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The biggest handicap you will have is that 'off road' use. The antenna you select will have to withstand the abuse you put it through, so that's a factor to keep in mind. Then you can start with also keeping in mind that for the usual mobile antenna, longer is going to be better. There are definite limits to that, but it's true in most cases dealing with performance/range. The typical limit to that length thingy is around 8 - 9 feet. From there it get's very impractical for most people (on or off road).
The same thing applies to that hand held radio too, except the 'unreasonable' comes a lot sooner than with a mobile antenna. One 'trick' that can work is to add the 'other half' of that antenna to it. A hand-held radio uses the radio's chassis and the person holding it for it's 'other half' of the antenna. So, try providing a better 'other half', as in an 8 - 9 foot length of wire connected to the chassis of hte radio, or in some cases, to the base of the present antenna if you can. It's just a matter of where you can make that connection. Don't expect huge increases in that 'better' thingy, but it'll probably make some difference. After that, it's a matter of what you think you can conveniently carry, as in just how big an antenna is practical for you, you know?
The "best" is always determined by the circumstances...
- 'Doc

<blockquote data-quote="W5LZ" data-source="post: 350908" data-attributes="member: 129">The biggest handicap you will have is that &#039;off road&#039; use.&nbsp; The antenna you select will have to withstand the abuse you put it through, so that&#039;s a factor to keep in mind.&nbsp; Then you can start with also keeping in mind that for the usual mobile antenna, longer is going to be better.&nbsp; There are definite limits to that, but it&#039;s true in most cases dealing with performance/range.&nbsp; The typical limit to that length thingy is around 8 - 9 feet.&nbsp; From there it get&#039;s very impractical for most people (on or off road).The same thing applies to that hand held radio too, except the &#039;unreasonable&#039; comes a lot sooner than with a mobile antenna.&nbsp; One &#039;trick&#039; that can work is to add the &#039;other half&#039; of that antenna to it.&nbsp; A hand-held radio uses the radio&#039;s chassis and the person holding it for it&#039;s &#039;other half&#039; of the antenna.&nbsp; So, try providing a better &#039;other half&#039;, as in an 8 - 9 foot length of wire connected to the chassis of hte radio, or in some cases, to the base of the present antenna if you can.&nbsp; It&#039;s just a matter of where you can make that connection.&nbsp; Don&#039;t expect huge increases in that &#039;better&#039; thingy, but it&#039;ll probably make some difference.&nbsp; After that, it&#039;s a matter of what you think you can conveniently carry, as in just how big an antenna is practical for you, you know?The &quot;best&quot; is always determined by the circumstances... &nbsp;- &#039;Doc</blockquote>

[QUOTE="W5LZ, post: 350908, member: 129"] The biggest handicap you will have is that 'off road' use. The antenna you select will have to withstand the abuse you put it through, so that's a factor to keep in mind. Then you can start with also keeping in mind that for the usual mobile antenna, longer is going to be better. There are definite limits to that, but it's true in most cases dealing with performance/range. The typical limit to that length thingy is around 8 - 9 feet. From there it get's very impractical for most people (on or off road). The same thing applies to that hand held radio too, except the 'unreasonable' comes a lot sooner than with a mobile antenna. One 'trick' that can work is to add the 'other half' of that antenna to it. A hand-held radio uses the radio's chassis and the person holding it for it's 'other half' of the antenna. So, try providing a better 'other half', as in an 8 - 9 foot length of wire connected to the chassis of hte radio, or in some cases, to the base of the present antenna if you can. It's just a matter of where you can make that connection. Don't expect huge increases in that 'better' thingy, but it'll probably make some difference. After that, it's a matter of what you think you can conveniently carry, as in just how big an antenna is practical for you, you know? The "best" is always determined by the circumstances... - 'Doc [/QUOTE]

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