Aerial install for D3/D4 TailGate

[sniegy]

Hi all,
Just a few photo's of my aerial i fitted to my vehicle's tailgate.

I used this aerial base as i originally thought it may clear the tailgate when opening..
http://www.benelec.com.au/mobile_ant/images/027304.jpg

I was wrong, but i still had the aerial & didnt want to start again as this was a neat little unit.
Mount Part Number 027304. (This includes the aerial cable, bracket & Aerial connections at both ends.
Aerial Part Number 02634XC. Flexible plasticy/rubbery aerial.

The mount just curls around the tailgate top section & is secured by two grub screws.
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2010/05/1634.jpg

I had to make a small aluminium block to space the aerial away from the edge of the tailgate as so it would miss the roof when opening.
It all works well & nothing touches anywhere, the cable is relatively free with some slack which also doesnt catch on anything.


https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2010/05/1635.jpg

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2010/05/1636.jpg

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2010/05/1637.jpg

As you can see it is little different, but gives another idea of where to mount an aerial if you dont have/want a bullbar.

Parts all up was about $83.00

Cheers.

[ADMIRAL]

Perhaps difficult to compare, but I would be interested in how the location compares reception & transmission wise, to the more conventional bullbar mount.

I have an expedition rack which is not always left on, and the offset required to clear the rack is potentially not available, even with a larger block. However the bullbar seems to be on the never never,( ARB ) and I have to look at options for the radio.

If your roof mount works, I may be able to mount on the rack, but the antenna would be limited to a whip as you have used.

I have a query on the ground plane, but for the life of me I cannot recall whether a forward plane ( as in your installation ) gives better forward transmission/reception, or the other way around.

[Graeme]

Perhaps difficult to compare, but I would be interested in how the location compares reception & transmission wise, to the more conventional bullbar mount.
Generally a roof mounted antenna will give better all-round reception than most bull-bar mounted ones due to the shadow caused by the windows and roof being above the bonnet line limiting reception from the rear.

I prefer not to have an antenna waving around in front of me anyway.

[Bushwanderer]

Hi ADMIRAL,
I think that you will find that most, if not all, UHF antennas are now ground-plane independent, therefore not relying on the vehicle's metal to establish a ground plane.

This means that a UHF aerial can be mounted in any position on the vehicle. Any position at the same height will essentially have the same performance.

Now regarding bull-bar mounts: On my D1, the aerial mount on the bull bar was attached to the top cross bar. On my D3, I suspect to comply with regs, the antenna mounts on my ARB bar are at either corner of the main bar. I haven't measured that height difference, but if using the same antenna, it would compromise the rearward transmission. I have yet to try it in anger, but to minimise this effect, I've gone for a much longer antenna. However, now that I have a roof rack, I will consider mounting an antenna on that.

Best Wishes,
Peter



Perhaps difficult to compare, but I would be interested in how the location compares reception & transmission wise, to the more conventional bullbar mount.

I have an expedition rack which is not always left on, and the offset required to clear the rack is potentially not available, even with a larger block. However the bullbar seems to be on the never never,( ARB ) and I have to look at options for the radio.

If your roof mount works, I may be able to mount on the rack, but the antenna would be limited to a whip as you have used.

I have a query on the ground plane, but for the life of me I cannot recall whether a forward plane ( as in your installation ) gives better forward transmission/reception, or the other way around.

[ADMIRAL]

Thanks Bushwanderer,

I am interested in how a roof mounted antenna works out. I think the whippy antenna Sniegy has used is the go though. It would not like to have a hard antenna, even one on a spring base, lashing around on the roof, and I know it would act as a whipper snipper on the trees in some of the areas we go.

[Bushwanderer]

Hi Again ADMIRAL,
Yes, I agree that the style of antenna that sniegy has fitted would be ideal for a roof mount.

Best Wishes,
Peter

[Tombie]

Why didnt you just drill a hole in the roof :twisted::twisted:

[Bushwanderer]

Probably because there's no need.

