Can anyone tell me the CAP allowable antennas for a mobile radio ???
Whatever works for the installation and is appropriate for the radio power and type.
I've never seen any specifications regarding antennas - in a lot of cases the Wing will issue an antenna with the mobile, but in a lot of cases they don't.
I got a Maxrad N-mount for my EFJ, but because of the spring on it was taking chunks out of my garage so I stuck with the little flexible 1/4-wave Fry's special and gave the MAXRad to the COV.
Eclipse is right -- there are no standards for antennas - save for the fact that if you regularly use a handheld with a base/mobile antenna then the handheld must meet the tighter specifications of a mobile radio. I have a small rubber-duckish 2m/440 ham antenna on my POV since I am close to the local repeater and need to get into parking garages regularly. When I am further away, I use a higher gain 2m antenna.
Any specific issue that I can help with or should know about?
Don't be these guys...
(http://www.hamsexy.com/cms/wp-content/uploads/2006/09/truck3.jpg)
(http://www.arrl.org/news/features/2005/04/21/1/antenna-car-1-lrg.JPG)
Any 144-148 MHz band mobile antenna should work fine. The SWR might be a little high, and require a little adjustment - worse case.
Some squadrons were issued a few in our wing. Check with your comm folks.
Quote from: Eclipse on December 09, 2008, 04:53:48 PM
Don't be these guys...
I saw a guy with a full sized 2m yagi mounted to the left side of his truck once, plus about 10 other verticals like on the red car.
If your antenna hits the bridge as you drive under it, it is probably too long...
Quote from: Sqn72DO on December 09, 2008, 06:38:55 PM
If your antenna hits the bridge as you drive under it, it is probably too long...
...so to speak...
Quote from: Eclipse on December 09, 2008, 04:53:48 PM
Don't be these guys...
(http://www.hamsexy.com/cms/wp-content/uploads/2006/09/truck3.jpg)
(http://www.arrl.org/news/features/2005/04/21/1/antenna-car-1-lrg.JPG)
they're missing their amber rotating beacons!
Quote from: Eclipse on December 09, 2008, 07:27:58 PM
...so to speak...
haaaaa!!!!!!!!! well played sir.
I remember a few personal vehicles in Colorado Wing like this a decade or so ago :D
WHERE DID YOU GUYS GET A PIC OF MY TRUCK.... ohh wait thats just a dream. LOL
I only have 3 on my car CB, VFH and HF
i have droped down to 1/4 wave for the VHF because a fill whip doesnt look good on the new car
Quote from: caprr275 on December 11, 2008, 06:13:12 AM
WHERE DID YOU GUYS GET A PIC OF MY TRUCK.... ohh wait thats just a dream. LOL
I only have 3 on my car CB, VFH and HF
i have droped down to 1/4 wave for the VHF because a fill whip doesnt look good on the new car
*GASP* You sacrificed performance for aesthetics?! You're no comm geek! Shun the nonbeliever!
In the interest of full disclosure, I have two - one through-the glass for the scanner (ELT use only), and a 1/4-wave whip
18" whip on the roof.
And for the record, you are NO MAN until you drill an N-Mount hole in your roof! ;D
Just make sure the antenna SWR is within tolerance. Magnetic mount antennas work fine IF you don't always use the radio in the vehicle. Use one for the VHF radio & the get another one for the LPer EF equipment. Make sure though when you transmit on the VHF radio that you turn off the DF equipment, so you won't risk damage to the DF equipment.
RM
With the mag mount the issue was it flying off the roof when I forgot the whip was attached, and I was always afraid of blowing the finals if I x-mitted without the whip.
I tried a through-glass for the VHF, but sadly my vehicle has e-glass with a metallic film and it didn't work. The scanner receives fine, but no matter what we tried we could not get the VHF to broadcast - SWR looked like a dead short.
Since my Wing DC has checked the SWR and all is well, and the 1/4 wave whips against the garage with no problem - been doing that for two years and its still fine.
I tried using the MaxRad that Wing gave me (the one that looks like a baton), and the spring on that thing was so tight it bent the roof when I came into the garage.
That's one of the very, very limited advantages of parking on the driveway.