antenna mount

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kj6yyb

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I bought a comet dual band antenna and a breedlove stake mount antenna mount that I plan on installing right behind the cab of my 2002 Dodge Quad cab 1500. I was wondering if the performance would be greatly affected by placing it there? I wasn't thinking ahead when I had my CB radio antenna installed in the middle of the roof.

Dan KJ6YYB
 

LtDoc

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Performance will be affected, yes. I won't venture to say how much it would be affected, or how 'badly' though. I'm willing to bet that it will be usable! And who says you can't move it if you feel like it?
- 'Doc
 

Rt169Radio

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It probably would not be as good,if it were on the roof.How tall is the antenna? Because the back end of your truck will probably block the bottom and middle half of the antenna signal.
 

russellmaher

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I would suggest dedicating the space in the middle of the roof to the antenna that you want to get the optimum performance from.

Russell
 

kj6yyb

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It probably would not be as good,if it were on the roof.How tall is the antenna? Because the back end of your truck will probably block the bottom and middle half of the antenna signal.

It is 40" I believe. Does it matter if the middle and bottom of the antenna is blocked. I am new to ham and thought that the emissions were from the tip. I may move it to the roof. On a side note, the CB antenna is designed to be installed on the roof ( according to the salesman/ installer does that mean I can't switch the antennas as I am probably going to use the ham radio more often?

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mmckenna

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It is 40" I believe. Does it matter if the middle and bottom of the antenna is blocked. I am new to ham and thought that the emissions were from the tip. I may move it to the roof. On a side note, the CB antenna is designed to be installed on the roof ( according to the salesman/ installer does that mean I can't switch the antennas as I am probably going to use the ham radio more often?

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The entire antenna element radiates, that is why antenna length affects SWR. Having it behind the cab will likely make it difficult to tune the antenna to an optimal SWR reading. It will also affect the radiation pattern of the antenna.

Swapping the locations depends on the type of mounts used. Post a picture of the mount on the center of the roof and we can likely help you out. Chance are you can either replace it or find a new antenna that will mount to it.
 

kb2vxa

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Well, it's a safe bet it's not a ball mount in the center of the roof so as long as the hole is a standard 3/4" changing the entire mount if need be won't be a problem. CB being near the top end of HF mounting isn't critical for technical reasons beyond the scope of this discussion. Taking a look at the truck being such a mean machine makes me wonder about antenna placement that won't uglify it too much. I was thinking if you don't constantly drop the tail gate a 102" fiberglass whip on a modified trailer hitch (remove the ball and put the mount through the hole) won't look bad and since it need not be high on the vehicle you'll still "get out" pretty well.

Just to get slightly technical, since an antenna radiates over its entire length when mounted low little or any of a loaded antenna extends over an obstruction, that's why I mentioned a full quarter wave. Don't worry about metal de-tuning it (those pesky swors) since the hitch sets it back from the gate rather nicely. Take it from an ex CBer, I was never fooled by the flub and fluff, I know my stuff (and can rhyme too).
 

WA4HHG

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Antenna Location

It will ABSOLUTELY be affected ! Think of the steel cab to act like a gamma match, throwing the tuning of the antenna/SWR off. Add in the shielding effect of the both the cab and your body (Human RF exposure = not good).

I have a '99 Dodge/Cummins X-Tra cab and have my 2M antenna on an NMO mount on the roof. I accessed the roof VIA the cab light, using a 7/8" wood bit to go through the steel roof. It works great plus there is the bonus of a little added height.

Chuck, WA4HHG
Chesapeake, VA


I bought a comet dual band antenna and a breedlove stake mount antenna mount that I plan on installing right behind the cab of my 2002 Dodge Quad cab 1500. I was wondering if the performance would be greatly affected by placing it there? I wasn't thinking ahead when I had my CB radio antenna installed in the middle of the roof.
 

sparks40

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I have the same truck, just an '05. Mount it on the rear stake pocket on the drivers side to keep it out of the trees. Run a ground wire from the mount to the truck frame. I've been using this set-up with a 1/4 wave VHF/UHF whip and haven't had any issues. I use a 3/8-24 mount that i fabricated myself. My SWR averages 1.3:1 across the
2, 6, and 70cm bands, and i've had no complaints working simplex or hitting all the local repeaters.
 

WA4HHG

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Dodge Antenna Mount

Make sure the bottom of the antenna is above the cab roof. You want to avoid putting your body in the RF field, especially if 440 operation is planned.

Chuck
WA4HHG

I have the same truck, just an '05. Mount it on the rear stake pocket on the drivers side to keep it out of the trees.
 

LtDoc

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To summarize...

Antennas would rather be above metal than beside metal and don't like being under metal at all. Are there exceptions? Of course, but only in special/specific instances. For example. Placing an antenna beside metal (of the right size/shape) can make that antenna directional. Is that good? If you have use for a directional antenna, sure it is. Not so useful if you don't find it useful.
Just like people, when placed in a position an antenna doesn't 'like', it's behavior changes. Sometimes that change in behavior can be 'corrected', and sometimes it can't be.
That's about as far as I want to go with that sort of comparison.
- 'Doc
 

prcguy

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I ran out of roof space on my truck and have an NMO mount on a bracket near a rear stake pocket just in front of the tailgate. I can tell the ground plane is a little lacking there due to the higher VSWR compared to the same antenna on the roof but its far enough away from the cab to avoid directional problems with mounting up next to the cab.

Running a ground wire from a stake pocket mount or my rear bracket mount would have zero effect at VHF/UHF, the antenna would not know the wire was there and its looking more for some sq feet of flat sheet metal under it to get happy.
prcguy

I have the same truck, just an '05. Mount it on the rear stake pocket on the drivers side to keep it out of the trees. Run a ground wire from the mount to the truck frame. I've been using this set-up with a 1/4 wave VHF/UHF whip and haven't had any issues. I use a 3/8-24 mount that i fabricated myself. My SWR averages 1.3:1 across the
2, 6, and 70cm bands, and i've had no complaints working simplex or hitting all the local repeaters.
 

kj6yyb

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Thank you all for the responses, I decided to mount it in the back steak pocket with a Breedlove pocket mount until I decide if I want to put another hole in the roof. I just haven't had time to see how well it work yet, pesky job keeps getting in the way. I do know it receives since I have heard a couple of nets going on while I have been driving.

Dan kj6yyb
 
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