Thread: Sand flag base — fixed or spring?

I recommend spring. Expect a lot of shimmying. I have seen an aerial on another vehicle snap after wobbling for a long time on corrugations.

Fixed....on the simpson, you’re only going slow

Spring would have it wobbling all over the place, cannot think where spring would be ideal.

My experience from crossing the simpson and running flags on mining vehicles

spring, you want it swaying the motion attracts the eye, and if your on corrigations the solid mount will cause the rods to fracture over time.

On our trips,i just used a cut off length of 20mm pvc conduit,flag on top,taped to the bar,no worries at all.

The corrugations on the last trip,around Finke,Mt dare,were horrendous.

spring but more important is height,,

I see a few mentions of corrugations...OP mentioned Simpson Desert??

I put my flag up at the first sand dune and pulled it down at the last, as most of the Simpson is slow going. I don’t recall going fast enough that the track was shaking the car to pieces.

For corrugations to be bad enough to effect a flag you’re normally past the dunes and on flat ground. Agree corrugations were bad into Mt Dare and the roads either side of the desert however no requirement for a flag for these sections.

My next trip I’ll tie a flag to the UHF antenna.

Don't forget the flag doesn't have to go on the bullbar. You can fit a shorter flag to the roof rack, as long as it reaches the required height. A shorter flag pole should vibrate less than a longer pole.
Same goes with your UHF aerial. Putting it on the roof rack means it can be shorter for less wobbling, or you could use the full length aerial for extra height for a better reception. Also means the vehicle does not block reception.

Originally Posted by scarry

On our trips,i just used a cut off length of 20mm pvc conduit,flag on top,taped to the bar,no worries at all.

The corrugations on the last trip,around Finke,Mt dare,were horrendous.

corrugations around Finke, Mt Dare have always been horrendous....last time I was up there I drove up off the road which was better than the corrugations. As you probably know now, there is no sweet spot.