New Ham

[KB1YLQ]

I am looking for a dual bander,144/440. Looking at a kenwood tm700 or 710. Will be mobile and maybe also use as base. Any thoughts? Also thinking about a arrow j pole for base and not sure what for mobile,don't want to put holes in truck.maybe mag mount. Ps used or new? Thanks to anyone who takes the time to respond. Oh yea 73's!!

[KA9JLM]

I am looking for a dual bander,144/440. Looking at a kenwood tm700 or 710. Will be mobile and maybe also use as base. Any thoughts? Also thinking about a arrow j pole for base and not sure what for mobile,don't want to put holes in truck.maybe mag mount. Ps used or new? Thanks to anyone who takes the time to respond. Oh yea 73's!!

You have the right Idea for a good antenna.

A mobile is better than a HT, unless you really need to be portable.

Welcome to the Hobby.

[KD5PNT]

have been using the comet SB15 and the CP5M lip mount since 2000 . has been on 2 different trucks . it clamps to the inside of the lip on the tailgate without damaging it or making any holes . am now using the yaesu FT-M350AR . had a mag mount until it blew off the cab and got dragged for a 1/4 mile until I could pull off and retrieve it , do not recommend mag mount dual band mobile antennas .
kd5pnr

[KA9JLM]

have been using the comet SB15 and the CP5M lip mount since 2000 . has been on 2 different trucks . it clamps to the inside of the lip on the tailgate without damaging it or making any holes . am now using the yaesu FT-M350AR . had a mag mount until it blew off the cab and got dragged for a 1/4 mile until I could pull off and retrieve it , do not recommend mag mount dual band mobile antennas .
kd5pnr

Did you change your call ? lol

I agree Mag mount is not all that good, unless you can ground it properly.

[K6BAZ]

a 2 meter 1/4 wave works fine as a 3/4 on 440 mag mount could made with a magnet from an old speaker. doug

[KB4QAA]

Kenwood radios are fine rigs. Mag mounts are adequate and most hams use them at some point. I strongly encourage you to buy one that has a 3" or 4" diameter base to minimize the chances of it blowing off.

Jpoles or Slim Jim's are popular but have drawbacks with tuning and feedline radiation. You can make a "1/4 wavelength ground plane" antenna with some scrap wire and a $3 SO-239 fitting from Radio Shack in half an hour that will have a tad better performance than a Jpole and will be smaller. The design is in the ARRL Handbook and Antenna Book, or can be found on the web. IMO there is no reason to pay good money for a 'showy' plumbers' delight that won't perform any better.

Anyhow, welcome aboard! Bill

[K0BG]

Hum. As noted, mag, clip, and clamp mounts might work okay, but you have to qualify what works okay really means. When we realize that a simple rubber ducky works okay, and we know they're about 20 or more dB down from a decent 1/4 wave ground plane, then works okay doesn't mean much.

The same goes for the J-pole, as KB4QAA pointed out. I sometimes wonder what the J actually stands for: Just works okay seems to be the logical choice.

[KD8RUQ]

I just got my License march 1st and i bought the kenwood d710 and love it, the antenna i bought for mobile is diamonds NR770HB mag mount, the house is a diamond x510 and i don't at this moment use the d710 in vehicle but am planning on putting in, i use my HT Kenwood F6A and get great reports. so hope that give's you food for thought, Good luck in your quest in the hobby.

73's Mike!!! KD8RUQ

[KB1YLQ]

Thanks I have a wouxun ht,but want to get more into it.