So I am trying to get a handle on the balance between vertical antenna length and height. It's understood getting a UHF antenna higher into the air is better, line of sight is king.
What's not so clear is, do the lengths of GMRS antennas matter if antennas of different lengths are placed at a height resulting in the top of both measuring an equal distance from the ground. This would be with both antennas used on a 25W radio.
In other words, will I see advantage with a 10' vertical antenna with a mast and antenna length combination resulting in the top of the antenna being 45' off the ground over a..... 4' vertical antenna with a mast and antenna length combination also resulting in the top of the antenna being 45' off the ground.
Lastly, while researching antennas it seems like gain increases with length, but I am not sure if that's a rule.
If it's true that antenna gain increases with length, should I be more interested the best gain for my topography, rolling and occasional tall hills in a rural agricultural area, over the length of the antenna, again with both being an equal distance from the ground.
I am all for using repeaters, but for this project my main interest is in local simplex coverage. Any guidance would be most appreciated before I put down money on a base antenna.
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TDM827
So I am trying to get a handle on the balance between vertical antenna length and height. It's understood getting a UHF antenna higher into the air is better, line of sight is king.
What's not so clear is, do the lengths of GMRS antennas matter if antennas of different lengths are placed at a height resulting in the top of both measuring an equal distance from the ground. This would be with both antennas used on a 25W radio.
In other words, will I see advantage with a 10' vertical antenna with a mast and antenna length combination resulting in the top of the antenna being 45' off the ground over a..... 4' vertical antenna with a mast and antenna length combination also resulting in the top of the antenna being 45' off the ground.
Lastly, while researching antennas it seems like gain increases with length, but I am not sure if that's a rule.
If it's true that antenna gain increases with length, should I be more interested the best gain for my topography, rolling and occasional tall hills in a rural agricultural area, over the length of the antenna, again with both being an equal distance from the ground.
I am all for using repeaters, but for this project my main interest is in local simplex coverage. Any guidance would be most appreciated before I put down money on a base antenna.
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