ARB Bar UHF antenna reception

**jimc** · 5th March 2013, 08:03 PM

Thanks all for responses. I did have a short when I first installed, but fixed that soon after.

One thing I did was when I was annoyed with it not working and the short, I cut approx 200mm off the end of the coax. Could this be the cause?

Lotz-a-landies..How do I test centre pole at both ends? continuity test both ends..radio end and at antenna base?

Is there any protocol for testing a UHF radio...channel to use?

**FenianEel** · 6th March 2013, 06:24 AM

Originally Posted by jimc

I cut approx 200mm off the end of the coax.

That'll be your issue. Worst thing you can do unfortunately. How'd you connect it. Was it soldered?

**Tote** · 6th March 2013, 01:18 PM

I have a wire 9db ground independant antenna and reception was atrocious when mounted on the bar so I made a 30mm pipe extension to provide a base to lift the antenna above the guard. This made a significant improvement to reception. The position on the bottom of the bar is a poor place to mount an antenna.

Regards,
Tote

**BMKal** · 6th March 2013, 08:00 PM

Originally Posted by Tote

I have a wire 9db ground independant antenna and reception was atrocious when mounted on the bar so I made a 30mm pipe extension to provide a base to lift the antenna above the guard. This made a significant improvement to reception. The position on the bottom of the bar is a poor place to mount an antenna.

Regards,
Tote

Depends entirely on the length of the aerial. If the aerial is tall enough, whether it's mounted on the "bottom of the bar" or on top of the bar makes absolutely no difference at all.

Of course, if it's a short aerial that ends up hiding behind the guard or the body of the vehicle if it's mounted too low, then the mounting position will certainly make a difference - in this case, I'd be looking at a roof mount option.

**Tote** · 6th March 2013, 09:22 PM

Aerial is 1.3 m long
02629 - "Adveturer" 9dB UHF Heavy Duty Ground Independent Antenna

Made a huge difference when I lifted the antenna.

Regards,
Tote

**BMKal** · 7th March 2013, 07:38 PM

Yes I imagine that it would make a difference with that style of aerial. You've raised it to about the height that we normally mount the same aerial on our work vehicles (mounted on the top of the bar).

Mine is a bit longer - tip is slightly above the roofrack when mounted down low on the bar.

I previously had it higher, but was hitting too many things with it. Reception / range seems about the same in both positions - and it's now a very handy height gauge when driving under buildings in the city (like my office). If the aerial clears - I know that I've got about three inches clearance above the roofrack (until I forget and go under with a tent or something up top)

At my office, I have to lower the suspension to get under the entrance. I've only forgotten once so far

good thing it's a Windcheater steel roofrack - they're a good strong rack

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