[SMCARA] Pickup Truck HF/VHF antenna question

[Clarke, Frederic]

Hi Carlos,

I have had good luck with the Tarheel Junior (40-10 meters) on my Toyota Tacoma.  The truck does not have stake pockets, so I mounted a 3/8" mobile mount on the rail, with a 1/4 " aluminum backing plate. Between the rail and the bed, I have a pretty good RF ground.

For VHF/UHF, I would recommend a Larsen 2/70 or a glass mount Larsen.  I have had good luck with both.  If you are not averse to drilling a hole in the roof, an NMO mount (takes a 3/4" hole) will handle the 2/70 or a single VHF antenna.  I currently use the Larsen 2/70 "thru the glass" antenna with no problems. A mag mount is another option, if you don't want to do and drilling.

I have also used a triple mag mount with single band Hustler or Hamstick antennas. The disadvantage here is that you have to stop and put a new antenna in when you change bands. An advantage is that they are slightly more efficient radiators, especially if you put a small matching box (inductance or capacitance, either are available.) at the base of the antenna. A typical Hamstick or Hustler is about 36 ohms impedance, so there is a bit of VSWR.  The base matcher will bring that down nicely.  The Tarheel has a remote switch to tune it and automatic control boxes are available that remember the settings for each band.

The recognized expert on all things mobile is Alan,  K0BG.  His website is a great resource.  www. K0BG.com

73 Tom/W4OKW

KBRwyle  |  TRITON NATOPS/NATIP Product Support
22309 Exploration Drive | Lexington Park, MD 20653 | USA
Office: 301-863-4418  |  Mobile: 301-904-2053
tom.clarke at wyle.com [Pri] | frederic.t.clarke.ctr at navy.mil
________________________________________
From: smcara-bounces at mailman.qth.net [smcara-bounces at mailman.qth.net] on behalf of Carlos Velazquez [cvela90 at hotmail.com]
Sent: Wednesday, October 17, 2018 11:28 PM
To: SMCARA Reflector
Subject: [External][SMCARA] Pickup Truck HF/VHF antenna question

I am looking to install an HF and a VHF antenna on my pickup truck.  I plan to mount them on the stake pocket near the cab.

I could use some advise on which one.  I think a screw antenna where the screw is at the base is what I want.  For VHF I have not decided.

Both will be running at 50W from my FT-817ND driving an amp and tuner.

Any recommendations?

Carlos
KC3CCD
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