How to mount a Yagi on my car

[Gilligan]

I know that the first thing you're thinking is that I'm crazy for considering this. Hold on for a second before you decide that. I wouldn't think of driving around on city streets with a beam antenna on my car. I work nights as a security guard at my school and basically I just sit in my car much of the night. I have a UHF yagi (about 3 feet long) and I want to be able to mount it on my car for the night. I rarely even move my vehicle, and my location is high above the city which makes it ideal for scanner listening. Does anyone have any ideas on how to mount this thing on my car, probably some kind of magnet mount or something? Maybe a link to a picture on the web where someone tried it or something? Any ideas might help. Thanks so much!

 

[KT4HX]

Well I might suggest getting a cheap Christmas tree stand, short pipe and length of coax. Keep those in your trunk and you can set it up and take it down quickly. Just a thought.

 

[Forts]

Quickest thing I can think of is a fairly strong magnet with some sort of center pole/shaft (like a heavy threaded rod maybe?) that the yagi can attach to. Maybe take a wander thru some surplus like places in your area if you have any and who knows what you may be able to piece together.

 

[DPD1]

You should first make sure that using the yagi will even be beneficial in the places you sit... It may not be much better than a standard whip for the band, considering that it won't be that high off the ground and will also be near the metal roof. You may be going through more trouble than it's worth. But off the top of my head... If the boom is less than 1" diameter, get some 1" PVC. Cut a slot in the top end that's wide enough to drop the boom into so it's tight, but deep enough so you can put a cap over the top to hold it in the slot. Take more 1" PVC along with 4 elbow fittings and 3 'T' fittings... Make a small square frame out of them, with a fifth piece that goes across the middle. On that middle piece, use the third 'T' in the middle to point up in the center. That one gets the mast piece shoved in it. You can drill holes in the four corners and put suction cups on the bottom. If the antenna is small, you could maybe scale down everything to 3/4" pipe and fittings. You can paint the whole thing with non solvent based spray paint.

Dave
http://www.dpdproductions.com
- Custom Scanner, Aviation, MURS, GMRS, Marine & Ham Antennas -

 

[k9rzz]

Is this you??

http://images.google.com/images?hl=en&q=vhf+rover&gbv=2

Check out the various VHF rovers on the web. Might give you some ideas.

John K9RZZ

 

[mfuller1950]

If you are going to remain stationary through out the night, you might look into about a 3 ft tripod and a 5 ft or so mast, just sitting it outside the car and running the coax in through a window or what ever. A very nice portable setup.


Fuller - K5QO

 

[kb2vxa]

"I have a UHF yagi (about 3 feet long) and I want to be able to mount it on my car for the night."

Why, is it affected by sunlight?

"I rarely even move my vehicle, and my location is high above the city which makes it ideal for scanner listening."

Fine if you live in a trailer park.

"Does anyone have any ideas on how to mount this thing on my car, probably some kind of magnet mount or something? Maybe a link to a picture on the web where someone tried it or something? Any ideas might help."

Well, maybe this guy can help. Don't say you didn't see THIS coming, sarcasm is a good clue.

Edit; Dammit John, you beat me to it while I was uploading! Hey, check out the Cushcraft Saturn 6 on the van's rear bumper. They just don't make good mobile antennas anymore.

 

[radio10-8]

Buy a tripod from Radio Shack, some metal or PVC pipe from your favorite hardware store, attach the Yagi to the pipe, cable thru your window. It can fold up and keep in the trunk when not in use..