FM Radio Antennae Placement

[BartStephens]

My new (used) bus has no FM antennae.

Where are they typically mounted on a FE bus?

[o1marc]

I have a large FM antenna on the side behind the drivers window, and a CB or Cell antenna top dead center front of the roof.

[TheHubbardBus]

Are you talking an fm antenna for public broadcast reception, or one for 2-way communications?


In either case, I have no idea where the stock antenna would go. But in either case, the best spot would be dead center in your roof width-wise, at least 1/4 wave from the front or rear.


<-- ham radio peeps, so excuse the geekiness

[Sleddgracer]

Originally Posted by TheHubbardBus

Are you talking an fm antenna for public broadcast reception, or one for 2-way communications?


In either case, I have no idea where the stock antenna would go. But in either case, the best spot would be dead center in your roof width-wise, at least 1/4 wave from the front or rear.


<-- ham radio peeps, so excuse the geekiness

midway in the last century I was a radio tech air - I still understand some of the 'geek' - lol

[PNW_Steve]

Originally Posted by o1marc

I have a large FM antenna on the side behind the drivers window, and a CB or Cell antenna top dead center front of the roof.

My FM radio antenna is in the same spot.

The other antenna you have looks to me like a UHF 2 way radio antenna.

[TheHubbardBus]

Originally Posted by Sleddgracer

midway in the last century I was a radio tech air - I still understand some of the 'geek' - lol

Your profile pic - and apparent hobby/occupation - totally makes up for it


Wish I could say the same (lol)

[Sleddgracer]

Originally Posted by TheHubbardBus

Your profile pic - and apparent hobby/occupation - totally makes up for it


Wish I could say the same (lol)

one of my favorite pictures - the team was flying that day - icy trail, wild ride on the corners - the dogs were having fun and giving it everything they had, ran all the hills at max speed - what the picture doesn't show is that a few seconds after this picture was snapped and we crested the hill, is my sled collapsing ( so much for expensive state-of-the-art sleds - I like the ones l build better ) and crashing hard into a rock bluff and me losing my team - hard enough that I needed help - the trail that day was difficult enough that the 4 top teams there that day all crashed - I was the only one of the 4 teams that didn't need or seek medical help - one guy was hauled off in an ambulance

[TheHubbardBus]

Originally Posted by Sleddgracer

one of my favorite pictures - the team was flying that day - icy trail, wild ride on the corners - the dogs were having fun and giving it everything they had, ran all the hills at max speed - what the picture doesn't show is that a few seconds after this picture was snapped and we crested the hill, is my sled collapsing ( so much for expensive state-of-the-art sleds - I like the ones l build better ) and crashing hard into a rock bluff and me losing my team - hard enough that I needed help - the trail that day was difficult enough that the 4 top teams there that day all crashed - I was the only one of the 4 teams that didn't need or seek medical help - one guy was hauled off in an ambulance

Wow

I'll admit I know absolutely nothing about sled racing (We're native Arizonans from the desert southwest), but from what I've seen, it's a crazy freakin' sport, and crazy sports I do know something about! Good on you for keeping it nutty!

I say this because I'm about to a really stupid question: Is the ambulance a sled too?

Also, when you say you 'lost the team', you mean they broke free of the sled, right? Not in a final sense, I hope.

Do you wear any protective gear, or is it just bones vs trees?

BTW - sorry to hijack your thread OP. I'll be done after this

[Sleddgracer]

Originally Posted by TheHubbardBus

Wow

I'll admit I know absolutely nothing about sled racing (We're native Arizonans from the desert southwest), but from what I've seen, it's a crazy freakin' sport, and crazy sports I do know something about! Good on you for keeping it nutty!

I say this because I'm about to a really stupid question: Is the ambulance a sled too?

Also, when you say you 'lost the team', you mean they broke free of the sled, right? Not in a final sense, I hope.

Do you wear any protective gear, or is it just bones vs trees?

BTW - sorry to hijack your thread OP. I'll be done after this

some of the more sensible newcomers to the sport wear some protective devices - for the oldtimers it's pretty much bone verses tree - I do what's called sprint racing ( I enjoy the speed, wild corners, and the super enthusiasm of my dogs over distance mushing that is much more laid back ) - for a ten dog team, that can be up to 30 +/- miles and the trail loops back to where you started. which normally has easy access to accessible roads, so it's normal ambulance(s) - in this case, 'losing the team' meant I was knocked off my sled - the team was caught at a check point and they were all fine

[BartStephens]

Originally Posted by o1marc

I have a large FM antenna on the side behind the drivers window, and a CB or Cell antenna top dead center front of the roof.

Thanks o1marc,
So,...a question. Comparing two CB antenna setups. All else being equal:

One is mounted on side or mirrors. Maybe 3’ long, but only extends 18” above roof.

Other setup is like yours, on roof. Short and extends 18” above roof.

Same performance? In other words, does height only relevant when it extends above top of bus?

[Sleddgracer]

Originally Posted by BartStephens

Thanks o1marc,
So,...a question. Comparing two CB antenna setups. All else being equal:

One is mounted on side or mirrors. Maybe 3’ long, but only extends 18” above roof.

Other setup is like yours, on roof. Short and extends 18” above roof.

Same performance? In other words, does height only relevant when it extends above top of bus?

the clearer the area is in all directions, the better

[o1marc]

Good informative reading on Antenna Placement and choice:

Moblie Antenna Placement