Hello all, wanted to set up a base station using as much mobile equipment acquired while driving a truck as possible. I live approx 25 miles to the other side of town and will need to dx/rx at least that for.
Radios
-Galaxy 44
-Galaxy 33
-General Lee
-Cobra 29
All radios are peaked/tuned
Amps
-Fat boy 4 pill
-Fat boy 1 pill
Antennas
-Wilson 5000
-2 Wilson 1000
-2 Francis hot rods
What antenna/radio recommendations do you have to reach my goal? (omni, elements, quads???) To keep this realistic, lets keep total pricing below $200.00.
Thanks all
Dan
Need suggestions for base set-up w/ current equip
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231
Re: Need suggestions for base set-up w/ current equip
Dan, welcome to CBRT! :D
In my opinion, take your pick on the radio. Any of them should work fine. To keep it under $200 though I'd probably go with the 29...only because it's likely to pull the least amps...which you'll need a power supply for. I'm guessing you can pick one up for $50 or so??? Depends on used/new.
Next is the antenna and coax. I'd not use any of your mobile antennas for this. That is really what separates mobile from base as you already know. Personally I'd probably invest in an omni and get it up as high as you can (over 50' would be better as height is might!). And then coax of course. Heck just about any of the A99, Imax, and the less expensive ones should do the job without your amps given they have enough height. Even a home made dipole would do the job.
To run any of your amps would require either battery/charger set up, or a much larger power supply. Both would be pushing the envelope on your budget (IMHO). $200 just doesnt' buy alot unless you find some really good deals on used stuff...which happens.
Keep your eyes/ears open, and sometimes you can pick up most all the stuff you need for cheap!
Not sure that helps any, but I hope so.
In my opinion, take your pick on the radio. Any of them should work fine. To keep it under $200 though I'd probably go with the 29...only because it's likely to pull the least amps...which you'll need a power supply for. I'm guessing you can pick one up for $50 or so??? Depends on used/new.
Next is the antenna and coax. I'd not use any of your mobile antennas for this. That is really what separates mobile from base as you already know. Personally I'd probably invest in an omni and get it up as high as you can (over 50' would be better as height is might!). And then coax of course. Heck just about any of the A99, Imax, and the less expensive ones should do the job without your amps given they have enough height. Even a home made dipole would do the job.
To run any of your amps would require either battery/charger set up, or a much larger power supply. Both would be pushing the envelope on your budget (IMHO). $200 just doesnt' buy alot unless you find some really good deals on used stuff...which happens.
Keep your eyes/ears open, and sometimes you can pick up most all the stuff you need for cheap! Not sure that helps any, but I hope so.
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buzzyt517
- Skipshooter
- Posts: 273
- Joined: Sep 11 2006, 20:21
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So if your saying you have that equipment. I would got with the 29-1pill-4pill and the spend 200 on antenna/ power supply. Any of the other radios are probaly to much for the 1 pill and not enough for the 4 pill. I would recomend running all that power though. Then the right antenna the 25 miles will come with ease and then some.IMO.
Get a Imax2000/A99 for somewhat cheap and get it high.
Get a Imax2000/A99 for somewhat cheap and get it high.
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Doodad
Thanks for the info guys. I guess i need to clarify a few things.
The fat boy is a 1X4 that i used with the gen lee in a mobile set-up in a Kenworth. The truck was totaled (rear ended) while bobtailing (no trailer). Took a company job driving a Volvo and the 1X4 fat boy was to much for the truck. Ran the 1 pill with the gen lee just for some additional punch on the comedy channel. So, the gen lee will work with both amps.
Next. I understand that 200 is very limiting. Especially if a power supply was needed. I plan on using a couple of truck batteries and a charger for the amp power source. My budget was primarily for an antenna system.
Do you still recommend a omnidirectional type of antenna? Ive seen a few 3 element beams available. I'm not sure that this is really the way to go. Its a different world, truckers vs base. Ill admit a very limited knowledge on mobile and almost no (other than lurking around this site) on base systems. I still want to be able to talk with my mobile Friends but use the power I currently have when the need arises.
Thank
Dan
The fat boy is a 1X4 that i used with the gen lee in a mobile set-up in a Kenworth. The truck was totaled (rear ended) while bobtailing (no trailer). Took a company job driving a Volvo and the 1X4 fat boy was to much for the truck. Ran the 1 pill with the gen lee just for some additional punch on the comedy channel. So, the gen lee will work with both amps.
Next. I understand that 200 is very limiting. Especially if a power supply was needed. I plan on using a couple of truck batteries and a charger for the amp power source. My budget was primarily for an antenna system.
Do you still recommend a omnidirectional type of antenna? Ive seen a few 3 element beams available. I'm not sure that this is really the way to go. Its a different world, truckers vs base. Ill admit a very limited knowledge on mobile and almost no (other than lurking around this site) on base systems. I still want to be able to talk with my mobile Friends but use the power I currently have when the need arises.
Thank
Dan
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231
Ah...thanks for the clarification. :D An omni would be simpler and easier no doubt. Personally I prefer a beam to an omni any day.Doodad wrote:Thanks for the info guys. I guess i need to clarify a few things.
The fat boy is a 1X4 that i used with the gen lee in a mobile set-up in a Kenworth. The truck was totaled (rear ended) while bobtailing (no trailer). Took a company job driving a Volvo and the 1X4 fat boy was to much for the truck. Ran the 1 pill with the gen lee just for some additional punch on the comedy channel. So, the gen lee will work with both amps.
Next. I understand that 200 is very limiting. Especially if a power supply was needed. I plan on using a couple of truck batteries and a charger for the amp power source. My budget was primarily for an antenna system.
Do you still recommend a omnidirectional type of antenna? Ive seen a few 3 element beams available. I'm not sure that this is really the way to go. Its a different world, truckers vs base. Ill admit a very limited knowledge on mobile and almost no (other than lurking around this site) on base systems. I still want to be able to talk with my mobile Friends but use the power I currently have when the need arises.
Thank
Dan
You should be able to go either way now with your budget. Either a 3 element yagi (maybe 4 element if you look around) and a TV antenna rotor. It'd work fine. Make sure you put it on the vertical though...and once again get it as high as you can...reasonably anyway.
If you check with the sponsors here, you'd probably get a pretty good deal on the stuff you need...but make sure you tell them you are a member here.
Good luck...and let us know how it goes.
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Doodad
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231
A 1x2 shouldn't affect much (IMHO)...you've already addressed the power supply issue. My guess is with a proper base antenna (especially with some height) you'll find you really don't need your amp much for a 25 mile TX (depending on terrain).Doodad wrote:OOPS...
Doing research on the fatboy. Took the cover off and instead of a 4 pill. turns out its a 1446 driving 2 2879s. Oh well, got it for a real good deal. Will that change anything/opinion?
