Thread: UHF antenna mount

We needed a two way radio to communicate with the others.

The challenge was where to put a unit in the D4 and an antenna with no Bull Bar. Also on a lease there was the question of make good at the end.

Having read the forums and joined the Range Rover club I finally got to it and bought myself a UNIDEN UH076sx 5 watt radio connector packand car charger, I swapped the antenna pack for the UNIDEN AT870 6.5DB+3DB UHF CB fibre glass antenna kit from Gadget City. So I could use the shorter 3 db whip.

The advantage of a handheld is that it can sit anywhere in the car with the external mic. The issue was where to mount the antenna. Thanks to Ted at the Range Rover club, he explained to me he mounted his on the roof. By removing the grommet from the roof rack track, a nut becomes available, this is located above the driver door. He then affixed a generic mounting bracket.

The removal of the grommet was a challenge in itself. Having seen on a YouTube clip how easy it was with the right upholster tool, but what to do without the tool? So a call to my Panel Beater – (Brother in Law), his advice - in the absence of the proper tool was to use a coat hanger. Bend an end into a hook and wrap it around the grommet head and pull it up, making sure not to break the head. I also used a flat head screw driver to flick it up.

Once out I could visit Super Cheap Auto to find the right size bolt. After a search of their racks I found one that fitted 6 mm slightly longer then what was required but after a spacer washer on either side of the bracket Aepro CB Antenna Bracket, CBBU1 it worked a gem.

However even with the shorter 3 DB antenna whip it was going to be too high for car parks so what to do? The Benelec folding mounts were only for gutters so a trip over to WES Components to test an idea, affix the BENLEC folding mount to the generic bracket. There were two to choose from, the 02714S fitted the Aepro CB Antenna Bracket - Bull Bar, CBBU1. This would allow me to fold down the antenna when noin use or entering a bulding.

Pictures of the final product are below.
ImageUploadedByTapatalk1396780181.706165.jpgImageUploadedByTapatalk1396780209.481313.jpgImageUploadedByTapatalk1396780237.978798.jpg

I've just bought the CB/UHF radio and will be installing it this weekend.

Can anyone tell me, is this bracket mounting to the fender or the bonnet? ie. does the antenna then lift up when you lift the bonnet?

From the picture and the installation instructions it looks like it does. If so, I'm curious to know why they that is the preference?

For $4.50 I have made a bracket, and there is a perfectly positioned bolt which sits on the fender (drivers side) but before I mount it I want to make sure I'm not missing something.

Aerial Bracket

Attached to bonnet. Good pics of this bracket in Scott's build thread: Scott's Discovery 4

David

Thanks for that link, it's a really good write up!

Still unsure why it is attached to the bonnet if anyone can answer that?

My aerial is mounted to the roof rack and is adjustable so can be folded down when not needed. Works fine. No damage to the vehicle.

Sent from my GT-P5210 using AULRO mobile app

Originally Posted by Lukeis

Still unsure why it is attached to the bonnet if anyone can answer that?

Because it's easy to attach it to the existing bonnet strut bracket bolts I suppose.

I've had one for a few years, no dramas.

I've just coughed up $66 for the labtronix bracket, cos the post-fabricating-attempt therapy would cost more, but I like the idea of it not fouling the opening bonnet, plus the cabling needs less flex and slack.

I'm interested to know from someone whether there's a chance it puts the bonnet out of alignment at all?