Total Bus Height ... How High Is Too High?

[orbitalsolutions]

I'm replacing antennas. I need help in understanding how high is too
high. Yes, I can quickly remove the CB antenna if I have too (It will
be the highest.)

But I don't want to, at least not very often.

If my total height is 14' 8" is that too high? Will I be alright on
the big roads?

Thanks in advance.

-James
78FC33SB
LasVEgas NV

[sfedeli3]

Hi James,

Here in the Eastern US, you do not want to exceed 12'6" with
anything "valuable". The tips of my CB antennas are at that height
and have a few scrapes from low overpasses and limbs, but have never
been sheared off. Out west, you're probably good at 13'6". The roads
and bridges are newer and higher. You can also sweep the antenna's
back several degrees so that they will easily bend under limbs,
etc... You lose some signal strength at the cost of preserving your
antenna caps.

Shane Fedeli
85 PT 40
Hershey, PA

--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "orbitalsolutions"
wrote:
>
> I'm replacing antennas. I need help in understanding how high is
too
> high. Yes, I can quickly remove the CB antenna if I have too (It
will
> be the highest.)
>
> But I don't want to, at least not very often.
>
> If my total height is 14' 8" is that too high? Will I be alright
on
> the big roads?
>
> Thanks in advance.
>
> -James
> 78FC33SB
> LasVEgas NV
>

[John]

James,

I have a different setup than most 'Birds come equipped with and this
is from my experimenting with CB's including the base station that I
frequently talk on almost daily when I am home. I have been using
CB's since the early 70's and I have had a lot of experience with
different antenna setups over my 30+ years of cross country driving
in my old business;

http://hometown.aol.com/iamflagman/page1.html

The antenna that I use is a Wilson 2000 brand antenna and as you can
see in the following photo, I have it bent over and secured in a
fashion, where it will not be affected by trees and overpasses and it
is very good at receiving and transmitting. I have checked this with
a DOSY SWR/SIGNAL STRENGTH/POWER meter and the SWR is surprisingly
extremely low at a little above 1 on the SWR scale and that is good
and it does not harm my radio which is a Galaxy DX99 and I don't use
a linear with it for extra power. I have talked at least 2 miles on
channel 19 which is the truckers channel with a lot of other people
talking, to see if I could talk over them, with no problems and I
have talked to a friend of mine on his base station 35 miles away,
but that was on a clear channel, with no other people talking on it.
I was told that this would not work, but I have used the setup for
over a year, with no problems. Here is a photo of the antenna setup;

http://www.pbase.com/iamflagman/image/37202640

I prefer this setup over the co-phase (2) antennas that came on the
early model 'Birds, as it is more simple, being you only have one
antenna to work with and there is no need for the co-phase, because
whereas trucks need this setup to talk around the trailer that they
are pulling, that is higher than the cab of the truck itself, we
don't have that problem, as our antennas are above the body that is
behind the antenna. The co-phase antennas were the best technology
back in the 60's and 70's, but in my opinion you can't beat a Wilson
antenna, especially when you have an excellent ground plane provided
by the all metal roof of a 'Bird.

Feel free to email me off of the forum, if you need any further help.


"REMEMBER SEPTEMBER 11, 2001"
John Finn
'82 35FCRB
BLUEBIRD WANDERLODGE
TO VISIT THE "FINN'S INN EXPRESS" REMODELING ADVENTURE
GO TO;
http://www.pbase.com/image/24977457
ALSO VISIT THE:
Wanderlodge Owners Group Forum
http://autos.groups.yahoo.com/group/wanderlodge/
'66 SUPERIOR / IH 392 GAS V8 32' PUSHER "FOR SALE"
SEE THE OLD COACH AT:
http://www.pbase.com/image/26052733
HOPKINS, SOUTH CAROLINA

