I am planning on redoing my mobile setup in my truck again hopefully the last time so I want to get everything right. I am planning to install an Anytone at-6666 barefoot and a 102" stainless whip in the rear stake hole. Is it worth the extra money to use LMR400 over RG8X? At the antenna should I use a PL259 or use a ring mount set up? Also at the radio I need a 90 degree connector I was wanting an amphenol solder on but cant find the is crimp or compression ok or use an adapter? Also on the 102" spring or no spring? I would appreciate any advice Thank You.
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Need Coax advice for mobile antenna
- Thread starter jr26
- Start date
My opinion: RG400 for coax, it tends to stand up better to the rigors of mobile use vs 8x or LMR400. Ring terminal ends then thoroughly coated with liquid electric tape for water proofing.
The only 90° end I have had reliability with is the amphenol, install a straight end on the coax then use the 90° adapter.
The only 90° end I have had reliability with is the amphenol, install a straight end on the coax then use the 90° adapter.
Rg-58 is just fine in a mobile setup, the run is short and there will be nearly zero loss in a mobile. I have run RG-58 at home as long as the run is 50' or less. You gain nothing by running thicker coax in a mobile.
I agree good quality RG58 would work good, and would be more practical for your setup. You could add a small amp later, and still be good to go. RG8X is great too if that's what you have. Used it many times when trucking.
Just like @undertaker, I used ring terminals on my last steel whip installation. And no I did not need a spring for the installation on my pickup truck.
I cut and drilled a heavy duty aluminum bracket to mount on my pickup truck. Used a heavy duty Firestik brand SO-239 for the hole I drilled into the bracket. I used a piece of 6 1/4 x 4 inch aluminum flat bar. It is 1/4 thick. Link below.
www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01M1C6414/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1
All the mounting brackets I looked at did not look like they would hold up to a steel whip. Firestik has a stainless heavy duty bracket that would have worked, but I did read that they had bent under the pressure of a steel whip.
Just like @undertaker, I used ring terminals on my last steel whip installation. And no I did not need a spring for the installation on my pickup truck.
I cut and drilled a heavy duty aluminum bracket to mount on my pickup truck. Used a heavy duty Firestik brand SO-239 for the hole I drilled into the bracket. I used a piece of 6 1/4 x 4 inch aluminum flat bar. It is 1/4 thick. Link below.
www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01M1C6414/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1
All the mounting brackets I looked at did not look like they would hold up to a steel whip. Firestik has a stainless heavy duty bracket that would have worked, but I did read that they had bent under the pressure of a steel whip.
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I've always used a 6 inch spring with mine, I could always get my SWR lower using the spring. Don't know if the spring is actually necessary but it always helped me obtain a lower SWR in my experience. O yeah and you gotta have the tennis ball on the whip.
102 plus 6 is 108. A quarter wave at 27 MHz. The whip length is chosen to allow for the 6-inch spring.
73
I think I will try the spring should I put a jumper from to to bottom or just use it as is? Never did the tennis ball have black plastic hose down low where it would hit the tool box.
Just remembered so my bad. Had a Firestik stud, but it was way too wimpy for a steel whip.
I used a Breedlove model #206 stud mount for the antenna connection. The #206 has the ring connector connection on the bottom.
Trust me the antenna is not going anywhere on that stud. With the drilled aluminum plate, and the Breedlove #206 stud mount, the spring was not needed, and SWR was spot on the money.
Breedlove has ball and spring mounts too, but they are pricey...top quality too.
breedlovemounts.com
I used a Breedlove model #206 stud mount for the antenna connection. The #206 has the ring connector connection on the bottom.
Trust me the antenna is not going anywhere on that stud. With the drilled aluminum plate, and the Breedlove #206 stud mount, the spring was not needed, and SWR was spot on the money.
Breedlove has ball and spring mounts too, but they are pricey...top quality too.
Stud Mount With ring terminal connection #206
1 inch diameter aluminum top nut3/8 24 thread for antennaRequires 5/8 " hole to mount1/2"20 bolt with a screw for the wiremodel # 206
breedlovemounts.com
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Grounding is important. Using braided ground strap, ground the PU bed to the cab, the doors to the cab, the hood and tailgate. The body of the truck is your ground plane. Ground everything.