Codan Auto-tune on ARB Bar

Thanks Signman

Landy, I don’t doubt what you say. However, under SA law (very similar to others) an official could easily class it as an inappropriate attachment to the bullbar (i.e. rule says “An object fitted to a vehicle must be designed, built and fitted to the vehicle in a way that minimises the likelihood of injury to a person making contact with the vehicle.”)

I reckon the humourous description on one website, of a bullbar mounted autotune being an “Emu attractor”, is worth thinking about.

cheers

It is a grey area....

The same argument could be made for the bullbar... but let's face it any contact between an vehicle and person will see a poor outcome for the person, regardless of what is on the bullbar.

Victorian registration rules are quite explicit, a few years back I took the step of asking the NSW RTA, and the police for guidance. The guidance given lead me to keep it on the bullbar.

that will break in time the weld on the arb bar and material used is not enough.

Hi BenDid

I'm not sure that information is correct regarding the size, can you point to the actual regulation.

I looked into this extensively a couple of years ago, so perhps something has changed in that period. Certainly that is the case in Victoria on the size, but there was nothing that specific in NSW.

Nothwithstanding I have taken the same view as yourself.....

Cheers

Hi Landy,

Well I am glad you challenged me on this because now I am not so sure. I could have sworn black and blue that there was a NSW standards / info sheet in similar terms to the Vic one.

BUT - I have just trawled through the NSW Transport & RTA web-sites and cannot find anything like it anywhere. The really irritating part is that I was sure I downloaded a copy but I can't find it on my laptop.

So, if anyone has a copy of the NSW standard or ADR re driver visibility, would they kindly post a link to it?

Cheers

Ben

cant see what vehicle you have but support brackets must be suitable 6mm and more

Hi BenDid

Following is a New South Wales RTA Vehicle Inspector’s Bulletin which relates to bull bars and accessories fitted to them.

It gives guidance on fitting accessories and suggests any bull bar or other attachment must allow the driver a view of the road and of the traffic to the front and side of the vehicle so that the driver can drive the vehicle safely. Whilst subjective, it does not stipulate any dimensions.

In terms of ADRs; these are Federal Government Regulations that relate to how a vehicle is designed and do not cover the fitting of vehicle accessories. The fitting of bull-bars and accessories to vehicles are covered under State Government regulations and are the responsibility of the traffic authorities in each State. This is why there is a difference in requirements between New South Wales and Victoria, for example.

Others may correct me on this, however my understanding is that as my vehicle is registered in New South Wales I must comply with registration requirements in New South Wales. I doubt I could be ‘booked’ in Victoria for non-compliance with its registration requirements because it isn’t registered in that State.

Hope this assists….

Vehicle Inspectors Bulletin Nbr 5

Cheers

antennas on bull bars do not restrict vision , it is to do with lighting and more specifically spot lights mounted on bull bar top rails, radios are seen as emergency equipment

Thanks Craig

The autotune on the ute tray is a good example of where not to put a HF antenna.With metalwork so close the radiation pattern would be seriously compromised.

SeveL - Do not mount one on a car then? Cheers Tony

The metal work (in this case the rollbar and roof ) is right next to the radiating part of the antenna.In the 9350 and the older model codan shown in the photo the radiating section of the antenna extends almost to the bottom of the black plastic section.This reflects a large amount of the signal giving a poor radiation pattern.

Thanks Tony,

No ute (SWMBO ruled that out) , a NS Pajero in turbo diesel.

The aerial works fine where it is its just that I keep scraping the top of it in shopping centre car parks and the bracket its on flexes a bit. Unfortunately I can't get a kaymar style mount for the Paj so on to the bar I think it has to go.

cheers

Ben

SteveL. Thanks for the info - Its an alloy Bar & tray, that may make a difference. It works well enough where it is for what we use it for, which is the occasional listen and if we get an emergency. Cheers Tony

When I had the profile updated in mine by the Brisbane service centre I forgot to take the whip. No prob said the boss these are tolerant enough to work a bit without it.

I asked about a rear mount and he said it was fine as long as a few inches of the barrel and all the whip was above the roof line..

Hes the man so I guess he knows.

yeah..but coppers are allowed to use mobile phones...meaning 1 law for them and a different one for us

here in wa we actually make a support bracket from flat base of bar to antenna base

In Victoria, the Emergency Services have a specific exemption from the RTR's in regard to the location of large antennas.

Image Could Not Be Found

Cheers,

Mark

Graham,

Can you remember which ADR it is? I just had a bit of a look but can't see it.

cheers

Ben

Sorry I cant and had a look through the minefield but pages seem to have changed recently.

I did research it and as a result put mine on the rear as per the pics in my profile.

However Ive got it for sale if anyone is interested

See below for listing

Hi Graham

My understanding is that bullbars and accessories attached to them come under the jurisdication of the relevant State Motoing authority (RTA in NSW). ADRs are producedunder Federal Law and set standards for vehicle manufacture.

In NSW the RTA does not specify dimensions, in contrast Victoria does.

Vehicle Inspectors Bulletin 5

If you come across the ADR you mention I'd been keen to see it as something may have changed.