HAM Radio Antenna Options?

I use the Icom AH-4 automatic antenna tuner (http://www.dxengineering.com/parts/ico-ah-4) and a 102” whip with my IC-7000 and it works really well for a simple setup. When you are parked you can add length to the whip just by using a long wire with an alligator clip on one end of the wire for clipping on to the end of the whip.

The IC-7000 can be setup so it automatically tunes the AH-4 after changing bands or frequencies if needed (it has a memory for already tuned frequencies) just by keying the Mic and it only takes about 1 to 3 seconds to tune. When on the move it is not quite as good as a good screw driver antenna setup, especially on the lower bands (40 or 80 meters) but it is a heck of a lot simpler to setup and when parked and adding wire to the end it can actually work better then a screw driver depending on the band and the amount of wire you add.

The AH-4 is an external tuner so it is designed to be out on the weather, it works best when you have it setup right at the feed point of the antenna. You just run 50 ohm coax to it along with a 4 wire control cable from the IC-7000. The AH-4 can also be used to tune a doublet or loop antenna by use ladder line from it to the feed point of the antenna and not grounding it so it is also useful at home. The AH-4 is the best investment I have made in amateur radio, been using mine mobile and stationary for over 5 years now with no problems at all and I would buy another in a hart beat if it ever did fail on me.

 

Go here and read the info about Trucks and RVs

http://www.k0bg.com/

 

You also use a Screwdriver antenna like the Tarheel. And you will still need a Dual band antenna for 2 m and 70cm.

 

I have a 2012 Coronado. Just spent the holiday time off getting my station set up. Icom 7000 with a dual band VHF/UHF ant and my tarheel plus a larger twin band for my 880 Dstar set. All antenaes are mounted inside the fairing with 1.5 or lower swr and no holes needed. Will have to run 20 meters at roughly 75 watts until I isolate the interference into my abs sensor. Will take me a few days to continue grounding/bonding my station to reduce most if not all interference. I could have and may still run my main antenaes out on the mirrors but I still show/compete with my rig and trailer at a number of truck shows so I'm trying to stay low key.
73s KB5EAG
Terry

 

I have a Yaesu FT-857D all band, all mode, Icom ID-880H DSTAR dual bander and a Yaesu FT-2900 two meter in my truck.
For my antennas i have two simple whip antennas, one 2 meter and one dual 144/440 on NMO mirror mounts (good option if your mirrors are the metal bar type). Then I have a Yaesu ATAS-120 also on a mirror mount, although if you have it on your mirror, put it on the bottom so there is no clearance problem. For the FT-857D it auto tunes, but you can get an external tuner/controller for it so you can use your Icom. Below are links to all the stuff i was just spouting about:


Antennas:
NMO Mirror Mount:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/MIRROR-ANTE...pt=US_Radio_Comm_Antennas&hash=item3a89a9421a

ATAS 120:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...N=B004UM9UL4&linkCode=as2&tag=lifofamodtru-20

PL-239 Mirror Mount:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...N=B004Y16KRI&linkCode=as2&tag=lifofamodtru-20

TRAM 144/440 dual band NMO antenna:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/TRAM-1180-D...pt=US_Radio_Comm_Antennas&hash=item27cf59883e


Radios:
Yaesu FT-857D
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...N=B004TB9JUI&linkCode=as2&tag=lifofamodtru-20

Icom ID-880H:
http://www.icomamerica.com/en/products/amateur/dstar/id880h/default.aspx

Yaesu FT-2900:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...N=B004WKH00M&linkCode=as2&tag=lifofamodtru-20

 

Why is a mirror mounted antenna out of the question? A small screwdriver like the Little Tarheel II on the mirror will look more professional (and infinitely less silly) than, say, a Monkey Made or that "20,000 watt" K40 antenna. (It'll probably work better, as well.)

You didn't say what you are driving. Mounting behind the cab will work, particularly if the top of your sleeper is non-metallic, but not as well as getting the antenna out in the open.

 

you could also consider one of those "trunk mount" setups that simply clamp on to the edge of a body panel.

 

Could all the hams that are driving an 18 send pics of your set up inside and out 73 kd0mpb