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Majestic Tree H
UKC Forum Member

Registered: Nov 2005
Location: New Market Va
Posts: 4670

Thats why its important to Cut the Length to the Mid point of the Freq. Range. But also remember that the Lower the Freq. used = Greater Distance "Not a Lot But More"

You add 151.82+154.6 and devide by 2 = 153.21 Freq. but I would rather cut to about 152.9 ..

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Last edited by Majestic Tree H on 01-31-2012 at 02:49 AM

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01-31-2012 12:33 AM

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Bob Burns
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Registered: Jul 2011
Location: Greenville SC
Posts: 35

Are you measuring the total length from eyelet to the tip or do you start the measurement when the antenna exits the housing.

The replacement antenna that I have is almost twenty one inches over all and is on a dc30.

The original antennas from Garmin both measure 14 inches over all. ??

Could the diameter of the wire account for the twenty one inches?

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01-31-2012 02:46 AM

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Hoosier Outlaw
UKC Forum Member

Registered: Jun 2010
Location: Marion, Indiana
Posts: 4280

quote:
Originally posted by Bob Burns
Are you measuring the total length from eyelet to the tip or do you start the measurement when the antenna exits the housing.

The replacement antenna that I have is almost twenty one inches over all and is on a dc30.

The original antennas from Garmin both measure 14 inches over all. ??

Could the diameter of the wire account for the twenty one inches?

I have a little trouble with this also. I have tested antennas from 16.5 inches to 19.750 inches long and they all work. 18.8 is what seems to be optimum for me on the dc 40 but there is not much gained over the 19.750 inch long antenna. The longer antenna works even though it's out of the ideal frequency range....and even works better than the Garmin original antenna....so I am a little stumped as to how long or short is too far out of frequency to work. I think one of the most important things is that your antenna sticks as strait up as possible. the cable antennas droop over and that reduces range by quite a bit...at least in my testing.....Shane

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01-31-2012 03:39 AM

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flasher87
UKC Forum Member

Registered: Jul 2010
Location:
Posts: 104

This maybe a dumb question, inappropriate, and could already have been addressed - but what length antenna does a SWR meter reveal is the best?

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01-31-2012 04:25 AM

Charles Pullen
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Registered: May 2010
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Posts: 1793

pm sent Steve

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Majestic Tree H
UKC Forum Member

Registered: Nov 2005
Location: New Market Va
Posts: 4670

There are Just So Many Variables when using a Cable as a antenna ..

What Dia. are the Cables ??

Are the cable antennas Galv. Steel or Stainless Steel ??? Galv. Steel or Black Steel Coated Cables are Subjected to Magnetic Earth that will Destort the RF Field Exp. when its Opperating at 1' to 2' above the ground .. Our Ground is loaded with Iron Ore which may have Different - or + Magnetic Fields so I must use a Non-Ferrous Material (Copper or Stainless Steel)

Heck there's even a Difference From Stranded Cable and Solid Rod/Wire

"Non-ferrous strands are typically used in electrical engineering applications where electrical conductivity is required, such as for antennas and conductors."

Just a Observation I made on my Beep Beep Collars, I have 2 RATS Collars and 2 Wildlife Collars ...

The RATS collar Antennas are Galv Steel Cable and Non - Replaceable ... I get More Signal Bounce and much less Distance from these collars then my Wildlife Collars with Stainless Steel Antennas plus a Greater Reception Distance..

As Far a Testing with a SWR ... I bought a "High Dollar" $35.00 SWR meter and made 2 Clip X type "N" Connectors with very short Shielded Coax pigtails to Test the Org. Garmin Antenna and the one I made ... Well this Mickey mouse SWR did'nt show Any Difference ...

One Reason maybe is that The Collar Transmits Very Quick and Short .. So the Meter will Bounce up then go flat so I would stare at it while trying to mark it with a Pen ..

Last edited by Majestic Tree H on 01-31-2012 at 03:05 PM

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01-31-2012 12:26 PM

Majestic Tree H
UKC Forum Member

Registered: Nov 2005
Location: New Market Va
Posts: 4670

I thought this was Kinda neat !! over the 2-1/2 hours of Testing Antennas
The Collar was in the Same Spot 3' off the Ground ..

