HF radio aerial mounting

Depends on the Aerial. If its a tapped whip aerial, then you are fine. If its an autotune, it will be greater than allowable width, and in most states it will be not allowed. Lots of people still fit them on the bullbar.

Options I've seen:
#1 I saw a really neat swing up bracket for a Barret autotune that allowed it to swing down behind the top of the bullbar for around town and simply pull a lever and it could swing upright for out of town.

#2 You can fit them adjacent to the rear cab pillar using a swing out bracket that is mounted on the "front" of the tray. Its a bit exposed to overhanging trees for my liking and it can obstruct your rearward vision down the side. Maintaining clearances around the aerial is difficult, which is why it would need to swing.

#3 Maybe still use a swing-a-way on the rear.

Cheers
phil

Although I haven't yet got a HF as yet, I've often wondered where I'd put the aerial (on a dual cab with tray & slip-on).

I hate aerials and so on in my field of vision, so would avoid the bull bar, but plenty of other people seem happy with them there. At least if it's mounted on the channeling rather than topbar there ought to be reasonable strength.

I'd be most inclined to mount it at the back, either on a mount on the camper or tray, and remove the aerial when not required. However you don't sound too keen on that option.

Other option as mentioned above is on the front of the tray, with the top of the tuning mechanism level with the top of the roll bar.

I have seen them mounted just behind the cab and at the rear too, on vehicles with your setup...... now where to find a pic........

If you are in Victoria, there is a ruling from Vicroads in the vehicle standards information No 29. It deals with drivers field of view requirements, it is quite clear.
Go to www.vicroads.vic.gov.au and follow the links to the vehicle standards information. I have mine in front (Codan auto tune late model) mounted on the bumper bar,behind the bull bar on one side of the vehicle. When I get in the bush i pace it in the middle , on top of the bar where i can keep an eye on it for obstructions ect.

On a different tack, one website refers to front mounted bullbars as 'emu attractors'. Reckon you need to think about that message. Might not be an emu but what about a kangaroo etc..... Fair bet that reference came about through bad experiences too. You buy a HF to get help - if at all possible you want to mount it where it will work after an incident or something. JD