Build Thread Antenna Mount

[ethree]

Looking to mount a small low profile antenna (the small 3db gain model midland makes). Considering a small custom mount to be built using the lower air intake mounting screws. Haven’t pulled the air intake off yet to see if that is an option. Figured people in here would educate the uneducated as to the wisdom of that or I’ll stick to my original plan of off something off the lower left hood.

Thoughts?

 

[anand]

Air intake, as in the inlet in the fender? I would definitely go higher than that if you want a somewhat decent omnidirectional range.

At least hood height (maybe like a lip mount on the back edge of the hood), or more ideally, off of the rear ladder or similar (to keep it below roof height if that is a concern)

 

[ethree]

Air intake, as in the inlet in the fender? I would definitely go higher than that if you want a somewhat decent omnidirectional range.

At least hood height (maybe like a lip mount on the back edge of the hood), or more ideally, off of the rear ladder or similar (to keep it below roof height if that is a concern)

My error. Off the a pillar where the raised air intake is.

 

[DenisM]

If you go this route, remember to ensure the antenna is an elevated feed type I.e. ground independent. These low gain antennas can be very effective and are often used by interstate truck rigs attached to their external mirrors...
I mainly use a GME AE4002 2.1dbi on an elevated feed attached to a RhinoRack roof bar mounted in line with the B pillar.
Still trying to work out the best route for the coax cable. Currently it's wedged in the seals of the rear RHS passenger door...

 

[ethree]

If you go this route, remember to ensure the antenna is an elevated feed type I.e. ground independent. These low gain antennas can be very effective and are often used by interstate truck rigs attached to their external mirrors...
I mainly use a GME AE4002 2.1dbi on an elevated feed attached to a RhinoRack roof bar mounted in line with the B pillar.
Still trying to work out the best route for the coax cable. Currently it's wedged in the seals of the rear RHS passenger door...

I ended up going with a gutter mount, Italian gutter mount make, and ran the wire behind the rubber, into a nice groove, down the trim, into the rubber wire harness that got me into the cab below the door seal (rv siliconed the hole and then electrical taped it) and ran the wire behind the passenger side rear wheel hub to below the back seat where I am mounting the Midland radio. VERY clean install.

 

[ethree]

Air intake, as in the inlet in the fender? I would definitely go higher than that if you want a somewhat decent omnidirectional range.

At least hood height (maybe like a lip mount on the back edge of the hood), or more ideally, off of the rear ladder or similar (to keep it below roof height if that is a concern)

I took your advice. Gutter mounted it. Very clean.

 

[DenisM]

I bolted a 3.5mm bracket to the roof bar using channel nuts and mounted the antenna so that it folds across the roof below the topmost surface of the roof bar. It's an elevated feed to which I attach either a 2.1dbi or 6.x dbi depending on the area. When folded upright it works quite well.

 

[Ovrland Bill]

Midland 3db GMRS Antenna mounted to top of ladder (will have to be “unshipped” for low clearance situations). Cable is guided down along side of ladder and then under the bottom of the smaller rear door and into the loadspace. (No holes-so far).

 

[ethree]

Midland 3db GMRS Antenna mounted to top of ladder (will have to be “unshipped” for low clearance situations). Cable is guided down along side of ladder and then under the bottom of the smaller rear door and into the loadspace. (No holes-so far).

I considered that location but felt the need to leave stuff off the ladder. I saw one installation that mounted the ghost (or a Midland 6db could go here too) on the gutter like I did. Ran the wire down a piece of inner trim, then in thru the rubber wire bundle tube and into the cabin. Only hole I made was in that tubing which I sealed with some RV sealant (clear) and then wrapped it in electrical tape. No water getting in there. Very clean install.

 

[ethree]

View attachment IMG_0269.jpeg
Owl makes a fantastic bar that replaces the plastic. Perfect for the mike. Solid as a rock. Radio project is done.

 

[[ Adam ]]

Today I swapped out my old 5.5db 5/8 double wave GMRS antenna for the much lower profile Midland MXTA25. I need to go see if it keeps me under my self imposed 7ft limit for garages, but I got pretty tired of hearing it bang on trees while we were doing trails over the weekend.

 

[Tomdoc]

I just went for full HF and VHF like this.

 

[jdgoodwin]

View attachment 7859669

I just went for full HF and VHF like this.

Hi @Tomdoc how did you route the antenna cables? I think I saw somewhere about being able to feed them in behind the covers for the additional electrics? If that’s how you did it is it easy to do and obvious where you need to poke the wires through? Does it need after proofing at all?

Trying to work out how to fit my CB and VHF antennas when I get my Grenadier later in the week.

 

[TheDocAUS]

Some suggestions from the accessories thread here:

UHF/CB Aerial mounting brackets
Mounting options for UHF aerials in Australia:

1. GME here;
2. RFI here;
3. KAON here;
4. GMF4X4 here (mostly bonnet brackets);
5. Uniden here;
6. Oricom here;
7. Pirate Camp Co here;
8. Industrial Evolution mounts here;
9. INEOS DIY Mounts, look here;
10. L Track aerial mount here;
11. Misc. here, here and here; and
12. Mount the aerial on the INEOS' external utility belt (see here).

GME, RFI, Uniden and Oricom are often available around the world. Plus any local suppliers.