What some others have done is mount the antenna to one of the tracks, a very suitable location.

Best Wishes,
Peter

[Tombie]

Probably because there's no need.

What some others have done is mount the antenna to one of the tracks, a very suitable location.

Best Wishes,
Peter

Sorry Peter, my 'cheekiness' didnt come over in the last post...

I can see the horrified look in Sneigys eyes now...
"You want me to what? :eek: Drill into my...arrrrrgggghhhhhhhhh"


And yes, you are correct, there are better ways to go about it without drilling!

[Bushwanderer]

:BigThumb:

[ADMIRAL]

Why didnt you just drill a hole in the roof :twisted::twisted:

There is a plastic blank in a cutout on the rear of the roof. Not much use for any antenna though, if you intend installing a roof rack.
I would not be that adventurous either, trying to access it from the inside.

[Tote]

Hi ADMIRAL,
snip
Now regarding bull-bar mounts: On my D1, the aerial mount on the bull bar was attached to the top cross bar. On my D3, I suspect to comply with regs, the antenna mounts on my ARB bar are at either corner of the main bar. I haven't measured that height difference, but if using the same antenna, it would compromise the rearward transmission. I have yet to try it in anger, but to minimise this effect, I've gone for a much longer antenna. However, now that I have a roof rack, I will consider mounting an antenna on that.

Best Wishes,
Peter

Re the bullbar mounts: The way I have mounted my antenna resulted in a range imporovement of at least double using the same antenna. I was amazed at the increase in performance.

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/

The post is held on with a bolt through the original mounting hole in the bullbar and is behind the line of the bar so should keep the RTA happy.

[ADMIRAL]

Re the bullbar mounts: The way I have mounted my antenna resulted in a range imporovement of at least double using the same antenna. I was amazed at the increase in performance.

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y127/toteau/D3%20UHF/IMG_2828.jpg

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y127/toteau/D3%20UHF/IMG_2829.jpg

The post is held on with a bolt through the original mounting hole in the bullbar and is behind the line of the bar so should keep the RTA happy.

Not too shabby, but the antenna is now mounted about where most bullbar mounts would put it, at the same level as the top bar. It has one big advantage though Tote, it is out of the line of vision.

As long as it didn't get caught up in shrubbery/trees etc and fold back onto the vehicle, but using the lighter wire coil top reduces that pretty substantially.

( I think Sniegy's thread is now way off track )

[sniegy]

( I think Sniegy's thread is now way off track )
Admiral:, More discussion equals more ideas..thats the way i look at it.;)
WRT the aerial & how it works, well on all of my vehicles i have had the aerial at the rear (my wife doesnt like the aerial in front wobbling all about) it has worked a lot better than many of the people i go offroad with & many, nearly all have their aerials on the front of the vehicle mounted to their trusty bullbars.

Mike:, How dare you even think i would do such a thing, when i worked in the Victorian Police fitting out their vehicles it was fine, because it was their vehicles:p...

Bushwanderer:, I too had thought of a spring base areial on the roof & searched for months for a suitable aerial & mount. Only to find nothing easy to remove when required.

Hence why i ended up with this unit, if i do want to remove the aerial i unscrew it & throw it in the door pocket (as they are huge). I stick a rubber bung on the aerial mount on the roof to keep it safe from the weather & it doesnt look too obvious that it is there...:D

Cheers guys..:)

[rmp]

For UHF "height is might" and that location is the best possible for the antenna, better than any bullbar mount. Problem is most fitters put the antenna anywhere they can, and do a test from 10m away...yep works fine and call it good. A unity gain high up is generally better for offroading than a high gain low down. The fact an antenna is ground plane independent does not change this. There is also a signficiant shadow effect of the vehicle's body and again Peter's location fixes that. The worst place is low on the bumper when you'll get significant signal loss facing backwards.

Great job Pete!!

