CB Antenna on aluminum travel trailer

[slowmover]

Have been looking at using a lay-over mount (Tarheel Lift & Lay) for a CB half-wave vertical after a suggestion it’s a better choice than the 102” whip on a puck-mount with lay-over adapter I’d expressed I’d try.

35’ TT

Leaving aside how much work goes into either, the best recommendation I’ve had is the SOLARCON A99 (versus others) once I’d done some Internet searches.

I’ve no set preferences.

RV Parks have rules in some cases about “big”
antennas (Id paint a fiberglass antenna grey), so there is a concern about appearances as well as about bleed-over into electronics (a regular note about this antenna and the IMAX 2000).

Wind load is the other. I figured the 102” on a big puck mount with backing plate wedged into reinforced framing ought to be okay. With an 18’ antenna, I’m not so sure. The Tarheel plate isn’t so big, relatively. Where I may live & travel sudden high gusts are a fact of life. No warning.

I’ve no experience with these antennas — only mobile — and while, technically this is a mobile installation, am I getting too far out what with potential bleed over and potential wind load problems (how much larger a plate to use) for the performance gains?

A search here revealed advice that a vertical coupled to the TT body is (could be) a performer. I’m not tied to this being CB-only (nor adverse to using a remote tuner); so the floor is open.

I’m home only every so often so the antenna would spend most of its life baking close to that metal roof, laid-over.

All advice welcomed.

 

[slowmover]

(Guess I missed edit window).

ALPHA Moto 6-40 an antenna I’ve looked at before in a different application. With optional 17’+ telescope whip (and tuner) maybe it’s an option for this.

1). Looks like it’s less visually “noticeable”
2). Might do better stowed close to that metal roof getting baked.
3). Telescope whip means more location choices versus fixed-length.

Any experience with one?



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[RFI-EMI-GUY]

I would be curious about how it performs and VSWR at CB frequencies as I am looking for a 6-10M solution.

 

[slowmover]

The expense of the Alpha FMJ + LGC Tuner and a 17’ whip which isn’t “stealthy” has put that approach on the back burner. About $700 once miscellaneous added in. While I could also use it on my pickup — reserving it for a future date — I think I’m going to stay with the 102” whip on a fold-over mount for the TT.

Install is straightforward, expense is about one-third the other approach, and the thinner SS whip shouldn’t be as noticeable or objectionable. Quarter-wave performance isn’t that of a half-wave, but the very high heat on the TT roof also dissuades me from using an Antron 99 on a layover.

Have earlier planned a coax exit from underneath trailer to accommodate using a tripod or “other” (the many possible portable antennas), so there’ll be a day for those.

In the meantime, being able to get on the air (CB, first) is enough of a priority for a start.

More at a later date.

 

[138BG]

Trailer roof aluminum/metal? Ground the mount to the roof and use the 102". Use the A99 when you need to stir paint. My $.02

 

[slowmover]

Trailer roof aluminum/metal? Ground the mount to the roof and use the 102". Use the A99 when you need to stir paint. My $.02

Yes, as to construction. And, plan.

 

[KK2DOG]

I personally would go with the A-99/Imax 2000 route. I've had both antennas and never had any type of "bleed-over" issues at all and it could be attached to a 10' mast with your choice of mount. I've seen guys use a drive-on plate that the mast attaches to and they seem to be quite secure and you could always guy it with some rope if need be. Also, if you ever do get a ham ticket, either antenna will work fine on 20 thru 10 meters with a tuner.

 

[slowmover]

I personally would go with the A-99/Imax 2000 route. I've had both antennas and never had any type of "bleed-over" issues at all and it could be attached to a 10' mast with your choice of mount. I've seen guys use a drive-on plate that the mast attaches to and they seem to be quite secure and you could always guy it with some rope if need be. Also, if you ever do get a ham ticket, either antenna will work fine on 20 thru 10 meters with a tuner.

