n4gix

Phantom antennas suck. Do a simple test:  Put on the Phantom antenna, run your VSWR test, then step back 10 ft. from the vehicle & tilt your head 10 degrees to the right.  Now, screw on a standard 6 inch hatpin UHF quarter wave antenna, measure VSWR again, and then step back 10 ft. and tilt your head 10 degrees again, this time to the left.
 
I'm thinking the 1/4 wave hatpin will look much better after running your test. The 10 degree head tilt is optional.

Here is a snap shot of my NanoVNA showing the resonance of the external GMRS at my home. The resonance can recognized by the sharp dip in the yellow LogMag trace. Since the impedance of the antenna (as depicted in the green smith chart) is also closely matched to the 50-ohm coax there is also a corresponding dip in the SWR. So this image shows that, in my case, the best SWR reading corresponds with the resonance of antenna.
 
So, in part, how can you view the resonance of an antenna independent of SWR? Use a NanoVNA, perform an S11 measurement with the instrument set to display the LogMag trace.
 
Hope this helps.
 
.
 
 
 
 
Michael
WRHS965
KE8PLM

Actually a nice nanoVNA would certainly work as well. It's a bit more of a learning curve simply because it doesn't have the pre-written macros like a RigExpert has. If you go that way, spend the few dollars more to buy one with the largest screen you can find, as the smaller versions have such a tiny font they are very difficult to read...
 
Truthfully, a nanoVNA can do a lot more than the RigExpert does, certainly more than the MFJ analyzers can do. There's a reason why MFJ is semi-jokingly called "Mighty Fine Junk..." 

If you do remove an NMO mounted antenna for safety while using the carwash, please do be sure to buy a screwon cap for the NMO mount...
 

I finally received my shiny new RT97 portable repeater yesterday. I chose to have them program it in the ham portion of the UHF band, since they don't charge extra for it, nor for tuning the duplexer. I do have the service equipment here in case I ever need to retune the duplexer.
 
So far I'm very pleased with it's performance even though currently it's connected to a tri-band NMO mag mount antenna on a 14' diameter pie pan. I was able to hit the repeater full quieting about 3 miles from my 40 watt mobile. 
 
I've read elsewhere that many (including our very own Rich!) have had problems getting the programming software configured properly. After several attempts, I finally discovered that Retevis only allows COM1 through COM20 in their software. On my development computer all COM ports 1 through 22 (save one) are already in use, so the system assigned COM23 to the Prolific programming cable!
 
I noted that COM2 was not already in use, so I had to use the Advance option to re-assign COM23 to COM2. Bingo! Now the darn thing will connect and will allow for read/write operations to take place.
 
I note that the RT97 has 16 channels that may be programmed. Evidently the duplexer they are using will allow +/- 500kHz to pass through adequate signal, so they have pre-programmed the other 15 channels accordingly! This has proved to be a blessing since my primary channel (#1) is 442.975/447.975. The closest repeater on that pair is in Attica, Indiana, nearly 120 air miles from me so I thought that was clearly enough separation to cause no problems, especially since I chose to use 141.3 CTCSS for the input/output tone. Unfortunately, Attica is a DMR repeater and the analog 'machine gun sound' has been coming in loud and clear! So I've moved up 12.5kHz (channel #2) to eliminate the nasty sound...
 
I am intending this portable repeater to be used primarily as part of our ARES group here in NW Indiana, and am anxious to get this outdoors for some range testing!
 

I finally received my shiny new RT97 portable repeater yesterday. I chose to have them program it in the ham portion of the UHF band, since they don't charge extra for it, nor for tuning the duplexer. I do have the service equipment here in case I ever need to retune the duplexer.
 
So far I'm very pleased with it's performance even though currently it's connected to a tri-band NMO mag mount antenna on a 14' diameter pie pan. I was able to hit the repeater full quieting about 3 miles from my 40 watt mobile. 
 
I've read elsewhere that many (including our very own Rich!) have had problems getting the programming software configured properly. After several attempts, I finally discovered that Retevis only allows COM1 through COM20 in their software. On my development computer all COM ports 1 through 22 (save one) are already in use, so the system assigned COM23 to the Prolific programming cable!
 
I noted that COM2 was not already in use, so I had to use the Advance option to re-assign COM23 to COM2. Bingo! Now the darn thing will connect and will allow for read/write operations to take place.
 
I note that the RT97 has 16 channels that may be programmed. Evidently the duplexer they are using will allow +/- 500kHz to pass through adequate signal, so they have pre-programmed the other 15 channels accordingly! This has proved to be a blessing since my primary channel (#1) is 442.975/447.975. The closest repeater on that pair is in Attica, Indiana, nearly 120 air miles from me so I thought that was clearly enough separation to cause no problems, especially since I chose to use 141.3 CTCSS for the input/output tone. Unfortunately, Attica is a DMR repeater and the analog 'machine gun sound' has been coming in loud and clear! So I've moved up 12.5kHz (channel #2) to eliminate the nasty sound...
 
I am intending this portable repeater to be used primarily as part of our ARES group here in NW Indiana, and am anxious to get this outdoors for some range testing!
 

I highly suggest going to his HOME page and downloading the user guide and the companion book. They are very complete in covering all that may be done with the program.

I highly suggest going to his HOME page and downloading the user guide and the companion book. They are very complete in covering all that may be done with the program.

My post was a play on a certain YouTube host's pronunciation of the name, but thank you for the clarification.

Just for general information, I've modified my ham license to reflect the area I'm currently living in. N4GIX is now N9GIX. I have tried twice to change my "Display Name" but for some reason it isn't working...
 
I remain the same good-natured old curmudgeon as before of course! 

Well, that's a very nicely done installation nonetheless! 

Check out https://www.ve2dbe.com/rmonline_s.asp
 
Here is an example of the type of coverage map projection:

Check out https://www.ve2dbe.com/rmonline_s.asp
 
Here is an example of the type of coverage map projection:

Having a warped sense of humor, sometimes I reply to such radio check requests...
 
"I've just checked, and mine are still here...
 
...seriously, you are ________ !"

Just for general information, I've modified my ham license to reflect the area I'm currently living in. N4GIX is now N9GIX. I have tried twice to change my "Display Name" but for some reason it isn't working...
 
I remain the same good-natured old curmudgeon as before of course! 

Many of the less expensive radios leave some flashing from the casting process that partially obstructs the tiny hole for the microphone. Cleaning out the flashing to open up the hole results in much better pickup by the microphone element.

We used to tell them to follow that curly cord from the device in front of their face. You'll find your radio there.

Just for general information, I've modified my ham license to reflect the area I'm currently living in. N4GIX is now N9GIX. I have tried twice to change my "Display Name" but for some reason it isn't working...
 
I remain the same good-natured old curmudgeon as before of course! 

Having a warped sense of humor, sometimes I reply to such radio check requests...
 
"I've just checked, and mine are still here...
 
...seriously, you are ________ !"

There is a reason.  GMRS has a fee payment arraignment system in place and requires no testing, only payment; all that they have to do is reduce the fee, everything else is in place.  Ham requires testing and confirmation and at this time requires no fee.  Its a whole new ball of wax. 

And.... that's about the time I change the channel. 

To give a little more perspective, as of last Sunday, April 11th, the number of GMRS licenses stood at 99,237...
 
That is 763+ new licenses in less than a week! 

And.... that's about the time I change the channel. 

Aren't ICAO and NATO the same? Unless we argue semantics of ZOO-LUU vs ZOO-LOO? And that makes to me, who's English is not native, exactly ZI-RO sense.

You could use a multi-axis adjustable NMO mount similar to this: