Race Radio ant. Tuning

[Blanco]

I'm a little confused about whats really involved in tuning a race radio ant.
to work best for a paticular set up?

Might any of you be able to help me out here? :confused:

I'm still wishful on making the 500 & if so I should be good to go with my GPS & Race radio I hope! :o

I have no idea how to operate either one.

But what I do know is that a Race radio somehow needs to be tuned via its Freq. range to its ant. . I heard rumor that you can buy an ant & cut t to certain length etc.

I'm hoping to learn enough to buy the right one before the 500 ( assuming I make it. :o )

[toddz69]

I'm a little confused about whats really involved in tuning a race radio ant.
to work best for a paticular set up?

Might any of you be able to help me out here? :confused:

I'm still wishful on making the 500 & if so I should be good to go with my GPS & Race radio I hope! :o

I have no idea how to operate either one.

But what I do know is that a Race radio somehow needs to be tuned via its Freq. range to its ant. . I heard rumor that you can buy an ant & cut t to certain length etc.

I'm hoping to learn enough to buy the right one before the 500 ( assuming I make it. :o )

Go to the PCI trailer (or similar radio vendor, Racer X, etc.) at contingency and buy the antenna from them. Tell them the main freak you're running (in your case, Mosses) and they can cut the antenna to the proper length for you.

Todd Z.

[Blanco]

Go to the PCI trailer (or similar radio vendor, Racer X, etc.) at contingency and buy the antenna from them. Tell them the main freak you're running (in your case, Mosses) and they can cut the antenna to the proper length for you.

Todd Z.

Thanks....

But I want an open range....

I bought the Icom V-8000 & thats allows a free range...

So what ever works for the most comman race freq. ranges would be good.

Dont most race radios work within a close range? :confused:

& might you know what I should expect to spend?

[Moss2]

Yeah what Todd said.. You cant have it perfect for the whole range. pick a freq. in the middle of your range or the one you want it to work the best on and give them that for a baseline. You can tune them on the car to but you need a meter and someone who knows how to do it plus an extra antenna or wire to try different lengths. ( Tip, most whips are harder than your wire cutters so use a grinder or...)

[Blanco]

Ken, are you guys along the Middle of the Range? :confused:

If so, I'll just do that & then buy what they recomend...

But what might this cost? :confused:

Moneys really tight right now..

[Moss2]

Sorry I dont have the Freq. list with me but I think we are up closer to the top of the range most people use. 156. something. $45 for antenna and $30 for a mount (either magnetic or drill)

[Salttoy]

Cam, I have all the information at home, frequency, antenna length and VHF frequency range. Cliff and I tuned my 5/8 wave antenna at the start of the 1000 to use on Ken's truck. Ken is right, they are hard as hell and we used a file to cut it to length. I'll try and post the info later tonight - Gary

[Blanco]

http://www.thewebwheeler.com/forums/images/smilies/awesome_dude.gif Thanks Gary!

[JPhillips]

Also about that model radio I have two and my friend has one, expect the mike to go bad.PCI sold me one that had less buttons and was sealed better. They told me that that happens all the time on that radio, and that that model is actually illeagle by the FCC! Oh well.

[Blanco]

Also about that model radio I have two and my friend has one, expect the mike to go bad.PCI sold me one that had less buttons and was sealed better. They told me that that happens all the time on that radio, and that that model is actually illeagle by the FCC! Oh well.

Yeah The Mics are known to go out. :rolleyes:

I also know a few guys that have had that issue.

Their only illegal if you Modify it in ways that The FCC controls..
Its not Illegal to monitor the radio at all but with mods to Transmit.......... Well.........:o

& I dont think the FCC really has much to say about what happens in Mexico? http://www.thewebwheeler.com/forums/images/smilies/shrug.gif

[Salttoy]

Ok Cam here is all the information that I promised earlier.

1.) The following is a description of all the VHF frequencies, uses and ranges

United States
The general services in the VHF band are:

