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Message |
    
Cutlass327
New member
Username: Cutlass327
Post Number: 1
Registered: 10-2010
| | Posted on Tuesday, October 12, 2010 - 2:05 am: | 
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I have a 78 CJ5, soft top, not hard top yet for the winter.. I am trying to figure out the best antenna setup for it, and I couldn't find anything by searching (how do you search on here??) I know the 'glass body makes no ground plane. I am trying to get a mounting system that is satisfactory. Right now, I have a Antron 1700 on a mounting stud on my rear bumper which is welded to the frame. The problem is that it whips around violently at 65 MPH to where it is hitting the rollbar. I had a 4' fiberglass on it, but it didn't clear the roof line. Would a spring on the bottom of the 1700 stop that whipping? Would I be better off with a ball-mount on the side of the tub, with maybe a piece of stainless steel on the backside for support/ground plane? I have to watch antenna length, as some Jeep clubs limit length for safety reasons (violent whipping on trails), so a 102" is out, and I don't want to attach to the windshield like they usually do with those 102" ones, either. Any ideas/suggestions? Thanks. |
Tech237
Moderator
Username: Tech237
Post Number: 1369
Registered: 4-2004
| | Posted on Tuesday, October 12, 2010 - 10:44 am: |
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No matter what you use you need some form of ground plane created. My suggestion is to shop around Marine suppliers as several countries have a 27Mh Marine band and there are antennas designed to work on fibreglass boats that would work in you situation.
The other (dearer) option would be to use a stainless steel whip as long as you can get away with and feed it via a tuner designed for longwire style antennas. Ground both the radio and the tuner to the chassis using the thickes strap you can.
Tech237
N7AUS
God only made some many perfect head, on the rest he put hair.
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Dale
Senior Member
Username: Dale
Post Number: 1628
Registered: 12-2002
| | Posted on Tuesday, October 12, 2010 - 7:36 pm: |
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i dsay get a 102 whip w/ ball mount use it
then if/when u do the jeep club thing switch back to the anttron 1700.it will fit same place
as the whip is mounted.
dale/a.k.a.hotrod
cef426
cvc#64
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Slugo4449
Intermediate Member
Username: Slugo4449
Post Number: 195
Registered: 7-2004
| | Posted on Wednesday, October 13, 2010 - 9:55 pm: |
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Just use a ball mount and then ground it to the frame rail. That's what we all did in the 60's and 70's. |
Press_man
Intermediate Member
Username: Press_man
Post Number: 164
Registered: 5-2008
| | Posted on Sunday, October 17, 2010 - 7:39 pm: |
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We made an angle bracket and mounted it next to the spare hinge and mounted a Wilson 5000 center load on it. Got a good SWR and solid mount. Worked for a friends Jeep. Also worked with a 7" Firestick but that might not be good for rules.
Wally/Pressman/KC4ZWM
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Cutlass327
New member
Username: Cutlass327
Post Number: 2
Registered: 10-2010
| | Posted on Tuesday, October 19, 2010 - 3:24 am: |
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Well, the mounting ideas are not an issue. I was originally planning on the mount that uses the taillight to mount it to the body, with a 4' FG antenna. Then I've read on the Firestik tech pages and a few other places that FG body vehicles have ground plane issues, sooo... I'm trying ot get the best info I can on the issue. |
Press_man
Intermediate Member
Username: Press_man
Post Number: 166
Registered: 5-2008
| | Posted on Monday, October 25, 2010 - 12:21 pm: |
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Cutlass327
I'm somewhat confussed here. Are you refering to the whole body being fiberglass or just the new top? I know you can get a FG body after market. If you're talking about just the FG top, we noticed no appreciable change in antenna operation when bolted to a steel body with either the Firstick or the Wilson. The antenna still used the steel body as a GP. I saw one through the tail light assy too. I just liked the bracket because it helped us put the ant away from the body and tire. Happy trail riding!
Wally/Pressman/KC4ZWM
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Cutlass327
New member
Username: Cutlass327
Post Number: 4
Registered: 10-2010
| | Posted on Wednesday, October 27, 2010 - 3:14 pm: |
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Yeah, the whole body is FG. The PO swapped the body for a 4WDH tub. That is why I am unsure of everything.
I am still contemplating the taillight mount. would putting a piece of stainless behind the body help? It wouldn't be any bigger than maybe a 10"x12" piece, I haven't measured in the area for specific size.
I may have to take a picture of what I have and post a link on here 
P.S. Why do you have to log in to view this thread, then log in again to post? Wouldn't a single log-in work? |
Press_man
Intermediate Member
Username: Press_man
Post Number: 167
Registered: 5-2008
| | Posted on Thursday, October 28, 2010 - 10:19 am: |
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Cutlass327
Now I got the picture. I would use the stainless. Try to use at least .045-.052 thick. You need all the support you can get to slow or stop body flex. I worked once with a guy that had a glass body Jeep. It had a 500hp Chevy SB that kept the repairs to the drive train coming. The body was being repaired almost every month.
Look for one of the antennas made for motor homes.
If you just go to the page and view you would have to log in to post also if you log in you get to read more postings. Other than that if you're having trouble ask one of the moderators.
PS: Welcome to the forum!
Wally/Pressman/KC4ZWM
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