| Author |
Message |
    
Vanillagorilla
Intermediate Member
Username: Vanillagorilla
Post Number: 259
Registered: 4-2005
| | Posted on Thursday, October 06, 2005 - 5:09 pm: | 
|
Getting ready to improve my mobile antenna setup. I'm going to dump my current setup and go hardmount but first have a question regarding "Effecient" ground plane. I'd rather not go with a large magnet mount..it would be too easy to steal and honestly I'm too lazy to take it off my roof everytime I step away. Also rather than pop the hole in my Grand Chero roof I was thinking of fabbing up a steel plate (3/16" diamond plate) to go from side to side screwed to the roof rails between the factory racks. It would be screwed to the bolted down aluminum rails that run front to rear which do ohm to vehicle ground. Should sit approx 1" above the roof itself in the center below the antenna mount.
Does this sound like it would be a good idea? Should I shoot for a plate that is already approx 3ft wide to also go 2.5-3ft deep for improved ground plane OR would the vehicles body still act as the ground plane?...In which case I'd cut the metal at 6" deep X 3ft wide..side to side. (think light bar style here)
In the center of this plate will be a Predator hex/lug mount tied to 213 or 9913.
Hope I made sense explaining this!
If you think I should just STOP..."Pop the nippie" outta my mouth....stop being a baby and drill the hole in my roof just say so. 
"so let it be said so let it be done"
Thanks in advance~ Hank CEF 559 |
Hollowpoint445
Advanced Member
Username: Hollowpoint445
Post Number: 799
Registered: 6-2004
| | Posted on Thursday, October 06, 2005 - 8:58 pm: |
|
The body is still going to be the counterpoise (not ground plane) because the plate simply isn't large enough. Whether it'll work or not depends on the connection between the plate, roof rack, and body, and the fact that there is a decent DC ground doesn't necessarily mean much to the AC RF signal.
Personally, I'd just do it right the first time and drill the hole in the roof. If you're worried about resale value then take a great deal of care when dealing with the headliner and ask a dealer how they deal with antenna holes in the roof of resale vehicles. Most people don't even look at the roof of their SUV on a regular basis. |
Vanillagorilla
Intermediate Member
Username: Vanillagorilla
Post Number: 261
Registered: 4-2005
| | Posted on Thursday, October 06, 2005 - 11:32 pm: |
|
Naaaa...I ain't skeered to do it. Just thought there may be an easier way out that would perform the same...now where's my 3/4 hole saw?
I kinda thought a 3x3' panel would be enough to counterpoise but your right. I can't guarantee a 100% ground. I don't want to assume it'll be ok then wonder in the future if it cost me some efficiency.
Not at all worried about resale...I'll drive it till it dies Or I'll patch it up real good if we part. I do Bodywork and like you said..who looks at the roof anyways.
More than likely go to another CB using fisherman anyways. He'll be glad I did the dirty work.
Hank |
Hollowpoint445
Advanced Member
Username: Hollowpoint445
Post Number: 800
Registered: 6-2004
| | Posted on Friday, October 07, 2005 - 7:42 am: |
|
That's the spirit! |
Patzerozero
Senior Member
Username: Patzerozero
Post Number: 1607
Registered: 7-2004
| | Posted on Friday, October 07, 2005 - 5:16 pm: |
|
hank, my 85 blazer has a large fiberglas roof-& i didn't wanna drill a hole to put antenna right over my head...so i located a factory external spare tire carrier(for $5, it came attached to a rust bucket with no drivetrain)& mounted it to my blazer. i welded a piece of steel channel to the top of the carrier, & then a ball mount to the top of the channel. the coax runs between the channel so it stays out of the way. DC ground is perfect, as well as RF ground, since my swrs tune as well on the blazer as the durango-FLAT with NO movement of the needle.in fact, tuned the bazer with mfj259b & swrs were PERFECT 1.0:1 on almost 15 channels.
as for mag mount, my coax goes around roof rack, so no stealing antenna without tools, same as hard mount. i only remove it in certain places, like last sunday at shea stadium. got off at main st exit, removed mount & radio, stopped to eat, went to game, came out, remounted everything in 2 minutes & on my way. & with hard mount, you can only remove antenna, or if you leave it, you're still advertising 'radio equipt inside'.
i was once told, 'friends don't let friends use mag mounts', but, hey, i get out better then he does, so... |
Vanillagorilla
Intermediate Member
Username: Vanillagorilla
Post Number: 264
Registered: 4-2005
| | Posted on Friday, October 07, 2005 - 11:30 pm: |
|
Pat..I hear you on that and did see some aftermarket carriers for my Jeep BUT would rather not spend $300 for it just to mount an antenna.
I'd use a junker but GRAND Chero's never came with one!...my luck.
Rather have it in the best location on the roof anyway. Just hope that wherever I put the hole works! Will end up about 3ft from liftgate...happens to be a small rust spot starting there anyways...DEAD CENTER side to side...I'll have to REMOVE it before it spreads. |
Patzerozero
Senior Member
Username: Patzerozero
Post Number: 1623
Registered: 7-2004
| | Posted on Saturday, October 08, 2005 - 4:06 pm: |
|
just make sure you back up the hole on the inside, a tree or drive thru can open the top up just like a soda can!
a piece of diamond plate with that rubber door edge molding you get at AID auto would work, as well as an old circular/miter/table saw blade with the edging or new-blade-protector, for a 'custom' look. |
|
