UHF antenna mounting again but a bit different

[AndyRevill]

Hi everyone,

Done a search but didn't come up with anything. I'm trying to decide where to mount my UHF antenna on the D2. I don't have a bull bar (and one isn't on the horizon) but I do have a roof rack. I've tried one of those metal Z-brackets mounted next to the bonnet, but it vibrated all over the place and didn't seem very satisfactory.

I've been thinking about a fold down gutter mount but I've started to get a bit concerned about what effect the vibration might have on the gutter, being concentrated in one spot - anybody have any thoughts on that?

My other alternative would be a fold down base fitted to the roof rack itself. If anyone else has been through this process, would love to here your ideas or what you ended up with.

cheers, Andy

[dmdigital]

Have a look at http://www.discoweb.org/ under the tech section. There used to be a really good set of pic's on expeditionexchange's web site, but they have been moved somewhere. They both refer to mounting an aerial of a bracket on the spare wheel carrier and running the wire back through ther door etc.

[AndyRevill]

Have a look at http://www.discoweb.org/ under the tech section. There used to be a really good set of pic's on expeditionexchange's web site, but they have been moved somewhere. They both refer to mounting an aerial of a bracket on the spare wheel carrier and running the wire back through ther door etc.

Thanks for that - should have said, I have the HF autotune mounted off the spare wheel carrier and as I understand it, it is best to keep antennae as far apart as possible to prevent interference.

Thanks again,

Andy

[waynep]

I mounted my UHF antenna on one of the standard Disco roof rack/rails with a good strong L bracket ( from Bunnings ) and a couple of U clamps. It's not the prettiest looking thing but has been on there for 3 years now with no problems.
If you get one of the UHF aerials with the strong spring base you can tie it back down against the roof rail when not in use, or when you want to fit into the garage. Been doing this also for three years no problems.

[mark2]

How big is your antenna?

In the real world, a 4.5 dB stainless steel wire antenna with a center coil works as well as anything out there and is really easy to reliably mount due to the light weight and short length. They are great off-road and in low carparks - almost impossible to break. Cost - less than $24. Very popular antenna with truckies. However they are ground plane dependant so need to be at least gutter mounted to use the roof area.
The big white UHF antennas often seen on bullbars are often called 'w*nker sticks' by antenna companies as they dont really offer a performance increase and are often installed for show. I mean no offense to anyone who has a big white UHF antenna on their bullbar! HF antennas are a different story of course...........

[Roverray]

If you have a height problem the gutter mount is good just above driver so you can reach out and fold back.
Best to keep seperation from the Hf as the high EMF at 100Watts could damage your UHF cuircuit. You my not realise it, but 100 watts is enough to light a 40 watt flouro tube.
Just hold one end and put it beside the aerial when you transmit a tone or similar continuous signal.
Best to keep clear of the aerial in general when you transmit and never touch as 100W will give a RF burn at peak power.

[AndyRevill]

Thanks for the suggestions,

the antenna is a GME ground plane independent with a fibreglass whip and spring - AE4017K1 springs to mind (definitely not a big white stick) but it is a while since I bought it. I'm starting to lean towards mounting on the roof rack floor using a fold down mount - that way I don't have to have it up when running round town or if the bush gets a bit low.

Thanks again,

Andy

[Dunnie]

I have a lug welded onto the Defender ally roof rack above the driver's door. The antenna is a short fibreglass UHF whip but I have it on a spring as well (from the CB radio dealer) to take care of branches etc. For sneaking under low stuff or alternatively for vandal-proofing, I just unscrew the whole thing off from the plastic insulated base. On the Defender the cable fed through under the bonnet lid without drilling and glued onto the fascia alongside the screen with a bit of (peel-off-able) Sikaflex. It has been through Hell and back over the last 10 years and it is still working.

[amtravic1]

Just drill a hole in the roof and fit a short (approx 120 mm ) flexible whip.

[Signal1]

Might it be an option to suit your aerial to a preferred mounting position, not suit a mounting position just because you have a particular aerial.

I have this aerial mounted on a guard mount on the RHF Guard, two bolts down from the A Pillar. Hardly moves, has never been caught on anything.http://www.transceiverservices.com/html/ae409l.htm?Submit29=SEE+PICTURE

[Hunchy]

I have one of the 'stick on the glass' antennas, they are ground plan so there's a metallic foil bit that also attaches to the glass. No holes to drill, and the wire runs up the side pillar.

Works well out in the bush. I believe it's a 3dB gain.

Final thought - you can unscrew the antenna, just leaving the mount on the glass. Good for low garages.