After years off the air, I'm ready to get back on. I want to keep it simple
though. I picked up a 6m/2m/440 Yaesu VX-7 HT at Dayton and I plan to use it
for both base and mobile. I want an antenna that covers these 3 bands that I
can mount off the side of my 80 ft. tower. (Off the side, because there is
no way I can climb to the top anymore!) I'm not concerned with the gain, I
just want something better than the rubber duck. Any product and mounting
recommendations?

--
Bob D. ND9B

Bob D. wrote:

After years off the air, I'm ready to get back on. I want to keep it simple
though. I picked up a 6m/2m/440 Yaesu VX-7 HT at Dayton and I plan to use it
for both base and mobile. I want an antenna that covers these 3 bands that I
can mount off the side of my 80 ft. tower. (Off the side, because there is
no way I can climb to the top anymore!) I'm not concerned with the gain, I
just want something better than the rubber duck. Any product and mounting
recommendations?


There are some tri-band mobile antennas out there. You may try some
variation of what I am using on my car.

I have a 1995 Ford Explorer and my radio is a Standard C5900 (6m,2m,70cm
bands). I use a diplexer that cuts off at around 100mhz. I take the
low (50mhz) feedline and run it to a quarter wave whip on my fender. I
removed the factory AM/FM antenna and replaced it with the 6mtr whip. I
then take the "high side" of the diplexer and run it to a Larsen
2m/70cm roof mount antenna on an NMO mount.

The 2m/70cm antenna I usually use is a low profile cellular look-a-like,
about 18" high and mounts on a standard NMO. I can easily replace this
antenna with one of the taller Larsen dual band antennas if I figure I
may need it.

Also, I have a splitter manufactured by Antenna Specialist that allows
me to use my AM/FM radio off the 50mhz antenna without damage to the
reciever.

Andy
WD4KDN

Bob D. wrote:
After years off the air, I'm ready to get back on. I want to keep it
simple though. I picked up a 6m/2m/440 Yaesu VX-7 HT at Dayton and I
plan to use it for both base and mobile. I want an antenna that
covers these 3 bands that I can mount off the side of my 80 ft.
tower. (Off the side, because there is no way I can climb to the top
anymore!) I'm not concerned with the gain, I just want something
better than the rubber duck. Any product and mounting recommendations?

Comet GP-15
http://www.eham.net/reviews/detail/383

Side mount
http://www.mgs4u.com/IDC-Technology-sidearms.htm