[Antennas] RV ANTENNAS

Sun May 20 17:57:29 EDT 2018

Hi Gene,

I'm sure you are getting some sound advice. So I'll muddy the water
with some personal experiences.

I was licensed in 1954 and have run mobile  almost as long. We have
owed 3 Class A motorhomes. All had mobile radios.

My lovely XYL (of 64 + years) has endured many test contraptions.
Now that we have that out of the way...

A few ideas:

1)       Be  sure and check the motorhome handbook for any
RFI/transmitter  restrictions

2)      VHF / UHF antennas

No holes mounts. Clamp them to the outside mirrors. "Or use
thru-the-glass" antennas. The whip plate is epoxied to a side window
(avoid windshield - the sunscreen is sometime metallic which
attenuates RF) The inside tuning box is attached with silicone
adhesive.

3)      HF antennas.

I fabricated a 2x2in plug with a standard antenna mounting ball.
This adapter goes into the rear trailer hitch receiver or if you tow
a dingy, plug it into the towed vehicle’ and add some coax. This
approach does two things: Provides a good ground and puts some
distance between the antenna and engine electronics.

I have had   success with both Hustler single band and multi-band
screwdriver antennas.

I recommend you join “Good Sam RV” club. The Ham Radio chapter is
very active. They can offer many suggestions.

Enjoy your new hobby!

Jim – w5ifp at gvtc.com

>> -----Original Message-----

>> From: antennas-bounces at mailman.qth.net [mailto:antennas-

>> bounces at mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of Gene

>> Sent: Sunday, May 20, 2018 8:18 AM

>> To: 'Goldtr8 (KD8NNU)' <goldtr8 at charter.net>;

>> Antennas at mailman.qth.net

>> Subject: Re: [Antennas] RV ANTENNAS

>> 

>> Don,

>> 

>> Thanks much for the reply and info. You brought up a lot of
things I

>> had not thought of.

>> The RV is a 2018 Thor Axis 25.2 which will be delivered tomorrow
at

>> 3:00.

>> 

>> First, I will only run 2M and later HF using a Yaesu 897D. I will
not

>> ever run HF while driving - too distracting!

>> The biggest problem as I see it, is where to mount the antennae -

>> the RV roof is not metal.

>> Years ago these things would not have been a problem because I

>> worked in a radio shop installing radios/antennas in police and
fire

>> vehicles but now at

>> 84 I am a LOT slower and achy and will have to ask local HAMS for

>> help.

>> 

>> Also, being a newly-wed (8 months) I have to be careful so not to

>> pee off my bride.

>> 

>> More later and thanks again.

>> 

>> GENE, WØQFC

>> 

>> 

>> 

>> 

>> 

>> -----Original Message-----

>> From: Goldtr8 (KD8NNU) [ <mailto:goldtr8 at charter.net>
mailto:goldtr8 at charter.net]

>> Sent: Sunday, May 20, 2018 8:01 AM

>> To: Gene;  <mailto:Antennas at mailman.qth.net>
Antennas at mailman.qth.net

>> Subject: Re: [Antennas] RV ANTENNAS

>> 

>> Hi Gene

>> 

>> Do not limit yourself to Hams who have only RV mobile experience

>> or you may

>> miss a lot of information.   I started my Ham career mobile only
and

>> learned

>> 

>> a lot about how to not only do antennas work but also deal with

>> issues with interference to the CAN buss in the vehicles.

>> Remember going mobile is about minimizing losses not about

>> efficiency, so the game changes.

>> 

>> Please let us know your expectations as in do you want to run HF

>> while driving or only when stationary, this could lead to very

>> different answers.

>> Have you considered what antenna you would use, there are

>> screwdriver

>> antennas out there and not all work as good as others.   Do you

>> expect to

>> run more than 100w, I run 500w in my Ram 1500 and that takes a
lot

>> of

>> preparation.   What brand of RV did you purchase (chassis) and

>> what is the

>> materials it is made of as we have to consider what the

>> counterpoise limitations that you have to work with.

>> 

>> I also own a TT RV and have thought of what I might be able to do

>> for setting up my unused IC7000 for when I am at campgrounds so I

>> understand the issues at hand.

>> 

>> So please expand you expectations and we can help you out.

>> 

>> 

>> ~73

>> Don

>> KD8NNU

>> 2014 3905CC Top Gun :-)

>> 5 miles from Downtown Hell MI as the crow fly’s

>> -.- -.. ---.. -. -. ..-

>> -----Original Message-----

>> From: Gene

>> Sent: Saturday, May 19, 2018 11:17 AM

>> To:  <mailto:Antennas at mailman.qth.net> Antennas at mailman.qth.net

>> Subject: [Antennas] RV ANTENNAS

>> 

>> Fellow Hams:

>> 

>> Wife & I just bought a new 25' motor home and I just received her

>> permission to put either  (or both)  my HF & 2 meter rigs in the

>> home.

>> So, I need advise as to what/how to use and install antennas.

>> 

>> PLEASE,  only info from people that have actually been RV mobile

>> and have first-hand info

>> 

>> Many thanks es 73

>> 

>> Gene, WØQFC

>> since 1953 but never mobile

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