Radios (2 way not music)

The 25 watt unit is still 5 times stronger than the 5 watt units we currently use , so that is a awsome improvent ... I would be perfectly happy with a 25 unit .

? would a person have to use a anntena made for a corvet or boat to get the ground plane needed or those that have metal tops might get by just asking and as far as watts go it don,t do any good to talk to some one 100 miles away if they can,t talk back.My old phone patch repeater that I have only put out some where around 30 to 35 watts and produced 100 to 150 watts at anntena. but
what it boils down to is line of sight for these radios to really work good

Gary, its kind of a trade off, If you have a metal top that would work for a ground plane. At 462 Mhz, if my math is correct, 9" dia. is what is needed for a ground plane. The trouble with roof mounting on our machines is of course tree limbs wiping it off, I seriously doubt a roof mounted antenna would last a day in the wild. Thats why I use a 1/4 wave whip, the radiation pattern is very round vertically and will give better coverage in and out of the hollows like at the wagon wheel. true with a 1/4 wave you loose some horizontal distance but the fill vertically in the terrain we ride outweights the horizontal loss. The antennas made for Corvettes and boats would also work, I don't know a whole lot about them but I would think that the physical length and tree limbs would still be the issue, as well as the cost I think those are pricey. What you mentioned about your phone patch putting out 100-150 watts is the effective radiated power, this is accomplished by the db gain of the antennas, which by the numbers you stated is 3-4 db gain.

The rubber duck antennas on the hand held units are very ineffecient, they are actually minus db gain. In other words if a hand held puts out 5 watts you are only radiating about 2-3. Gain also works for the recieve, the signal you pick up in the air is also effected by antenna gain just the same as the transmit. Antenna orientation is also important. FM signals are typically vertically polarized, meaning you need to keep the antenna vertical. An antenna lying horizontal that is transmitting to a recieving station that antenna is vertical will loose around 10 db of signal strength.

Hope this helped, I know it is confusing.

no you,er hitting the nail on the head a lot of watts is useless for what every one is trying to do futher more even up on top of a mt.you might over shoot the person in the valley so what you can get by on is all that you need with that said .The anntena is more inportant than radio watts

I'm in no rush , sounds like walmat , the prices are dropping so sooner or later a good deal is goin to happen . personaly , I think I would be happy with a lower watt unit , its still 5 times more than anything we have right now and that is a great improvment , plus no more helment speakers ( ugh )

punder rhinorider might have something in the makeings lets all sit back for awhile and you didn't hear it from me

I spot a deal comming down the pipe

Did some research tonight, ain't going to happen, to pricey for me.

I won the auction I was bidding on so mine is on the way! Rick shoot me your email in a pm and I will send you that software that comes with it that we talked about.

Rick are you still looking at the Xpolice department radios,because those are swinging prices.If you need a phone patch radio all ready set up to play with hollar out got them in hand helds as well as mobiles

Gary, I already have my radio. Thanks for offer.

I'm pretty much ready when ever you guys figure out the deal , if the $150 complete unit is it then how many do we need to get that price ?

Drew get up with Rhinorider to get the guys number. He may not want to post it but you can pm him. I don't think there was a minimum. It's a great deal!

yes guys there is no minimum. He had 6 used radios, $150 each, complete setup.

Rhinorider wrote:

yes guys there is no minimum. He had 6 used radios, $150 each, complete setup.

That is a good deal

Looking forward to being able to talk to others on the trail -lol

rhinorider Rick where would u mount the quater wave at on the rhino for what we have to work with. was wondering back side of head rest or the lip off top that would let anntena stick up a inch or less over top

I mounted mine to the end of the cage cross brace behind the passenger. I used an NMO angle mount and used 2 3/4" X #10 self drilling screws. I would try to keep top of antenna even with top of roof. If not the first low hager will wipe it off or bend the out of it. I'll post a pic later tonight, my camera is in my truck and daughter borrowed it to go to Home Depot, soon as she gets back I'll take it.

Ok guys, here are the pics how I did mine.

Looks good, if it works for you there I will do the same thing. I guess I can get one of those angle mounts at a truck stop can't I?

I still don't know what radio to get??????????????????

Neuro, did your radio come with an antenna and coax cable set? That bracket is a NMO style angle bracket. NMO usees 3/4 inch hole. I doubt very seriously you will find one at a truck stop, check your yellow pages for radio dealers and get one from them, they are 5 or 6 bucks, most of the time made out of stainless.

Good call Rick! Mine did come with one and it did say it needs a NMO mount. I will call around today. Thanks for saving me a trip!

Hey since I am stealing all your other ideas, do you have any pics of how you mounted the radio? I see you have 2 u bolts but if you have any pics of that I would appreciate it.

Here they are Neuro. The square tube is 1" light ga square tube. I f I remember right the u-bolts are 1 1/2". Drilled holes in square stock the width of u-bolts and bolted in place. Used 4 #10 self drilling screws to mount bracket.

how about a name of radio,and model number. and if comes as a kit. not familiar with this type. and what has to be done as far as channels added, thanks. good job mounting, i like it. pushrod

Thanks Rick, I have my overhead stereo mounted there but it gives me a few ideas.

Pushrod, get up with Rhinorider via PM's and he has a guy who can get you one with everything you need for $150.

thanks for the pics been driveing me crazy on where to mount because of speaker bar mount up there.the way you got yours I can still do the same.next ? driveing me crazy on how to keep water out of it was going to try and end close ?is there enough water climbing the windsheild to hurt or not useing the old 626 midlands if that rings any bells to you thanks you keeping all of us straight

gary, I haven't got mine wet yet, but I haven't had it installed very long. I put it in just right before the spring ride. So I guess the jury is still out on that.

Thumper Vince had a great idea for that. Use a shower cap, one like you use to keep your hair dry in the shower!

ain,t never had that hair least wise since I was a teenager