Thanks for the help Terry, appears to be exactly what Im looking for and I can coat the frame too !!

Thanks Anthony, Ive been to K0BG's site several times (this aint my first rodeo hi,hi) I've been licenced since '02.
I understand how antennas work (and have been running mobile in tractor trailers since I recieved my general ticket in '92)
As I stated I'm not looking to get bashed for installing the ATAS 120 I know its a not the perfect mobile antenna (but it was a gift or FREE) I already have it installed on the Pro Rack with ground(s) or counterpoise if you prefer running to the frame (both sides of the rack as well) terminating within six inches on both sides of the antenna, the bed is bonded as well as the doors,hood, and cab. The radio is strapped to a seatbelt bolt and due to weather I still need to bond the exaust system, all that aside I must admit the antenna works pretty good for what it is,and what I use it for, considering most of my time mobile is in a completlly different truck. As I appreciate your guidence I was simply looking for a way to secure the antenna to the Pro Rack that will not allow the steel to rust around the area(s) where I have wire wheeled the paint off and still be able to remove it to go through the car wash. Think ill just lay an aluminum flat bar over the top off the steel, bolt it and silicone the edges. BTW the little tar heel I have on my Peterbilt is a far better antenna than the ATAS but with two kids in college and diesel fuel over 4 dollars a gallon the wife said no tar heels ! My next question would be signal distortion, from my knowledge and what I've been told over the years the frequency seperation is so great between the ATAS (used only for HF and 6) and the comet 2/440 that it shouldnt be a concern (theres a little better than 3' 8" between the two) is my thinking here wrong ?? I have my Peterbilt set up the same way minus the Pro Rack hi, hi and have never had any trouble.
Pics of the Peterbilt are on my QRZ profile but its a little dark not sure if you can actually see the antenna set up.
Thanks again and 73
 
73

Sticking with the Yaesu name the vx6r seems a little closer to what you might be looking for, full general coverage recieve (am/fm) submersible, tri band (2,220 and 440) and pretty easy to learn to navigate thru the menus

I need advice from someone more mechanical than myself, before I ask away no negative comments on the antenna it was bought for me as a Christmas gift and I'm currently having no trouble with it HI HI !!
My vechicle is a 2004 GMC Sierra, I have a Pro Rack mounted to it (specificlly for antenna mounting), the problem I'm having is rust. I went with a direct mount to the rack via a barrel connector, and I need (or would like to leave it this way due to no operatioal problems) due to clearence and most importantly (to me) I can easilly remove it when needed (car wash ect).
The bare area on the rack is constantly rusting and its becoming a chore to keep breaking out the drill and wire brush to keep it clean (cant seal it with spray or caulk, obviouslly when removed that seal will be broke). My thought is a trip to home depot to purchase an aluminum bar or stainless if I can find it. Just wondering if taking this bar and bolting to the rack and reconnecting my ground wires to the bar and sealing the outside (exposed) edges with paint and silicone is doable or maybe someone has used this same mounting method and has come up with a better idea ? OK remember it was a gift, the antenna I'm using is the ATAS-120A (used for 40-6) I have v/uhf antennas mounted sepratley on the side bars using half mirror mounts and no trouble and like I said I would prefer to use the center flat bar for the ATAS. Thanks for any help here.

John, another idea that I plan to play with on my GMC 2500. I have recently aquiered an ATAS 120a however with all the bad I've seen posted here my first attempt will be single band antennas made by opek (I know I know) the most convienent idead that came to mind to accomplish this (with either Antenna) is to install a back rack/pro rack, not using the saddle mount model but the bolt on with the two corner bolts grounded to the frame with braid. 40 meters on one side and 10 on the other as well as a 2/440 on the flat bar over the brake light cut out. No adapters just drill and mount. Good luck in which ever idea suits your needs. 73

My summer home (lol) is at a campground in NW N.J. I have a 66' long wire run vertical up a tree connected to a matching system with the usual homemade ugly balun allowing me to operate 80 - 6 meters and no issues have been found throughout the campground or neighboring trailers, wifi and rfi not an issue. Proper set up of the station and good grounding of course.If your set up properly and issues are discovered contact the wifi provider to analyze their set up.

parts for the vx-5 are no longer available through Yaesu, I've tied even Japan. I have two of them one works the other works but needs a keypad. Good Luck
And if you find someone with parts please contact me

I was doing the same thing with a pencil before it stopped working,tried cleaning the contacts from the board and the pad and no luck, I did notice the keypad from the older ht didnt have the soft contact pads on the back of them that the newer on I have does, not sure if that was incorperated into both keypads or not because the hts were puchased about two years apart and we all know changes are made from model year to model year.
I'm going to try and keep this post active just in case someone might have one or know of a place to get one, a couple guys from the local club are heading to Dayton and will be on the look out for me as well so maybe i'll get lucky who know.
73

Thanks Dan, I do realize its old just a little venting hi hi, what I'm hoping is maybe someone knows a parts or repair guy to point me to. I made a couple calls after putting this post up and to no surprise some of the bigger radio shops said they didnt have it and wished me luck in my search, one even said to try ebay .......... Oh well hamfest season is about to kick off so maybe i'll get lucky then.

Is your part guy in Fl. commercial ?? After reading this post I swapped keypads from one that was working and it worked. I called yaesu and was told vx5r parts are no longer available (?not sure why?) he couldnt even refer me to a parts supplier.
Tnx Scott

After a search here on eham I found out the reason its not turning on is probally the keypad, having two of these ht's I swapped out the keypad from the one that works and BAMM it works again !! Heres my problem, I called yaesu and the NICE man in the parts dept informed me parts for this radio has been discontinued (why??). Can anyone recommend a parts vendor for this ht?

tnx Scott

As I replied in the last thread, I've been an over the road truck driver for the past 21 years an cant imagine them removing two way radio from any vehicle and if it does pass I'm sure that will include law enforcement vehicles as well. right ??

I use two 5'6" francis whips and a mfj 945e here at my camper and they work well 15-6 meters

Barry they have the 43' listed at $185

The s9 is listed at cheapham.com theres about a 20 dollar increase in the 31 foot and not available till early april. I contacted LDG to try and purchase one direct and was told i had to wait, they were waiting to hear from vendors and work on logistics.
Not sure who else is going to carry them.