[stewmair]

If you don't want to knock the antenna off in carparks when mounted on the roof or roofrack , not as good as the extended bullbar mount but better than down on the bullbar, is on the trailing edge of the bonnet, off to the side out of driver's view. There are two makes of mount that clamp on the edge with no damage to paintwork. The base is hinged and can be leant in when driving through brush. I have a 3db CB antenna on he right and a 2m/70cm antenna on the left. They do not hit the windscreen with the bonnet up and are fairly clear of the cabin. Work well. Easy to get the coax to them.

[Bushwanderer]

Hi Tote,
That looks like the 6dB/9dB antenna I had on my D1 until some lowlife decided to break it off at the base.

Best Wishes,
Peter

[connock]

Hi
Just fitted my UHF antenna. I was in a bit of a spot as I know it has to be high (center of roof is best) I have a pet hate for them fitted to bull bars as I could not do it to my passengers to have this peice of wire or worse still a pole in front of them for hundreds of K,s when traveling, not to mention the line that runs down every photo and video. So this is were I fitted it No drilling Except through the black strip for the cable to run under then under the strip down the windscreen into engine bay through fire wall to me UHF Quite tidy I think.

[ADMIRAL]

Great, except I have a roofrack which goes on and off. Still looking at options, but Sniegy's bracket is looking pretty good. May have to be longer again though, to clear the rear rail on the rack.

[Normthe1]

That looks excellent Connock, did that mount come standard with your radio or did you make it up yourself?

I don't normally carry a roof rack but I am planning to get the smaller basket that just goes over the rear area of the roof so your mounting suits me down to the ground.

I'm a big fan of Sniegy's work but in this case I think yours is better, sorry Pete...:o


Norm

[connock]

Hi all
I made the bracket up myself ( its just a peice unistrut cut and shut into angle ) at this point of roof there is a m12 bolt with a m6 thread into the head, where the philips head screw is holding the strip down.
In this chanel there is a upstand running from front to back but stops either side of bolt alowing the angle to sit flat. I cut a small slit into angle to aid it from turning. Cable runs under the strip and under windscreen strip. can only see 2" of cable. Also when driving into low areas or under trees I can just put arm out window and lower . Its a Benelec gutter mount and is easerly ajusted.
Admiral could you make a similar bracket so the antenna comes up the side of rack and is not attached to rack ?

[ADMIRAL]

Hi all
I made the bracket up myself ( its just a peice unistrut cut and shut into angle ) at this point of roof there is a m12 bolt with a m6 thread into the head, where the philips head screw is holding the strip down.
In this chanel there is a upstand running from front to back but stops either side of bolt alowing the angle to sit flat. I cut a small slit into angle to aid it from turning. Cable runs under the strip and under windscreen strip. can only see 2" of cable. Also when driving into low areas or under trees I can just put arm out window and lower . Its a Benelec gutter mount and is easerly ajusted.
Admiral could you make a similar bracket so the antenna comes up the side of rack and is not attached to rack ?

I can check it out, but the rails for the Expedition rack are pretty much flush to the roof, and the Riv nut you are using is for the rail mount . Like yourself, I don't want to drill or damage anything.

I may have more luck coming out from the rear of the rail, but I have to watch clearance for the tailgate as it lifts, and ease of access to take the rack on and off.

[ADMIRAL]

I have gone for a tube mount, from the rear of my wheel carrier ( now mounted ) The base of the antenna is only just below the roof lip, and I will have a 'floppy' type antenna on a spring base. A longer higher gain antenna can be screwed onto the same base, for better reception in static locations.

I can remove the roof rack and spare wheel at will without interference to either. No test on reception as yet.

I have one query if anyone can advise. How does the middle dash panel come out on the D4 ? I would like to fit a Z type mike bracket in there somewhere without drilling any visible holes, or damaging any panels.

