Question for the UHF antenna gurus

[86mud]

Hi all

I have recently purchased the latest GME rugged style UHF antenna in a twin pack - a 6.6dBi antenna (1.2m long) for long range communication over flat ground and a shorter 2.1dBi antenna (400mm long) for communication in built up or mountainous terrain. (that's what the advertisement states)

Now instead of having to get out of the car and swapping antenna's when changing terrain, can I have both antenna's mounted on the bull bar and both coax cables connected to a switch in the cab so I can simply flick a switch to get the optimum reception depending on terrain?

Does such a switch exist for coax?

Thanks

[Graeme]

Yes coax switches exist.

[p38arover]

Yes, I have a coax switch to switch between two VHF/UHF transceivers to one antenna in my ham shack

[Tombie]

86’ you won’t be mounting both at once.
That pack comes with:
1x Coax and Base with Spring
1x Tall antenna
1x Short antenna

They screw on and off.
You would need to buy another base and spring.

You’ll find you hardly change the antenna anyway in most circumstances.

And whilst I’ve used switches for years - they do result in losses.

[Homestar]

I used 2 antennas at one time and just swapped the connectors on each when required - which wasn’t very often, so never bothered with a switch. Now I just run one anyway, I found no overall advantage using 2 when most of the time I only use it the radio in convoy or chatting to trucks that are quite close.

[86mud]

Thanks everyone.

I'll just stick with the one antenna.

[PhilipA]

I'll just stick with the one antenna.
I have found that a small gain antenna with integrated ground plane mounted on the gutter to use the roof as additional ground plane is quite acceptable. On my long trips I take a 6Db antenna as well but have never used it as UHF is basically line of sight anyway.
I find I hardly ever even use my small antenna as if you get onto channel 40 the obscene verbiage by truckies just turns you right off particularly if you have kids in the car.
UHF is handy in WA when conferring with pilots who give you the Ok to pass the many wide loads.
Otherwise its a club convoy thing IMHO.
Regards Philip A