2meter antenna on MH

[Greyhound]

I was wondering if anyone might have information (pro or con) regarding the through the glass antenna for a 2 meter. I am not a great fan of drilling holes in my MH and have read very little about them.
The other part to my question is: Where would I obtain one?
Up until recently, I just used a hand held, but due to the limited range, I am giving serious thought to going back to the 2meter.
Thank you,
Bob
KE6SDI

[TXiceman]

Problem with a glass mount is getting enough height on an RV. They work OK on an auto or truck, but will not match the performance of something like a Larsen Dual band that is base loaded.

Ken

[Bo]

No doubt a through the glass antenna would not perform as good as a top end hard wired antenna. But, it seems that a through glass antenna mounted high on the huge glass front of larger Class As would work as well as on a truck or car. Ideally you would want the tip of the antenna, the high impedance end, above the top of the front end cap. If you can tolerate the height you might be able to use a glass mount on a plastic roof vent cover or even through the skin of a fiberglass MH shell.

[Wayne M]

I have used them before, although not on an RV. With careful tuning I got the SWR down below a 2:1. I am going to start, someday, carrying the 2m rig and it is my intention to go with the through the window mount. I had originally thought I would place it on the side window, but further thought has led me to believe that somewhere on the passenger side, on the front windshield, would put the load above the top of the cap. For what I want to use it for I don't think there will be much of a hinderence in that configuration.

Thoughts?

The thru-glass antenna is made by LARSEN

[Bo]

Wayne,
Top passenger side of the windshield is exactly where I was thinking. If the antenna is long enough to get the loading section above the cap it should work very well.

BTW: I got my ham ticket when I was 16, call sign was K0HWN, but let it lapse due to lack of log time 10 years later while in school. I was so broke I had sold all my gear and could not get on the air while in school. I was unwilling to lie about my log time, which was required back then. I also got a First Class Radiotelephone, when I was 20, while working for Collins Radio servicing amateur gear. I have often considered getting my license back just for use of two meters while traveling.

[Bo]

Wayne,
Top passenger side of the windshield is exactly where I was thinking. If the antenna is long enough to get the loading section above the cap it should work very well.

BTW: I got my ham ticket when I was 16, call sign was K0HWN, but let it lapse due to lack of log time 10 years later while in school. I was so broke I had sold all my gear and could not get on the air while in school. I was unwilling to lie about my log time, which was required back then. I also got a First Class Radiotelephone, when I was 20, while working for Collins Radio servicing amateur gear. I have often considered getting my license back just for use of two meters while traveling.

[justimagination]

Bob, I tried a "Thru-glass antenna" for my CB which I ordered from Camping World, but did not get good performance from it. I'm not sure if they carry one for "HAM" or not.

May I suggest a really neat mount that I found @ Firestik.com. It's a M-2 side mount, two small stud holes, when installed you cannot see the mounting bolts. A very neat installation. The next time you see one of those 18 wheelers with the big fiberglass cab, they ususlly have one on each side, they are Black in color. I mounted mine right behind the windshield on the A pillar just in front of the driver's door. I mounted it high enough as to have @ least 2/3rds of the Antenna above the roof line, excellent operation. BTW, the antenna is a NGP system(for fiberglass)since it has no ground wire, it's incorporated in the Antenna. Check with Firestik, they should have what you need, Good Luck,
David G.

[wa8yxm]

Though at 2 Meters (146 MHZ about) the through glass type antennas have been used to good effect.. I still don't like 'em.

I did mount a Diamond Dual band (2mtr/20cm) on the arm for my Velmac Mirror.. If you choose to do this I recommend the PL-259 mount. Then you can get a slightly longer (say 2-3 inch) Feed through and mount it.. The white metal arm is kind of thick.. I used an NGP type Diamond antenna

I also have a J-Pole on the back of the bus as it were.. The Dual Bander is used with a TM-733 and if you look at a map of Michigan I've hit Lansing repeaters from I-94 in Jackson

The J-pole is used with my TS-2000

[Greyhound]

Thank you all for your input. I am open to any and all suggestions. Will surf the web for more info.
Thanks again,
Bob
KE6SDI

[KD4AO Bob]

MFJ has a dual band thru the glass antenna that works quite well. I have it mounted at the top center of the windshield. I would not drill a hole in the exterior of the coach even if it meant no radio at all. Holes have no resale value.

[Greyhound]

Not wanting to sound ignorant, but who is MFJ? I have been surfing the web looking for info, sending e-mails to various suppliers (nary a response). I agree, drilling holes has no resale.
Thank you,
Bob

[TXiceman]

MFJ Enterprises

Just Google MFJ.

Ken

[Ed_G]

I will second the recommendation for the MFJ glass mount antenna. While I, too, have reservations about their performance compared to a properly mounted antenna with ground plane, the MFJ glass mount worked reasonably well for me on our Itasca Class C motorhome.

HOWEVER, that said, no one so far has mentioned the possibility of your not being able to use a glass mount antenna on your motorhome due to tinted windshields. I don't know what or where you plan on mounting such an antenna, but they do not work well at all if your glass is either tinted, has defroster or heating elements in it. The tinted problem may be something you should be aware of.

When we upgraded to a Class A, I faced the same problem... tinting plus obstructions on the windows ( the sliding screens would not work with an antenna there. ). I opted to bite the bullet and drilled a hole in the coach over the passenger side window, side mounted a half wave 2M antenna on black bracket there, and routed the cable through the front overhead cabinetry to the transceiver. It was not something I'd recommend to a newbie to ham radio, but it turned out well for me.... looks like a factory install. The use of a black bracket and the black antenna I chose makes it nearly invisible on this portion of the coach which was painted black.
73 & good luck de K7AAT

[Wayne M]

Okay! I have to tell the story.

First, let me say that I do not intend drilling a hole in my new MH. My dear wife would disown me to say the least. But here is the story:

Back in 1984, just after retiring from the Marine Corps, I landed a job with a two-way mobile communications firm. We serviced two way radios and installed them in vehicles. Now, remember, that in 1984 a cellular telephone was pretty new, and although considerably smaller than the MA BELL mobil telephones, they were still quite bulky. Installation was typically in the trunk with a remote head to the passenger area.

One fine day, a gentleman came in to have his mobile phone installed. He was in a Porche. We were going to go with an antenna lip mount, but the tolerance on his hatch was so tight the lip mount would not work. The lip mount would require two screws on the inside of the lip, but it just would not work.

We stood there talking and ruling out varioius ways to install an antenna. I finally asked him how long he planned n keeping the car. Four to six years was his answer. I told him that drilling a 3/4 inch hole in the rear of the roof was about the only way he would get an antenna on this car. I also told him that for long as he was going to have the car, when he got ready to sell it a good body shop could fill the hole and paint it. He finally agreed. I got out the drill with the 3/4 inch bit, pulled the trigger a few times, and said, "Do you want to watch?" He stuttered and stammered shaking his head "no" and ran into the office. I drilled the hole.

No, I will not drill a hole in my own vehicle, but if you stop by, I'll drill one in yours, but no guarantees.