30–46 MHz: Licensed 2-way land mobile communication
30–88 MHz: Military VHF-FM, including SINCGARS
43–50 MHz: Cordless telephones, "49 MHz" FM walkie-talkies, and mixed 2-way mobile communication
50–54 MHz: Amateur radio 6 meter band
54–72 MHz: TV channels 2-4
72–76 MHz: Remote Control devices
76–82 MHz: TV channel 5
82–88 MHz: TV channel 6
88–108 MHz: FM radio broadcasting (88–92 non-commercial, 92–108 commercial)
108–118 MHz: Air navigation beacons VOR
118–132 MHz: Airband for air traffic control, AM, 121.5 MHz is emergency frequency
132–144 MHz: Auxiliary civil services, satellite, space research, and other miscellaneous services
144–148 MHz: Amateur band 2 Meters
148–156 MHz: "VHF Business band," the unlicensed Multi-Use Radio Service (MURS), and other 2-way land mobile, FM
156–174 MHz VHF Marine Radio; narrow band FM, 156.8 MHz (Channel 16) is the maritime emergency and contact frequency. The 160 and 161 areas are AAR 99 channel railroad radios issued to the railroad (Sample, AAR 21 is 160.425 and that is issued to TVRM and other railroads that want AAR 21)
162.40–162.55: NOAA Weather Stations, narrowband FM
174–216 MHz: TV channels 7 through 13, and professional wireless microphones (low power, certain exact frequencies only)
216–222 MHz: reserved for future use
222–225 MHz: Amateur "1¼ Meter" band (really closer to 1.33M)
above 225 MHz: Federal services, notably military aircraft radio (225–400 MHz) AM, including HAVE QUICK, dGPS RTCM-104

2.) Here are the frequencies that are programmed into our radios.

Channel, Frequency, Channel Name
1, 151.625 Weatherman
2, 151.955 Honda
3, 151.715 BFG Relay
4, 157.XXX Cal Poly 1
5, 157.XXX Cal Poly 2
6, 153.395 BFG Main

Cal poly 1&2 are our main channels and the exact frequencies can be obtained at our race meeting prior to the race.

3.) This is the tuning chart that i recieved with my 5/8 wave vhf whip. It provides the length of the whip based on the frequency.

Frequency, Length(inches)
143 = 49.5
145 = 48.75
147 = 47.625
149 = 46.875
151 = 45.937
153 = 45.062
155 = 44.187
157 = 43.312
159 = 42.625
161 = 42.000
163 = 41.437
165 = 40.562
167 = 39.750
169 = 39.000
171 = 38.187
173 = 37.375

Hope that helps, let me know if you need anything else. - Gary

[chupakabras]

that's great, always want it to know that, well, never search for it, but, thks a lot.

[Blanco]

http://www.thewebwheeler.com/forums/images/smilies/awesome_dude.gif

You & your Bro really are brainiack types Huh? :confused:

I almost wanna make this a sticky...

But I know I can just contact you later. ;)

[Rocketman]

I had a friend who knows too much about radio's bring over this thing called a Signal Wave Ratio Meter (swr) and we sat in the truck with this thing and it hooked in line between the ant. and the radio he was able to dial my Ant. in to the channel i'm on most tuned to...This made a big difference in the performance of my radios...he said that for best performance an ant. should be tuned on the vehicle with this method.....

[Blanco]

This reminds me how I need to buy a printer for my lap top.

Because I really want to print out that Info.

Thanks again Gary.

[RelentlessPursuitRacing]

I am buying 2 handheld radios and should have them with me for the 500. They are going to program them in the morning and ship them out to me.
They are 16 channel radios and I am thinking I will match them to the radio I have in my truck. This is what I have now.

OH CHASE
OH RACER
OH ALT
BFG PIT
BFG RL
WEATHR
MAG 7
FAIR
CHECKR
LOCO
CAMPOS
BAJA PIT
MOSS 1
MOSS 2

OH=OLD HORSE RACING
I don't even remember what MAG 7, CAMPOS, or FAIR are. Isn't CHECKERS another free pit group?

I am doing the 500 with the Moss crew. Can you think of any other channels I would need or anything in there that I dont need? I have 2 more open spots on the handhelds with this line up.

Also, how do I go about getting frequencies for me to use once I start racing? Is is something I can do now and have them program them in or do I just need to pick something while down there that doesnt have to much traffic? Thanks for the info. Jerry

[toddz69]

I am buying 2 handheld radios and should have them with me for the 500. They are going to program them in the morning and ship them out to me.
They are 16 channel radios and I am thinking I will match them to the radio I have in my truck. This is what I have now.

OH CHASE
OH RACER
OH ALT
BFG PIT
BFG RL
WEATHR
MAG 7
FAIR
CHECKR
LOCO
CAMPOS
BAJA PIT
MOSS 1
MOSS 2

OH=OLD HORSE RACING
I don't even remember what MAG 7, CAMPOS, or FAIR are. Isn't CHECKERS another free pit group?

I am doing the 500 with the Moss crew. Can you think of any other channels I would need or anything in there that I dont need? I have 2 more open spots on the handhelds with this line up.

Also, how do I go about getting frequencies for me to use once I start racing? Is is something I can do now and have them program them in or do I just need to pick something while down there that doesnt have to much traffic? Thanks for the info. Jerry

Mag 7, Campos (which is likely short for Los Campeones (sp?) and FAIR are all pitting groups. Campos doesn't exist anymore, as far as I know. Checkers is another popular drinking group that does some pitting. I think you've got the major freqs covered.

