kidphc

You get close to a nanovna in price. Two different functions. For tuning I prefer the Nano Vna. I just ordered an rs70 for the cb. For real-time monitoring. However, I wanted as a on the fly reference. The rs50 is the vhf/uhf version. If it weren't a mobile install I would of done a swing needle. Sent from my SM-G975U using Tapatalk

Just like gmrs is in the 70cm band. You'll cover it in the tech study manual. https://hamradioschool.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/GetStarted-bands.jpg

They work the same. One just has the bridge setup for hf or vhf/uhf. You can sometimes us a 11m cb swr meter for 10m. Really depends if it was designed for that range. A hf swr meter usually has no problem with 11m cb. Since most hf swr meters go up to at least 10m sometimes 6m. You get what you pay for. Sent from my SM-G975U using Tapatalk

Just remeber perfect SWR doesn't mean you have a resonant antenna. Sent from my SM-G975U using Tapatalk

Depending on amount of metal, shapes etc. You get distortions in the radiation pattern. Ground plane is important because it is the other half of an antenna. 1/2 and larger are marketed sometimes as no groundplane or non groundplane dependent. It is because at the 1/2 wave point the sinoid is partially complete and not reflected back into the ground plane. As well as directionality of the antenna. You are shaping the radiation pattern based off the ground plane and its contiuity. Basically, you can get better recieve or nulls in the radiation pattern. Take it all with a grain of salt. Because you may or may not perceive the differences. In all any antenna is better then no antenna. The mobile install is already a compromised install. Sent from my SM-G975U using Tapatalk

AM FM SSB 15/45/60 pep Modding for final reliability

Welp bit the bullet. $315.94 for radio and 3 year warranty. No shipping (prime) but the tax

Yup. Talked to a local radio fantic ham. He said buy it stock with or w/o the warranty. If it blows up we can mod/fix it hopefully. I think the blow ups are caused by people over driving it. Why? There is a video of a guy open keyingbit with high swr for hours (could be wrong) and it didn't blow up. So it has to be something else. Sent from my SM-G975U using Tapatalk

Only thing I have heard as far as negatives are that it has the habit of blowing its final. Single stage from what I get. Looking at a modded one, upgrade final and regulator. Just not sure if it is worth x2 the cost. Sent from my SM-G975U using Tapatalk

Bueller...? lol

Definetly do the tech and general at the same time. I wish I had alot of the material is the same. Be on the look out for silent key estates. Their families alot of times will just want their old towers removed, which they will tell you to take apart. Then you may get a taller tower using some of your and buddies time. As well as get some free antennas. Give you a chance to inspect their install as well. If you get lucky your 20' section may attach to the one you just pulled down and you get more height. Downside setting up the tower cost $$$. Just in quality cabling it adds up. Either case, good luck. Have a feeling you'll be that "guy" in the area. Sent from my SM-G975U using Tapatalk

Certain frequency can interact. Spacing/distance can be partially resolved by having one vertical pointing upwards and the other facing downwards on a cross tee. With a 20' tower that can be an issue. Since some of the nicer vertical antennas can be in excess of 20' by themselves. Would be kinda funny if you were constantly kicking the tip of your upside down antenna. Well not really. Grounding should be done at before the tower's foundation is poured As far as the faa permit, I didn't think it was massively difficult. The installation of a beacon light is a requirement after a certain height, which sounds like you are at. Which ham ticket where you shooting for? Sent from my SM-G975U using Tapatalk

Pretty much. Had some what the same problem with my burb. The sunroof slid so far back it limited some options. So even a mag mount might work better then a permanent install. Some options on your truck. But even then everything is going to be a compromise of sorts. Sent from my SM-G975U using Tapatalk

Generally, a no ground plane antenna will work better then one requiring one and fabbing one. A no ground plane antenna will work even better with some ground plane available. I would do the 10". Make sure the rack has continutiy to the bed and cab. In which case make increase the available groundplane. I would expect some radiation pattern biases due to proximity of other metal surfaces ie, cab, bed trunks and the bed.

Anyone buy anything from them? How was the after sales support and kits? Thinking about picking up an Anytone 6666 10m rig for the truck. So I can **cough also listen to 11m. Got to thinking how cool would it be to have a tiny digital SWR meter with remote display/head for easy of mounting. Welp, I understand the basics of the SWR meter. Not experienced enough to just pickup the project and jump on a scratch build. Ardunio or otherwise. Even the kits on EBay seam a little on the daunting side. From sourcing the parts to tools/skill to calibrate the bridges. So after searching found the Fox Delta site and they have SWR kits. They don't use ribbon cables so it should be easy to expand the display leads. Anyone have experience in DIY SWR meters or Fox Delta? Fox Delta's Site

Definitely, do that. You don't know what odds and ends you might end up pickup there.

The ground for the radio should be going back to the battery. Well at least what I do for my installs. It sounds like a ground loop was created. Check the resistance on the grounds of the amp and the ground location.. The power leads, signal leads and speaker wire can act like antennas. Is this only occurring when the amp is on? The antenna, grounding wire from the mount to gate to the frame. Aren't for electrical grounding. Essentially, you created continuity between those components to create a larger ground plane. Think in the terms of a reflective surface for the radio waves. In actuality you are basically creating the other half of the antenna. Sent from my SM-G975U using Tapatalk

Not completely surprised. I mean I have read about guys with beer can, light bulb antennas and such Dx'ing. Although, quite a bit further then I thought it would go with a dummy load. But it does have a perfect SWR. I know, I know J/K. What frequency were you using? Sent from my SM-G975U using Tapatalk

Currently, it's attached to my ac unit and ft991a. Shielded by the aluminum siding of the house. Getting reception from a repeater some 30+ miles. On the truck/van it worked. Wasn't thrilled with the performance. But to throw on my wifes van and get 5 miles is ok with me. On my truck I am running a larsen 2/70. Not optimized for gmrs, gets kinda high in swr at that frequency. But I don't care if it blows up the baofeng. It served its purpose. Might get an STI flexible whip for gmrs on my truck. BTW the sma to so239 adapter cat tail is garbage. The ones packaged with them. Had 3 where the center just slipped out of the sma connector. Using sma/239 solid adapter, much better. Sent from my SM-G975U using Tapatalk

Get your tech. Far more contacts with just the repeaters. Most of my GMRS stuff is now for standby and family usage when out and about. So much so, just to get usage out of it, I hand a radio to my oldest who sits in back of the truck. More to keep her up on how to use it. Sent from my SM-G975U using Tapatalk

For those that don't know..... From Reddit. A song from an antenna:

Went from a 1/4 magnet to 5/8 drill nmo. Yes, you will get improved transmit. You may be shocked at the reception difference as well. Just keep loading coils and such in unobstructed locations. That alone then make a huge difference. Edited: plus you get the join our club. Where your antenna starts making music as it walks things.

No license necessary for frs. lot of the kid toy walkie talkies are on low frs channels. Daughter's old pickachu walkie talkies was on channel 5. Around here it is a bunch of business using them, kids or Spanish people (seams landscaping companies love them). Ignore and hit scan Sent from my SM-G975U using Tapatalk

You could mount it up higher on the hatch. You could also remove it for the non rc car look. Yes, you will get shadowing, it is less then ideal for ground planes. But no drilling either

I had big gains going from a 1/⁴ to 1/2. Looking at fold over super gainers now. You have to note that a puck antenna if it doesn't clear a roof rack, is going to be a poor performer. You never said on what type of car this would be going on.. I would think a ⁵/8 on a hatch mount would work better. Sent from my SM-G975U using Tapatalk