[sniegy]

Hi Admiral,
The centre console upright panels are all ECU's, one for heating/cooling, one for entertainment & a coin tray so to speak.
To start..
Remove Drinks holder rubber insert, remove drinks tray by grabbing one side & lifting upward. This will now reveal (depending on how old) a spill tray or just 2 screws holding down the centre floor upper console. Undo 2 screws.
Remove panel that sits on the just under the release handle of the console lid, it just lifts upwards.
Remove gear knob by just lifting upwards, careful not to punch yourself in the chin.;)
Pry the whole centre console upper floor panel away (this is basicall all that is surrounded by the 2 foam sections all the way along the lower floor console) , If you want to remove the whole section, undo 2 plugs & the whole section will come away.
Now, lift away the panel that just sits below the screen, pry away the chrome surround that sits around the whole section of radio buttons etc etc.(not the 2 small ones the large section)

Now, the 2 sections either side of the upper console are one piece, on the drivers side you have upper vent, stop/start switch. This panel comes away as ONE part & is a pain as the clips (FYC500040) are stubborn & if havent been removed before will be bloody stubborn. You need to take care as under the sections there is foam & you need to extra careful as the foam may come away depending on how you pull at them(it will all go back ok & you wont see the missing foam, but you will always know what booboo you did..:p)
Do the same to the other side & you will then see how deep the units go & they are screwed in individuallly.
This will give you an idea of how the system is set up.
Try not to turn on the ignition as you may log a fault & light up something.

HTH.

Cheers.

[eddomak]

There is actually an illustrated version of these instructions somewhere on the web. Can't remember if it was this forum or disco3/disco4.

[RoverLander]

Pete, I'm about to have my aerial installed in the same way on my D4 tailgate. Its the best solution I've found so far.

One question? How did you route the cable back into the car?
Thanks

[sniegy]

Hi RL,
I just used the grommets that are there, the first grommet from where the cable is mounted goes to the panel on the roof linig at the rear, just gently prise this away & you can run the cable down the "D" pillar & along the floor as i did. Then run it to the unit.

Cheers.

[xoa]

Thought you might like to see alternative aerial mount through front grill. Is obviously lower than a roof mount but is neat and reception is OK. The aerial can be easily unscrewed from the base when not needed.

Geoff27252

[ADMIRAL]

Hi Guys, I finally have the radio and antenna installed. The antenna is on a pedestal mounted on my wheel carrier. The rearward reception/transmission is fine, but I notice the front end is not so hot.

The base of the antenna ( ground plane independant ) is pretty much roof height. As I have the Expedition rack, the rails impede into the antenna zone, and I am wondering if they are adversely affecting the forward reception/transmission. I think the rule of thumb is not to have anything ( vertical ) metal within 700mm of the antenna.

What do you think, will the rack interfere to any noticeable degree ?

[Dirty3]

Thought you might like to see alternative aerial mount through front grill. Is obviously lower than a roof mount but is neat and reception is OK. The aerial can be easily unscrewed from the base when not needed.

Geoff27252

Hi Geoff,

This looks like a simple "Z" mount bracket,is this correct or did you fashion it from S/Steel yourself?

Cheers, Neil.

[xoa]

Yes Neil, correct - just fashioned out of stainless and given a spray with black paint. A matter of putting grill on and off repeatedly until you get it lined up with a nice gap.

Geoff

[Jabl13]

I'm still trying to sort out where to put my aerial and UHF. I love the little roof mount aerials, very clever, but with many of the carparks I go into having a 2.m height restriction and the vehicle at 1.9m, that doesn't seem like an option. I'm tending towards some kind of bracket mounted under the bonnet but on the guard mount screw rather than the bonnet itself (similar issues with the tailgate one fouling the body) I am fiddling with an old mount to see if it will suit but if anyone has a link or info on an existing one that would be greatly appreciated.
cheers
J

[LRD414]

I'm tending towards some kind of bracket mounted under the bonnet but on the guard mount screw rather than the bonnet itself (similar issues with the tailgate one fouling the body) I am fiddling with an old mount to see if it will suit but if anyone has a link or info on an existing one that would be greatly appreciated.

Not quite sure what you mean regarding fouling. IMO the bonnet-mounted aerial bracket by LAB works really well and the aerial doesn't foul anything when the bonnet is up. Link below to their website.

