Airsoft Arizona

General Airsoft Arizona => Reviews => Topic started by: Airsofter1 on September 03, 2007, 08:10:13 PM

Title: Red Dog Radio Remote Antenna
Post by: Airsofter1 on September 03, 2007, 08:10:13 PM

I had Tom at Red Dog Radios fill a custom request for gear for me.
I wanted to relocate the antenna on my Icom F4 radio to a different spot.  I always carry one radio on the front of my body, so the antenna is in the way in one form or another.  One solution to this was to deal with it, or the other was to move the antenna to a different spot out of the way.
I had made one attempt with a homemade version, but the connections were weak because I did not have the proper adapter connections.  After several conversations with Tom about this, he came up with this -
(http://img525.imageshack.us/img525/7692/dsc04420gp5.jpg)
Using a "Icom MX" to BNC adapter he was able to fashion a LMR195 cable to connect to the radio leading to the antenna.  I was then able to relocate to a different location on the back of my gear.
(http://img530.imageshack.us/img530/7374/dsc04422hb9.jpg)
I left the cable showing in this pic.  I usually have it tucked underneath the mag pouches.
(http://img525.imageshack.us/img525/723/dsc04423xe0.jpg)
I put the antenna as far up on my body as I could with it interfering or getting in the way of all the ninja rolls and leaping I do playing airsoft.  In this position there is probably also the small additional benefit of RX/TX clarity.  
(http://img187.imageshack.us/img187/2545/dsc04239to4.jpg)
To finish it off I had the gear gurus at the Coyote Tactical Gear Labs in Tempe, AZ come up with this handy MOLLE mounted mast holder for the antenna.  It holds the antenna in place very securely where ever I decide to mount it.

I like it, and it works very well for me.  Toms workmanship is top notch with this piece of kit!  With the addition of the antenna mast holder everything is complete for you to start chatting up the airwaves with tacticool banter between you and your friends.  If this is something you might be in the market for I highly recommend Red Dog Radio!

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Post by: Raith on September 03, 2007, 09:05:50 PM

Looking good, Mikey.  Does the proximity of your hydration carrier full of water to the antenna cause any problems?

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Post by: usafcajun on September 03, 2007, 10:35:03 PM

Oh I need to get one of those molle holders...... I had Tom build me one of those remote antenna's as well.  I'm using zipties atm to hold it to the molle.

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Post by: Airsofter1 on September 04, 2007, 12:06:49 AM

Quote from: "Raith"

Looking good, Mikey.  Does the proximity of your hydration carrier full of water to the antenna cause any problems?

I have not noticed any ill effects.  From my estimation because the antenna is above the hydration carrier the water should not be interfering with the signal.  My advanced education in this field tells me a radio antenna transmits the best signal when placed vertically in as high a position as possible.  Being above the hydration carrier and not next to it is probably a better position for it.

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Post by: Kurn on September 04, 2007, 12:09:19 AM

How much is Red Dog Radios charging for it?

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Post by: deathbydanish on September 04, 2007, 12:12:04 AM

Interesting, I was wondering what happened to your antenna on Sunday. How did it work out? I seem to remember you were doing some high altitude airsofting  :P

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Post by: Firebert on September 04, 2007, 02:04:57 AM

I'm just curious why you had the 90 deg turn added in?  That cable would be pretty simple to make and I have the tools and hardware to do it.

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Post by: Kileyhaz on September 04, 2007, 07:01:22 AM

Very nice!

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Post by: Airsofter1 on September 04, 2007, 11:36:07 AM

Quote from: "Firebert"

I'm just curious why you had the 90 deg turn added in?  That cable would be pretty simple to make and I have the tools and hardware to do it.

The LMR cable is pretty stiff.  I have a customized radio pouch from the geniuses at the Coyote Tactical Gear Labs in Tempe, AZ where I run the cable down to exit the pouch at the bottom.  Bending the cable around to go down still was in the way.  It was still about 3/4 the height of the antenna.  The 90 degree made it more low profile.

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Post by: Firebert on September 04, 2007, 12:31:34 PM

These have the wrong ends but the LMR-100 is very flexible and durable.  

http://www.universal-radio.com/catalog/cable/4791.jpg (http://www.universal-radio.com/catalog/cable/4791.jpg)

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Post by: Farslayer on September 04, 2007, 01:23:21 PM

Very nice Mikey...beats gouging out your eye  #-o .  Looks sweet too.