Antenna Choice

[donnie]

Id like to find out what the options are for a mobile antenna location.
I dont want to drill a hole in the roof of my truck if I can help it.
What would be an alternative mount for a dual band(2 meter/440)
mount?
Radio being used is a dual band handheld.
Also which brand of antenna?
What kind of a mount, if possible, would work on a E 450 MH when on the road?
Thanks.

[whodo]

A mag mount solves the hole drilling problem on the truck, now as far as mounting it on the MH, I have found using a metal plate mounted off the AC unit works well. If you mount a plate off of the AC and run the ant. coax down through the refer vent it makes for a simple easy clean install, plus if you happen to hit it on a low hanging object, it will normally just fall over and not off the roof of the MH.

[betsytom]

I'll second the roof top ac enclosure suggestion for antenna mounting it really is the perfect place, a quick 1/2" hole in the plastic plenum gets you into the coach, too easy really, plus you can bolt down the metal if you use anything other than a sheet product. Though I cannot imagine a problem if you use stainless self tappers with a silicone bed and bead around the perimeter.

I found performance, reception only, to be better when I replaced the approximately 18" diameter aluminum (porous?) with stainless (smoother?) or maybe it was just the day or time of year...

But as I mention, our application is only for our cell phone booster and gps antenna.

http://www.smoothtalker.com/

this product is the next best thing to satellite, amazing really. But with the program that GlobalStar has now, a new 1600 phone for $299! and yes, you may have to wait a few minutes for a satellite to come into range but at $19.99 a month, one year contract, for unlimited yaking, who cares.....
A necessity if you enjoy being really alone.

http://www.globalstar.com/

[ka5g]

I'm using a Diamond dual-bander Mag Mount antenna on my Ford F-150. Been there for 9 years without ever having any problems. I got the bigger magnet because I'm a bit of a lead foot. Ha! I wouldn't put it on the roof because it clips the low lying tree limbs...

[murffdog]

I'm using a Diamond dual-bander Mag Mount antenna on my Ford F-150. Been there for 9 years without ever having any problems. I got the bigger magnet because I'm a bit of a lead foot. Ha! I wouldn't put it on the roof because it clips the low lying tree limbs...

Never thought of a metal plate on the A/C unit, good idea, why not use a spring mount also?

[afchap]

On the recommendation of a friend ...far more experienced HAM than I am ...I got a Larsen 2m/440 KG-2/70-CX-PL glass mount antenna for $99 for my motorhome. While mounting it I realized I was putting it on dual-pane insulated glass, but I went ahead with it. It is on a driver side window above the window that opens, and the antenna sticks up slightly above roof level. It has worked extremely well, and also tuned very well with an SWR meter. I recently got a 2 meter rig for my car, and now I want another Larsen glass mount antenna!