Aerial Bracket (http://www.labtronx.com.au/aerial-bracket.htm)

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2015/08/200.jpg

Cheers,
Scott

[jspyle]

I use an on glass aerial, courtesy of rufusking for his advice ( member on this forum) unless outback then I just mount it on the roof rack and run the lead into the cab.
http://www.prestigecom.net.au/laser-472-uhf-on-glass-uhf-cb-antenna

[FM231]

Hi
I have followed your aerial installation with the same components and was just wondering how and where you ran the aerial wire and also where you placed the radio. I have just purchased an Icom 450 with speaker etc in the mike

Cheers Fred

[RobA]

We have a iCom remote head and the coax was run down the back of the car and up via the rear door to the roof bar on which we have a Rhino antenna mount. Works well and allows us to put the mesh platform over it without impacting on antenna performance. Without platform we use a small 8.5dB antenna and on the road we use a 10.5dB one

Rob

[Oztourer]

I put my Icom IC-440N under the lid of the centre console cubby. Used a Labtronix aerial mount and ran the cable through the firewall penetration near the steering column. See my recent posting on the AULRO Facebook page -

https://www.facebook.com/groups/aulro/permalink/10153055319311186/?comment_id=10153060367571186&offset=0&total_comments=19&notif_t=group_comment_mention

[mikel]

I am in the process of fitting a GME UHF to our 2012 D4 and not sure which aerial to use and where to install it.
I don't like the idea of Bullbar mounting and have purchased a LAB Electronics bracket for mounting the aerial on the side of the bonnet.
I also have a Kaymar rear bar with a spare wheel swing away arm and was looking at using its "accessories mounting bracket" to mount the aerial.
The GME aerial (ground plane independent) that I'm looking at using is approx 850mm high and would only just be higher than the roof by some 50mm. The aerial would also be positioned between the spare wheel and the vehicle body.
This would limit performance significantly I would thing.
I may look at using Kaymars HF Radio antena bracket to lift the UHF aerial up some 500mm but that will take 7/10 to get to Sydney.
Any first hand experience of these two methods and or advise would be appreciated.

Cheers

[mikel]

Not quite sure what you mean regarding fouling. IMO the bonnet-mounted aerial bracket by LAB works really well and the aerial doesn't foul anything when the bonnet is up. Link below to their website.

Aerial Bracket (http://www.labtronx.com.au/aerial-bracket.htm)

http://www.aulro.com/afvb/members/lrd414-albums-uhf-picture5363-aerial.jpg

Cheers,
Scott

Hi Scott

What aerial are you using on the Labtronix bracket?

Cheers
Mike L

[LRD414]

Laser 6dB. Works well for what I need.

I've found it adequate in a convoy situation out to around 4km between vehicles. Then it's a bit sketchy out to maybe 6km between.

In forest with some terrain it's probably more like 2-3km.

I suspect mounted higher would work better but I'm happy enough. I remove the roof rack when not being used.

Cheers,
Scott

[theins]

I have a GME 4018 antennae with spring base - I suspect it might be a bit heavy for the bracket?

Attempted to set the antennae up on the roof. Apart from the issue around height, I also noticed substantial wind noise above 50kph? I saw a few installs on the roof rack, do you have the same issue with noise?

Thanks

[rufusking]

I run a RFI CDQ2195 mobile antenna ( Multi-band Cellular Q-Fit Collinear - Black / Chrome - RFI Wireless (http://www.rfiwireless.com.au/mobile-products/cellular-mobile/cellular-ground-independent/multi-band-cellular-collinear-cdq2195-1bc0249a6412ef49b07fe6f62e6dc8de.html) ) on a Labtronic bonnet bracket and have no issue regarding size or weight. When the antenna catches on something the spring does it's job.

[~Rich~]

I have a GME 4018 antennae with spring base - I suspect it might be a bit heavy for the bracket?



Attempted to set the antennae up on the roof. Apart from the issue around height, I also noticed substantial wind noise above 50kph? I saw a few installs on the roof rack, do you have the same issue with noise?



