CB radio Aerial mounting position also any recommendation L. Richmond Auto Vic.

[JohnZ42]

Good afternoon all,

As we intent to travel west and central OZ, from July this year, I have been getting prices for supply and installation of CB radio. The 3 suppliers/installers have concerns about the position for mounting the aerial?

The problem they state/mention is the shape of the my 2006 Discovery 3 bonnet! They state that they can’t install a aerial retain bracket on to the internal part of the mud guard to stick out from under the bonnet to attach the aerial, two have suggested installing nudge bar ( is this up selling), the other supplier suggested a low db frequency aerial attached to the windscreen or may be a drilling a hole in to front bumper next to washers for the head lights, but no guarantee it would hold due to the plastic body of pumper!

I don’t want nudge bar, as this will be our only long trip (6months and my age 74y.o. with health issues). Will be putting van on-site some where for short trips, nudge unnecessary blow out of trip budget.

Can any one give further input or suggestions please on Aerial position!

ALSO, has any one in Victoria used the services of Les Richmond Motors in Thomastown. They have been recommended to me to use for a pre-trip check out of the car. I live on the Mornington Peninsula so don’t know much about them except that they have been involved Land Rover autos for many years (40+ I believe). Apparently better than Ritters Auto? Did use Ritters for my D2 many years back when I worked in Melbourne.

Can anybody comment/recommend Les Richmond. Travelling and leaving car there is no problem have family in Preston.

Thanks as alway for all and any comments/suggestions.

Cheers, JohnZ

[Markf]

I use one of these AT820 Uniden Portable Antenna Kit with Strong Magnetic Base (2.5dBi Gain) – CB Radio Wholesalers (https://cbradiowholesalers.com.au/product/at820-uniden-portable-antenna-kit-with-strong-magnetic-base-2-5dbi-gain/) and stick it on near the end of the roof rail on the roof which is about the only steel panel. Works OK but it isn't a high gain antenna by any means. It's perfectly serviceable on the road though.
As for Les Richmond. Go for it - they're pretty good in my experience.

[Ferret]

https://www.labtronx.com.au/images/img_px02.jpg

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

[JohnZ42]

Thanks Ferret (yarnmaster)

Is this a standard off the shelf bracket or a special order from a supplier. Also would this bracket support an Elevated Feed Base & Black Whip set (6.6DBI gain)- long bugger, from what the showed me.

Once again thanks for the photo and any further feed back. Beginning to think there might be up sell happening.

Cheers,

John

[Blknight.aus]

magnetic roof mount.

Axis SO239 Magnet Mount Mount Kit AM101 9321886002638 | eBay (https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/163971364412?chn=ps&norover=1&mkevt=1&mkrid=705-139619-5960-0&mkcid=2&itemid=163971364412&targetid=1137076995742&device=c&mktype=pla&googleloc=9071379&poi=&campaignid=10101784988&mkgroupid=102311921740&rlsatarget=pla-1137076995742&abcId=9300367&merchantid=107329482&gclid=Cj0KCQjw0caCBhCIARIsAGAfuMytqrGd4m0syxFOhIua I9gvfPcj-PJ-XnavX_pyKo7KTMPzjCZz5QUaAphoEALw_wcB)

also available are mounts using the same pads as a go-pro camera and suction mounts.

[Ferret]

Is this a standard off the shelf bracket or a special order from a supplier. Also would this bracket support an Elevated Feed Base & Black Whip set (6.6DBI gain)- long bugger, from what the showed me.

It's the suppliers own product, can only order it from him.

It will support a standard uhf aerial. If you want the spring loaded base and elevated do-dad that's fine it your choice but I just use a simple aerial much like the one shown on the right in the picture because it's short, light and flexible and I don't want a heavy spring loaded thing knocking against the bonnet paint work.

169617

[trout1105]

Have you considered getting a good hand held UHF radio, You can get a decent sort of range in the right conditions with a 5w unit?
No fitting problems and it is portable as well[thumbsupbig]

[JohnZ42]

I agree, my old 2006 D3 is starting to age but I do look after her. Living near the coast doesn’t help, but don’t want to add any dints, scratches, scuffing that’s un-necessary.

I checked your photo and their web site and am happy with unit. I think I can install that myself and with son’s help, I have problems with arthritic hands. Use installer for radio if necessary!

Re, type of aerial, due to lack of knowledge, I do like the look of right hand one-less bulky, just taking sellers suggestions and then posting on the forum to a impartial opinion and more ideas then the sellers offer. Has been an eye opener what help you get from forum members.

Thanks again mate. JZ.




It's the suppliers own product, can only order it from him.

It will support a standard uhf aerial. If you want the spring loaded base and elevated do-dad that's fine it your choice but I just use a simple aerial much like the one shown on the right in the picture because it's short, light and flexible and I don't want a heavy spring loaded thing knocking against the bonnet paint work.

169617

[JohnZ42]

Thanks for the advice and suggestion trout1105. Potable is also handy if leaving car and moving around and falling down a cliff: which is odds on me doing. Clumsy as all s..t I am, she likes walk along s..tracks for sight seeing!

still can’t get in my head how wife talked into doing trip with short notice?

Cheers, John.



Have you considered getting a good hand held UHF radio, You can get a decent sort of range in the right conditions with a 5w unit?
No fitting problems and it is portable as well[thumbsupbig]

[chuck]

John

Some of the handhelds let you plug into external antenna

So best of both worlds

Forget which brand it was though.

[Tombie]

A *good* handheld is not cheap. A cheap handheld is not good (for primary use).

[trout1105]

A *good* handheld is not cheap. A cheap handheld is not good (for primary use).
+1

For my uses a handheld 2 way radio is a safety device and "Cheaping Out" on Safety is a pretty stupid move.

GME make "Good" handhelds and they cost Much less than your average smartpone to buy, Which makes them a pretty cheap purchase in comparison[thumbsupbig]
I have had Good service from both my VHF and my UHF GME radios over the years and they have Never let me down.
I have bought a couple of sets of those elcheapo radios from evilbay in the past But I found them to be pretty useless So as far as I am concerned they wern't cheap they in fact were a complete waste of money

[OldGuy]

For your mentioned needs, another + for a hand held unit, I have a couple of of Uniden UH50S units the also come with an external mike.

Regards
Geoff