Shortest multi-band antenna recommended ???

[WSEM262]

I've gotten my truck all situated with a Comet 2x4SRNMO mounted on my roof and Yaesu FTM200D that covers 2 meter, MURS, 70cm and GMRS. Im quite happy with this setup and would like similar (added) capability in my wifes 4runner.

Currently in her 4runner I have a Midland MXT115, and MXTA26 antenna on a hood-lip mount. It works great but only covers GMRS.

Id like to swap out her Midland radio for my unlocked DB20G and use a short-enough antenna to fit in the garage... yet cover all the same frequencies as my truck radio. 

She parks in the house garage which only has a 7ft tall door, so antenna options are limited... as the top of her (lifted) 4runner barely gets under the garage door. Nothing can go on the roof at all, so I am limited to the NMO hood mount.

 

 

Any suggestions ? Im not up to speed on these shorter antennas...

I am super happy with the Comet on my truck and wish I could fit one of those on hers too. 

[kidphc]

For me the shortest multi-band antenna that actually is pretty broad banded, does depend on the frequencies. Are 1/4 antennas.

For gmrs, amatuer radio "70cm" and "65 cm" lmr frequencies the 1/4 is cheap short and does the job incredible well.

It when you throw in 2m and vhf lmr it gets hairy, since 1/4 vhf usually is going to be 3/4 for the cm services we use. I don't like ³/4 wave antennas.

98% of the time for ham, gmrs 90% of the time it's a 5/8th wave modified to accept a notinol whip. The other 10% of the time it's a 1/4 or 5/8 over 5/8.

For all band coverage. The usual 2x4sr and diamond counterparts. Be forewarned on hood mounts they perform meh and have terrible swr. The diamond seems to have better swr in that location.

For my hood/ditch light mount I use a 2/70sh so it can take a beating. It's a bit directional, borderline terrible on the hood of the LC when compared to when it was on the roof of the suburban. The ftm400 it is connected to does have the caps mod. I however really use it to monitor. The XTL5k is connected to the roof antenna, it hears and reaches out about 500% better. Due to antenna location.

Really just depends on what is important and what exactly you want.

[WRUU653]

I’m using the Comet SBB-5NMO and while not the shortest, at 38” it’s not far from your Midlands 32” height. I can’t tell if you have an extra 6” of room by your photo or not so this may or may not be a good fit for you. It’s pretty good across the bands you want it for too. I posted my results here. 

[WSEM262]

38 minutes ago, WRUU653 said:

I’m using the Comet SBB-5NMO and while not the shortest, at 38” it’s not far from your Midlands 32” height. I can’t tell if you have an extra 6” of room by your photo or not so this may or may not be a good fit for you. It’s pretty good across the bands you want it for too. I posted my results here. 

The hood-mounted Midland antenna already drags on the garage door... so ideally something same or shorter is what im after. 

[WSEM262]

13 minutes ago, Socalgmrs said:

Bout the worst place to mount a ground plan antenna.  There is no way it “works great”.   I personally make sure my wife has the best set up before my self. If her mobile doesn’t get 50plus miles in the valley and 100miles on the hill tops she’s gonna be upset.  I just don’t see the point in buying hints like comet 2x4s the neutering them with a bad mounting location. 

Im limited by the garage she parks in and the roof rack of her 4runner is literally just a few inches from hitting the door when she pulls in. Thats the only reason I put her antenna on the hood. There really is no other place to go with it.

Im not even thrilled with only 15 watts from the Midland... but she insisted whatever radio goes in her vehicle had to be small and discreet. 

I think I can get the DB20G into the same pocket the Midland is in... so thats the direction Im headed. I just need a suitable antenna for it since I want to have access to the other frequencies to match my truck.

[kidphc]

Im limited by the garage she parks in and the roof rack of her 4runner is literally just a few inches from hitting the door when she pulls in. Thats the only reason I put her antenna on the hood. There really is no other place to go with it.
Im not even thrilled with only 15 watts from the Midland... but she insisted whatever radio goes in her vehicle had to be small and discreet. 
I think I can get the DB20G into the same pocket the Midland is in... so thats the direction Im headed. I just need a suitable antenna for it since I want to have access to the other frequencies to match my truck.

Either use a shorty for when she is using the truck and swap out for longer when you drive.

Even on a hood mount any all band style antenna is going to be long.

Hoping out of the truckbto fold the 2x4sr got old fast. Not to mention even with the spring it's a thick stiff antenna. I don't think it will take whacks well.

Hence why I switched back to the Larsen 2/70sh back on. Mine has a permanent kink in the open coil and has tons of paint missing from all the whacks. Yes it's loud, but it takes a beating. Didn't help the wind load was high and the mount+antenna was always rocking.



Sent from my SM-S901U using Tapatalk

[WSAA254]

Just another piece of data.  I use a compactenna scan III.  I use this in a base station setup, however its only 9 inches tall, and it primary use model is mobile.  I added the gnd plane, which you won’t need for mobile.   I have attached a few photos showing swr etc.   all info is good info…  best of luck   swr numbers for 2meters is around 2, gmrs ranges in the 1.2-1.4 range.  there are probably less expensive solutions, but all info is good info…  I have seen front fender installs of the compactenna, with good swr numbers.   The radiation pattern may be somewhat odd given its mounting position, but corners are one of the recommended install locations.   Best of luck

Edited November 14 by WSAA254
more info

[tweiss3]

Like said above, the "shortest" will be 1/4 wave, which, on 2m (VHF) is about 16" in length. I use the Larsen NMO2/70SH for clearance reasons. It works well enough, but the UHF is a 3/4 pattern, which has quite a bit of uptilt.

[Hoppyjr]

My buddy is using this Larsen on his Chevy truck, with a hood lip mount and his Icom 2730. It’s only 18” total and seems to work really well. It’s apparently designed for use with public safety agencies, so I expect it’s durable (it certainly seems sturdy in person). I just ordered one for my 4Runner too, to run when I go HAM down the road. Mine will be in the existing NMO in my rear roof.

Pulse Larsen NMO150/450/758 Tri-Band VHF, UHF, 7/800 MHz Antenna
Part Number: NMO150-450-758

[Socalgmrs]

Bout the worst place to mount a ground plan antenna.  There is no way it “works great”.   I personally make sure my wife has the best set up before my self. If her mobile doesn’t get 50plus miles in the valley and 100miles on the hill tops she’s gonna be upset.  I just don’t see the point in buying hints like comet 2x4s the neutering them with a bad mounting location.