/////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////

--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "orbitalsolutions"
wrote:
>
> I'm replacing antennas. I need help in understanding how high is
too
> high. Yes, I can quickly remove the CB antenna if I have too (It
will
> be the highest.)
>
> But I don't want to, at least not very often.
>
> If my total height is 14' 8" is that too high? Will I be alright
on
> the big roads?
>
> Thanks in advance.
>
> -James
> 78FC33SB
> LasVEgas NV
>

[Gregory OConnor]

John, with all the products and information you invent and share, you
gotta be either the richest Republican or the kindest Democrat.
Thanks

Gregory O'Connor--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "John"
wrote:
>
> James,
>
> I have a different setup than most 'Birds come equipped with and
this
> is from my experimenting with CB's including the base station that
I
> frequently talk on almost daily when I am home. I have been using
> CB's since the early 70's and I have had a lot of experience with
> different antenna setups over my 30+ years of cross country driving
> in my old business;
>
> http://hometown.aol.com/iamflagman/page1.html
>
> The antenna that I use is a Wilson 2000 brand antenna and as you
can
> see in the following photo, I have it bent over and secured in a
> fashion, where it will not be affected by trees and overpasses and
it
> is very good at receiving and transmitting. I have checked this
with
> a DOSY SWR/SIGNAL STRENGTH/POWER meter and the SWR is surprisingly
> extremely low at a little above 1 on the SWR scale and that is good
> and it does not harm my radio which is a Galaxy DX99 and I don't
use
> a linear with it for extra power. I have talked at least 2 miles on
> channel 19 which is the truckers channel with a lot of other people
> talking, to see if I could talk over them, with no problems and I
> have talked to a friend of mine on his base station 35 miles away,
> but that was on a clear channel, with no other people talking on
it.
> I was told that this would not work, but I have used the setup for
> over a year, with no problems. Here is a photo of the antenna setup;
>
> http://www.pbase.com/iamflagman/image/37202640
>
> I prefer this setup over the co-phase (2) antennas that came on the
> early model 'Birds, as it is more simple, being you only have one
> antenna to work with and there is no need for the co-phase, because
> whereas trucks need this setup to talk around the trailer that they
> are pulling, that is higher than the cab of the truck itself, we
> don't have that problem, as our antennas are above the body that is
> behind the antenna. The co-phase antennas were the best technology
> back in the 60's and 70's, but in my opinion you can't beat a
Wilson
> antenna, especially when you have an excellent ground plane
provided
> by the all metal roof of a 'Bird.
>
> Feel free to email me off of the forum, if you need any further
help.
>
>
> "REMEMBER SEPTEMBER 11, 2001"
> John Finn
> '82 35FCRB
> BLUEBIRD WANDERLODGE
> TO VISIT THE "FINN'S INN EXPRESS" REMODELING ADVENTURE
> GO TO;
> http://www.pbase.com/image/24977457
> ALSO VISIT THE:
> Wanderlodge Owners Group Forum
> http://autos.groups.yahoo.com/group/wanderlodge/
> '66 SUPERIOR / IH 392 GAS V8 32' PUSHER "FOR SALE"
> SEE THE OLD COACH AT:
> http://www.pbase.com/image/26052733
> HOPKINS, SOUTH CAROLINA
>
> /////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
>
> --- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "orbitalsolutions"
> wrote:
> >
> > I'm replacing antennas. I need help in understanding how high is
> too
> > high. Yes, I can quickly remove the CB antenna if I have too (It
> will
> > be the highest.)
> >
> > But I don't want to, at least not very often.
> >
> > If my total height is 14' 8" is that too high? Will I be alright
> on
> > the big roads?
> >
> > Thanks in advance.
> >
> > -James
> > 78FC33SB
> > LasVEgas NV
> >
>

[orbitalsolutions]

Hello Shane,

Thanks for the real-world info about height, I appreciate it.

Hello John,

That Galaxy DX99 is one sweet radio. Thanks for the photos, your
roof looks great!

