Thread: unsure of best aerial

Originally Posted by incisor

i use a benelec elevated feed ground independant aerial that came with both 3db and 6db tops that screw onto a sprung base.

seems to work really well. cost about 80 bucks at dick smith...

Yep I use the same. Lucky for me it was already on the vehicle when I bought it.

I know you asked for the best bar mounted antenna but I have a roof mounted antenna. Most of the time I use a very small flexible whip (around 150mm long) and it out performs all the other radios on the vehicles I travel with. In more open terrain I use a stainless steel whip around 600 mm long on the same mount.

Ian

I'm having trouble with my UHF

It's ok, but I've noticed when in groups that other people have substantially better range than I do. IE people in front of me can hear people behind me ... and I'm struggling to get the guy in front.

I have a entry level GME set. The aerial is an AE 409l. I'm not entirely happy with it as it cops it when the going gets rough. I'm thinking of replacing it.

Any thoughts?

Originally Posted by Captain_Rightfoot

I'm having trouble with my UHF

It's ok, but I've noticed when in groups that other people have substantially better range than I do. IE people in front of me can hear people behind me ... and I'm struggling to get the guy in front.

I have a entry level GME set. The aerial is an AE 409l. I'm not entirely happy with it as it cops it when the going gets rough. I'm thinking of replacing it.

Any thoughts?

I've found the AE409L to be an excellent little aerial. In my opinion its best setup as a 6db rather than with the full number of elements. I suspect that you'll find that there is a problem with the connection, such as where the wires are joined into the plug which then goes into the unit. I'd get a shop to check it if you're unsure as they have the equipment to test the setup.

What he said. I'd also add that whilst these are a reasonable aerial a solid one like a CD5000 or CD900 from RFI I think is a better option as there's less to fall apart.

Of course it may not be the aerial, guy I know had terrible trouble hearing people, they'd drop in and out much like you describe. Turns out the UHF set had a dodgy speaker in it.

Originally Posted by Captain_Rightfoot

I'm having trouble with my UHF

It's ok, but I've noticed when in groups that other people have substantially better range than I do. IE people in front of me can hear people behind me ... and I'm struggling to get the guy in front.

I have a entry level GME set. The aerial is an AE 409l. I'm not entirely happy with it as it cops it when the going gets rough. I'm thinking of replacing it.

Any thoughts?

I can't tell from reading your post. Is it only receive that is a problem?

If so your squelch or volume controls may be set wrong.

good evening,
I got myself a short ground independent 1/4 wavelength whip (38$) and bought a matching female plug for it. next, I bent a piece of aluminium into a small bracket (on which I mounted the female plug) such that the bracket can be mounted on the snorkel using the snorkel hose clamp. running the cable inside the snorkel is an option.
this way the antenna tip is high up and works well, its really cheap and yet not as noticeable as a long bull bar mounted antenna. works flawless now for 2.5 years.
just another option to consider for you ... cheers, axel

Originally Posted by Bush65

I can't tell from reading your post. Is it only receive that is a problem?

If so your squelch or volume controls may be set wrong.

Well the problem is with these things is it's kind of hard to know whether the other person can hear you, all you know is you can't hear them. When trying to ascertain the problem you really need two other people, one to be the master, and another one with you. You then need to drive until you have trouble contacting the master and then see if the person with you can communicate. This is all quite hard to organise...

On trips I might be say 4th back from the leader. In dusty areas this might be quite a way. The people behind me usually have to relay messages to the leaders.

I've tried leaving the squelch off and I would say that when the squelch stops triggering the transmissions are very hard to hear. I think the squelch is ok. It's hard to say on the unit though.

Anyway, I went down to the local carsound shop where a relative works, and after much discussion I left with a GME ae4705.

Oh well.. we'll see how it goes.