I keep breaking my Larsen antenna - MobileHam Forum at eHam.net

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eHam.net Forum : MobileHam : I keep breaking my Larsen antenna

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I keep breaking my Larsen antenna	Reply
by KE7ULA on October 26, 2009	Mail this to a friend!
I run an NMO270B antenna in a Geotool stake pocket mount. It's in the left rear pocket on a first gen Tundra. There would be no problem except i got into ham radio for communication while wheeling which involves narrow trails. The Larsen handles the brush pretty well (better than the side of my truck) but eventually it gives out. The first whip was bent 45 degrees and i couldn't straighten it so i replaced it. The second was pulled out of the mount and is MIA. I haven't been able to find any antenna which is higher rated than the Larsen so I can't upgrade. I recently found out there is a spring available which should help a lot. Would a 1/4 wave on the roof fare better? I'm not as afraid to drill the roof as when i started but the height of even a short ant on the roof would be pretty tall. Is adding a spring combined with regular whip replacement my best option?

RE: I keep breaking my Larsen antenna	Reply
by K0BG on October 27, 2009	Mail this to a friend!
You have a couple of option. The spring does help, but you have to shorten the whip as per the instructions which come with the spring. You can also use the option whip. Rather than a open coil, it is sealed. It isn't as apt to snag on a limb. The performance is slightly effected, which you probably won't notice. Alan, KØBG www.k0bg.com

RE: I keep breaking my Larsen antenna	Reply
by KC7YRA on October 27, 2009	Mail this to a friend!
It sounds really mean, but make a nice secure mount that accepts 3/8x24. Make it nice and strong. Then cut down an old CB style whip to about 19.5 inches. It will tune up well on 2 meters and have a decent bandwidth (Due to its extreme diameter). Drill out a golf ball and glue it on the end (so you don't poke your eye out). Now you have an antenna that can double as a tent stake or railroad spike. I use them on my 4 wheeler and have never been able to break one. Usually the mount gives way LONG before the whip does (and that is when I roll the wheeler), Brad

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