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vhf radio antenna

Discussion in 'Technical Chat' started by NT7J, Mar 13, 2025.

  1. Mar 13, 2025 at 5:12 AM
    #1
    NT7J

    NT7J [OP] New Member

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    Anyone install a thru glass antenna on the rear door window of a Taco?
     
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  2. Mar 13, 2025 at 5:24 AM
    #2
    1 Limited Toyota

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    Seen them. Not on a taco. I've just started playing with cheap eBay atsc home boxes. I have a car 12v unit... where do you find this type antenna sold?
     
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  3. Mar 13, 2025 at 3:51 PM
    #3
    Sprig

    Sprig Well-Known Member

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    Why would you want a vhf antenna on your vehicle? VHF is generally only used for marine radio. VHF is line of sight and would provide poor broadcasting and reception in vehicle. I’m just curious.
     
  4. Mar 13, 2025 at 4:35 PM
    #4
    545

    545 Well-Known Member

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    VHF just describes a frequency range

    VHF and UHF are by far the most common handheld and vehicle mounted radio

    Specifically in the OPs case, since he used his amateur radio call sign as his user name, I bet that it’s for a ham radio
     
  5. Mar 13, 2025 at 5:12 PM
    #5
    Sprig

    Sprig Well-Known Member

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    I’m aware of what you are saying and agree with you but I’m still curious to know for sure his plans for the vhf antenna. It would also be helpful responding to the op if he had provided a little more information like the intended use, what hs trying to accomplish.
     
    Last edited: Mar 13, 2025
  6. Mar 14, 2025 at 12:57 AM
    #6
    NT7J

    NT7J [OP] New Member

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    Can't be more specific than "any one install a thru glass VHF antenna on rear door window".
     
  7. Mar 14, 2025 at 1:03 AM
    #7
    crazysccrmd

    crazysccrmd Well-Known Member

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    The VHF band covers a large use spectrum between marine, aviation, public service, HAM, etc.
     
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  8. Mar 14, 2025 at 2:22 AM
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    I assumed (i know) it was for a free air channel t.v. I've been on a cut the cord thing lately. I wouldn’t miind knowing about the glass thing though as I've seen a through glass antenna set up in my far past.
     
  9. Mar 30, 2025 at 4:09 PM
    #9
    AZCFII

    AZCFII Well-Known Member

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    I’ve seen them and tried them in the past. The performance reduction wasn’t worth it to me.
     
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  10. Mar 31, 2025 at 8:15 AM
    #10
    HisDad

    HisDad Well-Known Member

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    A long time friend who was both a ham and radio technician with about 50 years of experience said that they only worked at cell phone frequencies. Which is what they were originally designed for. He said that they were not worth installing on any other frequency band.

    Take that info for what it's worth.

    I also apologize for drifting back on topic. I know that TW has rules about that.
     
  11. Mar 31, 2025 at 10:18 PM
    #11
    NT7J

    NT7J [OP] New Member

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    Been a Ham since 1983 (NT7J) so kinda new at this. Installed a Larsen thru glass UHF VHF antenna, seems to work pretty well. I can work repeaters 25 30 miles away full quieting with 10 watts Was just wondering if anyone had problems installing radios in a Taco.
     
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  12. Mar 31, 2025 at 10:48 PM
    #12
    Ricardo13x

    Ricardo13x YT: @UrbanOpsOffRoad IG: @urban.ops.offroad

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    Hell yeah dude, kn6rjj vhf/uhf all day baby
     
  13. Mar 31, 2025 at 10:57 PM
    #13
    Just_A_Guy

    Just_A_Guy Rain is a good thing

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  14. Mar 31, 2025 at 10:58 PM
    #14
    will.i.was

    will.i.was Well-Known Member

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    Only prolems I had were finding a proper plane and overall environmental exposure. I eventually ended up drilling a hole and installing an nmo bulkhead in the middle of my roof a few years ago. I ran a csr Comet sar 6.5dbi on an 778uv @ 50watts and could do impressive simplex ranges across Houston. Repeaters will hit cities around easily and nets will span across the continent. Been awhile though since I've been on. W7XTR
     
  15. Mar 31, 2025 at 11:05 PM
    #15
    GTGallop

    GTGallop Well-Known Member

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    VHF can be for MURS (151.82 to 154.60) or for the Amateur Radio 2-Meter Band (144.0 to 148.0).

    You are correct it is line of sight but there are repeaters mounted up high on water towers, cell towers, sky scrapers, and mountains that give you beyond line of sight. We have some repeaters where I live that have an 80 mile radius. And many of the repeaters can be linked so you can talk via VHF clear across the state.

    You are also correct that transmitting and reception are poor inside the vehicle - but then that's why the OP is putting an antenna outside.

    Now I'm curious.... When you asked, "Why would you want a vhf antenna on your vehicle," it sounded like maybe you had a different band in mind? What were you leaning towards?

    OP - I'd skip on the pass-thru window mount. They are a LOT better than they used to be but still very compromised. Try a Mag Mount first. They are cheaper and better.
     
  16. Mar 31, 2025 at 11:08 PM
    #16
    Ricardo13x

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    What?I don’t get it o_O
     
  17. Mar 31, 2025 at 11:13 PM
    #17
    Just_A_Guy

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  18. Mar 31, 2025 at 11:20 PM
    #18
    Ricardo13x

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