Review: HF Radio Installation

This is something that has been discussed among club members in the HF club I'm with several members saying they had been given a verbal warning by police in Victoria. I've had my Codan Autotuner mounted on the bullbar for many years and have travelled all states without a problem.
The latest Autotuner by Codan is so small it can be fitted behind the grill but at well over $1k I'll pass.
racinrob. VKE237 Sel 6678.

Also members of VKE 237 (HF Radio Club) I believe that if in the State your vehicle is registered therefore that regulation applies which ever state you may be travelling in. So in Qld it is ok (Police vehicles here have them on their bull bars) I have a problem with aerials on the bull bar, just don't like anything in my vision. So my current vehicle I have the aerial mount on the rear wheel carrier. New vehicle will be a twin cab so I will put a alloy box instead of a well back with a fibre glass canopy, so I can place the aerial and spare wheels on the rear.

Autotunes are better mounted at the rear of the vehicle, although it can be a little difficult finding a suitable mount for some vehicles.
A Queensland traffic cop told me recently that they have no real interest in bullbar mounted antennas but are more concerned about protruding fishing rod holders.
Tony
VKS-737 mobile 3363

My understanding is that, assuming you have a legal bullbar fitted (and this varies between states), then the only restriction is that any aerial etc mounted to it (or any part thereof) must not protrude in front of the bullbar. Hence any 'tabs' for aerials, and the aerials themselves, must be welded to the "rear" of the bullbar piping or at least directly above it. "Tabs" welded in front of the piping, or aerials that project to the front, are not OK.

I looked into this issue at length when I fiited an auto-tune antenna to the bull-bar some years ago. Even to the point where I contacted the relevant Goverment Minister. What it established was that (in NSW) providing it met the requirements of VSI which related to fitting it to the bull-bar then it was fine - well at least from that perspective.

The issue remains that it could still be detemined that it is obstructing vision, another matter altogether. I now have the Codan 3040 auto-tune, a great unit that fits to the bull-bar were a winch would normally be located - and it works very well.

In Victoria they are banned from being located on the bull-bar. And as for police and other emergency vehicles, they have special approval for bull-bar mounting.

I think the issue around mounting on the bull-bar will be in the event of an accident where it could be argued that the antenna obstructed the view. You may find yourself defending yourself against the law, and an insurance company. This is the reason I changed mine.

Go for an antenna mount at the back of the vehicle.

When you will most need the radio because you have hit a kangaroo and taken out the aerial along with front end damage: you will have to do a serious work around to get the radio working.