I guess this is from Recieving Different Sat. Locations ?? .. I do know the Collar was'nt Moved ..

One More Thing !!!!!

I asked a Fellow that Makes and Sells a $20 "Long Range Antenna" to Please show me a Photo of his Garmin Locked on the Collar .... I really wanted to Know what Distances he was Getting .....

Well He Ignored my request ???

These Garmins Don't Lie and you Can't make it Show its Lock on the Collar when it isn't ...

Elevation Profile of my Test Range "Not Flat Country"

Guys I'am NO Antenna Specialist !!!! I'am Making No Claims That you'l Get Much More Distance than a Stock Garmin Antenna ... I just got on the Internet and Read a Bunch of Crap .. But I did my best in Testing against the Garmin Antenna and Got a Bit Better Signal But that could be from Height of the Antenna .. The thing is were I hunt if my hounds go over a Mountain it takes me 35-45 min. to get to the other side, Then I must face the Mountain at 3-4 mile away and then Determine Whitch road to Take in to Get to them as Quickly as Posible ... If I'am Free Casting on the Mountain it may take me up to 2 hours to get to them ..

Last edited by Majestic Tree H on 01-31-2012 at 03:52 PM

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01-31-2012 01:05 PM

Majestic Tree H
UKC Forum Member

Registered: Nov 2005
Location: New Market Va
Posts: 4670

Ok I found a real neat Web Site on Air Craft Antennas..

http://www.cumulus-soaring.com/xcom...ies%20Guide.pdf

"Generally, a larger diameter antenna will give you broader band performance. That is, an
antenna that is large in diameter or flat and wide like the internal dipoles will give you much
better broadband performance than a thin stainless steel antenna. When a thin stainless steel
antenna is tuned to 127 MHz (roughly the middle of the aircraft band) the maximum broadband
performance it can give is around 5 MHz whereas larger diameter antennas can give broadband
performance over 10 MHz range."

So basicly the Large Dia. the Wider the Band width .. So Mine has Wide Bandwidth

So I guess this is why Garmin uses a Very Fine Stainless Steel Wire ..

HUGE NOTE:

"Transmitting (more than 1-2 sec for test purposes) without an antenna connected or with an
antenna grossly out of tune could damage the radio. The energy produced by the radio when in
transmit mode needs to radiate (and hence dissipate heat). If it is unable to do so (for whatever
reason) it will be reflected back into the radio and damage the PA (Power Amplifier) unit."

Last edited by Majestic Tree H on 01-31-2012 at 04:30 PM

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01-31-2012 04:26 PM

riveroakblk&tan
UKC Forum Member

Registered: May 2005
Location: spartanburg, s.c.
Posts: 306

test

Have you tried the anttenaes testing both dc30 and dc40 collars and found any real differences in range and strength of signal.

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02-01-2012 03:23 AM

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peachcreek
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Registered: Jan 2012
Location:
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Re: test

quote:
Originally posted by riveroakblk&tan
Have you tried the anttenaes testing both dc30 and dc40 collars and found any real differences in range and strength of signal.

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02-02-2012 12:33 AM

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Majestic Tree H
UKC Forum Member

Registered: Nov 2005
Location: New Market Va
Posts: 4670

I don't have any 30s ... sorry about that ..

Heck I didn't even buy a Garmin till I trully felt that They had most all the Bugs out .. And that was 3 months ago ...

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02-02-2012 12:48 AM

Hoosier Outlaw
UKC Forum Member

Registered: Jun 2010
Location: Marion, Indiana
Posts: 4280

Re: test

quote:
Originally posted by riveroakblk&tan
Have you tried the anttenaes testing both dc30 and dc40 collars and found any real differences in range and strength of signal.

I am pretty sure the 30's and 40's use the same frequency range and the antennas I make are being tested on both with about equal results. I am not sure why the 30's come with a shorter antenna than the 40's, but I have found that 18.5" up to 19" get the optimum range in all my testing...
Shane

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02-02-2012 03:31 AM

lostriver
UKC Forum Member

Registered: Jan 2011
Location: Western Montana
Posts: 33

Awesome post

Awesome post gents, thanks for shareing your insight and testing. I too have quizzed some sellers of so called longrange antennas and I have never gotten a satifsfactory answer. Great info and keep it coming! Casey

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02-02-2012 05:35 AM

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Majestic Tree H
UKC Forum Member

Registered: Nov 2005
Location: New Market Va
Posts: 4670

I still have allot of ?? on the DC40 collars ... Are the ones that were Manufactured in say the Past 3-4 months Better then Or Made Slightly Differently than they were when they first came out ??

