| Author |
Message |
    
Tomcatinva
Member
Username: Tomcatinva
Post Number: 99
Registered: 11-2003
| | Posted on Monday, August 28, 2006 - 1:59 pm: | 
|
Ok I have a real weird question. I have been thinking lately, I know that might be a bad thing...  . But I want to install a "good" antenna on my RV. Most of the ones I have seen or that people have told me about are the no-ground plane antennas and then they talk about drilling holes into the side of my RV. Well I would rather not do that, so I got to thinking...  Could I use a mirror mount on the ladder that you can use to climb up on the roof? And would that act as an extention of the antenna, in other words if I were to use say a 2 or 4 foot Wilson fiber glass antenna on a mirror mount attached to the ladder would that act like a longer antenna?? Or is my mind just taking a trip without my body leaving the barn??  The setup I was thinking about was a 2 foot Wilson fiber glass antenna mated with a radial, (to give me a ground plane), mounted on a mirror mount and attached to the ladder. The RV is abouut 12 foot tall and the ladder is aound 8 foot tall. What do you all think?
Thanks for any kind of input you all might have. Oh and yes I have tried a on glass antenna, that is what I am using now. It's an old antenna specialist 4 foot center load antenna and it does ok but it's mounted on a double pane window.
Thanks Again,
TomCat in VA CEF217  |
Tech237
Moderator
Username: Tech237
Post Number: 506
Registered: 4-2004
| | Posted on Monday, August 28, 2006 - 5:50 pm: |
|
It would work but it sure is not going to be the best solution.
1) it will be directional diagonally across the RV. 2) such a small antenna is inefficient.
3) I am not sure how good a groundplane effect or grounding you will get from the ladder.
As much as you might not like the idea the best antenna is a 9ft stainless mounted dead in the middle of the roof. Failing that go for a bigger antenna mounted on a side (high up) or on ythe ladder. If you decide to use a ladder look around and see if you cannot find a 27MHz Marin antenna that is designed not to need a groundplane.
Let me look trhu my millions of books, papers etc I may have the design of a homebrew Ground Independant antenna I developed some yeras back. If I have I'll post it on the Forum. |
Streaky
Junior Member
Username: Streaky
Post Number: 14
Registered: 3-2006
| | Posted on Monday, August 28, 2006 - 6:26 pm: |
|
shakespear makes a 5' marine cb antenna that works good on our fiberglass boat swr 1.2 to1 |
Tech237
Moderator
Username: Tech237
Post Number: 507
Registered: 4-2004
| | Posted on Tuesday, August 29, 2006 - 9:12 am: |
|
Streaky that is the sort of antenna I was thinking of |
Coyote
Advanced Member
Username: Coyote
Post Number: 867
Registered: 11-2004
| | Posted on Tuesday, August 29, 2006 - 9:15 am: |
|
I am assuming the RV is fiberglass?
Sometimes the best way to find out is to do it and see. Sometimes things can surprise you. I have a feeling the ladder is probably attached to the frame or some type of structural metal that "may" help the ground plane issue. I would go with a longer antenna though. 2' would probably be fine if you are just wanting to hear and "maybe" talk to truckers to get road reports.
Streaky's input sounds like the best bet though.  |
Tomcatinva
Intermediate Member
Username: Tomcatinva
Post Number: 100
Registered: 11-2003
| | Posted on Tuesday, August 29, 2006 - 1:10 pm: |
|
I was thinking of just trying the 2 footer as I have two just sitting around. I have a 3 foot Wilson "Flex" silver load mounted to the rear lift gate vertically on my Yukon with a TRISTAR 3/8 aerial antenna groundplane radial kit to give it a horizontal ground plane. It really helps out as I didn't think I was getting out too far with out the ground plane kit at first.
I know that ideally it would be better to mount the antenna dead center of the RV but I am limited as to how high I can go as my RV is a little over 12 foot in height and if I went too high well let's just say I wouldn't have an antenna for long...  Anyway I might just give it a try and see what happens. I'll report back once I do install the antenna and test it, but that's going to be a project to do when I get that "golden time" to do it.
Thanks for the help and the thoughts...
TomCat in VA... CEF217... |
Hotwire
Senior Member
Username: Hotwire
Post Number: 1701
Registered: 1-2005
| | Posted on Tuesday, August 29, 2006 - 1:34 pm: |
|
Tom, The no ground plane antennas like the marine antennas would be the best bet. They come with the coax they need for counterpoise. Besides that, if you desire to use an antenna like the Silver load mounted to your ladder I would go with the longest possible and get as much of the antenna above the RV as you can. The ladder is probably made of some type of metal I hope. You need to run a ground connection from the metal frame of the RV to the ladder that your antenna is clamped to. As short as possible solid copper strap or braided copper strap. |
