Radio aerial floggle toggle

Willem, I know the device you mean. But I have never seen one for a HF aerial which tend to be a lot heavier. Be aware that it would also change the polorization of the signal. Now this can be a good thing, especially if you're within about 300K of the other bloke, and your aerial is more horizontal than vertical. Like most other things it can also be a not so good thing, unless you intend to whack a few tree branches. Why not just stick with scratching the paint ? :)))))))
Good luck finding one.

are u talking about a dipole?this has a spring base that allows flex in the antenna or are u thinking of (cant remember its name but i have one)that u can put it between the antenna and the base and it acts like a hinge allowing the antenna to be folded down?

Piece of string?
Tie the top end of the bugger down a bit?
Same problems as Jim pointed out.

Geoff.

I was looking for one just last week. Tried Dick Smith but they did not know what I was talking about ! I am still looking and will ask some radio hams where they get them from and will let you know if I can find them.

"Andy Griffiths" used to have one on that huge, mine's bigger than your's, whip antenna on the rear guard of his police car.
You may not be of my vintage, Willem,(> 50) so you may not be familiar with that TV show.
Have you tried any army disposal stores. They used to be standard kit for Land Rovers fitted with radios. They used to clip onto the fibreglass antennas and were designed for quick attachment and release.
Jon W

G'day Willem,

I seem to recall them being referred to as "Knock Down" bases.

I had a bit of a look at places like Prestige Communications but couldn't find one.

I am not sure you could get one that would cope with the size of your HF gear though.

Anyway I hope this helps.

Hi Willem

I have the same problem.

uses to only put HF in on long trips
Now we have a house in Bruce Rock WA we may go on drive into remote areas with no HF

Soooo. I have just ordered a 910mm long multi tap aerial from outbacker that is the same height as the roof rack, 4 VKS 1 radtel, should work (i hope).

Will use auto turn on long trips

hope to get it on Friday, will try out on weekend and let you know

Regards

Richard

Willem, If you mount it horizontal, say on the front face of your bullbar, then you wonthave an ounce of trouble getting under the carport, into the garage or in any underground carpark. And it'd double as a clothes line.

Hi Willem,
I know what you are after,They have them for boats,you can either have them mounted in the vertical plane or room permiting all the way back to 9.0clock..12 being vertical or all the way forward to 3 Oclock ,I don't think it would be robust enought for 4WD..but if your handy enought to make up your own using a spring for tension with a bolt thru the middle so it could be moved quickly to the position you want..maybe a spring loaded locking pin aswell it would'nt be to hard really..similer to swing up jocky wheel..but to the rite proportions for an antenae.Hope this helps.
JD

G'day Willem,
the problem I see would be that the only units I have ever seen (as you describe) were used for the lighter duty CB whips. I would think if subjected to the extra strain of a HF antenna, especially in the offroad environment, they would have a short life.

What I have seen however is a rather ingeneous device. It was mounted on the bullbar of a 75 series cruiser and had a fully auto codan antenna mounted on top. Essentially it was a heavy L shaped bracket mounted on the bar. On the inner edge was a hole (parallel to the Bull bar) on the outer edge (closest to the bonnet) was some round tube (about 15-20mm ID) again parallel to the BB.

Onto this, essentially was a lump of flat square (around 100 X 100mm). One end on the bottom had 2 bits of flat pointing downwards which lined up with the ends of the tube. A hole drilled into each of these and a bolt (High Tensile) passed through it and the tube. This then forms a pivot point.

At the front then of the lump of steel was another single lug which lined up with the front hole. So when travelling, the whole thing can be locked in the upright position. But when going under low things, remove a spring clip and pin, lay the antenna back against the roof/roof rack, and hey presto all the clearance you need.

I intend making one just as soon as I can find a spot to mount the transciever in an 80 cruiser.

Cheers
Peter

Hey Willem
Just had a thought about your aerial flogge toggle. LOL.

What about using a RAM Mount and mounting it on the bull bar and attach the Multi Tap to the other end.
Have a look here for some of the range that may help.
All different sizes available and some will hold a bloody lot of weight.
http://www.ram-mount.com.au

Cheers