Radios or other means to communicate with cell reception?

[peterb]

For vehicle use, a small magnetic-mount antenna on the roof will make a big difference in effective signal strength. I don't know the exact model of the one I've got but it's similar to this:
https://www.gigaparts.com/mfj-1722.html
Just make sure it's matched to the frequency band you're using.

You can get more gain with bigger antennas but they're more of a hassle if you're travelling with your gear or constantly mounting/dismounting them.

[RoyGBiv]

For vehicle use, a small magnetic-mount antenna on the roof will make a big difference in effective signal strength. I don't know the exact model of the one I've got but it's similar to this:
https://www.gigaparts.com/mfj-1722.html
Just make sure it's matched to the frequency band you're using.

You can get more gain with bigger antennas but they're more of a hassle if you're travelling with your gear or constantly mounting/dismounting them.

+1

I've been very happy with this one from Amazon for HAM use, but, have not checked to confirm that it wold be good for GMRS, etc.. LINK.
Note that you would need a conversion cable to get from this coax to whatever connector your HT uses for the antenna.

I expect to have an opportunity on Saturday to run some FRS and MURS HT's communicating to a base location that's using a HAM antenna (remote HT's with stock antennas, "Base" location with FRS and MURS gear using a repurposed HAM repeater antenna). Will try to remember to report back if we have any trouble doing that. If my adapter happens to fit the HT's I'm issued, I'll give that a try as well.

[ST911]

This is also a decent, simple magnetic mount to experiment with: https://www.amazon.com/Authentic-Nag...dp/B00XQ9H9OC/

https://www.amtacshooting.com/recommended-radio-gear/
I’ve been using this article by Bill Rapier as a base of sorts because I’m looking into the exact subject matter.

Solid guy, solid info.

[mtnbkr]

This is also a decent, simple magnetic mount to experiment with: https://www.amazon.com/Authentic-Nag...dp/B00XQ9H9OC/

I would be very wary of buying radio gear from Amazon. Way too much of what they sell is counterfeit, especially when it comes to antennas. Nagoya went so far as to publish guides on how to identify fakes: https://www.nagoya.com.tw/en/news-31...e-antenna.html

The same antenna, from an authorized US-based dealer, is cheaper here: https://baofengtech.com/Nagoya-ut-308uv

ETA: I just noticed the Amazon listing is sold by BTech, so it should be ok, but it's still cheaper direct from Btech.

Chris

[ST911]

I would be very wary of buying radio gear from Amazon. Way too much of what they sell is counterfeit, especially when it comes to antennas. Nagoya went so far as to publish guides on how to identify fakes: https://www.nagoya.com.tw/en/news-31...e-antenna.html

The same antenna, from an authorized US-based dealer, is cheaper here: https://baofengtech.com/Nagoya-ut-308uv

ETA: I just noticed the Amazon listing is sold by BTech, so it should be ok, but it's still cheaper direct from Btech.

Chris

Always a prudent caution. I vetted the link before I posted it. I have bought...some...of those antennas from Amazon as well as many other amateur radio products. Not shooting from the hip, here.

[rd62]

CB is 11m, about 27mhz. This requires a 108" whip for 1/4 wave. Anything less is a compromise of one sort of another. When I had a CB on my 4x4, I used a similar antenna from Wilson. They are helical-wound fiberglass poles that have the required length of wire, but because it's wound around a pole, don't have the same radiation pattern as a proper whip. They work, but they have to be installed (free and clear of the body, such as the roof) and grounded right (coax shield to body, body to frame), else they are essentially a dummy load (non-radiator). Because CB is limited to 4.5w in the US, if your antenna install is less than ideal, you can be severely limited. A ham running a 10m (28mhz, the closest analogue to CB frequency-wise) radio can get by because they can be running a lot more power into the antenna. Sure, a lot of that power turns into heat, but enough will radiate to get down the road a bit.

[/pedantic jackass]

Chris

Tailgate mount better?

[Cookie Monster]

Tailgate mount better?

Myself and my crews work in logging areas a bunch. On single lane dirt you coordinate with the log trucks so you don’t get crushed by 80,000 lbs.

All of ours are hood mount. I’ve heard that long connection cords between radio and antenna helps. Longer antennas the better except crashing brush so we usually roll with three footers.

[mtnbkr]

Tailgate mount better?

Yes, but the main issue is the antenna. Get rid of the Firestick and get a 1/4 wave whip. However, the whip will put a fair bit of stress on the mount, so make sure it's a robust one.

Chris

[That Guy]

I’ve heard that long connection cords between radio and antenna helps.

No.

All a longer cable does is add attenuation between the radio and the antenna. The only situation with CB radios where you need to have a certain length of cable are some of the dual antenna setups.

[mtnbkr]

No.

All a longer cable does is add attenuation between the radio and the antenna. The only situation with CB radios where you need to have a certain length of cable are some of the dual antenna setups.

If the length of cable *does* improve the signal, it's because the coax is radiating, indicating a problem with the antenna's resonance. In certain types of antenna systems that is intentional (useful for temporary field installs where "doing it right" isn't feasible, but in a mobile install of any kind (CB, Ham, etc) it is undesirable.

Chris