I've got a plan now - will post some photos and hopefully some SWR data.

 

I ran this setup for a few years. Worked fine for what I was doing, had great range, just make sure that everything has a good ground (antenna to bar, bar to truck bed).

 

You could also consider a no ground plane antennna like the Diamond 770. I run mine off of tailgate mount with good results (although I would like to hook to an SWR meter just to see what it runs)

 

I have seen real chatter boxes at my work get their ham radio license and then not know what to say when they hit the push to talk button. I suggest saying you are a new ham and looking for your first contact. You will have a much better chance of getting someone coming back to you if they know you are new. I also find new hams are a little shy so they cram their call sign and any information into a one second transmission. People monitoring are "what was that?". Hit the push to talk, pause a second, "this is N6EAJ, I am a new ham and looking to make my first contact. Is anyone available?". Wait 30 seconds and try it again. Don't talk fast.
I see you are in San Diego. If you ever want to arrange a contact, let me know. Since I live in Escondido and work in Rancho Bernardo, I mostly chit chat on the Escondido repeater http://earsclub.org/ , but there are lots of repeaters in the area that cover almost all of San Diego county like some run by the Palomar club https://www.palomararc.org/
Matt

 

I love the 770

 

Bad description on my part. I meant the kind of bars you might attach an RTT to.

Good to hear. You think there's be any difference in signal strength between this and the tailgate mount that demo243 is doing? I'm just trying to get this done effectively the first time so I don't have to try and mess with it later on down the road.

Thanks for the links, those'll come in handy in the future. Calm and collected introduction, got it. Guess now I've just gotta program in some repeaters that're near the mountain and on my regular driving routes.

 

I ran a bar mount for 2 years and then went to a tailgate mount when I added my shell. I didn't notice any difference for my Diamond 770 between those two.

 

Dunno why I did just ask here earlier. Getting answers here was much easier than sifting through Google links.

 

I have my mounted behind the cab can reach 40 to 50 miles no problem. All mountain and Hill here in upstate New York.

 

Here's a list of several of the San Diego County amateur radio clubs:

http://sandarc.org/index.php/2013-10-21-13-36-15/2013-10-21-13-40-55

http://sandarc.org/

Many of the clubs have monthly meetings. If you have the opportunity, attend a meeting in your area.
Congratulations on obtaining your license.

 

This just in from Wits End...

 

I need!

 

Wow that's a great idea! Surprised no one thought of it sooner.

 

Curious how well it will work though with the weatherproofing gasket between it and the truck body. The 3rd brake light just screws into plastic pieces I am pretty sure.

 

There are electrically conductive sealants, but I don't know how they'd interact with the paint or if they'd provide enough of a connection from mount to cab for a good ground. Plus they're not cheap.