Mobile antenna mounting

**loboman** · Sat 21st Feb 2009, 16:35

Just getting into Ham Radio --- Will be going mobile as soon as I save my quarters up. My question has to do with mounting an antenna (like a Diamond NR770HA -- 2m/70cm) on the roof of my pick up truck, and then being able to drive the truck into my garage.
There is about 10" - 12" between the top of the cab and the garage door. So, Is there a mount that is spring loaded, or some other device, that will enable me to drive in and out of the garage? (taking the mast off and on each time I enter the garage is not an option).
Thanks for the info.....

**M0HAK** · Sun 22nd Feb 2009, 06:36

I have a Diamond quad band antenna that folds down. With the antenna mounted on the driver's side B pillar (just behind me) I can reach out and flip it over.

I don't know of an automated system.

**m0bov** · Sun 22nd Feb 2009, 09:07

Nearly all mobile whips have a tilt over device in the base, or you could try a spring or something. Suggest the tilt over be the best system, remember to fold it over! Maybe hang bright piece of ribbon down from the roof so you see this as you drive in to remind you???

**kd0bik** · Sun 22nd Feb 2009, 15:52

I'm not sure a spring will work for you. The reason being is when you pull into your garage it will of course fold back. But when you back out, I'm guessing you'd be lucky if it didn't cause serious damage to the antenna, garage, both, all etc.

In Denver we have an advantage as most of our repeaters are up on the foothills mountain tops (2-3,000 feet above city). I finally picked up a shorter 2m/70cm dual bander. It works great in the city. I have it mag-mounted to the top of my Ford Escape and it just barely clips the edge of the garage door. I just remember to slow down when pulling into the garage. Once inside the garage it doesn't touch anything else. The overall antenna length is about 15 inches. The gain isn't the best...but like I said, I pretty much have line of sight coverage of all the area repeaters when in the greater Denver area.

On road trips I take this antenna off and attach a nice diamond using a gutter mount. This sticks up about 3 feet but assures me of good coverage.

You might also check out some powered antenna systems that will fold the antenna back by pressing a button in the cab. I know several local hams using this type of setup for exactly the same reason.

Good Luck.

73,
Jerry

**loboman** · Sun 22nd Feb 2009, 17:01

Originally Posted by kd0bik

I'm not sure a spring will work for you. The reason being is when you pull into your garage it will of course fold back. But when you back out, I'm guessing you'd be lucky if it didn't cause serious damage to the antenna, garage, both, all etc.

In Denver we have an advantage as most of our repeaters are up on the foothills mountain tops (2-3,000 feet above city). I finally picked up a shorter 2m/70cm dual bander. It works great in the city. I have it mag-mounted to the top of my Ford Escape and it just barely clips the edge of the garage door. I just remember to slow down when pulling into the garage. Once inside the garage it doesn't touch anything else. The overall antenna length is about 15 inches. The gain isn't the best...but like I said, I pretty much have line of sight coverage of all the area repeaters when in the greater Denver area.

On road trips I take this antenna off and attach a nice diamond using a gutter mount. This sticks up about 3 feet but assures me of good coverage.

You might also check out some powered antenna systems that will fold the antenna back by pressing a button in the cab. I know several local hams using this type of setup for exactly the same reason.

Good Luck.

73,
Jerry

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Jerry, Thanks for the info.
I'm in Reno so the terrain is about the same - Most of the repeaters will be up high.
I'd like to know where to look to find out about the powered antennas you mentioned.
For way out in the boonies I will use a long bumper mounted rig or something similar
Thanks again for the help....
Mike

**kd0bik** · Sun 22nd Feb 2009, 20:32

HRO - Ham Radio Outlet www.hamradio.com

Jerry kd0bik

**yaesuuser** · Mon 21st Jun 2010, 03:30

I use a little thru-window mount antenna and I adjusted the height of the antenna to coincide with the exact bottom of the cover I park my truck under. It's literally 1/4" below the bottom of the cover so it's as high as it can be without hitting when I park. It's I believe 20" long in total and I can get 25 miles to a repeater on a cell tower easily, almost 50 in the evening when the daily static goes away. My SWR is 1.1:1. It's good up to 50W, which is all my radio can put out.

**AE6ZW** · Tue 3rd May 2011, 03:57

NMO 3/4 inch hole L mount is screw to suction cup , glass mount tool. it attach to anything , even non magnetic very well, and easy to remove by pressing lever. no scratch