Off-road HAM etiquette on 2M

[donmontalvo]

I got my Technician’s license a couple years ago. Bought a 2M/70cm radio. I generally use 2M since it’s what overlanders use. i run a Tram 1181 which is great for the woods, short enough to avoid breakage, long enough to get good distance.

I’m curious what antenna y’all are using off-road for 2M or 2M/70cm radios that might give longer range? I’m not sure if I should attach a plate to my fiberglass roof to get a ground plane. Currently the Tram 1181 is attached to the driver side cowl on my Jeep JL.

 

[Prerunner1982]

I have both a Browning BR-180b dual band and a Larsen NMO150b.
The Browning is a dual band but with the enclosed coil it does move around a bit.
The Larsen NM150b 2m antenna is a 5/8 wave so it is longer but can bend.

 

[NMNomad]

I use a Larsen NMO 2m/70cm, 5/8 wave antenna with good reports. I will absolutely replace it with another when it's time. 8 years of great service so far.

 

[Sparksalot]

I got my Technician’s license a couple years ago. Bought a 2M/70cm radio. I generally use 2M since it’s what overlanders use. i run a Tram 1181 which is great for the woods, short enough to avoid breakage, long enough to get good distance.

I’m curious what antenna y’all are using off-road for 2M or 2M/70cm radios that might give longer range? I’m not sure if I should attach a plate to my fiberglass roof to get a ground plane. Currently the Tram 1181 is attached to the driver side cowl on my Jeep JL.View attachment 274029View attachment 274030

If you’re looking to mount on your fiberglass roof, a half wave antenna will work without a ground plane. Adding a ground plane will improve performance, but isn’t necessary. I’ve used a Larsen, now Pulse, 2m half wave vertical for 35 years on many rigs. They take a bit of hunting to find, because everyone is conditioned to use a 5/8 wave.

Larsen NMO150CHW VHF 144-174MHz No Ground Plane Mobile Antenna NMO Type

Larsen NMO150CHW VHF 144-174MHz No Ground Plane Mobile Antenna NMO

theantennafarm.com

 

[TroutRunner]

I too have the Larsen NMO 2m/70cm antenna on my 4Runner and Dodge Ram. It’s been a great antenna.

 

[hrichard]

I’m running the same 5/8 wave, but in a knockoff flavor because of the high probability of it being broken. I have the Larson as well, Nanovna as well as signal reports seem identical for the 2, so the 20 dollar clone got its spot on the back driver corner of the disco. The wife’s JKU just has one of those short mag mount antennas with the attached coax stuck to the cowl for use with a handheld, as she doesn’t want a permanent radio mount in her rig

 

[laylow]

Baofeng UV-5r on a mount on my center console, hooked to a Tram dualband antenna on my roof rack. Can't remember which model. I've also got a Midland MXT275 GMRS.

 

[TheBronze]

The Larsen is a great antenna. If you every need a new one that's a great antenna. As for mounting it up on the roof vs where you have it now, all antennas have trade-offs. Where you have it now is actually really good for off-roading because it allows you to see it and know when it's going to get hit by something. If you put the antenna on a fiberglass roof you will need to install or fabricate some kind of ground plane. I've done this for some others and it's a pain the backside. The other option is using a halfwave antenna that has virtually no gain, so what's the point? The difference in height between your fender and your roof isn't going to be significantly different enough to warrant the extra work, frustration and potential problems. When it comes to VHF and UHF radios it's best to manage expectations. Everyone wants a radio that will talk a hundred miles with a six inch antenna. But you can't get around physics. A UHF radio like GMRS, even at 50 watts, isn't going to go further than line of sight. It sounds like the set up you have is working well for you. I also see that you are in Colorado..so you deal with elevation changes. Having really high gain antennas when someone might be above or below you actually hurts you. I've been in the radio game since the late 70's. I run a UHF quarterwave because it stays out of the way, works well and is easy to fix if I break it.