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New mobile antenna for me.

He may be right Doc; you never mentioned that you had one of those.
I would havew thought you would mount it there - too.
Any reason that you don't want to put it up a tad higher on the vehicle?

I also noticed your 2m/440 antenna right next to it.
:D:D:D
 
I thought about it, just not to sure it would be all that good of an idea. That 'headache rack' isn't exactly as 'sturdy' as it might appear to be. It's only held in place by brackets in the forward 'stake holes' in the bed. Nothing even close to being a 'roll-bar' type thingy. Other than for 'looks', it works as a sun screen and that's about it.
I've two other options I'm considering. One is a larger sized 'plate' on top of the lid and a similar one under the lid. All that I'm using at present is a couple of washers about 3-4" in diameter, and I seriously doubt if they are going to 'do it', not enough lid 'sandwiched' between them. The other solution is a bracket attached to the wheel well inside the bed. That, and a backing plate under the wheel well, outght'a hold things securely. I've the equipment to mount the antenna on a 1" pipe, just need a good place to hold that pipe. No metal shops here in town, but I think I've found someone who does good fabrication with metal, so maybe have a good chance of doing that.

The antenna near that screwdriver is not going to stay where it is. That's another one'a those thingys I just haven't got around to yet, sort of. Actually, there are three 2 meter/440 antennas on the truck. One is a 2 meter/440 antenna for the radio. The other two are APRS dedicated, one for a transmitter and one for receiving via a scanner and laptop. The only reason for the receiving antenna is due to some 'problems' with receiving APRS with the dual band radio (the laptop doesn't 'like' it for some reason). So, after I stall around and prognosticate for a bit longer, I think it's gonna come off anyway, maybe get relocated to the hood, maybe.
So far, the only thing I've accomplished is to mount the thing. It isn't 'hooked up', and won't be for a while (weather, etc.). I'm definitely happy with things so far, and the only problems have been my own fault by not thinking things through as I should have. Not much unusual about that, unfortunately. Oh well...
- 'Doc
 
(y) Hey! where's my prize for guessing right!
I will settle for an actual QSO on the bands, once it's finally installed. Looks really good Doc, you'll have to let everyone know how it performs for you.
 
M.C.,
To be painfully honest, the only reason I've gone the screwdriver route is because I'm getting lazy'er in my old age, and this particular antenna offers a convenient way of getting on 6 meters. I've still got the 'BugCatcher', but don't look forward to doing the preliminary work to use it with my present 'ride' (as in mounting the beast and tuning it). I'm finding out that the screwdriver type antennas aren't all that easy to mount either, when you don't do enough 'enlightened' preliminary preparations in that mounting thingy :). One'a those 'wait and see' thingys. I waited. I saw. Now I get to do what I should have done to start with! It's fun, ain't it?
What can I say, I proudly accept your congratulations. I mean, HEY, even ol'M.C. can't be wrong all the time, right? "(O)(_)"...
- 'Doc

Still waiting for warmer weather. Sort of used to crawling around on gravel, but when it sticks to you when you stand up, and rattles when you walk, it's just too cold!
 
The geotool stake pocket mount might be an idea for you to try.

GeoTool Pickup Truck Antenna Mounts

That's a nice looking antenna, hadn't seen a pic of one of them before.

Also my .02, having it mounted with the cab higher might not be a bad idea in case you get an unsuspected tree branch hanging down....might give you a chance to stop before it smashes the coil.
 
Belated up-date, sort of.

Got the thing mounted, 'firmly', now. Amounted to a lock washer, basically, and really cranking it down tight. Did 'deform' the tool box's lid some, not nearly as much as I thought it would. Still thinking about a different way of doing it, a get around to it sort of thingy.
Also found that the tool box wasn't as 'fixed' as I thought it was. As in that antenna added enough 'torquing' force to straighten out a 'J' bolt that held one side! Looks like I'm going to invest in a few bolts and drill holes in the bed rail/box. Oh well, that ought'a take care of any 'grounding' issues, maybe. Also found that opening that lid takes both hands and a grunt or two. Don't have to slam it shut anymore, just don't get you fingers caught! You won't loose them, they'll be safely inside that tool box.
Also found some very nice doo-hickies call 'Anderson Power Poles'! Yeah, I know they've been around for a while but for whatever reason I just never used them before. Oh, they are nice! And a terminal block for them, eight connections (+ and -), so with one input line, seven outlets. The thing's rated for 45 amps at 50 something volts so ought'a handle anything I might need power for. In the process of running the power line. That ought'a get rid of that cig.lighter mess for several different power taps, not even counting the radios.
For me, this is progress! Even the backward steps, sort of. The boss at work has gotten sort of used to seeing that 'thing' on my truck (head shaking stage), so now is probably the time to put the long whip on it. May make a 'brand' flag to put on it, that ought'a relieve some of his 'stress', advertising. You think?
- 'Doc


Oooo... Ooooo! Brilliant idea! Two flags, the competitions brand on mylar, 'our' brand on something else. Hit the mic button, the mylar goes up in flames, poof! Dang! I'm gonna get a raise!
 
