Amateur Radio Antenna Applications

[USA591]

[MENTION=144483]Bumbo[/MENTION]

Thanks for the discussion--it's always good to talk to other hams to cross-check ideas.

73

 

[Bob J]

Now that you're into 2M and the VHF/UHF world, I'd go for a hood lip mount if you feel that overhead clearance is an issue (trail or parking garages).

Using a handheld is ok and does the trick, but having an in-vehicle mounted radio is so much better after a certain point. Your top-of-vehicle mount is awesome, by the way. Very helpful to see where you put it.

Here is a link to a nice fold-over antenna (one answer to your question):

Mobile Antenna

You could put this or something similar on that mount. And use the low profile hood mount when clearance is an issue--I just swap the feed lines to the back of the radio when I do this. My radio main unit sits under the driver's seat--it takes about 10 seconds.

That's a nice mount.... Like the low profile.... If you don't mind me asking, where did you get it?

 

[having fun]

Now that you're into 2M and the VHF/UHF world, I'd go for a hood lip mount if you feel that overhead clearance is an issue (trail or parking garages).

Using a handheld is ok and does the trick, but having an in-vehicle mounted radio is so much better after a certain point. Your top-of-vehicle mount is awesome, by the way. Very helpful to see where you put it.

Here is a link to a nice fold-over antenna (one answer to your question):

Mobile Antenna

You could put this or something similar on that mount. And use the low profile hood mount when clearance is an issue--I just swap the feed lines to the back of the radio when I do this. My radio main unit sits under the driver's seat--it takes about 10 seconds.

Many Thanks. As you can tell, I understand having a good ground plain, I need that and a good antenna when running my mobile base unit (10m).

I tend to get into low clearance on the trails, have gone into low roof parking lots, spacing off still having my 5000 mounted LOL. Folding it on the roof ( before the roof rack).

So as long as I can get a whip version of 2m antenna, I have no problem of it getting hit. I have a solid mount. Tested for 8yrs and counting.

 

[USA591]

That's a nice mount.... Like the low profile.... If you don't mind me asking, where did you get it?

I scoured the internet to find it--it was tough. It's a perfect fit, however, since it was specifically machined for an '06 Liberty.

Here's the contact info:

Ron Miller
OMNI PROVINCIAL ELECTRONICS INC
Communications Solutions by Design
#5, 2115 - 27th Ave NE
Calgary AB, T2E 7E4
403-291-9639, 877-291-9633
www.omniprowest.ca

 

[Bumbo]

That's a nice mount.... Like the low profile.... If you don't mind me asking, where did you get it?

Those mounts are somewhat common... lots of people make things that are very similar. Some people just take an 90 degree bracket and DIY their own.

Here is one as an example.

https://www.dxengineering.com/parts...MIltP5_PnF1QIVRWp-Ch3qgw1kEAQYASABEgIdnPD_BwE

 

[USA591]

Those mounts are somewhat common... lots of people make things that are very similar. Some people just take an 90 degree bracket and DIY their own.

There are definitely a fair number of generic mounts out there. But future readers beware: due to the differences in the way the sheet metal is formed to create the lip on your hood, you might run into fitment problems (i.e., in my case the hood wouldn't close 'cause the 90' bend was too far outboard from the mounting point).

If I had access to a metal brake, then I probably would've been able to do a DIY fix...

That's why I had to scour the planet to find one that fit perfectly under my hood. Ha--shipping from Canada actually cost more than the unit itself.

73

 

[USA591]

I tend to get into low clearance on the trails, have gone into low roof parking lots, spacing off still having my 5000 mounted LOL. Folding it on the roof ( before the roof rack).

You'll love a hood lip mount, then--I never have any clearance issues...only the occasional snag on brush, but my stubby 2m/70 cm is pretty short--not much more that 12 inches long (i'll measure it later).

Highly recommended, especially for truck-to-truck on trails. I definitely take a hit for longer distance work, but if I need that functionality, I just screw the 1/4 onto the NMO mount on the roof.

73

 

[having fun]

You'll love a hood lip mount, then--I never have any clearance issues...only the occasional snag on brush, but my stubby 2m/70 cm is pretty short--not much more that 12 inches long (i'll measure it later).

Highly recommended, especially for truck-to-truck on trails. I definitely take a hit for longer distance work, but if I need that functionality, I just screw the 1/4 onto the NMO mount on the roof.

73

I appreciate the recommendations there, but, if I can't find a flexible one to mount in my existing setup, I'm not going to put one anywhere else. It doesn't have to be a high wattage antenna. Besides the way I go through some trails, every where else is more of a vulnerable spot for one to get hit.
This is why I have my wilson up there, let alone to handle the power of my base unit.