Options for 2m/70cm Ham Antenna ?

[Beausoleil]

I was planning on installing a 2m/70cm dual-band ham antenna on my mizzen mast to use when in range of repeaters, and to also function as an emergency/backup antenna for marine VHF. I have a Diamond X-50 base station antenna which would be one serious antenna, and it would be fairly easy to mount near the top of the mizzen - but being a base-station antenna, it's fairly tall (67"). I wouldn't be concerned, but looking forward I'd also like to mount a wind generator on top the mizzen as well, so I'd probably be better suited with a smaller mobile dual-band antenna designed for a car. Smaller and lighter, it could be installed on an extension forward of the wind generator - out of its way.

Sound doable? Anyone do anything similar? If I capitulate and just mount the antenna on the stern rail, I'm height-limited by the swinging mizzen boom.

[never monday]

Larsen makes a great 1/4 wave 2m - 5/8 wave 440 antenna that is about 18" tall

[sea_goin_dude]

FYI depending how close you are check out one of the MFJ 2m/440 mobile mag mounts. I carry one of these in my mobile just in case my regular mobile antenna is damaged. It surprised me as to how well it works and good distance for mobile/repeater comms. ps cheeep too
Great for scanning the 2m/440 bands also.

Jerry / W1NRA......ham call

[westsail42]

Originally Posted by never monday

Larsen makes a great 1/4 wave 2m - 5/8 wave 440 antenna that is about 18" tall

I have got a similar size dual band antenna made by Comet.

I read somewhere (cant remember) that this size (1/4 wave) makes a good choice for performance when mounting atop the mast where you don't have a large ground plane (like you might on a car rooftop for which many of these antennas are used).

[SoonerSailor]

a 1/4 wave vertical should have a ground plane, a 1/2 wave and 5/8 wave antennas don't need them.

[westsail42]

Originally Posted by SoonerSailor

a 1/4 wave vertical should have a ground plane, a 1/2 wave and 5/8 wave antennas don't need them.

Thanks for the correction.

[Jentine]

I use my VHF antenna with a selector switch with very good results.

[Sheriff]

Originally Posted by Jentine

I use my VHF antenna with a selector switch with very good results.

what type of radio do you have?

[Beausoleil]

I see this old thread was resurrected. What I did was opt for just a 2m antenna from Metz - no ground plane needed. It's the forward antenna on the masthead. The aft antenna (backup marine VHF), if you'll notice, is upside down. In high winds, there was enough swinging of the antenna and the wind generator so that they hit, bending the whip. So I just mounted the thing upside down. So I can't use the 70cm band on my Icom 706, but that's ok. I use it mostly for HF anyway.