Hey Doc, I was beginning to wonder what happened with that thang!
How does it work on TX/RX? At least RX? Doesn't that roll bar doo-hickey ground to the frame?!?

By this time I thougt you were so busy catching DX that you forgot about us. Got any radio reports that you can tell us about?
 
Well... Other than just checking it with an analyzer, it hasn't had any RF in it at all. One of the things I'm trying to work out is where to put that @#$ radio! It does have a detachable 'head' so isn't that much of a problem, but still can't figure out the 'best' place to put it. Another 'head' occupies the 'best' place right now, hate to loose that ability. So, looking for a livable 'compromise', sort of.
As for chasing DX, I gave that up a long time ago, especially for a mobile on the lower bands. Certainly possible, but it get's 'old' after a while. Depends a lot on where you happen to be at the time. Lost the best mobile 'spot' in the world when I retired. You'd have to experience it to believe it, really. If you could magnetize all the rust/iron in the ground, it'd pull a locomotive off the tracks 50 yards away. (RR depot directly behind where I worked.) Nuff'a that.
- 'Doc
 
Up Date

Insert your pick of visual affects, the theme from "Rocky", etc, etc.

After much research, hours of calculations, finally figuring out how to use a new graphics program (Vista doesn't like my old one. I LOVE Vista.), I have produced the spec drawings for a new mount for that Scorpion antenna. 1/4" steel plate, 1" pipe, an adapter for that 3/4" bolt that holds the antenna. No idea what it weighs but I need both hands to hold it. Only tilts the truck a tiny bit to one side. May have to move it to the passenger side to sort of even up that tilt when I get in the truck. Scheduled to be welded this afternoon at the local biker bar. Only had to sponsor a quarter dropping contest by the ladies. (One quarter, one shot glass, walking the length of a pool table with the quarter clinched in the muscles normally covered by a thong (posterior muscles!) drop into the shot glass = one free beer. The one with the greatest number of good 'shots' gets a case. Lots of fun. Somebody may have to remind me about the welding.) Pictures to follow. (Only of the antenna mount. Not sure everyone here is old enough for the contest pictures.)
- 'Doc


(Don't laugh, it isn't a joke. Contests held quarterly.)
all puns intended.
 
C'om doc post the contester pics in an album! oh yeah this was about your newest toy thingy. Well i would still like to those pics too. Believe me i know theese things take time. It took me 2 weeks to get mine installed correctly and 3 different coils before i was happy. lots of bonding to get rid of those pesky swrs(still 1.2-1.7 hanging around) but i get into the breakfast club net on the way to work (1.2 swr)on 3.973.000 @ 70mph with a 72 inch whip on my HiQ 5/160
 
Got the mounting bracket made, and mounted. Got the power run to the cab, sort of got the radio mounted (sitting in the seat), working on the Up/Down antenna switch, gonna put it in the dash. Works on 40 meters without the radio tuner just fine. With the radio's tuner does 80 meters okay (still needs a little 'tweeking'), and I don't really expect miracles.
Wasn't real apparent, but after removing the antenna from the tool box lid I found that the 1" spacing in that lid (with insulation), is now something like 1/16". Not exactly real good, huh? (Duct-taped the hole, good enough, right? Right!)
I'm happy.
- 'Doc


So I don't know how to do it. Click on the below, use 'Prev' and 'Next' to see the other pictures. If it's on the tool box lid, it ain't a new picture.

http://www.worldwidedx.com/members/w5lz-albums-screwdriver-antennas-picture520-mount.html
 
Ever had one'a them "I know better than that!" days?
We are sort of 'challenged' locally for eletronic/radio parts and accessories, you know? There's one commercial shop ($$$$) and the 'Shack', that's it. So, naturally since I'm cheap, I hit the 'Shack' for coax. (Yeah, I know, see first sentence, just shut up). I'll be dipped, 50 feet of RG-58 worked just dandy! Till today. Finally found some decent 259's and chopped about 40 feet of that RG-58 off. Nothing works. Even with the tuner, nothing works. @#$! Double @#$!! Got a choice now. Dig out some old coax, or order some. It ain't easy being this cheap! I want you to know that, it ain't easy! Might try that "whine/whimper/snivel" thingy with the club! That's a thought...
- 'Doc

I do a good 'tantrum', maybe that'll work?
 
i know this is probably a no brainer but did you check your new 10 ft. section for shorts??
Tantrums just gets lots of laughs from people like me, but if it makes you feel good just do it it's free.
 

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