Page 1 of 1

Antenna dilemma

Posted: Tue Nov 11, 2008 3:23 pm
by kcan146
I appear to have run across a dilemma in my antenna setup for my VHF and UHF radios.

My quandary is that I park in a parking garage when I am at school where the clearance is only 7 feet. Now my truck stands at about 6' 8" or so. I also have high power decks for both radios so whatever I use must be able to support 110 watts.

What can I use so I don"t have to remove my antennas every time before I park? I also need a solution for a regular CB radio.

Thanks.

As an edit: my truck is a 1999 Dodge Ram, so fender mounts are not exactly the easiest.

Re: Antenna dilemma

Posted: Tue Nov 11, 2008 3:27 pm
by billforbush
Quarterwave whips on l=brackrts in hood/fender edge.

Re: Antenna dilemma

Posted: Wed Nov 12, 2008 5:59 am
by vx7ruser
Take a look at this


http://www.universal-radio.com/catalog/ ... /4852.html

motorized mount

Re: Antenna dilemma

Posted: Wed Nov 12, 2008 10:18 am
by HarrisonRHW
Other options -

-Quarterwaves in rear stake mounts, you can use extended brackets if you have a cap or bed cover from somewhere like FireStik
-Glass antennas that can fold down.
-Ham antennas that can tune to your bands with fold down.
-Turn down the power and use Phantoms - the only system I know of that absolutely needed 100W or more (and even then it didn't) was a wide area system in Ohio that was simplex, covered 556 sq miles. Hate that system. Then again, you could be on that kind of system too, but assess if you need 100W. Most cases you would be surprised. A minimally designed system should have 95%+ coverage if not 100% of mobiles at 25W, but ideally it should have 90% coverage of mobiles in an uncovered area. Again, it all depends on how the system is actually used.
-Park somewhere else. :D

Re: Antenna dilemma

Posted: Wed Nov 12, 2008 11:09 am
by motorola_otaku
As it just so happens, Larsen makes a custom NMO fender bracket for the Dodge Ram. See here. That particular bracket is spec'd for 2002 and up, but you should be able to get it to fit on yours.

I would go with a pair of these up top, but that's just me. :lol:

As for the chicken band antenna, 102'' whip off the back bumper? Or if you don't want to go that route, Wilson 2000 Trucker behind the cab.