I'm an old 2-way radio guy myself. Out here in the west every one
is running power because we are all so far apart. Connex has a new
model called the 4600 Turbo. Fully tuned it will do 205 watts on AM.

Well, I just have to have one.

No need for a linear, it's all in one (blue face lit) box. I want
to use a Predator 10-K with it. They have a Short Whip model with a
9" shaft that stands 4' 6" high straight up. I want to put it on
the foof, slightly forward of the center of the bus.

Here's my problem...

The K-10 is light, but the drag on the twin coil center loads is
higher than you might think. I want to mount it with a Shakesphere
4187-HD stainless ratchet mount. This will still allow me to
operate it while driving, from a laied back position like you do
with your Wilson, and get my height down to where it needs to be.

The Shakesphere mount is threaded 1" x 14. The antenna I want to
use is 3/8" X 24. So I need to find an adaptor, or a different
ratchet mount that would be strong enough and have the 3/8 x 24
thread.

So far, I have found neither one. Shakesphere told me that they
used to sell the adaptor for years, but the company that made them
is no longer supplying them.

Any Ideas?

If I ever get this station transmitting I might be able to talk to
China ... LOL !!

-James
78FC33SB
LasVegas NV


--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "John"
wrote:
>
> James,
>
> I have a different setup than most 'Birds come equipped with and
this
> is from my experimenting with CB's including the base station that
I
> frequently talk on almost daily when I am home. I have been using
> CB's since the early 70's and I have had a lot of experience with
> different antenna setups over my 30+ years of cross country
driving
> in my old business;
>
> http://hometown.aol.com/iamflagman/page1.html
>
> The antenna that I use is a Wilson 2000 brand antenna and as you
can
> see in the following photo, I have it bent over and secured in a
> fashion, where it will not be affected by trees and overpasses and
it
> is very good at receiving and transmitting. I have checked this
with
> a DOSY SWR/SIGNAL STRENGTH/POWER meter and the SWR is surprisingly
> extremely low at a little above 1 on the SWR scale and that is
good
> and it does not harm my radio which is a Galaxy DX99 and I don't
use
> a linear with it for extra power. I have talked at least 2 miles
on
> channel 19 which is the truckers channel with a lot of other
people
> talking, to see if I could talk over them, with no problems and I
> have talked to a friend of mine on his base station 35 miles away,
> but that was on a clear channel, with no other people talking on
it.
> I was told that this would not work, but I have used the setup for
> over a year, with no problems. Here is a photo of the antenna
setup;
>
> http://www.pbase.com/iamflagman/image/37202640
>
> I prefer this setup over the co-phase (2) antennas that came on
the
> early model 'Birds, as it is more simple, being you only have one
> antenna to work with and there is no need for the co-phase,
because
> whereas trucks need this setup to talk around the trailer that
they
> are pulling, that is higher than the cab of the truck itself, we
> don't have that problem, as our antennas are above the body that
is
> behind the antenna. The co-phase antennas were the best technology
> back in the 60's and 70's, but in my opinion you can't beat a
Wilson
> antenna, especially when you have an excellent ground plane
provided
> by the all metal roof of a 'Bird.
>
> Feel free to email me off of the forum, if you need any further
help.
>
>
> "REMEMBER SEPTEMBER 11, 2001"
> John Finn
> '82 35FCRB
> BLUEBIRD WANDERLODGE
> TO VISIT THE "FINN'S INN EXPRESS" REMODELING ADVENTURE
> GO TO;
> http://www.pbase.com/image/24977457
> ALSO VISIT THE:
> Wanderlodge Owners Group Forum
> http://autos.groups.yahoo.com/group/wanderlodge/
> '66 SUPERIOR / IH 392 GAS V8 32' PUSHER "FOR SALE"
> SEE THE OLD COACH AT:
> http://www.pbase.com/image/26052733
> HOPKINS, SOUTH CAROLINA
>
> /////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
>
> --- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "orbitalsolutions"
> wrote:
> >
> > I'm replacing antennas. I need help in understanding how high
is
> too
> > high. Yes, I can quickly remove the CB antenna if I have too
(It
> will
> > be the highest.)
> >
> > But I don't want to, at least not very often.
> >
> > If my total height is 14' 8" is that too high? Will I be
alright
> on
> > the big roads?
> >
> > Thanks in advance.
> >
> > -James
> > 78FC33SB
> > LasVEgas NV
> >
>

