Ham Antennas

[Keith & Sharon]

I am looking into possibly installing a 2m-440-D-Star mobile in my rig but need to know how to install the antenna.

[Keith & Sharon]

I am looking into possibly installing a 2m-440-D-Star mobile in my rig but need to know how to install the antenna.

[TXiceman]

I am going to link this post to the Ham forum to get more exposure since this is not a Tiffin specific problem.

I have not put a dual band antenna in my RV, just the truck. To operate HF from the rig, I carry a 20/40M inverted V set up which can go up in a matter of miutes...provide I have the room for it. Been considering a screw driver to add to the front frame on the RV...but $$$ are always a problem.

Ken

[FLYTYER]

To avoid drilling holes on exterior surfaces of a MH for a 2m-400 antenna, I suggest you look at the "thru the glass antenna"

Read about it by clicking HERE

[Vette Racer]

Another possibility is to use a marine type antenna that doesn't require a ground plane and mount it on the mirror or the ladder.

[Keith & Sharon]

I forgot about the through the glass antenna, and I was looking into one to mount on my ladder. Just wanted to see what others have done.

[RandD]

My screwdriver works nicely on the ladder .. when I remember to ground it to the frame. It is easy to put up. I also have a VHF collinear ant I put up on the ladder for 2M and to hold up the DW's wind spinner on South Padre. I would think that when grounded to the frame, the ladder would be the most efficient place and much better than thru the glass antennas. However, a ladder mounted antenna is a bit high up for use while driving. I just use an HT while driving.

[ROMAD]

I use a 2/440 thru the glass antenna. Not the best antenna but it works and no holes in the MH. I use a ladder mounted whips for HF but only when camping. Grounding anything you mount on the ladder is critical for decent operation. Learned that one the hard way......

[Keith & Sharon]

I talked to a salesman frinde of mine that also has a MH he used a hatch mount to clamp to one of the metal feet on his sat dome with a stubby 2m/440 but my dish is mounted different and has no exposed "feet". So Iam looking into the ladder and through the glass mount.

[davebuck]

I have a 2m/440 dual band thru glass on my rig. It works fine. It may not have quite the range as a roof mount but for me it suits my activities, and I dont have a hole in the roof to worry about leaking.
There are several brands that are available, I picked this one up at the Dayton Hamfest, but I have seen it in several catalogs. Took about 15 min to install.

[pkhjr]

Where did you mount the antenna? Are your windows tinted? Larsen or MFJ or?

Any idea where to bring an HF coax into a Tiffin without drilling any holes?

73
Tex
ka5y

[Keith & Sharon]

I found out where Tiffin normaly mounts a CB antenna in the roof, Drilled hole in roof and luckily hit the passage they cut in the foam for the cable. Mounted a NMO mount to a peice of aluminum and screwd them down to the roof, The roof structure actually has a thim steel plate running all the way across the coach for antenna mounting just aft of the front cap, I then ran the cable under the roof, inside the nose cap to just above the windshield to a location I could grabb it from inside, then ran the coax down the drivers "A" pillar to my radio.

[Keith & Sharon]

As far as HF coax there are several holes in the floor and firewall that are only filled with expansion foam.

[Greyhound]

I have been following this thread with interest and have a few questions. I have a Kenwood TH 77A (handheld) and would like to connect it to an external antenna. However, I would prefer not drilling holes in my new coach.
I submitted an inquiry on the window antenna and was told that it would probably work, however due to the size of the antenna, chances are it would not.
My questions are:
1. If I superglued a stainless steel plate to the roof and used a magnetic mount, would I gain anything?
2. Are there any other options other than drilling holes?
I use the radio only when on caravans.
Thank you,
Bob