Roof Top antennas - 2m/70cm and GMRS

[Vincent Keith]

Could use some advice -
The situtation:
I'm working up a budget for my truck 99 Dodge Ram 2500 V10 - which may result in selling it and getting something else - it's a matter of tradeoffs. I'm not attached to the truck and there are a number of things that I have to fix - but I'm not sure what I'd replace it with - nothing new, maybe a compact like a 2015 Colorado - if I could find one cheap enough (which I doubt).


I still haven't picked a mobile ham - I've got one of the ubiquitous (and kinda horrible) Beofangs - but when I have time to use a radio, it's my KX3. I do want to put in mobile comms - and I'll start with the GMRS. To maximize signal I'm planning NMO mounts on the cab - Yep WAY up there. So, I'm looking for antenna choices that won't end up as snapped off stubs. When I do the antenna mounts I will probably do both - pulling the headliner twice is not on my bucket list.

The Comet folds over, the Browning is short and has a spring (likely too stiff to actually help - I just don't know)

Ham:
Leaning toward the icom ID-5100A-D what ever I go with I want cross band repeat.
antenna Comet CA-2X4SR


GMRS comms:
Luiton LT-590 GMRS
Browning Antenna

 

[CUCVDRIVER]

Look at the Larson NMO150BK (VHF) ,but they make a dual band one too ... It flexes easy and I have used to for about 10 years now and now issues and great signal reports.

 

[Vincent Keith]

I need a dual band for the Ham. Both for cross band repeat and to access the UHF repeaters. So probably the Larsen NMO2/70B -

Anyone have experience with antennas that have that little coil in them - seems like it would snag on small branches.

Is that a tuning coil? Man now I have to break out my antenna books - I feel like I should know this.

 

[CUCVDRIVER]

I need a dual band for the Ham. Both for cross band repeat and to access the UHF repeaters. So probably the Larsen NMO2/70B -

Anyone have experience with antennas that have that little coil in them - seems like it would snag on small branches.

Is that a tuning coil? Man now I have to break out my antenna books - I feel like I should know this.

That's a good antenna! The coil is what makes it a dual band.

 

[empty80]

I'm running a TRAM 1181 (18") in the city. It looks very similar to the Larsen, as it has a tuning coil. For off-roading, I keep a Browning BR-180 (37") locked up in the back of my rig. I wouldn't worry much about it getting broken. It is fairly flexible. Both are dual band, work well with the ID-5100, and they are inexpensive.

 

[Vincent Keith]

I'm running a TRAM 1181 (18") in the city. It looks very similar to the Larsen, as it has a tuning coil. For off-roading, I keep a Browning BR-180 (37") locked up in the back of my rig. I wouldn't worry much about it getting broken. It is fairly flexible. Both are dual band, work well with the ID-5100, and they are inexpensive.

Thanks. Keeping a spare seems like a good plan.

 

[WareWolf MoonWall]

I just installed a Diamond 770HA on my truck over the weekend to drive my Icom ID-51a Plus2. This antenna is s bit springy, and offers a break over point driven by a spring with a pivot.

The change from my Diamond 1/4 window mounted antenna is amazing. More important, I am not driving with wires all over me! Happy Day!

Still need to figure out a way to route into the cab without drilling, but the rear sliding window works for now.

 

[Vincent Keith]

Nice. Interesting rack / roll bar? I can't quite make out what's going on other than the antenna looks great.

 

[WareWolf MoonWall]

Nice. Interesting rack / roll bar? I can't quite make out what's going on other than the antenna looks great.

That's a GoRhino Sports Bar 2.0. I have motorized a set of forward facing lights that retract into it. You can also see a GoRhino SR100 bed rack. Tried to get a picture that focuses on the antenna :)

Here is a picture from before the antenna and forward/rear lights to get a better idea. I have another thread on the lights if you wanted to see those.