Originally Posted by HAVOC625
(Post 1606399)
I Live about 8 miles from the interstate just had a local shop tune my cb before i couldnt talk to anyone on the interstate at all now i dont have a problem talking that far
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This may be a dumb question, but what is the purpose of the dual antenna setup? I always assumed it was for longer range. What would I gain if I added another antenna to my Jeep?
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Originally Posted by 08GreenRubi
(Post 1607161)
This may be a dumb question, but what is the purpose of the dual antenna setup? I always assumed it was for longer range. What would I gain if I added another antenna to my Jeep?
So, how, if you're a trucker, can you take advantage of this? Well, for truckers on Interstates, having most of your performance towards the front of the semi, so you can talk to someone further down the highway, is an advantage. It's not so good to be able to talk out to the sides, since most of the time someone you want to talk to is either in front of you or behind you on the highway. So, dual (technically called cophased) antennas work to reshape what is in general a circular pattern (when looked at from the top), to a pattern with large lobes up front and behind. That means you can talk further up and down the highway, but with reduced performance out the sides. I hope that helps. |
What Mark forgot to say tho, is that co-phased (dual) antennas only work properly if they are set at a certain distance between them where they work off each other and resonate properly. Normally, on a small vehicle, you can't achieve that ideal distance. So it's pretty much a waste of time.
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Ham vs CB
Two weekends ago was my first real use of my 2m ham radio. I was SO impressed I'm seriously considering dumping the CB permanently.
Guys on I-5 were crystal clear at over 50 miles away, but the CB was good up through spitting range (i.e. almost to the Jeep behind me). I had no idea that ham worked so well. KJ6DMD |
Perfect fellas, that makes perfect sense after the explanation :beer: I have just seen this setup on a few rigs around town and was trying to understand the purpose. Now I know :thumbsup:
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Originally Posted by AK4Dave
(Post 1607286)
What Mark forgot to say tho, is that co-phased (dual) antennas only work properly if they are set at a certain distance between them where they work off each other and resonate properly. Normally, on a small vehicle, you can't achieve that ideal distance. So it's pretty much a waste of time.
"32. Some people believe that co-phased antennas must be separated by a minimum of nine (9) feet. We have successfully used co-phase antenna systems with spacing as little as four (4) feet. Space alters the pattern and not always negatively. Each vehicle will be different." From http://www.firestik.com/Tech_Docs/63Things.htm So, while I'd always heard what you wrote, Dave, I decided to remove my words saying the same thing. I guess folks can try things out and see what happens. When it comes to RF, it's all FM (frelling magic--I've been watching four seasons of Farscape the past few weeks. LOL). P.S.: Here are some antenna lobe pattern charts to illustrate what I wrote about above. Not for you, Dave, for those who haven't seen one before ... http://www.vias.org/wirelessnetw/wndw_06_05_05.html |
Originally Posted by JeeperDude
(Post 1607350)
Two weekends ago was my first real use of my 2m ham radio. I was SO impressed I'm seriously considering dumping the CB permanently.
Guys on I-5 were crystal clear at over 50 miles away, but the CB was good up through spitting range (i.e. almost to the Jeep behind me). I had no idea that ham worked so well. KJ6DMD In the Jeep, on CB you should be able to talk a mile or two reliably on the Interstate. On the trail, you should be able to talk to anyone you're running with unless you put some obstacle between the two of you (same problem with 2-meters, BTW). It sounds like you're getting more the lackluster performance typical of handheld FRS radios. I'd say check out your antenna system, and if that checks out, consider moving it. The one advantage of CB over ham is that most Jeepers will have one if they're heading out on trails. |
Originally Posted by Mark Doiron
(Post 1607435)
In the Jeep, on CB you should be able to talk a mile or two reliably on the Interstate. On the trail, you should be able to talk to anyone you're running with unless you put some obstacle between the two of you (same problem with 2-meters, BTW). It sounds like you're getting more the lackluster performance typical of handheld FRS radios. I'd say check out your antenna system, and if that checks out, consider moving it. The one advantage of CB over ham is that most Jeepers will have one if they're heading out on trails.
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Originally Posted by 08GreenRubi
(Post 1607475)
Yeah, I had a Cobra handheld with an external antenna that was about 12". I wasn't able to hear the lead Jeep in most cases unless I was able to see him. I went to my current setup and have no problems picking up the signals even if they are on the other side of the ridge (depending on the distance).
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