kidphc

Personally, been tossing the idea of a second antenna on a tilt (motorized mount) for an ID 5100a. Here is what I kinda have come up with. Currently, the ftm400 is connected to an antenna on a hood mount. I have a ditch light bracket on the rear driver corner for a 10m/11m antenna. I have thought for a second ditching the 10/11m putting a little tarheel with ic705a and a diplexer to both to a the motorized 2m/70cm antenna and the tarheel. Problem is this will cost almost 2k. Point being, have you considered using a hatch mount and maybe a small screw driver with a diplexer to another antenna? Seems like you would be gimping yourself and the radio by limiting it to 6m. Negative outside of cost would be that it would be more of a permanent install. Sent from my SM-G975U using Tapatalk

Most 1/4 wave for gmrs are about 6". Most 5/8ths are 16". I would advise against fender mounts etc. Unless, clearance makes it really a "I have to". The increase in gain won't make up for the fact you will have biased radiation patterns and shielding from the cab. You might find you lose quite a bit reception and what you get has more picket fencing. In honesty all installation mileage varies. So any 1/4 antenna might fit your needs and wants, especially if you magnet mount is nmo style and not funky like Nagoya magnet mount was Sent from my SM-G975U using Tapatalk

Owner of this place will answer your questions adn likely have it in stock. Recommend calling instead of using online ordering. He's a Ham who has been doing this for over 40years. Loves to do UHF/VHF simplex. Think he is doing microwave work now adays. Wealth of information. https://rfconnection.com/ lInk to coax https://rfconnection.com/belden-9913f7-cable/coaxial-cable/ Has everything you need. It is like the bat cave of ham, I mean tubes, switches almost everything. Some of the stuff has thinned out due to the inability to attend Hamventions but you ask he probably has it lying around.

Correct for vhf coax is more important than the antenna or radio. Losses are going to be crazy at about 8db over 100 feet vs lmr400 at 2.7 over 100 feet. Remeber 3db is equivalent to doubling your power. Sent from my SM-G975U using Tapatalk

Nah doesnt have to cost a bunch more, find the tallest tree closest to the house. Sling fishing line and hoist the antenna with the coax attached as high as you can. Chances are it's 30 feet higher then how you have it now. Not much has changed with antenna theory in the past 5 decades. Especially, for line of sight services like gmrs. Depending in how you are going to use it. I see a tower in your future. Lol [emoji14] Sent from my SM-G975U using Tapatalk

Generally, if you can see the antenna not even. You'll gain more $ for $ if you get the antennas up higher. Sent from my SM-G975U using Tapatalk

Lol. I read it as 2m and not 2 DIFFERENT meters. Should of known different since the post was from marcspaz.

Here is a video, on how to do some propagation estimation. Remember it is all theoretical, real world is very different.

Good antenna Sent from my SM-G975U using Tapatalk

Such an answer, you are the man. To the OP there are propagation calculators that take topography into account and can give a decent idea of coverage. Sent from my SM-G975U using Tapatalk

Depends on topography. Does that antenna have a ground plane kit? Sent from my SM-G975U using Tapatalk

Here something to look at. I don't know of how many stepper motors that are waterproof. They can be had on Amazon for cheap, used alot for 3d printers. You could make one with a micro controller, and customize to you liking. https://ecosportdiyseries.com/2018/10/14/diy-motorized-antenna-mount/

I have seen guys use heat shrink (multiple) to keep the fold over up. It seams you may get more convenience out of the motorized mount even without the indicator. Or maybe just have to Jerry rig one up. It is like diamond tried to maximize the profits by not selling replacement gears or any indicator. I wouldn't strain too much about the lack of the indicator. You could mount the antenna lower to limit the need of taking it off. As far as the match for gmrs I hear you. Even my larsen 2/70 was a horrible match at that frequency. Given it is on a hood mount now it has gone pretty deaf, due to the shielding from the roof and windshield. Sent from my SM-G975U using Tapatalk

