dual band antenna of a jeep fiberglas top.

[WB7DIE]

I would like to mount a 2mtr/70cm antenna on the top of my 95 wrangler. It has a small luggage rack. Has anyone outthere tried to add a ground plane external to the top. There is some adhesive metal available used for auto trim. What say you? Gary (WB7DIE)

[K0BG]

There are a couple of things you can do. One is an aluminum plate, but most of the time that's hard to do. The other is to use 3M 1181 copper tape. If you shop around, you can buy a 1 inch wide roll about 50 feet long for about $20. You have to be careful because the edge is SHARP! It curls easily too, but with a little care, it makes a passible ground plane.

Alan, KØBG
www.k0bg.com

[KI6FUJ]

You might consider buying a Teraflex CB antenna mount.  Several of the guys from my forum use them for their 2m/440 antennas.  

The mount installs between the rear light and the body.  Very clean installation.

Here's a link if you're interested in seeing it installed:

http://4x4s-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=94

[NA0AA]

There are some mobile antennas that are ground plane independent.

I've used braid for counterpoises on roof mounted antennas, and the use of copper foil tape is well documented.

[KG4RUL]

Here is a possible choice from Lakeview:

Antenna: http://www.hamstick.com/hw-1.htm

NMO Antenna Mounts: http://www.hamstick.com/mounts.htm

[N2IK]

Alan, when using the copper tape ground plane, do you lay down radials from the center of the NMO or do you make a continuous plane of copper foil by overlapping each strip along it's long axis?

If it is radials, how many are enough?

73 de Walt N2IK

[N4SSE]

I would like to second the Teraflex mount.  It is obviously not the same as mounting in the center of the roof, but in a vehicle that has the great feature of changing to a soft top or removing all together it is a pretty good compromise.  I have good results with mine.  Good luck

[KB3PDA]

Here is my Jeep JK antenna mounting system.  I have also added an A-pillar mag mount plate for a third antenna. Also had the same mounting issues with my 05 Wrangler Unlimited with the glass top. In the 05 I had also mounted a GPS teceiver but it went with the top when I sold the Jeep.
73
Doug

http://www.jk-forum.com/showthread.php?t=13138