Antenna question

[Mr. PlumCrazy]

mounted to my aluminum tool box in pick-up bed= Biggest problem and grounding the box wont help Now if you want to mount on the box bolt a small flat piece of steel on the box where you want to mount the antenna and run a braided ground strap from the steel plate to the frame

Other problem is co phase antennas need to be a minimal of 8ft apart and running co phase antennas will not work any better than one you can mount two for looks but just use one

[Turbo-T]

Originally Posted by Mr. PlumCrazy

mounted to my aluminum tool box in pick-up bed= Biggest problem and grounding the box wont help Now if you want to mount on the box bolt a small flat piece of steel on the box where you want to mount the antenna and run a braided ground strap from the steel plate to the frame

So are you saying mounting an antenna on the truck's tool box doesn't work as well? LMK, been thinking of doing it, but using it to run a 102 whip.

[outerspacehillbilly]

Originally Posted by Turbo-T

So are you saying mounting an antenna on the truck's tool box doesn't work as well? LMK, been thinking of doing it, but using it to run a 102 whip.

You will never get a good ground on the toolbox. There are several different mounts available specifically for the 102 whip.

[reelfinatic]

OK, here's an update.....I got an SWR meter today and on channel #1 I got between 1 and 1.5 and on channel 40 I got a tick below 2. BTW, that's using twin 4' antennas with one wired and one dummy, (gotta admit I love the look of the twins) mounted to the aluminum tool box without a grounding strap. Should I still ground the box to the pick-up's frame? Thanx everybody for your input and/or advice.

[112racing]

the pickup bed is rubber mounted to the frame a ground from the frame to the bed is what you need

[outerspacehillbilly]

Originally Posted by reelfinatic

OK, here's an update.....I got an SWR meter today and on channel #1 I got between 1 and 1.5 and on channel 40 I got a tick below 2. BTW, that's using twin 4' antennas with one wired and one dummy, (gotta admit I love the look of the twins) mounted to the aluminum tool box without a grounding strap. Should I still ground the box to the pick-up's frame? Thanx everybody for your input and/or advice.

Do as 112Racing suggested run a ground strap ( make sure it's a flat braided for best results ) from the truck bed to the frame and you should be A-1.

[Carolina Thunder]

Originally Posted by reelfinatic

that's using twin 4' antennas with one wired and one dummy, (gotta admit I love the look of the twins) mounted to the aluminum tool box without a grounding strap

Since you insist on doing it this way i will tell you this. If you ever want to put the strongest signal on someone then make sure they are off to one side or the other of your truck. This way they will be able to hear you and also see the strongest single from you. If your talking to someone that is directly in front or behind you and you are several miles away from them,they most likely will not be able to hear you very well because of the dummy antenna and mounting location and the resulting reflection from this setup.

If you get that complaint alot from others then just remember to put the side of your truck in there direction and you will be fine.