tjcasper93

Problem solved! It was the LMR400 cable! More specifically the connectors. When I was reattaching the LMR400 coming from the attic to the radio this morning I noticed that the connection seemed a little loose, even though it was finger tightened. Nonetheless we proceeded with our test from base to car and got the same results.....not very far. So once again I set up the kitchen antenna and, just like before, we were talking from base to car for miles. So I thought what the he** and I ran the shorter, RG58 cable ( which I was using in the kitchen) from the radio to the attic and connected it to the Sirio Antenna, which was just leaning against a board. With that setup we went 19.6 miles as the crow flies using only simplex, and that was with hills and trees. Obviously it got a little fuzzy and stat-icky when the car was in dense foliage or in a valley but we were ecstatic!

Riktar, great idea. Tomorrow my brother and I will test out your theory.

nokones, you have a very nice, clean set up. What antenna are you using?

WRXB215, you make a good point about the reception from the kitchen. Maybe my kitchen setup is low enough to get around all of the interference.

WRXL702, Thanks for the info on the Sirio Antenna. I am going to try a roof mount again tomorrow. If it works I guess I'll keep it until the HOA notices it. Maybe they will let me keep it up.

Thanks.

WRUE951, how long was your cable when you put the antenna in the tree?

I forgot to mention that I went with a lower db antenna due to the hills in our area.

OK, but why does this antenna work so well from my kitchen? My brother and I can talk for miles as he's driving around. Trying to figure this out is baffling.

Thanks WRXB215. Unfortunately no windows in the attic.

Thanks. Interestingly I have tried putting the antenna on the roof and get the same results. I thought I'd try the attic since the kitchen worked so well but no luck. I also have to abide by the HOA rules. I like the idea of a flag pole. Perhaps I can get one to stick out above a tree so the HOA doesn't get too mad.

No, just asphalt shingles. Not sure about the underlayment but as I recall there wasn't any foil. But if there was foil wouldn't it affect the kitchen set up as well since the signal has to go through the ceiling and then through the roof?

I have a GMRS base station at my house with the Sirio CX455 antenna located in the attic (LMR400 cable). In car tests with my brother I lost him after a 1/2 mile. However with the same antenna in my kitchen we can talk both ways for miles. I've tried the attic antenna in various places, and have used different cables in the attic but get the same results. I'm not running the LMR400 along any power cables. We both use Midland MXT500. Any help getting the attic antenna to work is appreciated.

Hello again, SWR on the mobile is really good. I don't remember exactly but it was in the 1.2 range. The mount is in the center of the roof and is NMO. I've only tried the Midland MXT500. That's what my brother and I purchased back when they came out. I guess I could give another radio a try, though I'm not necessarily wanting to spend a whole lot more. Any suggestions on a decent alternative to the MXT500?

Thanks, I hadn't thought about the weather station frequencies. The next time my brother is free we'll try a test with his gmrs radio in his car to see if loosening the antenna on the base station improves reception as he drives out into the country. This can be maddening at times! ?