2003 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon

[RFI-EMI-GUY]

I found someone is selling a nice low miles 2003 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon. I have been considering repainting my low miles 2001 Ford Expedition and repairing a number of broken bits. So this slightly newer car, that appears to have good paint has caught my attention.

The roof however, gives me pause as it appears to be a fiberglass hardtop. I would like center roof mounted antennas and therefore I will have to put a groundplane beneath. I really don't want it to look tacky or bodged up. Has anyone done this? Is there a headliner or an aftermarket headliner for the hardtop? I was thinking I could run all the cables (perhaps 4) down one corner in the rear and when removing the hardtop for good weather, I could put a small mast and multiband antenna in its place. But 99% of the time the hardtop would be used.

 

[OhSixTJ]

Super late reply but I’d just stick a 1/2 or 1/4 wave on a “pole” behind the rear tire and call it good.

 

[jplyler]

I found someone is selling a nice low miles 2003 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon. I have been considering repainting my low miles 2001 Ford Expedition and repairing a number of broken bits. So this slightly newer car, that appears to have good paint has caught my attention.

The roof however, gives me pause as it appears to be a fiberglass hardtop. I would like center roof mounted antennas and therefore I will have to put a groundplane beneath. I really don't want it to look tacky or bodged up. Has anyone done this? Is there a headliner or an aftermarket headliner for the hardtop? I was thinking I could run all the cables (perhaps 4) down one corner in the rear and when removing the hardtop for good weather, I could put a small mast and multiband antenna in its place. But 99% of the time the hardtop would be used.

Sounds like a bad idea to mount on the roof. I would be most concerned with the whip hitting things (garage, parking garage, trees, etc...) and putting significant stress on the roof causing it to crack.

I drive a 2015 JKU with a soft top. I use k-400 type mounts on my tail gate and it works very well. Not ideal but with good installation practice and decent bonding of things it works well, even on HF. The radiation pattern is more directional with this configuration but it's a good compromise without the worry of damaging your hard top.

That said, Jeeps are great for mobile installations, very easy to run wires and cables and, at least with my 2015, vehicle-borne electrical noise isn't really an issue.

I currently run a Yaesu FT8900 and a Yaesu FT891 while mobile. I have also run Icom706MK2G with very good luck.

Good luck,

Jon - AK4XO

 

[RFI-EMI-GUY]

Pretty old thread. I still have not bought a Jeep. I started looking at newer models as well. I will need at least three antennas UHF, VHF and CB so thus my question about roof mounting on the hard top models.

 

[jplyler]

Curious - why separate UHF / VHF antennas? A solid dual band antenna and diplexer if you are dealing with separate UHF and VHF radios should suffice and while keeping the antennas limited. That said, I've never worked with that particular configuration but know people who have with good success.

 

[RFI-EMI-GUY]

I want to use separate antennas for isolation and use low profile 1/4 wave where possible.

Back to point, I want to roof mount some of the antennas with a ground plane beneath. Wonder if the aftermarket headliner options can conceal the NMO mounting.