VHF Antenna

[cbalme]

Hi all, I am looking at installing a VHF radio into my 109 and was wondering what people used for radios in theirs.

I was thinking of buying either an ICom 2300H or Kenwood TM-281.

I am wondering if anyone could recommend an antenna and cable that would work with them? I remember there was a group buy about a decade ago but I can't find the post anymore.

[rgallant]

Cable and antenna mount can be whatever fits your radio, I use both a shorty and along a long Antenna for my VHF and swap as required. I use a Comet SBB7 Dual band 1.4M for my long antenna. And a Comet SBB2 for the shorty

[Rob]

Hey Colin

ICOM and Kenwood are both quite good radio brands. I got a TYT TH-9800 which is a less expensive "clone" radio through Amazon. It is a quad-band and has worked fine. The extra bands aren't really necessary but on sale it was actually cheaper than the dual band. I have a quad-band antenna but it is quite large and not very practical off-road so most of the time I use the smaller dual band antenna. I mounted it on the front fender using a metal bracket. I did find that the antenna would bend when off-roading on over-grown trails so I added a spring to the base and trimmed the antenna to match the radio output and have been quite happy with it. I got the antenna, mount and spring through Island Communication in Nanaimo.

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51105544294_f2c42704bf.jpgEB54332D-88BF-4242-8DBD-573D076C6FEA by green_rover_guy, on Flickr
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51106580955_5235eb9026.jpg9363AFF6-5FA1-485D-9C4D-92DA6F0BB955 by green_rover_guy, on Flickr

[bsa_m21]

The antenna should support the power output of your unit and frequency range you plan to use. Normal channel frequency for us offroad, backcountry types is 146.460mhz. Dual band antenna's are fairly common and cheap (e.g. Tram 1181 - used for 140-170 and 430-470 mhz), but don't give as good range as single band antennas (e.g. Workman Electronics V324 - only good for 140-170 mhz ). Whatever antenna you get, it should be tuned to your rig using a WMS meter.

Lots of info online if you do a bit of searching.

M.

[ANDYD]

Hi Colin,

I believe this is the link for the previous group buy we did …

viewtopic.php?f=6&t=6244&p=24717#p24717

Cheers
Andy

[radio_05]

"back country types" can't use 146.460, you need a callsign and license.

Do you guys have radio licenses? Amateur callsigns issued by Industry Canada to allow you to use those installed radios?

Does your TYT mobile have an FCC and IC acceptance number on the label, or is it not approved for use in Canada?

If they are being used on haul road channels for business use, are they company vehicles then?

And you guys thought buying a landrover was expensive. Wait until you get a look at these fines..

https://www.ic.gc.ca/eic/site/smt-gst.n ... 72.html#aA

[cbalme]

Lucky for me I do in fact have a license. I think what Martin was trying to say is that a law abiding back country enthusiast commonly uses 146.460.

Not doing anything illegal here...

[Rob]

Ditto... I've had a "Victor" call sign for years... and my radio is in compliance... and I don't think Land Rovers are expensive (have you seen what Ford is asking for new pick-ups these days).

[rgallant]

@radio_05 I have never heard of anyone being fined in 30 years. But you have a valid point you do need a ham license and callsign to use a VHF radio. Where it gets murky are the commercial radio freqa, technically all traffic on an active FSR is supposed to call KM's, BUT you need a commercial radio and license to do so. Typically cheap handhelds that will broadcast on those freq's are used, and no one gets charged,if that is all they do. It is incredibly common in several areas BC for FSR safety.

[radio_05]

I expect Industry Canada's regulations are available online or through mail from them.

Any legal questions regarding licencing could be addressed to an inspector in your area.