Best Ham Radio Antenna

depends on what bands you plan on running. lots of info here fiberglass rv ham radio antenna

Check out the great amount of mobile antenna information on the

K0GB.COM web site.

As I see it it kind of comes down to two areas. One is the case where you're going to be camping somewhere for a week and can get something strung up and the other is where you might want to stop for lunch or a quick overnight stop and need a quick and dirty way of getting something on the air.

One thing to look at is an end fed which can be pretty easy to set up and get running.

Lots of luck and don't get discouraged after reading through k0gb's reams of information.

When I had a Class A I had a local shop weld an extra receiver tube on the back and used a Tarheel screwdriver antenna.

shastagary wrote:
depends on what bands you plan on running. lots of info here fiberglass rv ham radio antenna

Thanks for the info Shastagary...
I only have a tech license but would like to be able to monitor all bands in case of emergency.

dfletch wrote:
When I had a Class A I had a local shop weld an extra receiver tube on the back and used a Tarheel screwdriver antenna.

defletch, I already have a motorcycle lift back there although I am looking at the Tarheel.

If you're only going to be on VHF/UHF then get a half wave antenna. They won't need a ground plane. I use the Diamond NR770HA on all my vehicles. It's a half wave on 2 meters but I'm not sure the effective wavelength on 70 cm, I think it's stacked 5/8 wave.
Those frequencies don't need much of a ground plane. I would think what aluminum and steel is in your RV would be enough. If you start talking about HF (or CB which is also HF) then you get into some long wavelengths that need a lot more ground plane under them.

I have yet to find an antenna mounting idea for HF operating while in motion.

While parked or camping, More to See has good suggestions.
My short time parked setup is 3/8"x24 mounted to mirror, Hustler QD-2 Quick Disconnect and Outbacker or Outreach antenna. The main goal is to get the feedpoint connection near or above the roof. The coach ladder really allows several mounting possibilities, but another support is the tow bar receiver and a pedestal to raise the feedpoint of the antenna.
For longer stays, I use those same antennas with a tripod mount independent of the coach or get permission to string up a Buckmaster OCF dipole.
My camper is a Super C, Freightliner Columbia chassis. I lucked out this time...the 3/8"x24 mounts came installed in the top of the mirrors from the factory. Truck stops have all types of antenna mounting possibilities. Most universal antenna mounts include the mounting hardware and are a good start.

VHF/UHF FM I'd go with any of the popular NO GROUND PLANE antennas like Comet or Diamond (I also build my own ngp's but I'm not going into that just now.

SSB, be it hF, VHF or UHF nothing beats a dipole for the lower bands.. A multi element beam for the higher ones.. HOWEVER...Anything over about 20 meters (By over I mean wavelength not frequency) Dipoles are not practical for RV use'

What I use with my TS-2000
HF, all bands. Ant-1 (I think) is a Kenwood KAT-1 Marine grade Auto-Tuner mounted on the rear of the RC.. I have multiple lengths of wire.. a 50 foot runs up a telescoping (Black widow) Fishing pole from Bass Shops Pro.. THen across the top of the RC (About 10 feet above the rig) to a Sunsetter Telescopign Flag pole.. Not my best antenna

Where parks let me.. I have a longer (Around 80-85 feet) Wire with aroudn 25 feet of nylon (non conductive no wire center) cord on one end.. The other end hooks to the KAT, and up the fishing pole. A 2 pound concrete "block" with a bolt in it hooks to the other end.. Allie OPP and over tree limbs.. I shoot for 20-30 feet or more up in the air. That's my best choice for 80/40 meters.

For 10-15-20 you might try a cobweb or most any of the newer multi band jobs.

Oh, I also have an Alpha (17' Vertical Whip with some added features.. Seriously NOT impressed with it. It is easy and fast to set up. but at best it is half the antenna the 50' job is (Based on S-Meter readings) I did finally get it up to minimum usable configuration but I would not recommend it as your primary antenna. Good back up though.

For VHF/ UHF I agree a small ground plane antenna will do fine. Start getting into HF, different story. I actually ( no laughing) use a G5RV for HF while in the TT parked. Works good for what i do with it.

We use a Buddipole when we're camping for HF.