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1-10 of 19 messages
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Body Mounting an HS-1800 Screwdriver
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by K9OF on July 9, 2009
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Has anyone successfully installed a screwdriver on a Breedlove 4" ball mount? Details, please.
John, K9OF
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RE: Body Mounting an HS-1800 Screwdriver
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by K0BG on July 9, 2009
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Depends on what you attach the ballmount to. Regular old sheet metal won't hold the antenna steady unless you brace it, and I suspect that's what you're trying to avoid doing.
The biggest problem is overcoming the cone mounting arrangement. Unless you make a new base plug for it, the only means of support is the cone which sticks up into the base of the antenna. It's not the best of schemes, even when using the factory mount.
Alan, KØBG
www.k0bg.com
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RE: Body Mounting an HS-1800 Screwdriver
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by K9OF on July 9, 2009
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Bracing it is not a problem. Interfacing the antenna base with the smaller mount surface is the challenge. Certainly the cone is not cool and I hope to avoid using it.
I may need a custom machined adapter. But...I'm hoping someone else has already skinned this cat.
Thanks.
John, K9OF
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RE: Body Mounting an HS-1800 Screwdriver
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by K0BG on July 9, 2009
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I can only speak of one, and he had the cone plug brazed in.
Alan, KØBG
www.k0bg.com
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RE: Body Mounting an HS-1800 Screwdriver
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by K3GM on July 10, 2009
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As you know, the brass base of the HS-1800 has cone shaped hole machined into the bottom of it. The base "plug" if you will can be easily removed from the antenna body by removing the 5 or 6 screws and the bottom. Do that, and the plug will drop out. You'll see that the other end of the plug is tapped with a 3/8-24 thread the standard thread size used for many antenna mounts. All you need to do is find a like-threaded stud, flip the base around and insert it back into he body so the cone is now facing up into the tube. Now you can thread the stud into the Breedlove mount, and thread the HS-1800 onto the stud.
Sticky problem:
My base was threaded cock-eyed. It was off by a mile. I took pix showing a threaded bolt sticking out at a noticeable angle and sent it to High Sierra, but Jim wouldn't budge as far as replacing it. To remedy this, I drilled out the threads and cleared it for a 3/8-34 bolt. I got one long enough to pass thru the entire brass plug, and thread into the Breedlove mount. I have to mount the brass plug first, then place the antenna over the plug and install the little screws to secure it.
One other thing:
I'm not satisfied with my self-fabricated upper support and it's the primary reason I haven't posted pix to Alan's site. I'm using a stainless strap which is mounted to my roof rack on my '07 Tahoe. I think I need piece long enough to span both rack rails. That will keep it from twisting. When I get it right, I will be sure to post pix and I have you email address so send something off to you.
7 3, Tom Hybiske K3GM
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RE: Body Mounting an HS-1800 Screwdriver
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by K0BG on July 10, 2009
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Tom, the last HS1800 I worked on, didn't have the 3/8x24 thread running clear through the cone. As I mentioned, we just brazed the cone into the bottom plug, and let it go at that. By the way, the plug was miss drilled, and threaded too. Based on my e-mail in box, your comments, and my experience, it appears to be a common problem.
To be honest, I don't like the way Tarheel mounts their antennas either. The model they make from MFJ is better, in that the bottom plug is threaded with 1 inch pipe thread. While not ideal for some folks, it does support the antenna very well. I just wish they'd do something about the set screw arrangement for attaching the matching coil and coax.
Alan, KØBG
www.k0bg.com
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RE: Body Mounting an HS-1800 Screwdriver
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by N9MSH on July 12, 2009
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John, I can't speak of the HS 1800, but i can tell you that the breedlove mount is a very solid piece of mounting system. I have a Hi-Q 5/160 mounted on mine the large 1/4 in. thick steel backing plate is wonderful. The brass ball doesn't move, I ran the ant for about 2 weeks without additional support even at highway speeds it didn't budge. I did eventually install an additional support, why take the chance.
73 mike
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RE: Body Mounting an HS-1800 Screwdriver
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by K3GM on July 12, 2009
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John, you didn't mention what vehicle you're planning the mount for, but I can tell you the trials and tribulations of body mounting on my 2007 Tahoe. There's an inner and outer sheet metal skin and the cavity in between is inaccessable. To mount the Breedlove backing plate...to connect the coax, you may have to cut an access opening in the inner sheet metal. For some, this may be more than they'll want to do, but it's the only way to get to the outer skin. This is suprising because the Tahoe is a popular fleet truck. Up here in MA, I often see our electric provider, National Grid with body mounted low band VHF antennas on them. In this case, the trucks are Ford Rangers, and I suspect it's much easier to get up between the box, and the outer panel.
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RE: Body Mounting an HS-1800 Screwdriver
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by K9OF on July 13, 2009
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I'm mounting the 1800 on a 1997 Dodge Caravan, left rear quarter. Fortunately, it has only one skin! I have already installed an ordinary 2" ball mount and it, along with a small sway brace, is currently holding up a hamstick. The vehicle sheet metal is accessible thru a removable interior panel (for jack access). I plan to replace the present ball mount with the Breedlove unit. There is some curvature in the body here, but the 4" mounting plates should work OK.
Even with a more robust sway brace, I'm not sure I can rely only on a 3/8X24 stud. The best solution may be a replacement for the top half of the ball, one that would provide a larger mounting contact surface than the stock "flattop". I'm exploring this with Breedlove.
I like the van body for mobile work as it provides more sheet metal for the counterpoise and because there is a lot of room between the front seats for radio equipment!
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RE: Body Mounting an HS-1800 Screwdriver
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by K3GM on July 13, 2009
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Well, I can tell you the flat section of the ball, where you mount the antenna body to is perfect for the brass plug of the HS-1800. If you flip the plug around as I described earlier it ends up recessed about a 1/4" up in the antenna tube. The diameter of the mount fits perfectly up in the tube.
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