UHF antenna

UHF radios have a very limited range and are usually only used to talk within a convoy. Moving the aerial around a vehicle will not make a lot of difference to your range so my advice is to not to get to carried away and just find a handy and secure spot.

KK

G;day Gav,
I have set mine up so that it takes it's power from the fuse box.

The antenna that I use is an AE409L from GME. This antenna is mounted in the bonnet gutter, and works quite well from there.

The AE409L is ground plane independant, which is what you would be looking for if you were going to mount the antenna anywhere else apart from the roof of your vehicle.

The AE409L comes in a kit ready to use. Included in the kit are;
6db gain antenna
9db gain extension
mounting base and co-ax.

The only thing that you will need to get is a "Z" bracket to mount it in your chosen spot.

HTH


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Mounting the antenna in the location you mentioned is about the second best spot for the average length UHF antenna, which is around 800mm.

The top of the antenna should be just above the roof line of the vehicle for best reception.

You can buy a stainless steel "Z" mounting bracket with different offsets to suit your vehicle.

The antenna you buy will come with its own length of coaxial cable.

I chose an RFI CD63-71-50 black stainless steel antenna to do the job.

Bill.

Have you thought about one of those magnetic anntenas on the roof?

The BEST position for the aerial is a non ground independent one in the middle of the roof. (Ref GME info). A mate who travels with us uses a magnetic base one which works a treat. If you mount a ground independent aerial in the bonnet gutter it will work fairly well forwards and to each side but will be affected in performance to the rear because the roof and windscreen are in the way. Check the GME site for best information. Good luck with it.

I use one of these antenna's mounted on the roof bar , and it works a treat. I have given right and rare conditions talked to and recieved 98Klm up to and over 200Klm .

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Hey everyone,

Thanks for the info!

So am I right in thinking that a ground plane dependent or independent can be used in the bonnet location?

Certainly wont be using the roof so this is the next best spot? :D

This is the aerial pack I was thinking of buying... It comes highly recommended from what I have read.RF900 Explorist


I will be using the standard aerial that came with it for now, but I didnt understand anything about ground dependant/independant etc.

So looks like Ill be getting a Z bracket, and on that note I think I realise why the antenna matters... if its a big one (bigger than 80 or 90 I guess), then there could be alot of swaying around offroad... that could possibly damage the bracket? Or am I not giving the bracket enough credit regarding its strength?

Finally, is it just the ground-plane independant units that use the spring on the bottom? Im not sure I understand why theres a spring there... seems to me when Ive seen them theyre going all over the place far more than I would be comfortable with!

Well just got the unit, its raining so I wont fit it yet, but its got a 6db non-ground independant (thats what GME say, I say its Ground Dependant)... so apparently I need to make sure I give it a good earth on the chassis...

New antenna will come in the future though thats for sure.