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Bigbluesman
New member
Username: Bigbluesman

Post Number: 1
Registered: 2-2014
Posted on Thursday, February 20, 2014 - 3:13 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Hi. I have a conversion van with the fiberglass roof. Antennas are not working! A ngp antenna sounds nice, but I havn't found one that I can run 400 or 500 watts through..suggestions?
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Tech237
Moderator
Username: Tech237

Post Number: 1750
Registered: 4-2004


Posted on Friday, February 21, 2014 - 11:24 am:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

1) Take a look around for a 27Mhz Marine antenna, which may sometimes work.

2) stick a sheet of aluminium (at least 3ft square) under the roof inside the van and mount the antenna through that.

3)Mount a 9ft whip on a ball mount high up on the side of the van.
Tech237
N7AUS

God made me an athiest, who are you to question his wisdom?
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Tech833
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Username: Tech833

Post Number: 2287
Registered: 8-2002
Posted on Monday, March 03, 2014 - 12:47 am:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

I would suggest using a side mount and mounting the antenna to the side of the van as high as you can get and still be on the metal. Use a top loaded or spiral loaded fiberglass antenna for best results.

The NGP (No Ground Plane) marine antennas are very narrow-banded. OK if you just run CB, but you mentioned running an amplifier, so I assume you want to run the ham bands. A marine antenna is way too narrow for ham bands.

Don't run an amplifier on the CB band.
Your radio 'Mythbuster' since 1998

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