Author |
Message |
Jameslarson
New member Username: Jameslarson
Post Number: 8 Registered: 4-2006
| Posted on Monday, April 10, 2006 - 4:43 pm: |
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Hi all. I know this sounds off the wall. But any ideas on how to mount an antron 99 or IMAX 2000 on a van? I own the van flat out, so I don't mind drilling holes or doing whatever it takes. Obviously I can't have it mounted straight up vertically. What about curved? Maybe even replacing the top section with the firestik A99 whip they make so it is not as long. Any suggestions? I know, off the wall. Any suggestions for maybe any other base antennas on the van? Thanks. |
Patzerozero
Senior Member Username: Patzerozero
Post Number: 2693 Registered: 7-2004
| Posted on Monday, April 10, 2006 - 6:33 pm: |
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how about 2 or 3 big coil-type(for stiffness) antennas in a 2 or 3 element beam configuration? it'll be big time directional, but you'll fit under a few more things then with an 18 or 20 foot 'glas antenna up there.... |
Starface
Advanced Member Username: Starface
Post Number: 548 Registered: 1-2005
| Posted on Monday, April 10, 2006 - 7:10 pm: |
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I can see those overpasses now... bing bing bam!! Seems like you got the thing about a radio is only as good as it's Antenna all wrong, if you wanna be heard a good Mobile Antenna is just as good. The Law might look at it as unsafe for you and other driver's on the road. maybe an Amp would be best if you need to be heard ways off? Base antenna's on mobiles just don't mix to me. Good Luck Till next time Starface KI4NBE CEF476 CVC14 HAM181 Southeast Net Control Auburndale,FL |
Moderator1516
Moderator Username: Moderator1516
Post Number: 188 Registered: 8-2005
| Posted on Monday, April 10, 2006 - 7:19 pm: |
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each section of an a99 is app.6ft long total 18ft the imak each section app. 8 feet long total 24ft.so that would be quite a antenna for a mobile,reminds me of the fellow here in town that had a wood burning stove in the back of his vw beetle ,stove pipe and all,also i have an anttron 1100 mounted on top of my vechicle it is 6 foot long and i have a big problem with it notably parking garages cemetarys and drive in banks moderator1516 |
Road_warrior
Senior Member Username: Road_warrior
Post Number: 1329 Registered: 7-2004
| Posted on Monday, April 10, 2006 - 8:05 pm: |
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Your better off mounting a 102" whip on the roof. If you like to drive the Van up a mountain or whatever and sit and talk. Get a 30ft telescoping mast from your local Lowes store. Set a base antenna up on that when stopped. If the 10ft mast would fit in your van...LOL |
Jameslarson
New member Username: Jameslarson
Post Number: 9 Registered: 4-2006
| Posted on Monday, April 10, 2006 - 9:18 pm: |
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Like I said, i know it was off the wall. How about a beam antenna on the roof? Surely there is a beam antenna out there that would be no bigger than 8 feet tall including mast and rotator. I would install a mast straight through the roof right into the floor of the van. Then attatched to that mast would be a much smaller mast with the motor and actual antenna. I have a big heavy duty 12vDC to 120VAC inverter, 2 batteries, and a high current alternator. Now is the question. Which beam antenna? PDLII? Maco 3? I know, I'm nuts, but hey, I love this CB thing. |
Starface
Advanced Member Username: Starface
Post Number: 549 Registered: 1-2005
| Posted on Tuesday, April 11, 2006 - 12:10 am: |
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Am I getting the picture you live in your van and it's not mobilize at all? PDLIIŽ nor MacoŽ beam will withstand Hwy Speeds.. Till next time Starface KI4NBE CEF476 CVC14 HAM181 Southeast Net Control Auburndale,FL |
Kid_vicious
Senior Member Username: Kid_vicious
Post Number: 1406 Registered: 9-2004
| Posted on Tuesday, April 11, 2006 - 12:58 am: |
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james, james, james, trust me; we have ALL been there. well, near there.LOL if you need the antenna to stay on the vehicle while moving, then you are not going to get better than a 102" whip antenna mounted right on top of the van in the center. you will find this to be a great performing antenna. the ONLY difference between this setup and the antron 99 is the height gain with the antron, and if you drove up a 10' hill, the 102" whip would be the exact same thing, and actually better because it has less loss. the antron is a 1/4 wave antenna with a half wave on the bottom of it to match the SWR without a counterpoise. your van is a great counterpoise. so just trust us. get a 102" whip on the roof and you will love it! just dont try to mount the 102" whip on a mast avove the top of the vehicle. it wont work. you need to have the base of the antenna right on top of the vehicle. having said that, you may want a base antenna for non moving fun. if thats the case, then you could definitely use a mast coming up out of the vehicle like the news vans. (sure would love to have one of those!) or, you could get a 2 foot square piece of 1/4" thick steel, and weld a 1" round piece of steel to it for a stub, and drive the van so the rear wheel is on the plate. then slide a 10 foot mast over it, and add some sort of bracket to the top of the van to hold the top of the mast, and you could mount your antenna there. the key is to be able to put it up and TAKE IT DOWN quickly. these days, we hobbyists tend to resemble terrorists to the regular folk. i used to have great success with two eve mounts bolted to my truck tool box. i used a five foot mast and my antron 99, and it worked great! just gotta be carefull not to frive off with it in the air! good luck, matt |
