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Mich_Nimrod
12-25-2012, 02:43 AM
Reached through the cobwebs to post here. Hope there are hams still checking it :D

Anyway when I buy my XJ one of the first things I plan on doing is installing my 2 meter ham radio. Its an Icom 2100 for those interested. I had it installed in my 94 Toyota 4x4 pickup for a long while but just haven't had it in any of the vehicles since.

Looking for antenna mounting advice. I am not afraid of a roof nmo mount, and plan on going that way. I also plan on carrying my canoe on the rack.

Has anyone mounted their nmo antenna not centered on the roof? I have read that is will effect performance but am gathering it won't be major.

I really don't want to remove the antenna everytime I carry the canoe (weekly during the warm part of the year).

Any other mounting ideas that are solid and will let me transport the canoe without the hassle of removing the antenna?

Thanks!

Nimrod :patriot:

Mudderoy
12-25-2012, 08:20 AM
Reached through the cobwebs to post here. Hope there are hams still checking it :D

Anyway when I buy my XJ one of the first things I plan on doing is installing my 2 meter ham radio. Its an Icom 2100 for those interested. I had it installed in my 94 Toyota 4x4 pickup for a long while but just haven't had it in any of the vehicles since.

Looking for antenna mounting advice. I am not afraid of a roof nmo mount, and plan on going that way. I also plan on carrying my canoe on the rack.

Has anyone mounted their nmo antenna not centered on the roof? I have read that is will effect performance but am gathering it won't be major.

I really don't want to remove the antenna everytime I carry the canoe (weekly during the warm part of the year).

Any other mounting ideas that are solid and will let me transport the canoe without the hassle of removing the antenna?

Thanks!

Nimrod :patriot:

Personally I'd want it (and have mine) in the roof. You know you remove the overhead light and then drill a hole there? Makes it easy to run the coax. Not centered (front/rear) but close enough.

Now if you are going to carry a canoe you might want to consider installing it on the hood.

http://www.expeditionportal.com/equipment/vehicles/feature_vehicle/part3/antenna_1.jpg

I don't like the look, but hey a Jeep is about functionality right?

Also don't forget about one of our sister sites... http://www.Di-Dah-Dit.com/

prerunner1982
01-09-2013, 04:23 PM
Depending on how you mounted the antenna you could incorporate a quick disconnect, maybe something like this (see below) though this type would not work with an NMO mount.

http://www.hamcq.com/antenna-and-mounts-for-hf-vhf-uhf-scanner-handheld/quick-disconnects-for-whips/whip-quick-disconnect/prod_342.html
http://www.hamcq.com/images/uploads/quick%20disconnect%20web(1).jpg

I know you said you didn't want to disconnect the antenna every time but your options may be limited for what you want.

Mudderoy
01-09-2013, 04:39 PM
Depending on how you mounted the antenna you could incorporate a quick disconnect, maybe something like this (see below) though this type would not work with an NMO mount.

http://www.hamcq.com/antenna-and-mounts-for-hf-vhf-uhf-scanner-handheld/quick-disconnects-for-whips/whip-quick-disconnect/prod_342.html
http://www.hamcq.com/images/uploads/quick%20disconnect%20web(1).jpg

I know you said you didn't want to disconnect the antenna every time but your options may be limited for what you want.

I have heard that quick disconnects are really bad with high power rigs. Fine for CB'r :P

prerunner1982
01-09-2013, 04:45 PM
Ahhh... ok then.

Mudderoy
01-09-2013, 04:51 PM
Talk to a guy at a gas station that had a modified Tacoma that had a nice ham rig and his antenna was fender mounted with a quick disconnect. He didn't seem to have issues...

ehhh but what do I know, I haven't been around the hobby that long.

Yeah people use them, especially on the "bug catchers" because they need to be able to remove all or part of them at times, but at 100 watts, you're talking about 10kva of voltage, and a quick disconnect can also mean a poor electrical connection. Now you're operating a SPARK GAP transmitter. lol

I'm sure it just depends, and people probably get away with it. Besides the point of my post was less about the quick disconnect and more of the dig to you CBers. :D

Carves
01-09-2013, 05:02 PM
Ideally ... the roof centre is best ... in a perfect world .. ;);)

... but compromises need to be made for function ...

You could keep the benefit of the height and mount it on the rack, to the side - losing some directional / signal qualities ...

... or mount it lower on a fender or somewhere, avoiding the canoe problem altogether ... and increasing the directional / signal quality, loss.

prerunner1982
01-09-2013, 05:14 PM
dig to you CBers. :D

Atleast I am not running a foot warmer and hanging out in the super bowl (Channel 6). :rolleyes:

Mudderoy
01-10-2013, 01:35 AM
Atleast I am not running a foot warmer and hanging out in the super bowl (Channel 6). :rolleyes:

Foot warmer = RF Power Amplifier (Illegal and punishable by a $10k fine and I think prison time!)