Copper Talk » Open Forum » Archived Messages » 2002 » 10/01/2002 to 10/31/2002 » Custom Trailer Hitch Mount « Previous Next »

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Waldo0506
Posted on Friday, October 18, 2002 - 3:35 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

I didnt see a place to post this anywhere else so I figured it would fit here.

My last mount for my firestick mounts onto the side of the bed of my truck. But I got a new truck and I got a bedcover on it. I am now left with a few choices. A cell look-alike antenna, which I understand is ••••. A magnetic mount antenna, which I refuse to buy. Or, make my own.

I was thinking of some way to make a mount that will hook onto the reciever of a towing package. When I put on the mount for the ball, there is a hole so I was wondering if anyone has ever seen this hole used for an antenna or if a custom mount was made for it.

Thanks
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Alsworld
Posted on Friday, October 18, 2002 - 6:24 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Waldo,
yes you have some choices but I am not at home with my books which sell these. Give me some time and I will post the links within the next day or two. Busy time in my life right now but yes, there are mounts for receiver hitches that will work for what you need.

Give me a few days or someone else help him out sooner.

Alsworld
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Ironmask
Posted on Friday, October 18, 2002 - 10:40 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Waldo
You would be better off mounting the antenna with a trunk mount attached to the windshield end of the hood opposite the AM/FM antenna. The reason for this is: 1. It will complete the necessary ground. 2. The location will utilize the ground plane of the vehical 3. Mounting the antenna to the receiver will reduce it's efficiency because most of the antenna is next to the body of the truck. Thus, radiating back into the antenna so to speak. You need to have the radiator above the vehicle not beside it.
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Wildbill
Posted on Saturday, October 19, 2002 - 11:38 am:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

We use the trailer hitch balls here in the midwest, just go to a local U-Haul dealer, purchase the the trailer hitch ball, have it tapped with a 3/8" opening for the antenna and tapped the the other end for a small enough hole for your lug connection from your coax and ground the other side to a ground source. One precaution though, and that is that different balls are made from different materials, try and get one that is either completely steel or stainless and you should be in the ballpark and make sure to check the S.W.R.'s preferably with an analyzer. When it's not in use it makes a perfect trailer hitch. Wildbill
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Alsworld
Posted on Saturday, October 19, 2002 - 11:41 am:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Waldo, check your e-mail, although Ironmask has a good point about the ground plane issue.

Alsworld