Which is best?!?

[CyborgAlienWRYG738]

Firstly if this isn't in the correct place, feel free to move it.

Secondly, which is the best, the Nagoya or the Tram mount?

https://shop.mygmrs.com/collections/antennas/products/nagoya-gpk-01-nmo-ground-plane-mount-kit

https://www.buytwowayradios.com/tram-1465.html

[OffRoaderX]

Why don't you tell us what "best" means to YOU, then we can focus on those attributes.

[Northcutt114]

As he ^ said, "best" is subjective. To my eye, as someone who is relatively new to the hobby, they look largely the same. If it were me, I'd go with the Nagoya. I know the name and something about the yellow steel on the Tram says "cheap" to me. Completely subjective and unscientific. Kind of like the original question.

 

[CyborgAlienWRYG738]

BEST = Works best, actually gets low SWR readings, you know, a quality product that will last, and actually worth the money...

[CyborgAlienWRYG738]

19 minutes ago, Northcutt114 said:

As he ^ said, "best" is subjective. To my eye, as someone who is relatively new to the hobby, they look largely the same. If it were me, I'd go with the Nagoya. I know the name and something about the yellow steel on the Tram says "cheap" to me. Completely subjective and unscientific. Kind of like the original question.

 

Yellow steel? You mean the brass NMO connector?

[WRUE951]

The best is the one you want to spend your money on.    Or, you can always flip a coin.  Heads Nagoya,   tails Tram. 

[MSnow]

5 hours ago, CyborgAlienWRYG738 said:

Firstly if this isn't in the correct place, feel free to move it.

Secondly, which is the best, the Nagoya or the Tram mount?

https://shop.mygmrs.com/collections/antennas/products/nagoya-gpk-01-nmo-ground-plane-mount-kit

https://www.buytwowayradios.com/tram-1465.html

it's literally the same stuff from the same Chinese manufacturing facility. Just buy one and be happy.

[WRTC928]

I haven't used the ground plane kit from either, but I have used antennas from both. As a general rule, I was more pleased with the Trams than the Nagoyas. I have no idea whether that says anything at all about their ground plane kits.

[CyborgAlienWRYG738]

18 minutes ago, WRTC928 said:

I haven't used the ground plane kit from either, but I have used antennas from both. As a general rule, I was more pleased with the Trams than the Nagoyas. I have no idea whether that says anything at all about their ground plane kits.

Thanks, this is the kind of information I am looking for, what, if any issues did you experience with them? Did they cause higher SWR readings? And how many of them did you go thru, as in had to replace upon purchase?

Edited 10 hours ago by CyborgAlienWRYG738
Forgot a question

[nokones]

Why not buy a professional grade Laird base station antenna which is a better quality antenna and be even more pleased then you would be with a Tram.

[CyborgAlienWRYG738]

5 minutes ago, nokones said:

Why not buy a professional grade Laird base station antenna which is a better quality antenna and be even more pleased then you would be with a Tram.

Because I have zero need for a big ass antenna nor the eyesore. Besides, I'm already using a Laird antenna, attaching it to the top of a flagpole.

[Northcutt114]

12 hours ago, CyborgAlienWRYG738 said:

Yellow steel? You mean the brass NMO connector?

I guess? Like I said, I'm new to this. Why would one have brass and one have steel?

 

[LilRedDog]

1 hour ago, Northcutt114 said:

I guess? Like I said, I'm new to this. Why would one have brass and one have steel?

The Nagoya is 'Tri-Band'.

If you want to get deep in the weeds and basic:

Each transmit is trimmed as close as possible to the wavelength, and the ground plane is a 'virtual' (If I don't add that some pedant will comment, but you can gloss over it) mirror image of the same Tx from the top (I know all about null-fields, leave me alone; you had over a day) and, ideally, is also 'trimmed'.

The different rods should combine for one of three bands and the trim 'matches' the trim of the wire (antenna you see) you picked to transmit on that antenna. If you, in fact, have a dual or tri-band antenna, both will equally perform but they are tri band and that seldom works well without friends, work and beer. 

But you don't want a tri-band bc I presume you do not have a HAM license or would know all this.

In a perfect world you would calculate to a specific frequency, do some math, cut things and 'trim' to perfection but we use 'bands' of frequencies.

The other one says UHF; that's a huge band.

I'm going to say you will have more options with the  Nagoya.

 

 

 

[CyborgAlienWRYG738]

36 minutes ago, LilRedDog said:

The Nagoya is 'Tri-Band'. 

 

 

 

I hadn't noticed that difference although I would assume that since it claims to cover all three bands without specifically claiming it's only for Ham, it would be sufficient for both. You are correct I don't yet have my ticket, I don't know if I ever will either. Which is why I came to the GMRS specific forum for answers. I wouldn't have thought the mount was actually specifically tuned to different frequencies being a block of metal. Would it actually matter for GMRS, that much? I got the Tram one, when all was assembled, it's getting 4.6+ SWR, I was curious if it was maybe it being defective or  what's the possible cause of the problem, reason for my initial query. Also, people aren't born with knowledge you gain it when you ask questions and learn it.

[SteveShannon]

2 hours ago, Northcutt114 said:

I guess? Like I said, I'm new to this. Why would one have brass and one have steel?

