Antenna Tips from PCI

[tcm glx]

Thought this was really cool


"Mounting your antenna properly determines the range of your
two way radio. Radios transmit the most range with a ground
plane and a 3db gain antenna. An aluminum roof with an antenna
mounted in the center with no obstructions (roof rack, light bar)
18” in every direction provides the farthest range.
When those conditions are not possible (UTV, roof racks) a No
Ground Plane antenna is recommended and can be exchanged
for your 3db gain race antenna.
Roof Racks - mount the antenna at the highest point of the rack
and use a No Ground Plane antenna.
No Roof - pick a spot in the middle of the car. The intersection
of two tubes can also act as a ground plane. Mounting the
antenna to a corner triangle tab and using a no ground plane
antenna will work best.
Do not run radio coax and intercom helmet cables in the same
wire loom. RF can bleed over when transmitting, putting noise
into the system. Never run coax or power cables near MSD or
ignition equipment. They create noise and if the coax is close to
the MSD, the RF bleed when trasmitting can turn the vehicle off!
When tie wrapping the coax to the frame, do not crush the coax.
If your coax looks flattened, kinked, frayed, or worn, replace it."

http://www.pciraceradios.com/antennatips.pdf

[philofab]

You can also use a meter to check for continuity between the center pin and barrel of the antenna connector to test if the cable has been crushed. If it has it will have shorted out and you will not be able to transmit.

[greaslife]

dont forget too match your antenna to your radio with a meter.
will maximize your range and prolong the life of your radio.

There's a saying in the radio world
"you can have a quality, properly matched antenna with a cheep radio and be able too reach out and touch some one.But have a un matched , crap antenna with the best of the best radio and you will get crap".



josh