Thanks


Extra noise!
I can't hear anything over the roof rack & mud tyres!

[theins]

I run a RFI CDQ2195 mobile antenna ( Multi-band Cellular Q-Fit Collinear - Black / Chrome - RFI Wireless (http://www.rfiwireless.com.au/mobile-products/cellular-mobile/cellular-ground-independent/multi-band-cellular-collinear-cdq2195-1bc0249a6412ef49b07fe6f62e6dc8de.html) ) on a Labtronic bonnet bracket and have no issue regarding size or weight. When the antenna catches on something the spring does it's job.

Thanks - I will give this a try as I'd prefer to have the antenna at the side rather than in the line of sight...

[cjc_td5]

I have a GME 4018 antennae with spring base - I suspect it might be a bit heavy for the bracket?

Attempted to set the antennae up on the roof. Apart from the issue around height, I also noticed substantial wind noise above 50kph? I saw a few installs on the roof rack, do you have the same issue with noise?

Thanks

I have my UHF antenna installed in the roof track at the bolt above the driver's head. There is some wind whistle when I use my short thicker aerial but none when I use the longer wire aerial. I just leave it uninstalled when not needed, with the aerial stored in the driver's door pocket. I can reach out and up and screw it in from the driver's seat.

http://www.aulro.com/afvb/attachment.php?attachmentid=100580&stc=1&d=1444867206

Chris

[theins]

Thanks - My antenna is larger and gives me grief on the roof. Actually tried it and the noise over 50kph is really annoying.:(

[theins]

I run a RFI CDQ2195 mobile antenna ( Multi-band Cellular Q-Fit Collinear - Black / Chrome - RFI Wireless (http://www.rfiwireless.com.au/mobile-products/cellular-mobile/cellular-ground-independent/multi-band-cellular-collinear-cdq2195-1bc0249a6412ef49b07fe6f62e6dc8de.html) ) on a Labtronic bonnet bracket and have no issue regarding size or weight. When the antenna catches on something the spring does it's job.

Just a follow up with these brackets, please - do they do any damage to panels? The gap between bonnet and fender seems to be small(ish) and I would hate for the bracket to scratch either panel?? I am looking to put it up on the driver side.

I was looking at the front mount option - through the grill - but got a veto from the passenger who was not happy with an antenna directly in her line of sight (I wonder why??? :angel: )

Oh - and was is the experience with wind noise in that position - getting a bit paranoid after the experience of putting it up on the roof. I actually like the fact that the car is a very quiet tourer...

Thanks!

[LRD414]

Just a follow up with these brackets, please - do they do any damage to panels? The gap between bonnet and fender seems to be small(ish) and I would hate for the bracket to scratch either panel?? I am looking to put it up on the driver side.


No panel damage and no wind noise that I have heard. No issues handling corrugations. Mine is on passenger side because the cable entry into engine bay is slightly easier thanks to a raised lip near the battery box.

Looking straight on towards front ... note the plastic sleeve
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2015/10/641.jpg


And looking slightly up. You can just make out the bracket going up inside bonnet to the hinge ...
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2015/10/642.jpg


Cheers,
Scott

[LRD414]

There is some wind whistle when I use my short thicker aerial but none when I use the longer wire aerial. I just leave it uninstalled when not needed, with the aerial stored in the driver's door pocket

Chris, what situations/conditions do you find best for the short aerial as opposed to the wire aerial?

Cheers,
Scott

[Aussie Jeepster]

I mounted my aerial on the drivers side and this is the EASIEST aerial install I've ever done!
The same mount can go on either side.
No noise, and dead easy to fit by undoing 1 bolt.


No panel damage and no wind noise that I have heard. No issues handling corrugations. Mine is on passenger side because the cable entry into engine bay is slightly easier thanks to a raised lip near the battery box.

Looking straight on towards front ... note the plastic sleeve
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2015/10/641.jpg


And looking slightly up. You can just make out the bracket going up inside bonnet to the hinge ...
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2015/10/642.jpg


Cheers,
Scott