The problem with a 5/8 wave antenna is that it will not work well if there
isn't a good ground plane under it, and it sounded from Tom's message like
there might not be.  I think that ground independent antenna designs are
the way to go for this application.

73, de Lou K2LKK



At 10:21 AM 7/10/2005 -0600, you wrote:
>does the trailer have any sort of gutters at the roof line?
>or any kind of protrusion at the roof line?
>I am thinking of a gutter mount type bracket which could then support a
>5/8's wave antenna of some sort.
>Ultimately, since you want it for recreation which potentially means some
>distance from repeaters, as well as emergency which could mean  the necesity
>to use simplex, you want something with as much gain as possible...i think
>something like the tram 1480 which is only 8.5 feet long, probably less then
>$50 off ebay (which is where i got mine) and exhibits 6 db on vhf and 9 db
>on uhf.
>If you devise a method of mounting the antenna to the side of the trailer
>with a quick release adapter, you could easily use the siding as the ground
>plain and not have to use the 3 ground plain radials that are usually used
>with the antenna.
>If the idea is just to use an antenna during fixed or stationary
>applications, maybe another painters pole rigged up to a bracket on the side
>or end of the trailer would work nicely.
>Remember you really dont want to put a vhf/uHF antenna below or very near a
>vertical HF antenna unless the 2 are going to be used at separate
>times...you will find that the VHF/UHF antenna will have an unacceptable swr
>if mounted near another antenna especially below it on a mast.
>The other possibility is to use a trunk mount or hood mount bracket and just
>bolt it to the side of the trailer at the roof line then use an NMO mount or
>something similar to attach a 5/8's wave antenna...again, the siding will
>act as a nice ground plain.
>Given your specifications of economics, the least amount of holes and easy
>to store, i think this last one would be the way to go...because you
>wouldn't actually need to take it down since the 5/8's is only 4 feet long
>and a stainless whip can withstand going under low objects if you need to
>drive under something lower then the tip of the antenna.
>Instead of a trunk/hood mount, you could use the antenna mount half of a
>mirror arm bracket which usually has 2 or 4 holes in it and bolt that to the
>side....they are usually a little more robust then the hood or trunk mounts.
>73
>Colin, V A6BKX
>----- Original Message -----
>From: "Tom Behler" <[log in to unmask]>
>To: <[log in to unmask]>
>Sent: Saturday, July 09, 2005 9:22 PM
>Subject: suggestions needed for simple and quick mount 2-meter/440 antenna
>
>
> > Hi, folks.
> >
> > My XYL and I recently purchased an 18-foot Fleetwood Pioneer travel
>trailer
> > that we will be using both for recreational purposes, and as an emergency
> > communications trailer of sorts.  I am looking for suggestions as to an
> > easy-to-mount and store 2-meter/440 antenna for the trailer.  I already
>have
> > had someone help me install a "painter's pole mast" in the spare tire
>holder
> > on the back of the trailer for an HF antenna, which I am hoping will be
>the
> > Buddipole portable antenna you have heard me talk about on occasion.  I am
> > trying to think of how I might install a simple 2-meter/440 antenna (such
>as
> > the Diamond 770) below the HF antenna on that mast pole.  Problem is the
> > mast pole is made out of fiber glass, and I don't know how it would hold
>up
> > with "u" bolts and an L bracket, or something like that.
> >
> > The trailer itself has some sort of "rubber" roof, and is sided with
> > aluminum, so I know of no place to put a magmount base.
> >
> > I guess I could go with some kind of a "through the glass" antenna, but I
> > haven't had the greatest luck in the world with those.
> >
> > I will use my second TMV7A as the 2-meter/440 rig, so maximum power used
> > should be no more than 50 watts.
> >
> > Any suggestions would be appreciated.  The goal here is economics,
> > practicality, and hopefully a minimum of holes drilled.
> >
> > Thanks to all for any suggestions.
> >
> > Best 73 from Tom Behler: KB8TYJ
> >

Louis Kim Kline
A.R.S. K2LKK
Home e-mail:  [log in to unmask]
Work e-mail:  [log in to unmask]
Work Telephone:  (585) 697-5753