Aerials and <span class="highlight">corrugations</span>

Gidday

In the last few years I had three UHF ‘Mobile RF 470’ fall apart on corrugated roads. Clearly their not up to the task.

What would be your recommendation as far as a more robust unit is concerned?

Regards

Kim
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Reply By: Member - RobnJane(VIC) - Tuesday, Mar 16, 2010 at 20:22

Tuesday, Mar 16, 2010 at 20:22
Hi Kim,

We had the same experience, so simply installed a shorther aerial as each of those that failed left about 6" of aerial on the spring loaded base.

GME have an aerial, 6-8" long and we've had that mounted on the bullbar for 3 years now with no problems.

We don't have any serious expectations of uhf performance, ie car to car and in a number of different/difficult situations has worked for us.

We also carry an old cheapy as a spare, but haven't needed it since installing the shorter aerial.

Sorry, but I can't recall the more technically correct dba etc

Rgds,

Rob.
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Follow Up By: Kim and Damn Dog - Tuesday, Mar 16, 2010 at 23:26

Tuesday, Mar 16, 2010 at 23:26
Gidday Rob

I'm starting to think that way also.

Regards

Kim
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Reply By: Sir Kev & Darkie - Tuesday, Mar 16, 2010 at 20:24

Tuesday, Mar 16, 2010 at 20:24
Kim,

I have had a good run out of the GME AE4018K1 antenna


Cheers Kev
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AnswerID: 409132

Reply By: Member - Phil G (SA) - Tuesday, Mar 16, 2010 at 20:37

Tuesday, Mar 16, 2010 at 20:37
This stubbie aerial has been used on 4 vehicles over 11 years. Costs $20 plus another $20 for the base and coax. Indestructable.
http://www.electricbug.com.au/product/90
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AnswerID: 409136

Follow Up By: Member - Johny boy (NSW) - Wednesday, Mar 17, 2010 at 09:09

Wednesday, Mar 17, 2010 at 09:09
Hi Phil,
is that a fold down bracket in the picture and if so where did you buy it as Im in Melbourne in the berwick and will be leaving to head west soon and would like to purchace one.

Cheers.
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Follow Up By: Member - Phil G (SA) - Wednesday, Mar 17, 2010 at 13:44

Wednesday, Mar 17, 2010 at 13:44
Gday John,
Yes, its an adjustable fold down bracket. Its useful if I put the bigger aerial up for a bit of extra range and if the bigger aerial hits a tree it folds down.

Its a Benelec 02714S Slope Adjustable Gutter Bracket - benelec link. Cost about $60 from Electric Bug.
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Follow Up By: Member - Johny boy (NSW) - Wednesday, Mar 17, 2010 at 15:04

Wednesday, Mar 17, 2010 at 15:04
Thanks Phil I will chase one up:)
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Reply By: Member - Tezza Qld - Tuesday, Mar 16, 2010 at 22:08

Tuesday, Mar 16, 2010 at 22:08
Hi

Bushcomm 4.5 db stinger Would have to be the best and toughest aerial around
www.bushcomm.com.au

Cheers Teza
AnswerID: 409157

Reply By: Barra-2 - Tuesday, Mar 16, 2010 at 22:17

Tuesday, Mar 16, 2010 at 22:17
After telling a friend about ours doing the same, she said she forgot to tell me about wrapping the base with tape, electrical or racing tape. Ours has the two sections, metal bottom half and plastic top, we now have a 3-4 inch one that screws onto the bottom half when driving on corrugated roads, no gain just protection.
AnswerID: 409160

Reply By: Richard W (NSW) - Wednesday, Mar 17, 2010 at 05:47

Wednesday, Mar 17, 2010 at 05:47
Kim,

I've had the wire type aerials shear off at the base a couple of times.
I've had a good run with the Mobile One 6db fibreglass aerial.
AnswerID: 409180

Follow Up By: Member - Willie , Sydney. - Wednesday, Mar 17, 2010 at 07:38

Wednesday, Mar 17, 2010 at 07:38
Same here Kim,

I have also broken a wire one through metal fatigue on the corrugations, but I have had a fiberglass one with a spring on the bottom now for 4 years without a problem.

I got mine from ARB.

Willie.
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Reply By: Member - Mark E (VIC) - Wednesday, Mar 17, 2010 at 09:42

Wednesday, Mar 17, 2010 at 09:42
Polar antennas sell one that is about 4.5dB with heavyish spring base, ground independent and with fibreglass whip. You can also put a ittle unity gain stubby antenna on top.

I've had mine since the late 80's and it has been on several cars now.



Performs well and lasts even better. Even the cops use these in Melbourne and have for the past 20 years.

Can pick them up at Radio Parts or from memory from Polar direct in Melbourne.

Polar UHF CB Antenna

Cheers,

Mark
AnswerID: 409192

Reply By: vk1dx - Wednesday, Mar 17, 2010 at 10:02

Wednesday, Mar 17, 2010 at 10:02
I have always used a spring mount with anything having any length or weight to it. eg The 9 foot HF CB had a spring and the 19" bit of wire for the VHF two way in the middle of the roof did not. The UHF CB on the bull bar has a spring mount.

The spring is designed mainly to allow the antenna to bend with the tree and under garage roof but it will still absorb some of the vibrations from the car.

I have never had an antenna on a spring mount break.

So maybe the lesson is to use a spring mount!!!

Phil
AnswerID: 409195

Follow Up By: Kim and Damn Dog - Wednesday, Mar 17, 2010 at 17:32

Wednesday, Mar 17, 2010 at 17:32
Phil

The aerial has a spring mount. The antenna is in two parts.
It was the top section that failed.

Regards

Kim
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Follow Up By: vk1dx - Wednesday, Mar 17, 2010 at 20:08

Wednesday, Mar 17, 2010 at 20:08
Never trusted them

Good lesson learnt

Catchya
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Reply By: OzTroopy - Wednesday, Mar 17, 2010 at 14:00

Wednesday, Mar 17, 2010 at 14:00
G'Day Kim ...

Fibreglass fatigues in the longterm .... a badly made antennae mounted on the most vibration prone point on the vehicle - the bullbar ... doesnt really have a "long term"

Since my expectations of UHF are about the same as two dogfood tins and a bit of string ....

I just have one of these on a roofrack.

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AnswerID: 409229

Reply By: Member - John (Vic) - Wednesday, Mar 17, 2010 at 15:08

Wednesday, Mar 17, 2010 at 15:08
I have a couple of GME aerials on the bull bar with spring bases and they have been there for years.
Completed god knows how many tens of thousands of km's over corrugated roads and tracks in that time and no issue with them failing.

Buy quality first time around.

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Reply By: Kim and Damn Dog - Wednesday, Mar 17, 2010 at 17:42

Wednesday, Mar 17, 2010 at 17:42
Gidday

Thanks for all the advice. I’ve decided upon a GME which will be installed next Tuesday.

Regards

Kim
AnswerID: 409249

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