It sounds like you are hitting the skip...most ok
radios can transmit thousands of miles for a short time
when conditions are just right, but are limited to 10 -
20 miles or less under ordinary conditions, depending
on watts and antenna.  I sure wish there was a mobile
that would transmit like that every time!  Maybe with a
500 watt amp!  How many watts do radio stations use?

David Marshall wrote:
>
> The coil is made by Sinclabs - the whip... dunno - just a standard stainless
> steel whip.
>
> David Marshall
>
> Fast Forward Autobahn Sport Tuning
> 4356 Quesnel Hixon Road
> Quesnel BC Canada  V2J 6Z3
> mailto:info@fastforward.ca      http://www.fastforward.ca
> Phone: (250) 992 7775           FAX: (250) 992 1160
>
> . Vanagon Accessories and Engine Conversions
> . Transporter, Unimog and Iltis Sales
> . European Lighting for most Audi and Volkswagen models
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Steve Schwenk [mailto:steve@syncro.org]
> Sent: November 30, 2000 8:36 AM
> To: vanagon@volkswagen.org
> Subject: Re: CB/Ham Radio Antenna Mounting
>
> David, what kind of antenna do you use?  Sounfds great.
> steve
>
> David Marshall wrote:
> >
> > In my Syncro Double Cab I mounted a 5/8 whip and coil for 11m and have
> > talked a few thousand miles away on CB!  Just with a $100 4W CB radio that
> > you can get a Rat Shack....
> >
> > David Marshall
> >
> > Fast Forward Autobahn Sport Tuning
> > 4356 Quesnel Hixon Road
> > Quesnel BC Canada  V2J 6Z3
> > mailto:info@fastforward.ca      http://www.fastforward.ca
> > Phone: (250) 992 7775           FAX: (250) 992 1160
> >
> > . Vanagon Accessories and Engine Conversions
> > . Transporter, Unimog and Iltis Sales
> > . European Lighting for most Audi and Volkswagen models
> >
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com]On Behalf
> > Of Steve Schwenk
> > Sent: November 29, 2000 5:08 PM
> > To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> > Subject: CB/Ham Radio Antenna Mounting
> >
> > I have installed a radio in my syncro that transmits on
> > 10, 11 (CB) and 12 meters.  After much pondering and
> > asking for advice, I installed the antenna on the roof
> > over the passenger cab area.  It is about 50" tall,
> > with a thin whip that can be easily removed, and that
> > is very flexible so it can whack into trees and such
> > without getting destroyed.  The antenna has an NMO
> > mount.  I drilled a 11/2" hole in the fiberglass and a
> > 3/4" hole in the metal roof.  I ran the coax through
> > the right side pillar.  It is a very clean
> > installation, the antenna is not very visible it is so
> > thin and I can still use the luggage rack no problem.
> > I get 1:1 SWR at 27000 .
> >
> > Last week I took a trip into the desert.  I tested the
> > radio and managed to get someone on the other side of a
> > 10,000 foot mountain range (I was at about 1400 feet)
> > about 25 miles away.  It was my only real test attempt,
> > but the result was pretty good.  At the time, I was
> > about 2 hours from the nearest paved road and 21/2
> > hours from the nearest phone.  Very reassuring!
> >
> > So, it appears that the roof mount provides a good
> > ground plane and was a good choice.  I will also be
> > able to seal everything up like it was never there if i
> > ever want to.