The point to this install is permanence, and on the trailer roof. I don’t believe a Fiberglas antenna will very long survive constant 160F temps against that roof while laid over. While I could be wrong, it goes against what I’d consider as permanent (more than five years service).

A mount to be used temporarily isn’t being considered for this thread. It’s a mobile installation, albeit used while stationary. And that might be in having stopped for lunch, or an overnight stay.

There are those times I don’t want coax strung around.

 

[rcarl]

FIGHTER P-5000 (sirioantenne.it)
Gets my vote.

 

[prcguy]

This is a 5:1 balun with a whip stuck on top, basically a dummy load on a stick. For lower amateur bands the 5:1 balun with 60 to 100ft of wire can work ok but not with a short whip. On CB a 4ft Firestick will probably run circles around it. Chameleon antenna has a similar unit and although it works the same the workmanship on the Chameleon is much better. I have a Chameleon with 17ft of whip and never use it because it doesn't work.

(Guess I missed edit window).

ALPHA Moto 6-40 an antenna I’ve looked at before in a different application. With optional 17’+ telescope whip (and tuner) maybe it’s an option for this.

1). Looks like it’s less visually “noticeable”
2). Might do better stowed close to that metal roof getting baked.
3). Telescope whip means more location choices versus fixed-length.

Any experience with one?

View attachment 105044

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[slowmover]

This is a 5:1 balun with a whip stuck on top, basically a dummy load on a stick. For lower amateur bands the 5:1 balun with 60 to 100ft of wire can work ok but not with a short whip. On CB a 4ft Firestick will probably run circles around it. Chameleon antenna has a similar unit and although it works the same the workmanship on the Chameleon is much better. I have a Chameleon with 17ft of whip and never use it because it doesn't work.

Thanks for your insights. It would have been an expensive project, and the reason for use wasn’t, “performance first”.

I’m focused on a t680 Kenworth installation since starting this thread, so the travel trailer won’t get worked on until cooler weather.

Short of other suggestions to consider I’m going with a 108” SS whip on a puck mount (roof-center; towards bow).

.

 

[slowmover]

FIGHTER P-5000 (sirioantenne.it)
Gets my vote.

Got the fold-over mag mount Sirio 5000 for my sons SUV. On the trailer I can go taller, so I will. BREEDLOVE lay-over into a puck mount.

 

[prcguy]

I considered one of these for my travel trailer but its all fiberglass and no ground plane. If I had an all aluminum one this mounted in the roof will hand crank an antenna like a 9ft whip or larger, up and down from inside the trailer. These are made for the marine industry and this is a more expensive version but the cheaper ones are still around $400. You can also get a motorized version and some can lift an 18ft Shakespeare marine version Big Stick.

Taco Grand Slam 800 VHF Antenna Mount #GS-800-1 | eBay

The GS-800 VHF Antenna Mount was created specifically to prevent climbing on the boat gunnel to raise and lower a VHF antenna. Lift and descend the antenna from the safety of the deck from under the top.

www.ebay.com

I've also seen some home made motorized lift and lay mounts using an actuator arm off a small satellite dish.

 

[slowmover]

I considered one of these for my travel trailer but its all fiberglass and no ground plane. If I had an all aluminum one this mounted in the roof will hand crank an antenna like a 9ft whip or larger, up and down from inside the trailer. These are made for the marine industry and this is a more expensive version but the cheaper ones are still around $400. You can also get a motorized version and some can lift an 18ft Shakespeare marine version Big Stick.

Taco Grand Slam 800 VHF Antenna Mount #GS-800-1 | eBay

The GS-800 VHF Antenna Mount was created specifically to prevent climbing on the boat gunnel to raise and lower a VHF antenna. Lift and descend the antenna from the safety of the deck from under the top.

www.ebay.com

I've also seen some home made motorized lift and lay mounts using an actuator arm off a small satellite dish.

Thank you, I’ll look into it!