Murs Radio

[Justus]

For MURS transmitting you'll need a MURS antenna.
You have only 2 watts to work with so the antenna needs
to be very efficient.

Are you looking for the rooftop antenna like you mentioned earlier?

You can definitely build your own antenna but you'll need
an SWR meter, at least, to be sure it's tuned to 154 MHz.

Arrow Antenna and Centerfire Antenna are 2 manufacturers
that handle antennas specifically for MURS.

[ar15junkie]

Justus, I think I have a swr meter around here somewhere. I don't remember how to use it but I think I have one.

For now a roof or attic antenna is my goal. What would you recommend for that? I'm off to find my meter. Thank you.

[Justus]

The meter needs to be for 154 MHz, (a CB meter will not work).
A 2 meter ham meter will work.

The J-pole is great. The down side is their size, they're pretty tall.
My personal preference is a regular 1/4 wave ground plane.

Here's a simple homebrew antenna:

BUILD A GROUND PLANE ANTENNA FOR 2 METERS AND MORE - SIMPLE AND EASY!

Just change the dimensions as follows:
154 MHz:
A= 18"
B,C,D,E= 19"

add 1/2" to the above lengths if you plan to use 151 MHz

Use RG8X coax and use just enough coax to reach
from the antenna to the radio, in other words, don't
have alot of excess cable.

[ar15junkie]

Do you have a suggestion about what wire material would be best? The instructions say I can use a coat hanger? I have wire and probably even welding rods, does it make a difference on the radials?

Will this work ok from the attic or should I go for the roof?

Would 20ft of rg-58 be ok? Or do you know where I can get rg8x locally? Its RS cable which I find online to be the suck.

Are you going to the gun show in south bend tomorrow?

[Justus]

Welding rods would probably be best.
Whichever will solder better
You can even form a small loop on the vertical element and
hang it from a rafter with some fishing line.

It should work fine in the attic as long as you don't have a metal roof.


EDIT:

No I won't be going to the show.
Yes, RG58 is not so good.

[4sarge]

MURS: Frequently Asked Questions

[ar15junkie]

Originally Posted by Justus

Welding rods would probably be best.
Whichever will solder better
You can even form a small loop on the vertical element and
hang it from a rafter with some fishing line.

It should work fine in the attic as long as you don't have a metal roof.


EDIT:

No I won't be going to the show.
Yes, RG58 is not so good.

I didn't have welding rods long enough so I used #12 wire. We have to get another SMA - pl259 converter for the second radio but we did see an improvement. I was able to hear him from his house and understand some of what he said. I think when we get his antenna connected we'll be fine. I can't find any local place that has rg8x. Is there another cable I can use that will work? I think once the antenna is in place I will need about 35' of coax.

[AFA1CY]

Originally Posted by Justus

The meter needs to be for 154 MHz, (a CB meter will not work).
A 2 meter ham meter will work..

Not totally true. Some "CB" SWR meters will work on VHF. I use one for 2-meters all the time.

Originally Posted by Justus

Use RG8X coax and use just enough coax to reach
from the antenna to the radio, in other words, don't
have alot of excess cable.

You can also use RG6. This is the coax used for satellite dishs. Even though it is 75-ohm the difference will not effect the SWR that much and the loss is better then RG8X and a lot easier to find locally.

[AFA1CY]

One bit of warning on equipment (goes for MURS, GMRS, FRS, etc.). Be sure that it is FCC accepted. There are some imported transceivers being sold (on eBay and elsewhere) that are not accepted. Even though the seller says they are OK to use they are not. If the FCC catches you with one it could get expensive.

[Justus]

Originally Posted by ar15junkie

Is there another cable I can use that will work? I think once the antenna is in place I will need about 35' of coax.

Yep, use the RG6.