UHF Antenna Bonnet Mount for 2.2L Defender 110

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Originally Posted by trout1105

Have you thought about drilling a hole in the top of the mudguard and fitting the antenna there ?

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Yes that's an ideal place but as I said in the original post, I'm trying to avoid drilling holes in a near new Defender so my wife can get a good price for it when I cark it.
However, that's one place it might end up. It's probably the simplest to achieve.
Regards
Old Tony

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Originally Posted by DiscoMick

I bought a gutter mount and fitted it above the driver's door, so I can stick my arm out and put it up. Works fine.
As you said, a spare wheel mount is another good choice.
The higher it is the less signal is blocked by the vehicle, but also the more likely a tree is to hit it. That why I like having the adjustable gutter mount - it can be up high, but I can also lower it.

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Thanks swaggie
Yes a gutter mount was my choice. I got one that can be swivelled to lay flat when needs be. The problem it seats so poorly in the neoprene in the gutter and wobbles out away from the car and then back with a clink. It just won't seat squarely and stay there.
I wish it wasn't the case but I have tried in every gutter location. The stuff that LR puts in the gutter is flush with the top of the gutter over the rear door and within 5mm of the top of the gutter elsewhere.
Grrrrrr!!

Old Tony

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Originally Posted by oldtony65

Yes that's an ideal place but as I said in the original post, I'm trying to avoid drilling holes in a near new Defender so my wife can get a good price for it when I cark it.
However, that's one place it might end up. It's probably the simplest to achieve.
Regards
Old Tony

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Another alternative is to use a good quality Hand Held UHF instead of the in car units, These have a pretty good range and with most of them an external antenna can be rigged IF you absolutely Have to get more range [thumbsupbig]

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Originally Posted by oldtony65

Thanks swaggie
Yes a gutter mount was my choice. I got one that can be swivelled to lay flat when needs be. The problem it seats so poorly in the neoprene in the gutter and wobbles out away from the car and then back with a clink. It just won't seat squarely and stay there.
I wish it wasn't the case but I have tried in every gutter location. The stuff that LR puts in the gutter is flush with the top of the gutter over the rear door and within 5mm of the top of the gutter elsewhere.
Grrrrrr!!

Old Tony

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Maybe you can mount it to something like another bracket or a hard piece to fit under the mount.

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Originally Posted by oldtony65

Yes you're right that bull bar mounts are simplest. I live in the city so "designer" bull bars are everywhere.
However as I said, it's a lot of dough to spend just to mount an antenna and my past experiences show that they don't always prevent wallabies, roos and sheep from passing through. Fortunately the sheep I hit a long time ago came through the bar on an old Cruiser then, slid up the windscreen and ended up dead in the back of the ute. I'll treat that one as a last resort.
All the experts seem united that a small antenna on the roof will beat a long antenna on the bulbar.

I just want to get it up high where I've got good range in most directions.
Thanks Mate
Old Tony

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Sorry, I misread your original post.... so no, I wouldn't recommend buying a bull bar just to mount an antenna. Go for a roof gutter mount, I'm sure the right one will turn up.

Cheers.

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Originally Posted by trout1105

Magnetic mounts don't work that well on aluminium roofs and panel work. [bigwhistle]

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OP mentioned a 2015 model. Bonnet is steel. (As are door skins for that matter). If stuck (ie not speeding down a motorway) Whack the mag base and steel whip antenna onto the middle of the bonnet.

(and as you suggested - a good 5w handheld and external antenna cable back thru the window would let you sit comfortable in the vehicle or swag while using the radio. And best - no holes or mounting even for the radio. Preserving the vehicle pristine as desired.

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Originally Posted by tact

OP mentioned a 2015 model. Bonnet is steel. (As are door skins for that matter). If stuck (ie not speeding down a motorway) Whack the mag base and steel whip antenna onto the middle of the bonnet.

(and as you suggested - a good 5w handheld and external antenna cable back thru the window would let you sit comfortable in the vehicle or swag while using the radio. And best - no holes or mounting even for the radio. Preserving the vehicle pristine as desired.

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Thanks Neil
I'd forgotten that the bonnet is steel. Maybe I'll try the magnetic base if all else fails.
I've found a beautiful Italian (Equipe 4x4) mount but it means drilling several holes high up beside the back door.

Still thinking but bonnet mount sounds good.
Old Tony

Maybe you could mount a bracket to the spare wheel carrier held on by a wheel nut?

So putting the antenna on the original radio aerial for these radios is a no-no? Better on a gutter mount since higher?