If you haven't committed to one design yet, you might look around for
or fabricate a tail light mount. Basically, the ones I;ve seen unbolt
the tail light, and are a stainless steel plate that has the same hole
patern as the bolts that secure the light. on top is a flap that is
bent forward drilled for the antenna mount. Advantages are, you don't
have to mess with it to change tires, it doesn't move to open the
tailgate (no extra coax to be stuffed somewhere), and if you put it on
the driver's side, it is very unlikely to be in you field of view on a
regular basis. As for sepcific antennas, I'd go for an inexpensive one
as long as reasonable.
Scott
N2WMD
On Fri, 4 Jan 2008 17:08:10 -0500, "James" <jnipperxxx@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
>
wrote:
>I plan to install a 2 meter radio in my 1980 CJ5 Jeep (softtop). My
plan
>is to construct a mount that will attach to my rear tire mount. Because
>this will be a custom mount, I can have the base of the antenna even with
>the top of the spare tire, or I can elevate it some for greater height.
I
>use this Jeep only in mountain areas. Here are some of my questions:
>
>1. What is the "best" 2 meter antenna type for me (I don't need a dual
>bander. I will only use 2 meters). I know that a 5/8 whip will
have
>the best gain, but I have seen some comments that a 1/4 wave may work
better
>in the mountains, because of the angles involved. Yet, I know that a
1/4
>wave needs a good ground plane, which a softop probably will not do very
>well. It would seem that with a 1/4 wave, I would want the base of the
>antenna at or near the top of the Jeep. I am also aware of a colinear
>antenna, but that would be quite tall for me !!
>
>2. Is it best to have the antenna element fully above the top of the top
of
>the Jeep ?
>
>3. If I use a spring to offer some protection for the whip, doesn't the
>spring add to the length of the antenna, and I would have to tune the
whip
>for resonance ?
>
>4. What is the best (maybe strongest?) mount type ? I am accustomed
to
>the 3/8" - 24 type stud mount. It seems strong to me. What are
the
>advantages of the NMO and other mount types for my purpose ?
>
>5. After choosing the antenna type ( 1/4 wave, 5/8 wave / etc) what
is
>the best antenna ? Larsen, Diamond. Other ?
>
>---------------------------------
>
>Thanks for any comments and advice, based on actual experience.
>
>73 de Jim K4PYT
>
>
>
>
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