Antenna pron!

[GySgt D]

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c256/arfcompics/RADIOPICa.jpg

I installed a second HF monoband antenna to the truck last week.

The one on the right is a dedicated 20 meter installation, but the one on the left uses a quick disconnect mount, which allows me to swap in whatever monoband antenna I need at the moment.

These do work; I was talking to someone in Colorado yesterday, and two different European stations last week.

[raeldridge]

nicely done.

and I'm sure you're the subject of many a comment and envy of the truckers on the interstate. ///grin///

are you mounting right to the bed frame or the body?

how's your rig set up on the inside?

[GySgt D]

I have it mounted to the body, which appears to be well grounded to the rest of the vehicle.

Here is a closeup of the starboard antenna mount. One of the major considerations was cost. I ended up making a washer out of a Canadian quarter instead of driving across town to the hardware store for one (gas is expensive).

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c256/arfcompics/100_3027aa.jpg

...and here's the rig itself:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v521/GySgtD/100_0233.jpg

[Sheridan]

Hey, GySgtD,

Is that a Yaesu 857D? If so, how do you like it? Have thought of getting one of those.

Where did you pick up the mounting base? That's just what I need.

Sheridan

[GySgt D]

That is indeed an -857, though I purchased mine before they threw in the DSP card for free (and thus added "D" to the model number). I purchased the DSP card from an electronics store in Okinawa. With the exchange rate, it cost quite a bit.

No complaints at all about them. Always get good audio reports, even before I installed a fancy mechanical filter the other week. 857's are now quite a bit cheaper than Icom 706's these days.

The antenna mount is nothing more than a common "3/8th inch stud mount", which are carried by most Radio Shack stores for about $5. I use the ones that utilize a lug connection, instead of the plug connection. The heavy duty spring (a must) will set you back another $12 or so.

A 3/8ths stud mount is just barely adequate for this. Definately not good enough if you do any off-roading. I'd suggest something a bit more stout, such as a quality ball mount. The ball mounts sold at Radio Shack are garbage, so don't waste your money. The ball mount marketed by Hustler is pretty good. The big downside to these is that they require several large holes to be drilled in your vehicle.

NMO mounts are not adequate for a 7' antenna, FYI.

[GySgt D]

I removed the el-cheapo MFJ mag mount dual band antenna, and installed a new Hustler dual bander with NMO mount.

Can't really tell if there is any appreciable difference in performance, but at least this one actually covers the entirety of both bands. The MFJ brand junk had high SWR on all but a very narrow portion of the 70cm band.

I offset the antenna to the right (best installation practices dictate that it be put in the middle), so that I wouldn't beat it against the overhead at the Whataburger drive-thru.

A man has got to have his priorities...

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v521/GySgtD/100_3182.jpg

[GySgt D]

Reworked the hamstick mounts this weekend. They are now much stronger.

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c256/arfcompics/100_3534.jpg

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c256/arfcompics/100_3533.jpg