Well i just passed my tech claa exam for ham radio and im excited to get on the air. i have a 2 meter rig for the stranger but no antena and dont know what kinda i should get i dont want a magnetic base and cant really find any online. does any one have a recomendation?

 

Im looking into these for my stranger.

Stake hole mounts.
Firestik MK-294R Stake Hole Mount Kit

I want two one for a 5/8th wave 2m ham and one for a 1/4 wave CB (probably a firestik)

 

Hopefully Stephen Fiddes will chime in. he is into all of this stuff

 

Idk how well that would work on the new rangers cause there is no way to ground the antenna cause the new beds are fiberglass. =[

 

No they arent.

 

I'M HERE!

Hey, lucky you, I work for HRO (Ham Radio Outlet) so I know a little about this stuff.


You want to get a Comet SBB5NMO antenna. That is a dual band 2M (144 mhz)/ 70CM (440 mhz) so that will work well for you should you decide to upgrade to a dual-band radio. Here are some pictures of mine mounted on my truck.











If you color-match your "L" Bracket like I did mine, make sure you leave some bare metal for a ground. Also, I do not recommend using the screws that come with the L bracket, use some actual self tapping machine screws. The stock ones suck. Also, I wish I had mounted my antenna a little farther back on my truck, Personal preference tho. Just make sure its level! (or it will look bad)

Also, when you order the antenna, you will need the "Larsen NMOK (coax with NMO connector)" and the "Larsen TMB34B ('L' Bracket)"

Go to Ham Radio Outlet - World's Largest Supplier of Amateur Radio (Ham Radio) Equipment. Sales, Supplies, and Service. (FINALLY! updated their website so it works a million times better)
-OR-
Call the Portland store (1-800-765-4267) and ask for "Bill", "Pat", or "John" and tell them Steve told you to call, and order the following.

ORDER:
Comet SBB5NMO
Larsen NMOK
Larsen TMB34B

I hope that helps!

73's
KE7NRH

 

I am not a fan of the hood mount. I think im just going to get some simple brackets and bolt it to the front of the bed.

 

That the same antenna i have except my is mounted by a rail gutter mount ill take pictures of my setup today and post pics. And the Beds are so fiber glass. The floor of the bed is metal but the body of it is glass

 

That will not work. I had one there, and it didnt work very well, because the metal of the cab was too close. Hood mount is best, and it offsets the FM Stereo antenna. You don't even notice it while driving, and I had people that didnt even notice it was there because it offest the other one. I'd point it out to people and they were like "Woah, Didnt eve see that.

Here's a front view of my setup. Like I said, if I hadn't wrecked my truck, I would have moved it farther back on the fender.




^^NO WORKY WELL


Styleside beds are metal, Steppies are fiberglass.

 

Also seen this one the other day in the parking lot here at school

 

Yeah The steppie Inside Box Is metal its just the bed sides that are glass

 

Mine is all metal. I just dont like the look of the hood mount. I would like to balance the ham antenna with a CB antenna so the Mirror mount or the bed are my only two choices.

I like the mirror mount idea but i think putting bigger mirrors on my ranger would look odd.

 

Yea id stray from the mirror mount i forgot to take pictures of mine hopefull tomorrow "crosses fingers" But im running something similar to this EM-5M - Antenna Mobile Mounts - HamCity / Ham Radio Equipment - HamCity / Ham Radio Equipment it sits on top of your door and has to set screws you tighten into the inside of your no. No drilling required and is very solid and works fantastick i would like to find one simialr for my cb antenna so i can have some sematree

 

Congratulations on passing your exam! I am thinking about putting a CB radio in my pickup but anyone that is upgrading their ride has got to be alright. Good luck on your search and again, congratulation!