[Why is Tennessee not connected to the GMRS Hub?]

On 6/11/2023 at 1:34 PM, quarterwave said:

Isn't it interesting when people have differing opinions?

It's horrifying.  People can disagree with me and spread hate and disinformation???  They must be stopped to save free speech!

[Best no-worries GMRS base antenna?]

20 hours ago, OffRoaderX said:

I paid about $99 for my Tram 1486 which is on one section (9 feet) of a telescoping flagpole, attached to the chimney, no guy-wires.  I get about 50 miles of farz and have not worried about it since I put it up 2 years ago, making it, by definition, a "worry free" base antenna.

I use it as both a repeater antenna and as a base-station (simplex) antenna.

So, here's an idea for a video for you!  Several people in various fora (I refuse to say "forums" with any more seriousness than you say "farz" ) have absolutely trashed Browning / Tram and insist that a Laird or Comet or something is the only possible way to go.  I am certain that much hilarity could be involved.

But I've wanted a flag pole for this location too... maybe I could have the flag with an antenna on top?  Kill two birds with one stone...

[Best no-worries GMRS base antenna?]

On 6/25/2023 at 7:25 AM, Radioguy7268 said:

Are you looking to work simplex to local portables? Mobiles?  Or, do you just want to communicate through distant (or local) repeater(s)?  If it's through a repeater, do you want to work multiple repeaters in different compass directions? Or, just one specific repeater? How far away are the repeaters you want to work? Any issues of terrain? 75 miles in Kansas is a probably a different solution than 25 miles in the foothills of Colorado.

Fair enough!  The answer is "yes"... I want an omnidirectional antenna that will let me talk to mobiles and repeaters.  I have no specific use in mind.  The topography is fairly flat.  I want to get it as high as possible with no goofy engineering... a length of pipe attached to the eaves.  No massive towers, no guy wires.  For budget, let's say up to about $200 for the antenna.  Cable will be >50'  I can't imagine the mast, mounting brackets, assorted hardware, and someone willing to climb up there to mount it all should be crazy.  Let's say $500 for the whole project?

[Best no-worries GMRS base antenna?]

10 hours ago, BoxCar said:

How deep are your pockets? Can you afford over $1000.00 for the antenna, mast, and coax feedline?

I'd prefer to not spend that much!  I am curious what they would get me, though.

[Best no-worries GMRS base antenna?]

Past my last question about a stealth antenna... I have another location where I have no need to worry about any pesky HOA.  I want to maximize reach and gain.  I do not want anything that would need guy wires or anything like that.  What's the best single mast antenna for this?  Is there a mount that's better than others?  No, I don't know why one would be "better", and if it doesn't matter, fine.  Cable - what's the best type/brand to use to minimize loss and have it stand up for a long time so i don't have to worry about replacing.  What else should i be thinking about?

[Hello from Arizona!]

1 hour ago, jsneezy said:

I have the "local Phoenix only" tone set for Shaw, and haven't been able to get a response from either of the Towers repeaters. I'm pretty sure that all comes down to my HT with the NA-771G antenna. I have been meaning to get up on the San Tan mountains, which are relatively close to see if I can reach out, but now that temperatures are getting crazy, it looks like I'll be waiting til this fall unless I can come up with an antenna solution that won't get the HOA or my wife griping.

I'm in the same antenna boat... have the NA-771G and it just doesn't do the trick inside.  I'm looking into 1) trying to get an OK from the HOA for an antenna; or 2) get an antenna up in the attic.  Both Antenna Medix and Mr. Antenna have indicated they can do this.  I'm trying to learn enough to sharpen my BS detector.

["Stealth" home antenna for HOA]

1 hour ago, marcspaz said:

For what it's worth, there are some federal statutes (I'm out and don't remember at the moment) that state HOAs 'must' make reasonable accommodations for 2-way radio equipment. My friend actually went to court over and the HOA lost.  He replaced his small antennas that could only be seen off property through about 2 degrees of opening in the trees, with a giant mast that is 20 feet higher than the house and has several monster antennas for HF, VHF and UHF.

I'd love to see a statute or case cited.  I've always heard that was only for digital TV antennas.

["Stealth" home antenna for HOA]

36 minutes ago, kidphc said:

Similar problem with my hoa.

For my gmrs and uhf/vhf antennas. I have resorted to in the attic. Which presents other problems. Plus, they don't work fantastic. But any antenna is better then non. Though about putting up a vertical mobile antenna, with a base ground plane made for mobile antennas on the eveaes of the house.

There are ways around the rules. Most are not optimal. I wish I had trees on my lot, because, you can hide verticals reasonably well in a tree with green paint.

Problem I see with the eaves is that sounds very unidirectional.

I'm interested in any omnidirectional antenna that could go in the attic even if it's sub-optimal.

The tree idea is good, but I'd have quite a bit of trenching to do.  I'll have to think about that!

["Stealth" home antenna for HOA]

I'm pretty sure my HOA isn't going to sign off on an antenna.  Looking for my options if that's the case.

[Hello from Arizona!]

I'm brand new to the GMRS world.  Just joined AZGMRS.  Live most of the time in Chandler while trying to figure out how to spend less time here and more in Linden (near Show Low).