WRWM519 Posted March 20, 2023 Report Share Posted March 20, 2023 I am new to GMRS, and recently acquired Nagoya antennas (771g and UT-72g) for improving reception on my HT. My question has to do with potential interference using the rooftop 72g on my station wagon which has a roof rack I use for kayaks and such. Should I anticipate that having the metal rack surrounding the antenna would absorb RF and attenuate reception? Thanks in advance. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Over2U Posted March 21, 2023 Report Share Posted March 21, 2023 Following… Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KAF6045 Posted March 22, 2023 Report Share Posted March 22, 2023 On 3/20/2023 at 10:30 AM, WRWM519 said: Should I anticipate that having the metal rack surrounding the antenna would absorb RF and attenuate reception? Short of building a model in some antenna evaluation software (or putting the unit on a test range), anything goes. My expectation is that it will "wobble" the horizontal pattern some, reducing it in some directions while extending it in others. There is a reason so many truckers used phased duals (left&right mirror mounts) for CB -- the pattern tends to extend in the direction of greatest metal mass, so with a big trailer behind, much of the signal went to the rear and the rest forward. The phased pair could help direct a bit more to the sides for a circular pattern (even free ways aren't completely straight). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WRHS218 Posted March 22, 2023 Report Share Posted March 22, 2023 I used that antenna on my Toyota SUV that has a heavy duty rack for over a year. I have a NMO mounted through the roof that I used for 2m. I have since replaced the 2m antenna with a GMRS antenna and use it instead of the Nagoya. I now use the 72G on my wife's Honda with no roof rack and see no difference in TX or RX. Same radio, same antenna. I understand this is anecdotal and of course, YMMV. SteveShannon and WRUU653 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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