Btw, I have thought about using that same antenna a ditch (hood shoulder) mount. Any reason you don't just for it over? Also, don't let the lack of indicator stop you from using the motorized mount. How often is it going to be going up and down? Sent from my SM-G975U using Tapatalk

You would of thought something like that would of come up. Another way is to put an inline voltmeter with pie zero, when a voltage spike appears the motor has met resistance. For the most part would tell you when you are at the limit. Sent from my SM-G975U using Tapatalk

More negatives to think astop. Talking to owners, most love it. 1.) Requires no ground plane antenna to perform acceptably. 2.) If the antenna is too heavy can cause the gears to stip. There are diy designs most I saw where lineat ram style. Which can be pricey. I have not seen one with an indicator. You could always add stop switches that trigger a light.

You could get a STI extra flexible whip and cut it down to tune. I was looking for the video where the guy basically sings as his antenna is whipping the garage as a beat. For most of us it is the "song of our people."

I love ssb on cb. Well except everyone being off tune (never used the clarify so much, personally it seams like they do it so they can be heard) and talking over each other. Sent from my SM-G975U using Tapatalk

Having a units (separate) that does 11m (cb) and gmrs. The gmrs with repeaters and such function with much more fidelity because of the use of fm. The cb can reach out further at times, but not due to power, but propagation openings and use of ssb mode. I much prefer gmrs because of how clean it sounds versus cb at the limits. Although, relatively close the cb can be pretty clear. Still waiting for cb radios that can do the newly approved fm. Yes, my rig can do fm for cb, probably will be to wide banded (not even sure what the bandwidth is). Kinda like comparing a pencil to an eraser. Now talk about user base, usually much more discipline on actual licensed gmrs users, frs toy radios can be intresting. Cb radio, well you have to get on it to understand. Sent from my SM-G975U using Tapatalk

Pretty much. Although, you can't contol people who are accessing it. You are the control operator, so if they want to hit you they can. You are definetly responsible for the repeater. Such as if it cause interference, frequency drift etc. Never heard of anyone being chased legally. Although, I bet you there are cases where they have given polite but frightening warnings to correct the issue. Wife is an attorney, a lot of the jargon is worded so they can do pretty much what they want (ie going after whatever people associated), if the need arises as well as to protect themselves. Sent from my SM-G975U using Tapatalk

Both. Fender mount antenna, ht inside and outside the truck. Might have to pull fuse to find the offending system. Think I might pull out the sdr to see the spectrum a bit better then chasing channels. Oh. Sigh. Sent from my SM-G975U using Tapatalk

It wouldn't matter if it is certified for gmrs when listening. The Baofeng gmrs v1 hears it as well. It's more of trying to find the offending source of the rfi. Sent from my SM-G975U using Tapatalk

Will try without the antenna. Only the gmrs frequencies. 70cm seams to be clear of the issue. Bounces around also so a chore to chase down. Sometimes on channel 4 then channel 6 then it will be on 19 or 22. Killing me. Can be heard outside of the vehichle also with the radios. Probably one of the modules probably a pwm module failing. Sent from my SM-G975U using Tapatalk

The Burb decided to become damn near dangerous to drive. Most of the possibilities for repair were going to cost what I paid for the truck. So I gave up on her. Enter 200 Land Cruiser. Got the FTM 400 installed. However, on GMRS frequencies I get hash. Even with squelch all the way up it breaks the squelch. So far with the engine off all accessories on no hash. Engine running is when it occurs. I even took out the BF8hp and can hear it when the engine is running and all the ham gear (radio, power pole distribution and Cell phone chargers unplugged). Was trying to use the BF8HP as a locator but eh probably not the best radio for it. So the noise is not entering through the power leads, since it can be heard by the Baofeng. Kinda, lost as where to go to find the source of this noise. Never thought I would have to do a fox hunt on my truck. Any suggestions.

From ehat I can tell there is a repeater on 19 in nova. Alexandria I think. Haven't been able to get the repeater I'd, apparently its been running for a long time. I catch it college park, MD. Lots of picket fencing in the truck. Much stronger in Rockville Md. Sent from my SM-G975U using Tapatalk