 

With the exception of mounting hardware, steel is seldom used in antennas. Aluminum is lightweight and a very good conductor. For RF connectors brass is much more easily machined and a better conductor than steel. But brass is often plated to prevent oxidation which can affect performance (mechanical and electrical) and appearance. 

[SteveShannon]

3 hours ago, CyborgAlienWRYG738 said:

Because I have zero need for a big ass antenna nor the eyesore. Besides, I'm already using a Laird antenna, attaching it to the top of a flagpole.

So why are you looking at Tram and Nagoya?

[CyborgAlienWRYG738]

2 hours ago, SteveShannon said:

So why are you looking at Tram and Nagoya?

Did you even look at what I referred to?

[SteveShannon]

4 minutes ago, CyborgAlienWRYG738 said:

Did you even look at what I referred to?

Now I remember why you were on my ignore list …

[Northcutt114]

3 hours ago, LilRedDog said:

The Nagoya is 'Tri-Band'.

If you want to get deep in the weeds and basic:

Each transmit is trimmed as close as possible to the wavelength, and the ground plane is a 'virtual' (If I don't add that some pedant will comment, but you can gloss over it) mirror image of the same Tx from the top (I know all about null-fields, leave me alone; you had over a day) and, ideally, is also 'trimmed'.

The different rods should combine for one of three bands and the trim 'matches' the trim of the wire (antenna you see) you picked to transmit on that antenna. If you, in fact, have a dual or tri-band antenna, both will equally perform but they are tri band and that seldom works well without friends, work and beer. 

But you don't want a tri-band bc I presume you do not have a HAM license or would know all this.

In a perfect world you would calculate to a specific frequency, do some math, cut things and 'trim' to perfection but we use 'bands' of frequencies.

The other one says UHF; that's a huge band.

I'm going to say you will have more options with the  Nagoya.

 

 

 

I appreciate the info. I am up to speed on bands. I didn't notice that the Nagoya was tri-band. So aluminum is better for tri-band than brass? Why would that be?

 

[WRTC928]

6 hours ago, CyborgAlienWRYG738 said:

Thanks, this is the kind of information I am looking for, what, if any issues did you experience with them? Did they cause higher SWR readings? And how many of them did you go thru, as in had to replace upon purchase?

The tri-band Nagoya wouldn't get acceptable SWRs on one band (I forget which) no matter what I gave it for a ground plane, including in the middle of the roof of my car. The Nagoya HD-A (2m/70cm) didn't have an acceptable SWR on any band, despite being allegedly a no-ground-plane antenna. A couple of other Nagoyas did perfectly fine, including the UT-72. I've had (I think) 3 Trams and haven't had problems with any of them. With regard to how far they will tx/rx, I haven't noticed anything worth mentioning. However, in the area where I do most of my driving, the topography imposes a practical limit on any mobile antenna. Again, I'm not sure this means anything with regard to their ground plane units.

[Northcutt114]

2 hours ago, CyborgAlienWRYG738 said:

I hadn't noticed that difference although I would assume that since it claims to cover all three bands without specifically claiming it's only for Ham, it would be sufficient for both. You are correct I don't yet have my ticket, I don't know if I ever will either. Which is why I came to the GMRS specific forum for answers. I wouldn't have thought the mount was actually specifically tuned to different frequencies being a block of metal. Would it actually matter for GMRS, that much? I got the Tram one, when all was assembled, it's getting 4.6+ SWR, I was curious if it was maybe it being defective or  what's the possible cause of the problem, reason for my initial query. Also, people aren't born with knowledge you gain it when you ask questions and learn it.

He was responding to me, not you. And he was very helpful.

If you're getting an SWR 4.6, something is definitely awry. What kind of antenna are you running on the Tram base?

 

[CyborgAlienWRYG738]

32 minutes ago, SteveShannon said:

Now I remember why you were on my ignore list …

That's right, because you think you're too good to help people just want to complain about them not knowing anything but, don't want to help, just start crap.

[SteveShannon]

1 minute ago, CyborgAlienWRYG738 said:

That's right, because you think you're too good to help people just want to complain about them not knowing anything but, don't want to help, just start crap.

Look, anyone can post two web links and ask which is best.  It’s the laziest way to post. But without explaining exactly what you mean by “best” nobody can give you a serious answer. Now had you explained what model of Laird antenna you had and that you think it might require a ground plane, people would be able to give you a serious answer to your question. 
So, why don’t you try again. I might not have the answer and if I don’t I won’t act like I do, but at least you won’t look like an entitled idiot. 

[Northcutt114]

6 minutes ago, CyborgAlienWRYG738 said:

That's right, because you think you're too good to help people just want to complain about them not knowing anything but, don't want to help, just start crap.

As a relatively new member, my experience with @SteveShannon couldn't be more opposite. 

[CyborgAlienWRYG738]

35 minutes ago, Northcutt114 said:

He was responding to me, not you. And he was very helpful.

If you're getting an SWR 4.6, something is definitely awry. What kind of antenna are you running on the Tram base?

 

I knew who he was talking to. I also know that something's awry with the 4.6 SWR readings. I'm running a tuned Laird B4505CN on top of it. Tuned using a Laird G8 base. I expected it to be off, I didn't expect it to be off that much.