Usually you'll want more than what the mount requires to avoid body/paint damage.  Most mounts are made with the equivalent of approx. 1/8 inch steel plate formed to make the mount--and the RG58 cable can sometimes require almost 1/4 inch of space to avoid crushing!

This is just another reason that many hams say 'drill the hole' instead.  I do understand that you're talking about a Corvette, take my offered info FWIW.  73!   

Time to get the notepaper and the recorder and report this guy to the OOs or the FCC.  They'll see that he spends the money--one way or the other! 

It's amazing how an absolutely idiotic post will garner so many replies, isn't it?

When I was one of the ones in charge of comms for a local EMA, I had an EMA radio issued to me for use 24/7.  If other communications were necessary, telephone and cell phone use was encouraged.  AAMOF, phones were the first thing used, with radio being used only when absolutely necessary.

Keith, you've got the wrong ideas.  It seems like you're one of the hams that think "if it isn't emcomm, it isn't ham radio."  That's the wrong attitude to have.  Another thing--when I headed a local EMA comm section, anyone who wanted to do things just to be recognized for their contribution found out that that isn't the way these EMA agencies work.  That's why I stated what I did in my first reply.  If there is one thing not needed, it's someone talking out of turn to reporters and accidently spreading misinformation.  Why do you think these agencies have people especially designated to speak to the public/reporters?

To your three things, tactical call signs can simplify matters considerably.  There is nothing wrong with their use.  Tactical call signs can be and are very useful to simplify matters.  For example, any specific place that has to be watched or a shelter or other point can be identified by its name--no matter who the person is watching it.  If reporting on a ham frequency, all that has to be done is to append the ham's callsign at the end of the report to make things legal.  It's a lot easier to take and note a report from "The Front St. Dam" than it is to take a report from someone using a callsign--then having to search your roster to see where that ham has been stationed.  The rest of your point one, however, is correct.

Your second point is a sore spot.  Too many ham groups show up at places and try to inject themselves into the works.  The best way to do so is to make sure the organizers know you're available before the fact, and then if you're called to help, show up and do as you're asked to do.  If you're not asked to be there--don't show up at all!

Your third point has some merit, but it's also counterproductive.  The stress on interoperability for emcomm groups almost demands that some of these types have a ham license.  SAR teams simply do not need an untrained ham tagging along with their group.  No service that is required to send its members into harm's way does.  There has to be some co-operation, and that means some of these people have to get licensed.  True, there shouldn't be any sort of use of ham radio for their every communication, but in case it's needed, ham radio should be there ready to assist.

73.

They had better not be.  They have to be connected together in the breaker panel.  If they aren't, then that is most likely your problem--and if that is the case, I'd suggest getting an electrician to fix it, because your home electrical system isn't up to code.

Yeah, that is problematical.  What you need--the least, that is--is a small (hand held) beam antenna, an AM receiver with a co-ax connected antenna (maybe your 11 mtr?) and an adjustable signal attenuator.  Then it's just like a fox hunt--find and pinpoint the source.

Since it's a bit long to describe, find an article on fox hunting.  You'll get an idea on how to go about it.  Good luck and 73!

Added--Since you have the noise now and didn't have it (an assumption) before the power failure, could be that an automatic re-closer in the electrical distribution system is at fault.  If you know where your local substation is, maybe that will shorten your hunt--IF the re-closer is at the substation.

Could also be that the power company could pinpoint the fault more quickly if given the information you provided us here.

Yes, they're required to fix it--but only if their equipment is causing the problem.  If you're going to file a complaint with them or with anyone else, YOU have got to pinpoint the location of the problem.  Otherwise, nobody will listen to you.  You've got the tools to do it from what you describe as the problem--a simple portable AM radio can do it.  Get them a pole number on a specific street and they should take care of it.

Some power companies do have noise locating gear, but that problem is way down on their list of things to do.  If you need immediate (or as close to immediate as you can get) service, the ball is in YOUR court, not theirs.

Well, it just goes to show that you'll never know who you'll run into when you go to a hamfest, doesn't it!   

What about the antenna switch?  It could well have oxidation buildup on the switching contacts, or the connections to it may be bad (SO239s/PL259s).  Try bypassing the switch and feeding one antenna directly.

Don't forget that the connections to the jumper co-axs may also be problematic, as in the braid or the center could be intermittent on one of them.  Metering them while moving the ends around can usually find a problem for you..

Check your grounding system and its connections including the shack grounds and the interconnection to the electrical ground.  Even with a dipole, the ground is still a part of the antenna, and yours may be troublesome.

Look at it this way:  MFJ sells pre-assembled kits that you check over and finalize before use.  Heck, some of the Radio Shack stuff used to be the same--you had to check it and re-solder/clean up connections at times before you could use the stuff with any reliability.  I find that the BEST indication of that are the 20 amp switching power supplies that Radio Shack had on clearance about a decade ago. 

All kinds of complaints about fan noise and interference, yet if you opened them up and cleaned up the connections, trimming leads and resoldering them, just about everything except the fan noise problems could be gotten rid of.  Even then, the fans weren't really all that loud, but you could quiet them by adding 'padding' washers between them and the case.

The point I'm making is that you paid MORE for goods from Radio Shack than you pay for a lot of MFJ manufactured goods, yet you still either had to return goods to Radio Shack for replacement till you got one that met your approval.  It's the same with MFJ, except for the shipping costs.

Thank you, brick wall.  Please don't bother me anymore--and I'll return the favor.

I don't think you're going to get many answers, since the ones who want to speak out and stress what they do won't be accepted by many official agencies, and the ones who are accepted as credible volunteers usually don't want to speak out about what they do.  73.

It's too bad, 'GTP, that more people can't remember that ham radio IS a hobby.  But I have to disagree with your other premise.  Weather spotters do do some good, and usually they are only out and reporting during severe weather.  If it weren't for them, we wouldn't have--in some cases--advance warning of potentially destructive weather in some areas.  Of course, orange vests, flashing lights and vehicles that look like porcupines lend NO credibility at all to our activities, and I agree with you there about the 'whacker' mentality.