Lets talk Radios again... Pioneer takeover!

[K9Paco]

Got my radio in. Haven’t put it in yet and probably won’t until after the first of the year. When I mount the antenna, does it have to be vertical or can I put it horizontal under my roof to protect it from trees and other objects?


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[Admin]

 

[Choogsbro]

Got my radio in. Haven’t put it in yet and probably won’t until after the first of the year. When I mount the antenna, does it have to be vertical or can I put it horizontal under my roof to protect it from trees and other objects?


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Good question

 

[JTW]

Got my radio in. Haven’t put it in yet and probably won’t until after the first of the year. When I mount the antenna, does it have to be vertical or can I put it horizontal under my roof to protect it from trees and other objects?


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It’s better if it’s vertical

 

[Choogsbro]

It’s better if it’s vertical

TWSS

 

[Mudder]

@K9Paco , Just be aware they do put out energy. Because I transmit at 25 watts for HAM use, I put mine about 2 feet away from seat due to RF energy, but that is likely overkill based on the limited transmission time (duty time). The radio can also be toggled to lower wattage, and best to transmit on the lowest wattage that works for close together talk. All that said, I just liked it on the front fender and put RTV silicone around it to minimize moisture inside the base. Go verticle.

 

[K9Paco]

I don’t understand any of that. What about here?




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[HondaRed16]

If you mount horizontal you cut your transmission power by half and significantly reduce your receive range. You also are more prone to RF exposure.

Installing on the back corner or any corner lowered like that works but again if it’s not above the roof line you reduce as mentioned above. If you’re not trying to talk long range and want to communicate with the folks you’re riding with that will probably work. You are also steady cutting range with the small 1/4 antenna but again that’s fine for close range meaning not 5 - 10 miles.

I have put mine on the top corner and also the roof (on a sheet metal pie plate) with a magnetic mount so that it can be knocked off but not broke or lost (just a thought). I’ve also seen people hang them upside down from the roof but again you’re reducing.

let us know what you decide.

 

[HondaRed16]

Did your radio come with the program buttons on the mic or plane mic and the magnetic antenna?

 

[K9Paco]

It’s the waterproof version of this one.




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[Tramguage1]

I added a flat plate to the center of my Slasher bumper. Then installed the magnetic base on that. I have only knocked it loose a couple times.

 

[K9Paco]

If you mount horizontal you cut your transmission power by half and significantly reduce your receive range. You also are more prone to RF exposure.

Installing on the back corner or any corner lowered like that works but again if it’s not above the roof line you reduce as mentioned above. If you’re not trying to talk long range and want to communicate with the folks you’re riding with that will probably work. You are also steady cutting range with the small 1/4 antenna but again that’s fine for close range meaning not 5 - 10 miles.

I have put mine on the top corner and also the roof (on a sheet metal pie plate) with a magnetic mount so that it can be knocked off but not broke or lost (just a thought). I’ve also seen people hang them upside down from the roof but again you’re reducing.

let us know what you decide.

I’ll probably just bolt on a small piece of meta to my roof and throw it up there. I like what you did and I’ll just put it back up when it gets knocked off.


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[JTW]

Buy extra antennas!

 

[Mudder]

I don’t understand any of that. What about here?

View attachment 170256View attachment 170257


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Just sharing that RF energy off the antenna will be strong right beside your head every time you key the mic, especially at the H power (25 watts) - think like microwaves. This is a powerful HAM license level radio compared to camping walkie talkies. If you put the antenna right by your head, suggesting you use the lowest power output to reach who you are talking to. Just holdover thoughts from a career in Radiation Safety and being a HAM. Pushing the LO button will cycle between H, M, L power output, and in a line of sight group ride, the Low power might be good enough, even after passing through your head.

 

[HondaRed16]

It’s the waterproof version of this one.

View attachment 170317

Thanks for the reply; In fear of being redundant there are several option versions of the TH8600 waterproof model on their website, the picture of the kit I think you bought shows it with a simple mic with no program buttons for $124.95. Did yours come with the the menu buttons on the microphone, the web picture shows it without?

See below:

TYT TH8600WPJTM2P
[TH8600WPJTM2P]
$124.95
Free Shipping on TH8600WPJTM2P
Free shipping to USA Only

Click to enlarge
PACKAGE OF TH8600WP AND 2M/70CM MAG MOUNT ANTENNA

This item is currently in stock.


TH8600WP
Small size 4 1/8" W x 1 3/4" H x 5 1/2" D
Water Proof
1750 hz tone
Automatic power off
200 programmable memory channels
CTCSS, DCS, 2tone, 5tone
Five programmable multi function keys

 

[HondaRed16]

K9Paco said: ↑
It’s the waterproof version of this one.

View attachment 170317

Thanks for the reply; In fear of being redundant there are several option versions of the TH8600 waterproof model on their website, the picture of the kit I think you bought shows it with a simple mic with no program buttons for $124.95. Did yours come with the the menu buttons on the microphone, the web picture shows it without?

See below:

TYT TH8600WPJTM2P
[TH8600WPJTM2P]
$124.95
Free Shipping on TH8600WPJTM2P
Free shipping to USA Only

Click to enlarge
PACKAGE OF TH8600WP AND 2M/70CM MAG MOUNT ANTENNA

This item is currently in stock.


TH8600WP
Small size 4 1/8" W x 1 3/4" H x 5 1/2" D
Water Proof
1750 hz tone
Automatic power off
200 programmable memory channels
CTCSS, DCS, 2tone, 5tone
Five programmable multi function keys

 

[HondaRed16]

I’ll probably just bolt on a small piece of meta to my roof and throw it up there. I like what you did and I’ll just put it back up when it gets knocked off.

I'd suggest to try not to do that please. You never want to penetrate the roof if you can avoid it. Just get you some good metal to plastic adhesive, make sure you clean your bonding area good with something like PVC primer.
Also if you can ground the metal plate to the frame (it's not absolutley necessary but you will get better performance and longer life out of the radio (nothing is simple with toys LOL).

 

[K9Paco]

It is this radio for this price but it came with the antenna that is in your other picture. It was a Cyber Monday deal.




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[farmtimpioneer]

I got this flexible antenna at R&L Electronics in Hamilton Oh. It seems to be very durable and flexible like a rubber ducky,,,,
UPDATE DONT BUY THIS ANTENNA CANNOT GET GOOD SWR !!!!!

 

[HondaRed16]

I got this flexible antenna at R&L Electronics in Hamilton Oh. It seems to be very durable and flexible like a rubber ducky,,,,
View attachment 170396 View attachment 170397 View attachment 170398

Yes that works as well. It all works.

Basically the shorter the antenna the shorter your transmit and receive range.
So if you just want to keep up with the group & they’re close by and you don’t need to talk long distance to base camp or other riders farther away...the short antennas can work ok.

We could spend a very long time talking about setting the SWR, the best antenna and where to mount...but not a big deal if you’re not like some of us older radio dudes that wants everything correct for the best solution and optimum performance.

The neat thing about these HAM/FRS/GMRS radios is the worst setup will out perform and are way more clear than the best CB setup

 

[Ragnar406]

I got this flexible antenna at R&L Electronics in Hamilton Oh. It seems to be very durable and flexible like a rubber ducky,,,,
View attachment 170396 View attachment 170397 View attachment 170398

I started out with that antenna, I never could get it to an acceptable SWR on my Honda where I have mine mounted so ended up not using. I loaned it out to another rider at takeover when they least their antenna and because they had mounted on/ near roof line it was snapped off pretty quick when they went into a trail with some trees hanging over.