Radio/Antenna suggestions

[tch1718a]

I'm looking to install a radio/antenna on my 2001 F150. Hoping to get some suggestions on an export radio and antenna combination that will perform well. I don't need a powerhouse radio, with max power mods. The ones I have been researching so far are the AT 6666 and Lincoln II+ (SSB, FM and AM are all kinda important to me, not sure they will all be used though). Honestly leaning toward the Lincoln since it has the pl tones for use with repeaters and has 10 & 12 meters (I have a General Lic.).

The antenna can be mag mount, or bed mounted if there is a clean way to do it with the bedliner I have. As old as the truck is, it's a little late to be drilling holes to mount antennas on the roof.

I have a quad band ham antenna mounted on the back driver side door to consider while doing this. I don't want to cause interference between the two.

So lets hear your thoughts and suggestions. If there other radios I may not have heard of that you think may fit the bill please make the suggestion.

Thanks guys.

[nk14zp]

Make sure your new antenna is not a 1/4 wave spaced from the quad band on all 5 bands. I.E. Not aprox 19" from 2m,8 or 9 foot from 10-11m etc.

[MDYoungblood]

Two good questions, the first is both the new Lincoln II+ (really hard to program) and the AT-6666 (needs an optional board) can do CTCSS. Being a ham and having a 6666, I don't think it is worth it as not many (working) 10m repeaters in the area using tones. The second was answered by nk14zp but in my experience I haven't seen any interference or interaction between multiple antennas close together.

3's

Greg

[nk14zp]

My vhf performance went to crap one day. My vhf mag mount got hit and moved to 19" of my cb ant. Slid it over 4" and it was fine. Same idea as a beam.

[tch1718a]

My quad radio ant. setup is a yaesu 8900 (covers 2m, 6m, 10m and 440) with the antenna mounted on the back edge of the drivers side rear door (smaller suicide doors). I'm not concerned with the new radio operating 10 FM as the 8900 does that very well. It in fact only does FM. So if the new radio will monitor repeaters, which are mostly dead at this time and few and far between anyway.

I'm hoping to find an antenna set up that mounts on the back passenger side door, but I know that would probably not work too well for AM and side band as far as ground plane is concerned. Which is what brought me to using a high quality mag mount, further forward on the cab and centered. That should give me more than the 19" you guys are suggesting for separation, but not by much. If my truck were not already almost 20 Y/O with a quarter million miles on it I would go ahead and just do a drills mount for both antennas and be done with it. To be even more demanding of equipment, I would really like for it to work the 12 meter band if I go with the President.

As far as the programing it goes, I'm patient enough to get it done over time. This will be more CB than ham in reality. So if I can get the 11 meter working well, 10 meter SSB will be the next priority, and if 12 happens it happens.

If an all band all mode radio were available that didn't require a kidney sale to purchase I would probably go that route.

[MDYoungblood]

The Anytone AT-6666 only goes down to 25MHz so 12m is out of the question there so it would be the President Lincoln II+ V3 or the only other option is the RCI Ranger 2950DX, but it is a big radio.
You would not find an antenna that can do both 11m and 12m. I would look for a similar mount like you have for the quad band except it needs to be a 3/8 24 stud mount, then use a ham stick for 12m and a regular CB antenna for 11m. You could use a quick connects on the mount or I carry a small adjustable wrench.

3's

Greg

[tch1718a]

Like I said, if 12 happens it happens. If I can only monitor so be it.

Being a ham, I know any antenna that can be made is going to be a compromise, the more you want it to do, the more the compromise. With that, is there any you can suggest that will cover 11 meters and some of the lower portion of 10 meters. Without compromising too much on the SWR of course. The better the match the happier I will be of course. I know ideally it would be separate antennas for each band, but don't want to start and antenna farm on top of a 20 year old truck.

[MDYoungblood]

Long antennas usually have a wider bandwidth. A good antenna I've seen and used is the Sirio P5000, magnet mount or permanent, 78" long, it would cover all the 11m band and most of the 10m without a tuner, averaged about 2.3:1 SWR on the edges of the arc.

3's

Greg

[nk14zp]

A screwdriver ant would work good.

[nosaj]

A screwdriver ant would work good.

But after giving 2 arms an a leg, you'd have to use the VOX function to talk.

They are pretty cool though, but if I paid that much and it was damaged. i would be something awful.
nosaj
N1EBC

[MDYoungblood]

A screwdriver ant would work good.

I have a Tarheel Model 200A and TurboTuner-II for in/on my pickup, haven't installed it yet but did hook it up on a tripod in the backyard to see how well it worked. It does a fine job, tunes to whatever frequency I want with a push of a button on the radio.
The thing with screwdriver antennas are they require a lot of maintenance, continuous cleaning is a must and never over watt them.
Like nosaj said, I do worry about it being damaged so tree lined streets with low branches and parking garages are out of the picture once it goes on the truck.

3's

Greg