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You CAN get a decent ground plane in a jeep gladiator!

OhSixTJ

Member
Joined
Feb 9, 2014
Messages
291
It’ll just cost you way too much money lol

I mounted my ham antenna to a fishbone full height tackle bed rack. I would’ve preferred a 36x36 piece of metal but all I could source here locally was 24x24. It should at least work a little better than the usual cowl mount stuff that’s available.

IMG_7260.jpeg
 

G6FGO

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Location
Gloucester, England
So what solution would you recommend? I ask because I have a 1977 Toyota Land Cruiser with a fiberglass roof and am looking for ideas.

On my fibreglass vehicles (and the 'bike) I use dual band aerials which do not rely on a ground plane. There are a few to choose from in the Diamond and Watson etc ranges.
 

W2JGA

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Oct 14, 2014
Messages
116
I'm trying to figure something out for my 2023 Rubicon Diesel with the fiberglass top,
 

vagrant

ker-muhj-uhn
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Nov 19, 2005
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3,464
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California
On my fibreglass vehicles (and the 'bike) I use dual band aerials which do not rely on a ground plane. There are a few to choose from in the Diamond and Watson etc ranges.
Indeed, if height is not an issue, the Diamond NR-770HB ( or the chrome version ) works very well for me. I use a second one low on the back corner of my SUV to handle APRS @5W. The other is connected to a Diamond motorized lift mounted to a luggage rack for the mobile radio.

 

merlin

Active Member
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Jul 3, 2003
Messages
3,257
Location
DN32su
I had 6 meters on a Harley, a bit like HP bikes. The rod has to be a bit longer compared to a metal roof or deck lid.
2 and 70 MM would be a bit the same.
I never liked the compact-tennas, their performance hurts a bit.
 

G6FGO

Chief of Grammar Police.
Joined
Dec 6, 2024
Messages
60
Location
Gloucester, England
Try it with a convertible! I have made a connection to the tow bar for mine, which works reasonably well. As the whole car is fibreglass, it isn't going to disrupt the radiation pattern too badly.

On my fibreglass saloon cars ( and one steel) I have used 'on glass aerials' which also work well with no ground plane and are a little higher up of course.

Look carefully lower right, it isn't obvious...

IMG_2651.jpeg



Top centre of the glass hatch....
IMG_2657.jpeg
 

AK9R

Lead Wiki Manager and almost an Awesome Moderator
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10,104
Location
Central Indiana
OK, the second photo is a Reliant Scimitar. But, what is the first photo?
 

prcguy

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Joined
Jun 30, 2006
Messages
16,776
Location
So Cal - Richardson, TX - Tewksbury, MA
2 meter/440
Ground plane requirements for that are not bad and I find a trunk lip mount on the hood hear the hinges works well. It also works OK for CB but my upper bed rail mount behind a rear wheel well works a little better. I've posted this picture a dozen times so here it is again.

1727446958268-jpeg.169899
 
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