[Robert Johannesen]

James,
Send me an e-mail at PackratFXR@... with the specs on your adapter
and we'll see what we can do.

Bob & Judy Johannesen, Custom Welding & Fabrication
91WLWB40 "Seldom Blue" often dirty!
Argyle, TX

.......The Shakesphere mount is threaded 1" x 14. The antenna I want to
use is 3/8" X 24. So I need to find an adaptor, or a different
ratchet mount that would be strong enough and have the 3/8 x 24
thread. .....Any Ideas?

-James
78FC33SB
LasVegas NV





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[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

[John]

INDEPENDENT!!!! I don't believe in the straight party line either way.


"REMEMBER SEPTEMBER 11, 2001"
John Finn
'82 35FCRB
BLUEBIRD WANDERLODGE
TO VISIT THE "FINN'S INN EXPRESS" REMODELING ADVENTURE
GO TO;
http://www.pbase.com/image/24977457
ALSO VISIT THE:
Wanderlodge Owners Group Forum
http://autos.groups.yahoo.com/group/wanderlodge/
'66 SUPERIOR / IH 392 GAS V8 32' PUSHER "FOR SALE"
SEE THE OLD COACH AT:
http://www.pbase.com/image/26052733
HOPKINS, SOUTH CAROLINA

//////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////

--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "Gregory OConnor"
wrote:
>
> John, with all the products and information you invent and share,
you
> gotta be either the richest Republican or the kindest Democrat.
> Thanks
>
> Gregory O'Connor--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "John"
> wrote:
> >
> > James,
> >
> > I have a different setup than most 'Birds come equipped with and
> this
> > is from my experimenting with CB's including the base station
that
> I
> > frequently talk on almost daily when I am home. I have been using
> > CB's since the early 70's and I have had a lot of experience with
> > different antenna setups over my 30+ years of cross country
driving
> > in my old business;
> >
> > http://hometown.aol.com/iamflagman/page1.html
> >
> > The antenna that I use is a Wilson 2000 brand antenna and as you
> can
> > see in the following photo, I have it bent over and secured in a
> > fashion, where it will not be affected by trees and overpasses
and
> it
> > is very good at receiving and transmitting. I have checked this
> with
> > a DOSY SWR/SIGNAL STRENGTH/POWER meter and the SWR is
surprisingly
> > extremely low at a little above 1 on the SWR scale and that is
good
> > and it does not harm my radio which is a Galaxy DX99 and I don't
> use
> > a linear with it for extra power. I have talked at least 2 miles
on
> > channel 19 which is the truckers channel with a lot of other
people
> > talking, to see if I could talk over them, with no problems and I
> > have talked to a friend of mine on his base station 35 miles
away,
> > but that was on a clear channel, with no other people talking on
> it.
> > I was told that this would not work, but I have used the setup
for
> > over a year, with no problems. Here is a photo of the antenna
setup;
> >
> > http://www.pbase.com/iamflagman/image/37202640
> >
> > I prefer this setup over the co-phase (2) antennas that came on
the
> > early model 'Birds, as it is more simple, being you only have one
> > antenna to work with and there is no need for the co-phase,
because
> > whereas trucks need this setup to talk around the trailer that
they
> > are pulling, that is higher than the cab of the truck itself, we
> > don't have that problem, as our antennas are above the body that
is
> > behind the antenna. The co-phase antennas were the best
technology
> > back in the 60's and 70's, but in my opinion you can't beat a
> Wilson
> > antenna, especially when you have an excellent ground plane
> provided
> > by the all metal roof of a 'Bird.
> >
> > Feel free to email me off of the forum, if you need any further
> help.
> >
> >
> > "REMEMBER SEPTEMBER 11, 2001"
> > John Finn
> > '82 35FCRB
> > BLUEBIRD WANDERLODGE
> > TO VISIT THE "FINN'S INN EXPRESS" REMODELING ADVENTURE
> > GO TO;
> > http://www.pbase.com/image/24977457
> > ALSO VISIT THE:
> > Wanderlodge Owners Group Forum
> > http://autos.groups.yahoo.com/group/wanderlodge/
> > '66 SUPERIOR / IH 392 GAS V8 32' PUSHER "FOR SALE"
> > SEE THE OLD COACH AT:
> > http://www.pbase.com/image/26052733
> > HOPKINS, SOUTH CAROLINA
> >
> > /////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
> >
> > --- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "orbitalsolutions"
> > wrote:
> > >
> > > I'm replacing antennas. I need help in understanding how high
is
> > too
> > > high. Yes, I can quickly remove the CB antenna if I have too
(It
> > will
> > > be the highest.)
> > >
> > > But I don't want to, at least not very often.
> > >
> > > If my total height is 14' 8" is that too high? Will I be
alright
> > on
> > > the big roads?
> > >
> > > Thanks in advance.
> > >
> > > -James
> > > 78FC33SB
> > > LasVEgas NV
> > >
> >
>

