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Buck
Posted on Thursday, December 18, 2003 - 7:54 am:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

My mobile setup seems to be directional.. I have a 102" whip on a ball mount right behind the cab on the drivers side. I left work the other day and I went east, a buddy went north and another buddy went south. The guy that went north said he was loosing me after only about 2 miles between us. I was still hearing him great...The guy that went south was still hearing me good with over 6 miles between us. All the radios have an SWR of less than 1.3:1. I am convinced that it is my setup and that I need to change something. Not sure why its directional...Maybe talking across the truck makes a big differance in the groundplane of the whip?? Will moving it to the middle of the truck right behind the cab solve my problem??
Thanks
Buck
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Dx431
Posted on Thursday, December 18, 2003 - 10:59 am:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Buck, I had mine mounted right behind the cab in the center of the bedrail and it worked great! Had a 1.2 swr. I used to talk to a friend of mine who lives 5 miles away and I work 40 miles and he could hear me just fine and I could hear him no matter what direction I was facing. I have some pix if you would like to see them, let me know.

431
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Viking
Posted on Thursday, December 18, 2003 - 10:47 am:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

You hit it right on the nose! The rig is making the groundplane and, as you found out, your best transmit is the direction that has the most metal between it and the antenna. Moving it will make a difference.
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Buck
Posted on Thursday, December 18, 2003 - 5:38 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Yea Ill take a look at those pics Jason....I think you have sent them to me before but I cant find them....Guess I'll be moving my antenna this weekend
Buck
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Dx431
Posted on Friday, December 19, 2003 - 1:27 am:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

OK, Buck, I'll dig them up and send them. I think you'll be happy with the results after you move that ant. :)
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Dx431
Posted on Friday, December 19, 2003 - 9:15 am:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Buck, You've got mail!
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Buck
Posted on Friday, December 19, 2003 - 11:06 am:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Thanks Jason.....I got them. That looks like the way I will mount mine
Thanks
Buck
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Dx431
Posted on Friday, December 19, 2003 - 12:00 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Kewl! Let me know how it works.
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Buck
Posted on Monday, December 22, 2003 - 10:24 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

I got it all switched over and it seemed to help....The only thing i need to do is get a heavier piece of aluminum angle for the mount....the stuff I used is only about 1/8" and I need atleast 1/4"...The 1/8 is just too flexable
Buck
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Dx431
Posted on Monday, December 22, 2003 - 11:43 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Buck, what I used was a fender mount. I have used the mirror mounts also.
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Dx431
Posted on Monday, December 22, 2003 - 11:56 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Buck, the mounting bracket that I used. It's not as stiff as the mirror mount, but it worked good.
Its' the Firestik Hood/Trunk Channel Mount SS-174.


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