eHam
eHam Forums => Mobile Ham => Topic started by: K4BDA on February 07, 2023, 07:52:02 AM
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I have a 2005 Buick Rendezvous Ultra SUV with a hatch back.
I want to mount an HF screwdriver antenna or other type HF antenna on the vehicle.
Will a "clip mount" damage the edge of the hatch?
And if mounted on the hatch edge how to get the coax in the vehicle?
How about using the trailer hitch or under-bolting something with the trailer-hitch for mounting the antenna?
Looking for idea's and pictures if any.
Thanks for the help.
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Anything larger than an ATAS-sized screwdriver
antenna antenna is going to require a very
sturdy mount. The trailer hitch may be a good
solution - mounting hardware designed for this
is available from several sources (but I don’t
have links handy at the moment).
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I agree that the hitch would be the best mount, but I did not have one, and did not want to install one just for the antenna. My SUV's rear lift did not have a straight section long enough to accommodate the lip mount, so my only option was to mount the K-400 mount on the front hood, near the front of the vehicle. (Little Tarheel antenna.) Just something to possibly consider.
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First pass guess on this vehicle would be a mount that attaches to the vehicle behind one of the tail light assemblies.
Mark K5LXP
Albuquerque, NM
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I would not use a trailer hitch or mount to car body. I've been doing HF mobile for a very long time. You need to get the tip of the antenna as high as possible without going over the legal limit. In California it is 13 feet 6 inches.
I have a Toyota Highlander (and previously a 4Runner). Under the back side on the driver's side is a body girder that probably has holes in it or maybe even welded nuts. that is what you will mount the bottom plate to. The 3 x 3 steel tube is welded to that plate, comes out on the driver's side at a slight down angle to clear the side panel and the goes up the driver's side of the rear of the car being topped off with a piece of 1/4" steel that the antenna base or bayonet bolts to. That end of the "J" also is grounded to the car body (for me it is terminated inside the left rear stop light to the body. I have pictures which I can send to you directly. If you need a drawing or more then contact me. Geoff, K6TFZ at aol dot com.
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For any mobile installation, the physical install is more important that the electrical. The screwdriver is quite a "sail" and you will want a solid mounting. Bumper mount or one that mounts to a "trailer hitch" is more in order. Remember you will be doing 60-80 mph while the wind may be blowing another 30+! You don't want to be dragging the antenna by the coax at those speeds!
Now how high can you make it? What band(s) do you expect to use? How much power?
-Mike.
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Go to the Tarheel web site and look at mounting photo's. Remember this will be the Little Tarheel II or even the baby tarheel. I have the Little Tarheel II and it just isn't that big. We are not talking about a texas bugcatcher here. Remember 80 meters is of limited use mobile anyway. 40 and up is "where it is at", as the antenna's get much more efficient as you go up in frequency. Even the "baby" on the front cowl mount for 40 thru 6 might work better for you. But as said the higher up on the body the better. Everything is a trade off. Look at all of the photo's and get some ideas.
https://www.tarheelantennas.com/little_tarheel_ii
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Just saw your message. Did you every get a satisfactory answer? Let me know. I have an ATAS on a Comet HD5M on my Expedition and I really like it.
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I used a Lil Tarheel II for years, on a heavy duty, lip mount attached to the tailgate of a Chevy Suburban. Never had any problems with the security of the mount even at 80+ MPH.