Jerry - I know you're just doing primarily SCORE race stuff right now, but if you've got 2 extra channels left, I'd put the BITD main freak on there too. Handy to have in case you go to one of their races.

Todd Z.

[Salttoy]

Jerry,
There is another frequency that is fairly new to monitor car positions during the race so that the weatherman can focus on his primary duties of emergencies. I do not have that frequency with me and will have wait till I get home tonight.

-Gary

[Blanco]

The Checkers will Probably have around 5 Pits or so...

I would'nt call them a Free Pit Group...
They are there for Their team 1st, But they will never turn you away if you need help with something. :)

While I was with them at the 250 we changed a tire on a Trophy truck & Added water To another & gave them some more water to take with them.

& neither of them were Checkers..

I dont know much about how the others Operate.

[Blanco]

Jerry,
There is another frequency that is fairly new to monitor car positions during the race so that the weatherman can focus on his primary duties of emergencies. I do not have that frequency with me and will have wait till I get home tonight.

-Gary

Good to know...
Thanks again Gary.

[toddz69]

The Checkers will Probably have around 5 Pits or so...

I would'nt call them a Free Pit Group...
They are there for Their team 1st, But they will never turn you away if you need help with something. :)

While I was with them at the 250 we changed a tire on a Trophy truck & Added water To another & gave them some more water to take with them.

& neither of them were Checkers..

I dont know much about how the others Operate.

Mag 7 and FAIR are similar to Checkers. Their primary loyalty and responsibilities are to their club members, but you won't be turned away if you really need help, like you say.

Todd Z.

[RelentlessPursuitRacing]

Jerry,
There is another frequency that is fairly new to monitor car positions during the race so that the weatherman can focus on his primary duties of emergencies. I do not have that frequency with me and will have wait till I get home tonight.

-GaryWOW, great info! Any idea of what I could search under or where to look. I am hoping to get them the FREQ's ASAP so they can program the radios in the next hour or so and get them shipped off to me for the 500. They have to get shipped today. Great info, everyone. Keep it coming. Thanks. Jerry

[Salttoy]

Jerry, here is the information that I remembered. It sounds like it was a test for last years Baja 500 that PCI tried out. If you have an extra channel on your radio, I would the PCI customer frequency to it: 154:515.

-Gary.


Re: PCI radio relay?

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

As most of you know, the Weatherman channel is 151.625. Weatherman is used for emergencies, SCORE business, racer business, and when time permits, a status report for cars that are seriously overdue. The Weatherman channel is for everyone who needs help and the Weatherman will do relays for anyone as long as they are on a legal frequency. (no relays on between band/illegal frequencies).

The "PCI customer relay" 154.515, is just what it sounds like, a relay for PCI customers only. Programmed into the stock frequency list of every radio we sell, normally channel 16 on your radio, this channel is an added bonus and support tool for the racers who support PCI. For those of you who would like to listen in feel free, but please only transmit on this frequency if you are on a PCI Race Radio.

At the Baja 500, we ran a test on the PCI customer relay channel with Tony Tellier and the people of Petes camp calling out every car through every check point. We hope to refine our system to better keep track of cars - with the amount of racers in todays events, status is getting out of hand and tying up way to much of our valuable band width. My Father, the Weatherman (who started PCI Race Radios) is in the process of putting together the "Weatherman Speaks." He will address some of the issues and procedures for using the Weatherman Relay and things that all of us supporters of off road racing can do to enhance our communications at the races and add to the overall safety of these great events.

Hope this clears up the confusion, email me or give me a call anytime for questions. scott@pciraceradios.com (562) 427-8177. For questions specific to the Weatherman, my father is "semi-retired" but can be reached at weatherman@pciraceradios.com.
__________________
God Bless America

Scott Steinberger Trophy Truck #7

[Blanco]

I'm gonna buy my radio ant today.
Probably before you get a chance to reply to this queston. :rolleyes:

But should I get a ANT that sit around the 155 range so I'm some where in the middle? :confused:

[Blanco]

Ok I went with the high Dollar set up & bought a $75.00 ANT thats set up to run Optimal at 141-160 Freq range....

As they say you get what you pay for. :o

Being I wanted to have a very flexable radio set up, this helps out big time! :D

I was having a hard time decideing what range to cut my Ant at.. :confused:

& then I learned of this ant that cost alot more but would do what I was hoping..... It was a no brainer.. http://www.thewebwheeler.com/forums/images/smilies/7.gif

I'll post pics of the set up along with the rest of the Pics from Baja..
Once I get back. :)