Homebase Setup

[MichaelLAX]

2 minutes ago, Radioguy7268 said:

If your primary transmit function is GMRS - then skip the dual band stuff and go for straight up UHF GMRS that's focused on 450-470 MHz. 

Oooops: There goes those experiments with some MURS equipment! 

[WROA675]

40 minutes ago, MichaelLAX said:

Oooops: There goes those experiments with some MURS equipment! 

We still have the mobile as an option. 

[wayoverthere]

53 minutes ago, wayoverthere said:

 

(Deleted duplicate post...was trying to edit to clarify prior post and add experience with browning "no tuning required" antenna)

[WROA675]

51 minutes ago, wayoverthere said:

(Deleted duplicate post...was trying to edit to clarify prior post and add experience with browning "no tuning required" antenna)

I like the look of it, high speed-low drag, would love to hear more about it.

[wayoverthere]

33 minutes ago, Papatree said:

I like the look of it, high speed-low drag, would love to hear more about it.

I forget if I put it in the other edit..I have a mobile, not the yagi... 5/8wave over 5/8 wave UHF only, nmo mount browning on the truck. Rated for 410-490 mhz, and in practice I've found 1.15 or less swr across 70cm and gmrs on a Midland mag mount. It is close to 3 ft tall, though.

For your base situation, the one I linked might be what is lean toward. Probably not too hard to pass off as a TV antenna to the uninformed too.

this one even had a black version; might also blend in well on the roof https://www.theantennafarm.com/catalog/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=191_193_258_977_978&products_id=3583

[WROA675]

Hello again, everyone. Please take a look at this picture of my abandon Dish. The previous owner left it and I'm wondering if using any part of it would be beneficial when I get my gmrs antenna? Meaning, the location of the dish seems to be a primo location towards an unobstructed area, clearing the surrounding buildings and trees, and a clear southernly path towards the nearest repeater, approximately 10 miles away. I could just take it down or attach my new antenna to some part of the bracket or dish itself. I'm wondering if the dish, though not active, would interfere in any way with my new antenna. What do you think?

 

[n4gix]

Remove the entire dish, and use the tubular bracket to mount a lightweight GMRS antenna.

[BoxCar]

Use a small 1/4 wave placed about 6" in front of the center of the dish. You'll get a directional antenna with about 3 dBd of gain out of it.

[MichaelLAX]

1 minute ago, BoxCar said:

Use a small 1/4 wave placed about 6" in front of the center of the dish. You'll get a directional antenna with about 3 dBd of gain out of it.

Unfortunately aimed perfectly to any GMRS users up on the DISH satellite! 

[BoxCar]

Gee Michael, I thought the OP would have enough common sense to point the dish at the repeater. I guess some people need to be led step-by-step and can't reason things out.

[MichaelLAX]

16 minutes ago, BoxCar said:

Gee Michael, I thought the OP would have enough common sense to point the dish at the repeater. I guess some people need to be led step-by-step and can't reason things out.

Your so-called “common sense” has nothing to do with it when advising a Noobie

Assume at your own risk. 

[axorlov]

41 minutes ago, BoxCar said:

Use a small 1/4 wave placed about 6" in front of the center of the dish. You'll get a directional antenna with about 3 dBd of gain out of it.

I think this kind of dish will not be an efficient reflector for the GMRS frequency (65cm). Too small for that. Too much trouble with marginal results, in my opinion. I would go with n4gix suggestion and use the angled pipe to mount antenna that does not require ground plane. Something like  Browning BR-6140, or Diamond X50 or similar.

I experimented myself with that kind of setup, but with 2.5GHz wifi, using USB wifi dongle. It certainly works with shorter wavelength, if you know where the focus point is and how to find direction. And if you do not, glue/tape a bunch of kitchen foil on the dish and use sunlight and a flat piece of cardbooard to find where the focus point is and how to aim the dish. Just be careful doing that. This old star in the sky together with the old dish in your hands will very quickly burn your eyes out if you are not careful.

[axorlov]

Or, read this:

http://w6nbc.com/articles/2016-03QSTdishslot.pdf

You would need to do some calculations to adapt the design to the 462MHz. And NanoVNA to properly tune the contraption. I will try this myself one day, too damn clever.

[MichaelLAX]

On 9/29/2021 at 10:20 AM, MichaelLAX said:

Oooops: There goes those experiments with some MURS equipment! 

Alexandre’s reinstated our MURS experiments! 

[WRCQ487]

4 hours ago, Papatree said:

Hello again, everyone. Please take a look at this picture of my abandon Dish. The previous owner left it and I'm wondering if using any part of it would be beneficial when I get my gmrs antenna? Meaning, the location of the dish seems to be a primo location towards an unobstructed area, clearing the surrounding buildings and trees, and a clear southernly path towards the nearest repeater, approximately 10 miles away. I could just take it down or attach my new antenna to some part of the bracket or dish itself. I'm wondering if the dish, though not active, would interfere in any way with my new antenna. What do you think?

