UHF antenna without roo bar

[martynvella]

Well finally made a decision on where to put my UHF antenna.
2012/13 SR5, the decorative sports bar is lower at the rear so had a 10mm ally tab welded on the inner side of the RH side. Used a raised mount base without the spring so only the flexible part of the antenna is above the front top bar so the rigid part is still in free space but remains protected.

Didn't use the spring because anyone that has had a roo bar mounted one has seen the way they bend and destroy any antenna put on top of it, and also to keep the height down so I can get it under the house without it touching. Will run a 6 inch whip on highway and can change to a higher gain if needed when away.

Ran the coax through the bar ( what a bitch that is ) and forward under the top edge of the tub to the hole that's in the front corner and dropped it down there in front of the plastic wheel arch liner to the towing harness and up through the floor with that under the drivers seat.

Time consuming job but really happy with the way it turned out.

[singlespeed]

Pics?

[martynvella]

Never posted pics before. Will have to figure out how.

[bob14hilux]

Hi martyn.

I have to ask, because I have never had this happen to me.

How does the spring bending cause the antenna to be destroyed?

I thought one of the reasons for having the spring was to allow the antenna to bend over and therefore not break.

[Jacko9]

Neither, and I hit wildlife daily in mine, if I didn't have the springs, I'd be buying a lot of new aerials. Maybe it's more to do with the wobbling effect on the aerial internal circuit board? Using a Zcg type aerial eliminates that issue too

[aandy]

I have broken two antennas, both with springs.

I think it is more about having the right spring for the length/contruction of the antenna.

First one was a fibreglass ~1m, vibrated slightly violently, on a big trip after weeks of corrugated roads it snapped in half.

Second one was a really short thick black fibreglass GME one that would go completely nuts vibrating on the bulbar even on the road, it lasted a couple of weeks before the fibreglass bit threw itself off. this one http://www.prestigecom.net.au/gme-ae470 ... cb-antenna

Now I have a RFI antenna on a spring and I am much more confident with this one, it has a calm little wobble, nearly seems out of sync with the car/bullbar, not violent at all. this one http://www.prestigecom.net.au/rfi-cdq-5 ... cb-antenna
I would recommend the RFI you will be impressed, I also have a small bendy rubber RFI that fits the same base that works well.

[martynvella]

It is caused by the sideways whipping affect, base goes one way and antenna takes a while to catch up, by then the base has gone the other way, the base and whip turns into an "S" shape, fiberglass whips wear down where it is in the threaded metal bit and come loose and the wire breaks, and stainless whips fatigue and just break off.

Each to their own, not here to argue the point with anyone, just stating what I have come across many times working on various sites in the Pilbara and Kimberly, and how it has influenced my decision not to run a spring.

[Steveyb]

Each to their own, not here to argue the point with anyone, just stating what I have come across many times working on various sites in the Pilbara and Kimberly, and how it has influenced my decision not to run a spring.

I worked for many years as a radio tech and seen thousands of installations in all sorts of configurations and I must concur that springs caused more harm than good.

I run a RFI vhf 1/2 wave whip and an Laser antennas 6.5dbi 5/8 0ver 1/2 whip without springs on the bull bar. 4 years later no problems. Granted I've not done endless corrugated roads out back but even just driving around I can see how much the bar and body move independent of each other.

[martynvella]

lets see if this works, computers hate me.