477
Intermediate Member Username: 477
Post Number: 177 Registered: 6-2002
| Posted on Tuesday, April 11, 2006 - 8:14 pm: |
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Hi Jameslarson There are guys out there that have 2, 3, 4, or even 6 element beams on their surbarban not alone 2 to 4 alternators mounted in their suburban. Keep it simple go for 102" steel whip you cant lose for that price... good look. |
477
Intermediate Member Username: 477
Post Number: 178 Registered: 6-2002
| Posted on Tuesday, April 11, 2006 - 8:26 pm: |
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James I`ll e-mail you some pictures of a Van with 3 or 4 element hook up |
Al_lafon
Intermediate Member Username: Al_lafon
Post Number: 195 Registered: 3-2005
| Posted on Thursday, April 13, 2006 - 1:23 am: |
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Hello i saw a guy up on skyline drive in Va he was using a antron 99 mounted on the trunk with a roof tripod and a home made lay down bracet and had a 102 on the roof ? If i do this i'd go with IMAX 2000 But then my wife show me the door best bet is 102 Kid_vicious got best idear here guys |
Hotwire
Senior Member Username: Hotwire
Post Number: 1156 Registered: 1-2005
| Posted on Thursday, April 13, 2006 - 12:48 pm: |
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James, When you have these base antennas erected you plan to be stationary right? The guys who do that stuff no what they are doing and I'm sure its easy to figure out. But driving with them erected? Save yourself the trouble and listen to these guys here at the forum. Just get a 102 inch whip. Tell ya what! I run a Predator and have been asked if I was a base! Try a Predator 10k! You can even order your Predator10k built to be a directional antenna! They just mount the stinger sideways! In each state we have height restrictions for the road and the first cop who sees you with a Imax or even a Maco beam is gonna get behind you , call all his cop buddys to check it out, and then he will hit those red and blue lights! Now that I think about it. When I lived within Indianapolis one of the channel six guys put an Antron on the bumper of his Cadillac Fleetwood. It leaned over so far he had to tie a rope to it to help keep it straight. I was a kid then and I got the nerve up to talk to this guy on the radio. Think he said he just tried it to go to the store and was in a power war with the other big dogs in the hood. Said that 20 mph was about the limit. Again, give the big coil antennas like the Predator a try. Maybe even 2 or 3 if you want directional.good luck 73 |
Road_warrior
Senior Member Username: Road_warrior
Post Number: 1333 Registered: 7-2004
| Posted on Thursday, April 13, 2006 - 5:44 pm: |
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Hotwire: for curiousity, how long are those 10K antennas? Thanks |
Twowatt
Member Username: Twowatt
Post Number: 72 Registered: 7-2005
| Posted on Thursday, April 13, 2006 - 10:43 pm: |
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james, i also agree that if moving, a 102" whip is great. BUT, if you have no trees, bridges or mickey d's drive thru's to worry about (like i did while living in Florida), then get a 7' skipshooter and a strong ball mount, and mount it in the center of the van roof. with the top load radiating more than the rest of the antenna, i could always talk about 40 miles when skip was not rolling in, using a galaxy dual final radio. regards |
Hotwire
Senior Member Username: Hotwire
Post Number: 1160 Registered: 1-2005
| Posted on Saturday, April 15, 2006 - 1:37 pm: |
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Road Warrior, 7 feet |
Patzerozero
Senior Member Username: Patzerozero
Post Number: 2709 Registered: 7-2004
| Posted on Saturday, April 15, 2006 - 5:24 pm: |
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i was suggesting 2 or 3 predators on the roof for a beam effect ever see pics on the web of "weed in the 'glades'" van? just pull off into the swamp & throw up a tower & beam, fire up the tube amp, & pack it all up for another day when you're done |
Mikefromms
Advanced Member Username: Mikefromms
Post Number: 876 Registered: 6-2003
| Posted on Saturday, April 15, 2006 - 7:15 pm: |
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On a van? The 99. Mikefromms |
Road_warrior
Senior Member Username: Road_warrior
Post Number: 1340 Registered: 7-2004
| Posted on Saturday, April 15, 2006 - 8:33 pm: |
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Thanks Hotwire! |
Jameslarson
Member Username: Jameslarson
Post Number: 97 Registered: 4-2006
| Posted on Tuesday, May 02, 2006 - 10:07 pm: |
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"weed in the 'glades'" ? What is that? What is the site? i would love to see pics. Thanks. |