http://www.sti-co.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/Stico-Cat-2010-revised-wo-ST-PD-veh.pdf,
apparently primarily directed toward law enforcement. In any case,
one option I see there is to NB-HF-DS antenna, which can handle 150
watts, and which I cannot help imagine would be much more efficient
than trying to force a Vanagon antenna do the job.
I'd like feedback from people knowledgeable about radio on this
issue. The argument that was made to me in 1992 was that it was fine
to use a Vanagon antenna to transmit CB efficiently because the
antenna only had to be tuned to operate at exactly 27.195 instead of
having it try to operate on the entire CB band range. In other words,
the argument was that by having an extremely narrow band antenna, one
could get away with using a vastly worse CB antenna and get the same
result as a quality CB antenna. Does this sound right?
I notice that the CB antenna I just named is 36 inches tall, which as
I understand it is a compatible length for use with CBs. The best
length for FM antennas is something like 29 to 33 inches, and I
notice that my OEM antenna here extends 31 inches. So, I think that
whatever solution is arrived at, it would be best if the antenna were
36 inches tall instead of 31, and that the operator would normally
use the antenna at 31 inches, but extend it out to 36 inches when
leaving the car and using the alarm functionality.
Does this sound reasonable?
Any ideas about how to go about this?
_______________________________________________
Derek Drew
Washington DC / New York
derekdrew@derekmail.com
Email is best normally but...
PHONE: 202-966-7907 (Call the number at left normally)
(alt/cell for diligent calling only): 703-408-1532