Thread: UHF Aerial onto Defender

how about on the passenger side guard - mirror image to the radio aerial, maybe a bit tight with the heater?

LRH

Since I got rid of my bullbar, I mounted mine at the front of the driver's side gutter - nice and clear of any obstructions.

The cable runs along the gutter to above the B pillar (held by a little metal clamp,) then into the top of the hollow back door-seal, exiting at the bottom, where it pops into the cabin (there's a convenient gap there on my County.)

From there, it runs behind the driver's seat rails, to the centre cubby box.

I can screw on a short whip for close bush work, or something longer to get over the dunes.

I was going to mount it off the gutter above the rear door and run the cable in somewhere around the door seal, but I didn't have enough cable at the time - plus above the driver's door is remarkably convenient for getting the antenna off in tricky situations.

I'm not too keen on mounting through the bodywork anywhere, so the roof gutter option appeals to me.

The more I think about it though, the more I reckon I will just get another "big" aerial and fit another bullbar and be done with it. I guess that leads me to my next query, which should get a new thread because it doesn't belong in communications - are there any local front protection options other than a full bullbar?

how about just installing a nudge bar like DiscoWhites and Reads90 had?

Hi there, as above, you could use an 'A' bar or similar, as this would be cheaper than a full blown steel winch bar, although this bar would provide more frontal protection. The aerial I would suggest is a ground independant type, with a spring base, which is hollow to allow the coax to travel through. This aerial is the same as types used on taxi's and police cars etc. This allows you to screw on various uhf aerials (small stumpy or approx. 40cm steel type), to suit your needs. The spring would help with branches and the like, that glance off the front. Cheers, Ben.

I have a UHF aerial base that fits on the windscreen base, from the County I am dismantling. Going real cheap . Downside is that you have to drill thru the hinge and maybe the firewall. With UHF, wherever you place it, bear in mind it uses the vehicle as a ground plane and the best pozzy for all round reception is the middle of the roof.
I'm assuming the brackets the same on the new deefer
Pics attached

Originally Posted by DeeJay

With UHF, wherever you place it, bear in mind it uses the vehicle as a ground plane
Pics attached

Hi DeeJay, That's not strictly true. By using a ground-plane-independent antenna, placement is less critical. You do still benefit, however by placing the antenna as high as possible on the vehicle.

Not sure about the 2007 'Fender but I mounted mine where the blanked off vent is on the top of the drivers side front guard. Replaced the original cover plate with a piece of 8mm plastic cut to size/shape of original cover then mounted UHF Aerial and hot shower outlet tap.
See attached pics - don't seem to be able to attach anything. Will try putting in my gallery.

OK - Pics in gallery