Mounting a VHF antenna

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Stubs
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Mounting a VHF antenna

Post by Stubs »

I need to mount my VHF radio tomorrow for the long weekend, the inside parts and wiring I can manage, however when mounting the antenna to the top of my bakkies cab how big should the hole be that I need to drill out, its a standard Zara antenna, has the brass earthing plate which obviously will go on the inside etc, dont want to go overboard on a big hole if there is a technique to get it inserted and then secured from the outside with the locking rings etc.

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Re: Mounting a VHF antenna

Post by truckin »

Here is a step by step way to do it

First you need one of these
drill.jpg
drill.jpg (13.43 KiB) Viewed 2113 times
Then one of these
stock-photo-hole-saw-drill-bit-18797287.jpg
stock-photo-hole-saw-drill-bit-18797287.jpg (24.79 KiB) Viewed 2113 times
Then someone to drill the hole
mount-hole-saw-drill-800X800.jpg
mount-hole-saw-drill-800X800.jpg (51.96 KiB) Viewed 2113 times
easy ne :laugh2:
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Re: Mounting a VHF antenna

Post by OOOOMS »

Stompie, check out this link, may assist you :thumbup:

http://www.hilux4x4.co.za/fit-vhf-radio ... /index.php" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
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Re: Mounting a VHF antenna

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viewtopic.php?f=102&t=6257&start=60" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
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Re: Mounting a VHF antenna

Post by Family_Dog »

As Mark & Juan so well explained! The hole you require is 20mm, use a hole saw. Remember to treat the hole with some rust-resist. Which Zara antenna are you using? Correct one is a Zara60 with shock spring and the whip cut to around 450mm, suitable for the ORRA frequencies.

Ensure there is no short-circuit between the inner & outer of the antenna cable once you have fitted the PL259 connector. Oh, and if you have excess antenna cable, *never* coil it up neatly, rather trim it leaving some slack or lay it hap-hazardly on the floor or wherever. A coil acts as an impedance to the RF signal.


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Re: Mounting a VHF antenna

Post by Stubs »

Hi, yep its a zara with the spring, I think the antenna is over a meter long, so you are saying I must cut it to 450mm for the 2 x orra channels ???? secondly whats the recommendations on connections, 1. direct to battery with a inline fuse or to the ignition so that it switches off when you switch the ignition off. I have concerns that I will forget to switch the radio off its direct to the battery.

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Re: Mounting a VHF antenna

Post by OOOOMS »

Best is directly to the battery, with in-line fuse! Min 4mm cable, I used silicone cable.

Pain in the but remembering to switch off the radio every time, but yeh you'll get used to it :thumbup:
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Re: Mounting a VHF antenna

Post by CasKru »

OOOOMS wrote:Best is directly to the battery, with in-line fuse! Min 4mm cable, I used silicone cable.

Pain in the but remembering to switch off the radio every time, but yeh you'll get used to it :thumbup:
I'd rather go with 4mm copper cable as copper is a much better conductor of electricity :twisted: :twisted:
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Re: Mounting a VHF antenna

Post by Family_Dog »

I have concerns that I will forget to switch the radio off its direct to the battery.
No need to worry - we sell Benton Battery Chargers too! :twisted: :mrgreen:

Best is always direct to the battery with an inline fuse as close to the battery as possible.


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