[VHFcontesting] FM antennas

[Sean Waite]

Since we're always thinking of the next station improvement, I've been
thinking about the best way to implement FM in the rover.

We've found that it's worth carrying the gear. We don't get many contacts,
but they are out there and having the ability to make them on demand does
get us points. Right now, I have a 2/70 vertical that is used for FM, just
a mobile whip. In January for our run 'n gun I'll probably move to a
triband whip.

For the stop and shoots, though, we'll be better set up to run beams. We
have a couple of the small Arrow yagis available that wouldn't be too
difficult to strap onto a mast and have a v-pol beam available for the FM
radios. Small LPDAs like the Elk satellite antenna are also another option.

This would give us positive gain on FM...but i'm not sure it's worth it. FM
contacts are mostly opportunistic, either a periodic call on 146.52 or just
hearing someone and grabbing the mic real quick. The directivity a yagi
would give us might blind us to some of the nearby stations calling (though
the arrows aren't particularly narrow) if they are off the side of the
beam. The other drawback is that it'll take a little longer to set up if
we've got another beam or three to attach to the mast and cable up.

What do other people do? Maybe better to have some always-connected, more
efficient verticals on the roof the car and sacrifice a bit of gain?

Looking forward to your thoughts.

73,
Sean WA1TE