Ham Radio Antennas

[Tom Bray]

Unfortunately my AS doesn't appear to have a spare tire under it.

What I have done so far, since I had everything removed from the insides, was to run 2 coax cables and a control cable next to the Blackwater tank in the back. Currently the coax and cables go into the rear locker by the bumper through individual water tight fittings. I am thinking about replacing the fittings with SO-239 barrel connectors and put covers over them when not in use. For the control cable I was thinking of using a trailer vehicle connector with a cover over it.

My reasoning for doing it this way is to keep the cables from lying in the bottom of the locker and sitting in water. That is where the cables are now and one of them already has water in it even though they were taped up.

Has anyone ever tried this? How fast did the connector die? I have plastic covers for the barrel connectors when they aren't in use.

I am still contemplating how to put the VHF/UHF antenna on the roof. One thought was to use the Fridge vent (someone on another thread came up with that). I think Comet makes one of those motorized mounts that will lower the antenna when it isn't in use. I am worried about the stress on the vent.

My other approach for the VHF antenna is to put it in place of where the TV antenna control came out. The old antenna is gone and there is a large sheet of aluminum covering the area.

Any suggestions?

Thanks

Tom Bray
WB8COX