| Author |
Message |
    
Ernest L. Dawley
| | Posted on Sunday, January 27, 2002 - 11:44 am: | 
|
Hi guys. I have a question. I have a RV (Motor home) and lately, I have been having trouble with range. It is perfect for a mile or so but after that, mostly static.
I talked to a CB shop in SC and the guy said I needed a ground plane since my roof was rubber coated. He explained how he made one out of sheet metal and how well it worked.
The problem is I don't want to put holes in my roof or have the antenna that high as to catch limbs and what have you.
Right now, I have the antenna mounted on the upper left front side of the camper. ¾th of the antenna is above the roof.
On a previous motor home, the guy that owned the Winnie used a Ham radio and left his antenna for me to use. He also pointed out that he had a ground plane on the side of the camper and that I should leave it. I did and the reception was pretty good. He had used what appeared to be a ½ inch metal tape that was about two feet long.
My question is: can I use the aluminum AC duct repair tape and do the same? If I can, do I put it on the side or on the top or both? Next, if I can use this tape, how much do I use and does it need to be connected to the base of the antenna?
The antenna that I'm using currently is about five feet and is a Fire Stick but I sometimes use my three-footer.
Any suggestions would be appreciated as to how to and what to use. I have heard some people say that there is an antenna just for fiberglass RVs and that I should use one of them. The last CB shop said no, it wouldn't work well. I bought one from Copper several years ago and it did well but I left it on the last RV when I sold it.
Anyway. Thanks for any advice you can give me and please speak in terms that a nerd can understand.
Ernie Dawley
5628 Bannock road
Virginia beach, VA. 23462 |
Bigbob
| | Posted on Sunday, January 27, 2002 - 10:58 pm: |
|
Forget what they said,get another one of those ants. from copper and put it on,I'm assuming you're talking about a no-ground plane ant.Best for stock watts and your set-up.They'll only handle about 200 watts. BIGBOB |
Warlock
| | Posted on Monday, January 28, 2002 - 5:20 am: |
|
The aluminum tape will work as an artificial GP...but... do not connect to the antenna, but to it's mount.
The key is to get the antenna to "see" this tape as ground. You could run a 6' long 2" or 3" wide piece of aluminum tape on the roof running front to rear and at the closest point to the antenna scratch the surface a little and solder a #10 wire from there to the antenna bracket. An additional #10 wire from the antenna bracket to the frame.
Viola (wala), instant GP. |
Ernest L. Dawley
| | Posted on Monday, January 28, 2002 - 9:18 am: |
|
Thanks big BIGBOB. I will go that way. You would think I would know more about CB radios since I have been using them for over forty years. I even had the legal call letters or registration back when that was required. What eve happened to that requirement anyway?
I had called Copper and asked about getting their NGP antenna but the lady didn't know what I was talking about. The one I originally had was about $29.95. I guess I couldn't explain myself too well. Anyway, I just ordered a catalog and will try it again. If anyone out there has the numbers for that antenna or another good one, give me a hit.
Now, to make myself sound stupid again. With a NGP antenna, would a ground plane make it better?
Thanks.
Ern (Allegro) |
Warlock
| | Posted on Monday, January 28, 2002 - 9:09 pm: |
|
I have one Ernie my distributor sent by mistake. It was $40 with shipping if you want it, I'll send it free, I have no need for it and it is still packaged. |
|
