Quote:
Originally posted by JamesH
May I hijack this thread briefly with a couple of my stupid questions?
I have a UHF in my car and it has a short thin ariel about 30cm. I have borrowed in the past a mate's 2m ariel when going out bush. Much meatier looking.
1) does size always have something to do with performance in ariel world? Could the new short ariel provided with the unit be better than the old large ariel that my mate forgot how he came by? It may be an ariel from a house based unit.
2) does whacking a bigger ariel help or if the ariel is being driven by the same unit therefore same power then it makes no diff? I have no idea if the tree trunks you see on the front of utes are matched to a proportionately powered unit.
I am wondering if my placing the relatively giant ariel is worth it. I suspect it is but I'm only assuming.
The only difference the length makes to a UHF aerial is it allows the signal further range aft as the signal clears the roof when its taller than the roof line (ie 1.2 mtres) and not bounces or deflects of if lower. The thin aerial will be inferior as it will loose signal strength in a convoy situation if the last car a long way back. My mate has one like yours on his Rangie and I've never had a problem hearing him crystal clear.