Newbie call for help: bad antenna

[gdnt]

Contextualizing: I bought my radios and antennas just to be able to talk between family cars during our road trips in a quick way (without depending on cell coverage and fees). So 1 to 2 km (0.6 to 1.2 miles) range is pretty decent for me.

We used to use some cheap Motorola TalkAbout, they kinda worked fine, but when we needed it the most, they failed. Because roads in Brazil use to be simple and sinuous with several slow trucks, so for example, when my father overtakes one of them I am left behind unable to hear him signaling if it's safe to overtake or not.

To try to solve this issue I bought two Cobra 19 DX IV and two Voyager CB20 antennas.

For those unfamiliar with this antenna: it's a magnetic base antenna with a coil in the middle just bellow the whip and it's total height is about 70cm (~27"). It doesn't seem to have any kind of adjustment of the whip or anything. The whip is about 35cm long (~13").
Picture: http://img2.mlstatic.com/s_MLB_v_V_f_3184604879_092012.jpg

When I tested this setup I found out this antenna seems to be total crap since I wasn't able to hear the other car from a distance of less than 1km (line of sight!). I am no specialist. Very far from that, actually... But I guess this result is really bad, right?

So my question is:

Can I achieve the goals I intend to with a decent antenna of roughly the same size (and what antenna is this?) or should I sell the whole thing and go back to the TalkAbout? :sad:

 

[GnG8d]

That combination should net several miles of uninterrupted communication.

 

[gdnt]

Well, I'll try to buy a couple of decent antennas then. I bought the Voyager ones because it's the only available on the "brazilian version" of ebay. I'll check the antennas available on ebay. Any specific brand to look for or avoid?

Extra: One thing I noticed is that one of the antennas is more sensitive: while one antenna didn't hear anything on channel 02, with the other I could hear very faint voices (other people talking, not my father), but couldn't understand anything.

 

[M0GVZ]

Sirio 3000 / 4000 / 5000 are very good.

 

[gdnt]

Too tall... Anything under 1m (~ 40")?

What about Wilson Little Wil and K30? Are they any good for my needs?

Thank you, anyway.

 

[GnG8d]

The Little Wilson should get you the couple miles you're looking for. Do they still make the Wilson 500, and if so how tall is it?

 

[gdnt]

Wilson 500 is 54".

It's also expensive (since I'll have to buy 2 of them + import taxes, which include the shipping in the calculation ).

I was reading this review on the K30: Small antenna, big results - a review of the K30
This guy has transmitted quite far with this antenna. Is it only because of the 12W radio?

Seriously, thanks guys. You are really helpful. And sorry for my noobiness.

 

[2FB327]

1. Are the radios new or used. Can we determine that they are working the way they should?
Do you have a small swr meter(a must)or someone that could bench the radios?

If so, they it's got to be the antenna system, could be a poor connection at the base of the magnet mount, or where the coax (pl259) is crimped on the cable.

On any given day if the radio is good, you should have no problem rx/tx at a couple of miles with either the wilson or K magnet mounts.

Good luck finding your problem.

 

[gdnt]

1. Are the radios new or used. Can we determine that they are working the way they should?

The radios are new, but I can't really test or compare them. The only thing I can say is that they behave equally. That is: for each antenna I'll get the same results no matter on what radio it's connected to.

Do you have a small swr meter(a must)or someone that could bench the radios?

No.

If so, they it's got to be the antenna system, could be a poor connection at the base of the magnet mount, or where the coax (pl259) is crimped on the cable.

I'll try to check that.

On any given day if the radio is good, you should have no problem rx/tx at a couple of miles with either the wilson or K magnet mounts.

Good luck finding your problem.

Great. Thanks!

 

[gdnt]

I'll try to find some kind of shop here to have both my radios and the antennae checked. If I'm lucky enough it might be repairable...
I was doing the math and importing 2 $30 antenna would cost me US$183 (~ BRL$ 440,00).

Offtopic: Just out of curiosity, for me US$ 183 would be the equivalent to US$730 when converting the price taking minimum wage into consideration. So repairing the antenna would certainly be cheaper.

 

[GnG8d]

I keep thinking those antennas you have should be good enough for what you need. Where are you mounting the mag bases?

 

[gdnt]

On the roof of my Veloster (no sun roof) and on the roof of my father's 2009 Tucson (also no sun roof).

On both cars the antenna is on the middle of the roof.

The cable goes thru the door. I also tested before and after closing the door on the first time to make sure that the door didn't break the cable.

 

[hotrod]

get a external swr meter and check swrs . there should be a set screw just below the whip
if swr is 1.5 or less then thats fine.
the wilson lil wil and k40 are both decent antennas [for thier size]also in the u.s. theres one called the hustler never tried this one but its around 3 feet.
last you can have the radio looked over by a good tech but in those radios i
never really thought you could do much with them.
honestly id check swrs , maybe change antennas altogether.going inside radio
would be my LAST option. your range will be limited by your short antenna
but 1-2 miles should be capable

 

[gdnt]

Certainly. I am only planning to get the radios tested. Only the antennas should be repaired if needed.

The problem is to find someone with a SWR Meter. My only HAM radio friend lives over 1.000 miles away... :/

I emailed the local HAM association but they couldn't point me to any kind of shop that could help me.

Well, thank you for all the help. I'll try to find someone arround my city that could lend me a SWR Meter and/or help me with the tests.

 

[gdnt]

Kinda good news: today I found out it's (a lot) cheaper to import a SWR Meter than it's to buy one here.

I just bought one for half the local price. Now at least I'll find who is guilty.


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