Bumper mounted HF on 2012 Tacoma?

[K3GHH]

Has anyone installed a spring mount for Hamsticks by drilling the rear bumper of a recent Tacoma pickup?

On my old 1994 Toyota pickup there was plenty of space on the bumper, to the left of the tailgate; I had no trouble drilling and mounting a base there. This new Tacoma bumper seems to offer very little space that clears the tailgate. Maybe there's room, behind the left taillight. Has anyone done it?

--John K3GHH

[W9MMS]

I would use the Stake hole on the truck to mount the Antenna. Take a look at Breedlove Brackets .....

http://bellsouthpwp.net/b/r/breedlove1/page16.html

Also, pay a visit to Alan's site .....

http://www.k0bg.com/eff.html


(((73))) Milverton.

[K3GHH]

I would use the Stake hole on the truck to mount the Antenna. Take a look at Breedlove Brackets .....

http://bellsouthpwp.net/b/r/breedlove1/page16.html

Also, pay a visit to Alan's site .....

http://www.k0bg.com/eff.html


(((73))) Milverton.

I have a fiberglass cap that completely covers the bed.

[W9MMS]

They have one for that too!

http://bellsouthpwp.net/b/r/breedlove1/page12.html

Scroll down till you see the Camper shell.


(((73))) Milverton.

[K3GHH]

They have one for that too!

http://bellsouthpwp.net/b/r/breedlove1/page12.html

Scroll down till you see the Camper shell.


(((73))) Milverton.

Thanks! That might be feasible.

--John K3GHH

[WA8FOZ]

They have one for that too!

http://bellsouthpwp.net/b/r/breedlove1/page12.html

Scroll down till you see the Camper shell.


(((73))) Milverton.

Thanks! That might be feasible.

--John K3GHH

This is DEFINITELY preferable to bumper mount. For an antenna as small as a Hamstick, with this mount you need not use a spring - I suppose it might help if you hit a tree branch. Do read up on Alan's website, especially grounding and image planes. kobg.com is a definitive textbook on mobiling.

Have fun!

[K3GHH]

Actually, looking at the truck, I don't see how the stake-hole mount would work. On the Tacoma the top of the bed sides is covered by a thick layer of black composite material, like that which lines the bed. There are no stake holes visible anywhere. I'll communicate with the Breedlove company before I go further.

[W8JX]

I have used a chain type bumper mount with no spring for many years with ham sticks with excellent results on a Suburban. Below is a link for a strap type bumper mount.

Click Here

[KF6RDN]

Actually, looking at the truck, I don't see how the stake-hole mount would work. On the Tacoma the top of the bed sides is covered by a thick layer of black composite material, like that which lines the bed. There are no stake holes visible anywhere. I'll communicate with the Breedlove company before I go further.

This is from an 06 which I believe is similar:

That black composite material comes off, there's a plastic latchey thing, and the rest snaps off.
However the post or stake holes are there but pretty useless.