I bought mine from Best Buy !! And I'll tell you why ... I paid an extra $35 for a Extended Warranty (No Questions Asked and They Give you a Brand new one for the next 2 years ) and That They Had Just Stocked Fresh Newly made Garmin Devices ..

Now Right out of the box with the Short Antenna on the Hand Held I only got 900 yards Maybe and then it would Drop with the ? mark ...

I then Switched to the 13-1/2 in Extended Antenna and got About the Same thing ... Well I knew something had to be Wrong ... so I measured the Male pin that screws on and Found that it just wasn't making a full seat into the Hand held .. (After Reading on here that You could Spin and Break the Connection on the Hand Held I wasn't going to screw down real Tight) But I ended up Trimming about 1/16 of an Inch of rubber off the 13-1/2 Extended Antenna and my range went out to 4+ miles Before Dropping ..

Last edited by Majestic Tree H on 02-02-2012 at 05:07 PM

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02-02-2012 05:04 PM

Tyler Vaden
UKC Forum Member

Registered: Dec 2005
Location: Knoxville Tn
Posts: 1814

I got this today from a 220 with the ant it came with and a DC-30 with a Tuff Skin from Conkey's

This is the best I have ever got period

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Majestic Tree H
UKC Forum Member

Registered: Nov 2005
Location: New Market Va
Posts: 4670

Have you Tried the Rubber 13-1/2" antenna from Garmin ??

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02-02-2012 08:38 PM

peachcreek
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Registered: Jan 2012
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I got 3.5 miles today with mine... that is the best so far for me. I bought a antenna from a cb shop that is tuned to 152.5 and 42" long. this is with a dc30. I really need to figure out how to make a new antenna for the dc30.

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02-03-2012 03:21 AM

Tyler Vaden
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Registered: Dec 2005
Location: Knoxville Tn
Posts: 1814

quote:
Originally posted by Majestic Tree H
Have you Tried the Rubber 13-1/2" antenna from Garmin ??

No I have not, but I do have the folding one and it works better then the factor one.

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02-03-2012 01:33 PM

Majestic Tree H
UKC Forum Member

Registered: Nov 2005
Location: New Market Va
Posts: 4670

Well shucks that thing should be getting some reception !!

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02-03-2012 04:40 PM

mucket
UKC Forum Member

Registered: Oct 2008
Location: Ohio
Posts: 1063

I just bought a 320 is my map card transferable,can i take it out of the 220 an put it in the 320? this may be a stupid question but my 320 will be here today when the mail runs so i havent seen it yet.

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02-03-2012 06:03 PM

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mucket
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Registered: Oct 2008
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Posts: 1063

Also could you call me at our convenience shane please an thank you.

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02-03-2012 06:04 PM

Hoosier Outlaw
UKC Forum Member

Registered: Jun 2010
Location: Marion, Indiana
Posts: 4280

quote:
Originally posted by mucket
I just bought a 320 is my map card transferable,can i take it out of the 220 an put it in the 320? this may be a stupid question but my 320 will be here today when the mail runs so i havent seen it yet.

Yes the map card will work in either. I got a 320 about a month ago and swapped mine out and it works fine.

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02-03-2012 08:01 PM

jodaviess1
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Location: Jodaviess Co. N.W. IL.
Posts: 3597

PHONE NUMBER

SHANE,
COULD YOU PM ME YOUR NUMBER? TODD ACKERMAN WANTS TO GIVE YOU A CALL. THANKS. <v>

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Hoosier Outlaw
UKC Forum Member

Registered: Jun 2010
Location: Marion, Indiana
Posts: 4280

Guys, I don't give my number out....sorry
You can pm me or email me but I am just too busy to spend all day on the phone. I wish I had more time to talk to people but I just don't. I have only had 1 day off work in 2012 at my factory job and have many other irons in the fire in addition to work...I hope everyone can understand where I am coming from....Shane