 

I've helped a few people with the same setup as yours. Remove the dish and leave the tube and install one of these. 

https://www.ebay.com/itm/LARSEN-BSA-450-Ham-Amateur-Radio-70CM-UHF-Base-station-antenna-easy-install-FS-/152620569387?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&_trksid=p2349624.m46890.l49286&mkrid=711-127632-2357-0

 

 

[WROA675]

2 hours ago, WRCQ487 said:

I've helped a few people with the same setup as yours. Remove the dish and leave the tube and install one of these. 

Thanks WRCQ487, you made that too easy for me...just pulled the trigger on it, it'll be here next week.

Now I need to get 25 feet of coax to match it...any suggestions? Remember, I like to just point and shoot.

I have been looking at this: DX Engineering 400MAX Low-Loss 50-ohm Bulk Coaxial Cable DXE-400MAX

It's not that I'm too lazy, quite the opposite, I'm just a beginner, and I've got so much else going on with life that I'm trying to keep this as a fun low-stress hobby, as much as possible for now.

[WRCQ487]

7 hours ago, Papatree said:

Thanks WRCQ487, you made that too easy for me...just pulled the trigger on it, it'll be here next week.

Now I need to get 25 feet of coax to match it...any suggestions? Remember, I like to just point and shoot.

I have been looking at this: DX Engineering 400MAX Low-Loss 50-ohm Bulk Coaxial Cable DXE-400MAX

It's not that I'm too lazy, quite the opposite, I'm just a beginner, and I've got so much else going on with life that I'm trying to keep this as a fun low-stress hobby, as much as possible for now.

I believe that antenna has a SO-239 connector on it. So you will need coax that has a PL-259 connector on one end and what ever you need on the other end to your radio. Most radios are SO-239 connector but you will have to check. Most people that I know get the same ends coax and just buy a jumper coax or adapter for the radio if it's deferent. Try not to put jumpers or adapters outside, it just make more of a chance that you will get water or corrosion in it. 

As for coax for a base station I would use LMR-400. At 25 feet it's going to cost you around $55-$70 with the ends already installed. 

https://www.ebay.com/itm/LMR400-PL259-UHF-Male-to-PL259-UHF-Male-Coaxial-RF-Cable-USA-Ship-Lot-/143390300768?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&_trksid=p2349624.m46890.l49286&mkrid=711-127632-2357-0

[AdmiralCochrane]

I'd move the bracket to the peak of the roof and mount a good antenna as high as possible, its almost impossible to "power thru" trees
 

[WROA675]

1 hour ago, WRCQ487 said:

As for coax for a base station I would use LMR-400. At 25 feet it's going to cost you around $55-$70 with the ends already installed. 

Awesomesauce, this keeps getting better...that company is local, so I can go pick it up. Yes, from the picture, the Larsen looks like it has the SO-239 connector and I just double checked the radio I'll be using, the DB25-G, also has the SO-239 connector. Thanks again, WRCQ487.

[MichaelLAX]

2 hours ago, Papatree said:

Awesomesauce, this keeps getting better...that company is local, so I can go pick it up...

Valencia, CA: how lucky is that?!? 

Be sure to stop by Dickie's and get some good BBQ! hahahaha 

[WyoJoe]

2 hours ago, MichaelLAX said:

Valencia, CA: how lucky is that?!? 

Be sure to stop by Dickie's and get some good BBQ! hahahaha 

Since he's in Canyon Country, he's already pretty close to Dickey's and Rattlers!

[MichaelLAX]

4 hours ago, WyoJoe said:

Since he's in Canyon Country, he's already pretty close to Dickey's and Rattlers!

Thanks for tipping me off to Rattler's!

How is the Wicked Chicken next door?

[wayoverthere]

4 hours ago, MichaelLAX said:

Thanks for tipping me off to Rattler's!

How is the Wicked Chicken next door?

bookmarking these in the same list as Jocko's.  will have to make a list of repeaters to try as well.  

[WyoJoe]

5 hours ago, MichaelLAX said:

Thanks for tipping me off to Rattler's!

How is the Wicked Chicken next door?

I'm not familiar with it! It's been a while since I went to Rattler's. I don't think Wicked Chicken was there the last time I went. Perhaps I'll have to give it a try.

Perhaps Papatree has tried it?

[WROA675]

6 hours ago, WyoJoe said:

Perhaps Papatree has tried it?

Not familiar with Wicked Chicken, Love Rattlers! There's also a fairly new spot called Crazy Hot Chicken, where the old Tilly's was on Sierra Hwy, I want to try.