Thread: UHF Antenna Bonnet Mount for 2.2L Defender 110

Bull bar mounts are the simplest approach. Most quality antennas have an independent ground plane built into them nowadays, so interference from the cabin is minimal.

Cheers.

Originally Posted by oldtony65

Working on the known theory that higher with low dB gain is better than low with high dB gain and the fact that I only want the radio in case I get stuck somewhere (so I want the best range) I tried a roof bar mount. I gave up when I bought a Rhino bar (for Defender) but on my first highway only run it fell off twice. The neoprene (standard) in my gutters is so deep there's not much lip left to hold the Rhino cleats.

If a mount on the roof bars works for you, perhaps you could persevere with the roof bar. To get my roof bars to stick, I had to move the uprights out a bit ( 25mm or so) to get the lips to hold on to the gutters. Also you will have to re tighten them every day a few days as the mastic sinks down. I cart a kayak around so I had to get them right.

If your looking for something to hang off the spare tyre I'd reckon Daniel at the Expedition Centre would know someone who could fab one up for you. 4x4 Land Rover Toyota Nissan Frontrunner Touring Online Store - Expedition Centre Overlander

Cheers Glen

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

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.

Originally Posted by oldtony65

[...] and the fact that I only want the radio in case I get stuck somewhere (so I want the best range)

If you only want to use it in case you are stuck somewhere - Would a magnetic mount do? Only put it on the roof when you are stuck. Stow it away when motoring at speed.

Originally Posted by tact

If you only want to use it in case you are stuck somewhere - Would a magnetic mount do? Only put it on the roof when you are stuck. Stow it away when motoring at speed.

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

Originally Posted by Dorian

If a mount on the roof bars works for you, perhaps you could persevere with the roof bar. To get my roof bars to stick, I had to move the uprights out a bit ( 25mm or so) to get the lips to hold on to the gutters. Also you will have to re tighten them every day a few days as the mastic sinks down. I cart a kayak around so I had to get them right.

If your looking for something to hang off the spare tyre I'd reckon Daniel at the Expedition Centre would know someone who could fab one up for you. 4x4 Land Rover Toyota Nissan Frontrunner Touring Online Store - Expedition Centre Overlander

Cheers Glen

Thanks Glen. Yes I know Daniel but hadn't thought to ask him. I'll do that tomorrow. That's a good suggestion.

Originally Posted by LR V8

Bull bar mounts are the simplest approach. Most quality antennas have an independent ground plane built into them nowadays, so interference from the cabin is minimal.

Cheers.

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