Mounting ham antenna on Airstream trailer

[Airstream25]

Ham radios can be a good compliment to cell phones. Cell phones are great in the city and along Interstate Highways but in the rural part of sparsely populated western states, service can not be depended upon.

VHF and UHF ham radio repeaters are frequently located on mountain tops where they provide service to much of the rural areas.

Now the question, how to mount the antenna on the trailer?

The standard 5/8 wave mag mount 2 meter antenna used on the steel roof of a truck wont adhere on the aluminum trailer. A bolt or screw on mount could work but would be in the way when trying to park the trailer in the shed. The trailer being so tall, removing the antenna is not convenient.

Suggestions??

[azflycaster]

If you have a crank up television antenna, you could mount it on that.

BTW, I hope you did not offend Porkey Pig with the tittle of this thread!

[TomW]

Originally Posted by Airstream25

... Now the question, how to mount the antenna on the trailer? ... Suggestions??

Here's how my CB antenna is mounted.

Tom

[Airstream25]

Tom,
I checked the picture of the CB antenna on your web page. Thanks.

[n7bdl]

I installed an NMO mount in the refer vent cover and fished the coax down into the refer compartment, then into the trailer. It can be done (barely) without removing the cover. I use this for an external cell phone antenna. I will probably add anothe NMO for a ham or CB antenna. I use the NMO mount for almost all of my antennas, so they will interchange.

Terry

[J Goertzen]

What Is A Nmo Mount? Thanks, Jim Kb6oin

[n7bdl]

The NMO (New model Motorola) is a very common VHF/UHF antenna mount. I have CB, cell phone, and ham antennas that use it. You can find it with or without cable in many different configurations at Ham or CB stores. The roof mount, which I used on the Airstream refer vent, requires a 3/4 " hole.

Terry

[SARGE/AF]

Originally Posted by Airstream25

Ham radios can be a good compliment to cell phones. Cell phones are great in the city and along Interstate Highways but in the rural part of sparsely populated western states, service can not be depended upon. VHF and UHF ham radio repeaters are frequently located on mountain tops where they provide service to much of the rural areas. Now the question, how to mount the antenna on the trailer? The standard 5/8 wave mag mount 2 meter antenna used on the steel roof of a truck wont adhere on the aluminum trailer. A bolt or screw on mount could work but would be in the way when trying to park the trailer in the shed. The trailer being so tall, removing the antenna is not convenient. Suggestions??

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I have a 3 stage extendable steel pole for antennas that is mounted on the hitch and is removable, It is on a bracket that allows me to lower it, extend pole then put it back up. I disconnect it during travel even thow in its retracted state it is no taller than the AC on the trailer, I just dont like having it there full time only when I plan on using it.
You can find this pole available from most ham radio stores, mine was given to me and came from HRO.

Sarge KG4KWP

[RickDavis]

For VHF/UHF I would suggest the NMO mounts permanently installed and 1/4 wave antennas which would only be 19 inches at 2 meters,and are flexible enough to get out of the way when going into the garage or whatever.
Based on many years on an antenna test range I can assure you that you will see no difference in performance with the 1/4 wave as compared to the larger 5/8.

On low frequencies we have pipes U bolted to the back bumper on each side.
One has a screwdriver antenna. We remove the whip when traveling. The other can be used for a Hustler 5 BTV when we are parked for longer periods.
The 5 BTV does provide a noticeable improvement on 75 meters where I do most my operating, less so on 40 and probably little or no improvement on 20 meters and up when compared to the screwdriver