dual antennas???

[chopcorejc]

do dual antennas make that much of a difference, or is a single antenna fine??????????i have a big truck and would be able to mount one on each mirror, but don't know if it's really worth it.....

[Phaze91460]

Better to mount a single antenna on the passenger side for use. you could mount another on the drivers side for looks. This gives you more forward and left TX. Duel antennas tend to blank out each other a little bit and wont TX RX as well.

[THUMPER]

YA WHAT HE SAID

[dozerpilot]

Bigger is better, but less is more! :D

[Mr RadioActive]

I kinda say go with the drivers side, only because oncoming traffics always going to be on that side. And with the right ground plane, you'll be bouncing signals like a rubber ball!

[jessejamesdallas]

I would also recomend just one single antenna. Alot less headach's, and easyer to tune.

I also would say go with the driver's side, due to tree limbs that generaly tear-up antennas mounted on the passenger's side. Plus, on the Drivers side, your signel is going to be directed more towards on-comeing traffic.

Mounted on the passenger side, signels going to be directed to the tree's! Dont think there going to be giveing you any bear reports!

[chopcorejc]

alright, a single on the driver side it is.............thanks everyone.......

[Roadrunner]

I agree that it's easier & cheaper to run a single antenna. BUT... There is a very good reason to run dual antennas! (Other than just looks.) If the dual antennas are matched & co-phased correctly, you will get a larger & more even radiation pattern than with a single antenna. The reason it's not very effective or practical for most vehicles is because the antenna separation needs to be around 9ft. to work properly.

[231]

I agree that it's easier & cheaper to run a single antenna. BUT... There is a very good reason to run dual antennas! (Other than just looks.) If the dual antennas are matched & co-phased correctly, you will get a larger & more even radiation pattern than with a single antenna. The reason it's not very effective or practical for most vehicles is because the antenna separation needs to be around 9ft. to work properly.

This is correct. If the spacing isn't correct it can in fact cause signal reduction. It's not easy to properly co-phase a system for maximum efficiency and minimum SWR. However, when properly set up they work about (guestimating) around 15% better than a single antenna system. In most cases, hardly worth it IMO.

[rattlesnake]

1 antenna is all u need with 2 antennas u will go in differnt directions

[Radio 75]

Are you set on a mirror mount? If not, I would highly recommend mounting it on the cab roof in the center, much more omnidirectional.

[Worster]

My own experience, on a semi truck mirror mount dual is better, less directional, but complicated i am fortunate enough mine worked out well for me without complications, i have my co phase harness and a single phase coax run for back up incase i rip the passengers side antenna off where i work in the woods, which has happend so thats where i have noticed the difference, if you dont mind taking the time and doing it right you will see a difference, OR you can do whats stated above and just mount one in the center of your cab and get the same results as a dual and be done with it once you get your SWR's proper, with me i cant mount on my cab due to company UHF/VHF radios proximity

[Worster]

I forgot to add, i wouldnt go any closer than 8' 6"(102") 9' would be ideal

[DanTaylor]

Curse you guys for you know being knowledgeable!!! I am debating putting a radio in my pickup truck and honestly had NO clue that it can be better to run a single antenna. Glad to have found this site for sure.

[drdx]

This topic/thread is 4 years old, wow. Read up on the dual antenna deal. Given the right situation, it can be of benefit. It does take more setup, space, thought, and time but sometimes it is worth it. Every mobile antenna system is directional to some degree, as none will have a clear pattern. I'd think that a semi would have among the worst patterns. They're really long and the antenna is usually on the side at one end. In theory, the signal from an antenna on a driver's mirror would radiate the strongest to the right rear of the trailer, because that's where the metal is. Some claim that the dual deal cleans up that pattern if done right but many things have to be right and many things, like the vertical exhaust, also effect the signal. That said, I'm a single antenna fan just out of simplicity and success.

-drdx