Race Radio which one to get and why

[MT4Runner]

...I couldn't find where I saw that.  :(  Thanks for correcting me!  (I'll edit my post so I don't mess someone else up!)

Maybe I was thinking it doesn't require an impedence matching coil or a loading coil.


I got started in APRS:   
 http://aprs.fi/?call=kf7efx

Shawn

[Sam24462]

I just put my radio in my new cage. The antenna is centered mid-truck and the radio is at the rear view mirror location. The cable is about 8' long. What is the best way to deal with the extra cable? I only need about 2' of the 8'. I started wrapping it around some of the bars on the cage then I wondered if this creates some problem.

I will post pics tomorrow to help clarify.

[tool pimp]

So where is the best place to pick up a radio and ant??

[Sam24462]

Ham Radio Outlet is where I got mine

http://www.hamradio.com/


Also Kartek in Riverside has nice antennas (Plus it is fun to look around in the store)

http://www.kartek.com/

[BDX]

I just put my radio in my new cage. The antenna is centered mid-truck and the radio is at the rear view mirror location. The cable is about 8' long. What is the best way to deal with the extra cable? I only need about 2' of the 8'. I started wrapping it around some of the bars on the cage then I wondered if this creates some problem.
I will post pics tomorrow to help clarify.

Yes it will cause a problem if you wrap it around the bars. I don't want to get all nerdy and tell you why, its just that my coffee hasn't kicked in yet. Don't wrap it. Just cut it to length and solder on a new antenna connector. Some people might tell you (CBer's) that you can not cut your coax, that's true if you are running dual co-phased whips like on a big rig. Jake, if you need help let me know and I'll give you a hand with the coax and tuning. 

[Sam24462]

Good to know. Is there any length that is better.

[tool pimp]

Ham Radio Outlet is where I got mine

http://www.hamradio.com/


Also Kartek in Riverside has nice antennas (Plus it is fun to look around in the store)

http://www.kartek.com/

Thanks Jake, Ive been looking at hamradio.com already 

as for Kartek............. my wife wontlet me walk into that place its like Costco I always spend 500+ when Im there 

[Sam24462]

I hear that. I will go there for a $5 part and walk around until I spend at least $100 

[BDX]

Good to know. Is there any length that is better.

Use as much as you need but little as possable. The length does not mater, shorter the better. You goal is to eliminate any extra cable so you don't have to wrap it around anything or coil it up in a loop. Don't use crimp-ons, you'll end up with problems down the road. I have an extra solder-on connector if you want it. It will only take me about 5-10 min to do.     

[Sam24462]

I stopped by the ham radio outlet in burbank and picked up a connector. I am going to attempt it myself. I will call you after I screw it up. 

[84socal]

what if u do wrap it up   that does that exactly do?????    i have excess also  just wondering     

[MT4Runner]

84socal, if you wrap it up (in loops), you are basically creating an "electromagnet" and you lose signal efficiency.  If you can't cut your coax (might need to use it in a different rig later?) then the best thing you can do is bunch it up--seriously!--but do not coil it neatly.  The RG-58 that comes with these antennas loses a bunch at VHF frequencies (why BDX said to shorten it as much as possible)...so you want to lose as little as possible!

Ham Radio Outlet's website stinks--but they're great people!!  My wife bought me a Larsen NMO 150C 5/8 wave antenna and a Larsen NMO MMA magnet mount base for my birthday, and she about quit when she saw that website.  She said the salesdude was very helpful to her, though! 

I like the http://Universal-radio.com website!

[BDX]

Yup, at VHF and UHF, line loss really is a big deal. You should buy the best coax you can afford. In the HF bands, where CB falls into, line loss is not that big of a problem. So you can get away with using smaller cheaper cable. You can kind of think of line loss as a pipe with holes in it. If it leaks out, you wont have a 100% going to where you need it the most.   
I've always used double shielded RG-58U for all of my installs and it works very well.

Jake, make sure as hell you don't get any of the braided shield touching the center conductor. If you short it out and key up the mic, you could damage the radio. I don't remember if your antenna is hard wired to the coax or if it has a connector. If there is a connector, disconnect the coax from both antenna and radio, and simply ohm it out from center to shield on one end. It should be an open line.
     

[tool pimp]

so if I run my ant on the top rear of my cage and run the wire down and along the tube will that hurt it??

[MT4Runner]

tool pimp, that sounds like a good idea--run it to the inside of the tube so it doesn't get rock rash!!