Mobile Antenna Options

[222DBFL]

Run a good backing plate and it will be fine, also get a good mount, I loved my brass quick disconnect mount, but in had to make a 8"X 8" 1/2" plate for it. If it's going on the roof of a car why not the sirio pl5000 mag mount near the top center? Might not be as efficient as a hard mount, but I think it would be better than a side mount as you have some metal under the antenna. JMO.

 

[Nick23]

1.) Sirio pl500 mag mount center of roof
2.) Hard mounted 102 3 inches below roofline on back left side

I don't think a puck mount is possible at this time on the roof. How directional would this be talking mainly to locals in my area? Would the Sirio be better somehow than a Predator 10-K on tri mag mount?

 

[AL567]

I think the sirio is the next closet thing to a 102" whip. But that's just my opinion. Doesn't mean I'm right but I do strongly believe in them.

 

[W5LZ]

How directional would that be? Some, but nothing extraordinary. Most times you'll never know it.
- 'Doc

 

[Nick23]

I think I am going with the K400 Diamond mount. I have seen some pics of it holding a Tarheel ham antenna. I think a 102 or even my predator 10-k would work well. Could I run my TnT 350hd with it okay?

Thanks for all your help guys. I would have gotten a fire stick door jamb mount if you hadn't recommended this brand. I think it will work great for me.

 

[Nick23]

Should I get RG-213 or Astatic super low loss 98% rg8x coax? I would think the 213 would be better, but the super low loss sounded interesting.

Thanks again

 

[milkman21218]

Why RG-213 coax? It has more lost than RG-8U. The RG-8 is rated at 2000 watts and the RG-213 is rated at 5000 watts. In a mobile RG-8X is fine for such a short run. And the Diamond mounts do works very well. But it may not be the easiest to swap to a larger coax. I find that the Sirio 145 mag mount works very good for me. The Sirio 5000 is not a stud mount. It's a UHF mount. Compare coax below.

Coax Cable and Line Loss Calculator

Coax Loss Calculator

 

[W5LZ]

The amount of loss in coax cable is always dependent on the length of the run and the frequency of use. For a typical mobile installation, probably not more than 20 feet of cable, there is no appreciable losses with almost any coax cable. It's just not something to worry about. Keep in mind that the quoted losses are for 100 feet. If you are using something like a 1/5th of that length, the losses are going to be a 1/5th of it too. Until losses get to something like 3dB you, or the guy on the other end will never even be able to detect it.
As for power handling, if you don't contemplate using the cables maximum capability, it's also not worth worrying about. Just because it may handle a lot of power does not mean that there's anything 'special' about it. That high power rating is meaningless in most cases.
- 'Doc

 

[w9cll]

Should I get RG-213 or Astatic super low loss 98% rg8x coax? I would think the 213 would be better, but the super low loss sounded interesting.

Also, I posted this earlier, do I buy a heavy duty CB antenna stud for the K400? Will it fit properly?

Thanks again

Rg-58 is just fine in the car unless your plan is to run more than 200 watts

 

[Nick23]

I plan on running 400 maximum. Should I get the K400 with the 3/8 thread on it or get the plain k400 and put on a heavy duty Wilson stud?

Thanks

 

[w9cll]

3/8x24 thread will work fine but running that kind of power I don't think you want a lip mount. Time to drill the hole.

 

[Robb]

If you are going to get a Sirio 5000 mag mount, then there is no reason that antenna AND coax won't handle 400 watts all day long.
Been guys on this forum that ran the Wilson 5000 with slightly more power than that.

Let it ride . . .

 

[w9cll]

Just remember in a mobile mount its the metal UNDER the antenna that counts! The metal on the side has very little value, you want metal under it. In this case a mag mount will work, I don't like them for high power but they do work. Choose whatever mounting method that will give you the most metal under the antenna.

Lip mounts mounted to door jams, hatches, hoods are very inefficient. They will appear to work but compared to a hard mount in the centre of the roof or trunk lid the efficiency drops off greatly. If you haven’t yet take a look at this site: KØBG.COM

 

[M0GVZ]

I plan on running 400 maximum. Should I get the K400 with the 3/8 thread on it or get the plain k400 and put on a heavy duty Wilson stud?

Thanks

The K400 with the 3/8 thread is fine. As I said elsewhere, mine supports a Little Tarheel II. 4 months ago an 18 year old kid ripped the antenna from my car as a drunken prank. They wrived it off by rocking it violently from side to side and forwards/backwards until it came off. It wasn't the mount or the stud that gave way but the bodywork of the car. The clamp part of the bracket was an inverted V shape but everything else held. None of the adjustable bits moved and the 3/8 stud bit stayed perfectly intact.

I was quite impressed to the point that when I got compensation from the asshole who did it I went and got another.

If you do get one you've no worries about the mount moving no matter what antenna you put on it or what that antenna hits however I do share the opinions about running 400W through a lip mount.

There really isn't any advantage running 400W over running 100W, honestly. However there are a lot more problems that it causes that need to be addressed.

 

[Lil'Yeshua]

The K400 with the 3/8 thread is fine. As I said elsewhere, mine supports a Little Tarheel II. 4 months ago an 18 year old kid ripped the antenna from my car as a drunken prank. They wrived it off by rocking it violently from side to side and forwards/backwards until it came off. It wasn't the mount or the stud that gave way but the bodywork of the car. The clamp part of the bracket was an inverted V shape but everything else held. None of the adjustable bits moved and the 3/8 stud bit stayed perfectly intact.

I was quite impressed to the point that when I got compensation from the asshole who did it I went and got another.

If you do get one you've no worries about the mount moving no matter what antenna you put on it or what that antenna hits.

A ignition coil or neon transformer might make them think next time.