[Dan Sunderland]

West Marine offers a stainless steel adjustable mount for the 1 X 14 thread
mount. Check
them out on the web.

Dan
86PT40
San Marcos, CA





--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, Robert Johannesen wrote:
>
> James,
> Send me an e-mail at PackratFXR@... with the specs on your adapter and
we'll see
what we can do.
>
> Bob & Judy Johannesen, Custom Welding & Fabrication
> 91WLWB40 "Seldom Blue" often dirty!
> Argyle, TX
>
> .......The Shakesphere mount is threaded 1" x 14. The antenna I want to
> use is 3/8" X 24. So I need to find an adaptor, or a different
> ratchet mount that would be strong enough and have the 3/8 x 24
> thread. .....Any Ideas?
>
> -James
> 78FC33SB
> LasVegas NV
>
>
>
>
>
> SPONSORED LINKS
> Recreational vehicles Wanderlodge Automotive maintenance
Recreational
vehicle dealer Used recreational vehicles Automotive radiators
>
> ---------------------------------
> YAHOO! GROUPS LINKS
>
>
> Visit your group "WanderlodgeForum" on the web.
>
> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:
> WanderlodgeForum-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com
>
> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to the Yahoo! Terms of Service.
>
>
> ---------------------------------
>
>
>
>
>
> ---------------------------------
> Yahoo! Mail
> Use Photomail to share photos without annoying attachments.
>
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>

[iwander_85pt40]

James,

The max height is governed by each state's statutes. California
allows a max of 14 feet, which is one of the highest in the country.
I've seen some states at 13'6".

At 14'8", you would technically be overheight anywhere you traveled.
Of course, you'd only have to worry about it if you were to enter a
truck scale, or traveled off the interstates.

Phil Corpus
'iWander' 85PT40
Left Coast
between Santa Barbara and Los Angeles


--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "orbitalsolutions"
wrote:
>
> I'm replacing antennas. I need help in understanding how high is too
> high. Yes, I can quickly remove the CB antenna if I have too (It will
> be the highest.
> But I don't want to, at least not very often.
>
> If my total height is 14' 8" is that too high? Will I be alright on
> the big roads?
>
> Thanks in advance.
>
> -James
> 78FC33SB
> LasVEgas NV
>