D4 and HF antenna mount

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Originally Posted by rapserv

Thanks Chris for your reply.
I have been thinking along the same lines.
The rear wheel carrier would certainly make it much easier to fit, however, I don't want to be swinging a carrier out of the way every time I need to get into the rear of the vehicle .. not to mention the frustration of SWMBO

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No worries at all mate.

You do get used to the wheel carriers, I certainly have over the years. Though I do completely understand the frustration of an extra thing, especially when your hands are full. You know what you are comfortable dealing with, so don't let anyone tell you otherwise. That and they aren't exactly a cheap part.

Good luck and let us know what route you go down.

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Originally Posted by Tombie

Fit a ladder to the door....

Personally, I wouldn’t fit one. Old tech now.

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Thanks Tombie .. a ladder may be the answer.
I wouldn't be without the HF .. for MANY reasons.
Mobile phones are useless in the middle of nowhere and satellite phones are not reliable either as many people believe. (I've lost count of the number of people I've come across who have said their satphone hasn't worked when they needed it)
The HF has many other uses as well .. GPS positioning, long range vehicle to vehicle comms, listening to broadcast stations while sitting around the campfire, phone calls, SMS messaging, direct contact with Emergency Services .. and the list goes on ... all at very little ongoing cost.

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Originally Posted by Aussie Jeepster

I have a multi tap whip for my HF and its on a fold down mount on the roof rack. It says "laid flat" when not in use and I just put it up when I want to use it.
The big Codan auto tune mount may be too large for that, but if you have a roof rack, it might give you an option.
Alan

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A tapped-whip is a good option .. but I'd like to have a more permanent solution in an auto-tune.
The roof rack may be an option if I make a 'sturdy' hinged mount. That way it can remain vertical in the outback but fold down if I happen to be in the cities.

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Originally Posted by Aussie Jeepster

Attachment 166065
Just found a pic of what I use. Like I said, may not be good for the big ATU, but might give you an idea or 2.
alan

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Yes .. this is what I may end up fabricating.

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Originally Posted by dirvine

Not that I can offer much help. But for the other posters on this topic. A HF antenna mount that automatically seeks the correct alignment is not like a CB radio one. It is a heavy substancial unit that requires a good earth. I have a HF radio but with self tapping for the channels. It is very thick and heavy (not as heavy as the Codan) as it is not a self seeking one. But the brackets shown here would /could not take the load of mine leave alone the Coidan unit mentiuoned here. When I go away I do not have the antenna permanently attached, but have rigged up a base plate on my tow hitch. It just means I have to bolt it down and attach the lead to the base unit (which is in the rear of the car). Takes about 5mins to set up. It is sometimes a pain, as you cannot talk while on the move etc. But as the VKS skeds are in the AM and PM, I have usually stopped for the day and so not really an issue. I only use it for very remote travel now or if if I am a single car only. The only permanent fixing options are a mount on a Bull Bar or a RWC. As Tombie says they are a bit old tech but its nice to catch up with the operators every so often.

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thanks for that post..
If it weren't for the fact that I am permanently towing a 3 tonne caravan it might be a good option.
Agree with your comment about the use of HF .. but this 'old' technology is still widely used .. also by the military.
It's great just listening to the scheds from places like the CSR .. can't do that on a satphone!! :-)

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Originally Posted by libertyts

divine, you are 100% correct, those UHF antenna style mounts would have a heartattack with the weight of the Codan antenna!

My thoughts around using a ladder as the starter for the mount would be that it gives you a secure starting point that doesn't involve any weird new holes, etc. if you were to make something from scratch. It would still be a custom mount that would take a bit of engineering to ensure it would hold up to the task. As for grounding, that shouldn't be a huge issue to resolve if you went away from the standard rwc or bull bar mounts. Just have to make sure you keep it within the specs provided by Codan.

Codan are a great bunch, certainly their Defence/Government team have always been great to work with. I've seen them mount radios and antennas in some less than ideal locations over the years with success. It might be worth giving them a bell to chat about your options if you are keen on a bull bar or rwc mount. Some retailers aren't necessarily the experts you need for the non-standard (not installing it on the rear-wheel carrier of a Land Cruiser) install......

HF might be old tech, but I have relied heavily on it in the past when the environment/situation is less than ideal. Sat phones are amazing and the pricing for the phones and plans has plummeted over the years. Satellites are vulnerable and in the current climate I would personally be giving myself a backup option if I was heading well off the beaten track. HF is definitely less susceptible to environmental issues as well.

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thanks Chris .. I agree entirely.

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Originally Posted by RobMichelle

Gday Dave
Would a Codan 3040 be an option?
I’m looking into them for same reason.

Rob

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that's a good option Rob.
would allow a high rear mount without being so high that it becomes a driving hazard when diving in the cities.
If mounted on a bracket off the base of a roof rack it would extend above the top of the rack a minimal distance.
Seriously look into that.

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Originally Posted by rick130

As said, the autotune 9350 base weighs a bit.
5.3kg sans the whip. I just plonked it on my digi scales.
I'm making a new mount for the D2.
As mentioned, a multi tap whip can mount on a standard UHF mounting tab, that's where's mine sat on the bull bar on my old Defender but the Autotune base is far more bulky and weighty.

I get what Tombie says re HF is old tech vs a sat phone but some of us have the gear and it still works well.

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completely agree with you Rick.

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Originally Posted by libertyts

No worries at all mate.

You do get used to the wheel carriers, I certainly have over the years. Though I do completely understand the frustration of an extra thing, especially when your hands are full. You know what you are comfortable dealing with, so don't let anyone tell you otherwise. That and they aren't exactly a cheap part.

Good luck and let us know what route you go down.

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will do Chris ... thanks!

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Originally Posted by rick130

As said, the autotune 9350 base weighs a bit.
5.3kg sans the whip. I just plonked it on my digi scales.
I'm making a new mount for the D2.
As mentioned, a multi tap whip can mount on a standard UHF mounting tab, that's where's mine sat on the bull bar on my old Defender but the Autotune base is far more bulky and weighty.

I get what Tombie says re HF is old tech vs a sat phone but some of us have the gear and it still works well.

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It does work well.... used them in the past.

Except -
If you have just hurt yourself
You have a genuine emergency
You want to just make a call
Time is not important
You haven’t rolled the vehicle
Atmospheric conditions aren’t giving you the ****s
Your highly electronic vehicle isn’t messing with the signal
Your battery isn’t dead
You don’t give a **** about your privacy


Satphone and PLB with GPS/messaging are the fastest methods of achieving help when needed.


DXers are a funny bunch - “I worked a station in xyz land last night...”
Kinda like “I spoke to Jimmy next door using Milo tins and String”