UHF Spring Based Aerial - Which is better; fibreglass or Stainless Steel Whip?

[rob_macca67]

Well, having the Fibreglass Antenna didn't make any difference..... due to the corrugations it eventually snapped off as well, though it did last longer than the S/Steel one..... It was amazing to see how much the Aerial shook while driving over the corrugated roads.....

Found this Uniden AT870 UHF Aerial on eBay for $54.00 delivered. It comes with a Barrel type springbase as well. For everyday driving I reckon it would be ok, but I've been told that its not suitable for offroading...... does anyone have experience with this UHF Aerial?

Just don't get the metal upper aerial, the bottom large spring base is fine but the metal antenna is not so. Since the Prado bullbars move so much by themselves it just jiggled like crazy from day one.

Like these

Ours snapped and bounced across the bonnet on the way through Coonabarabran whilst on holidays. Bought a fiberglass one in Dubbo and all great now.

-- Have you been over much corrugated roads since u fitted yours.... ???

[shiner69er]

x3 for bushcomm stinger

[Diksta]

have a look at these, this is what i am looking at

http://zcg.com.au/cb_radio_antennas_...dbi.htm#ZN3top

[croozr]

Anyone got a solution to this for the GME 4705?

I've been hunting around for a while without success.

You dont need much room to run a http://www.gme.net.au/products/anten...477-mhz/AE4013AE4013

it will leave the UHF fully functionable and keep the water out great performance in the mountains and keep the big whip for wide open plains.

Matthew

[Madkore]

Double post

[Madkore]

Come with a cap you say...

Hmmm... must have lost it on the install.

After spending a bit of time since my post I have found GME sell the caps - http://www.gme.net.au/products/acces...-springs/CA004

[wooley]

Anyone got a solution to this for the GME 4705?

I've been hunting around for a while without success.

They come with a rubber dust cap. However if you've lost that, Clark rubber have rubber chair leg caps that fit both the spring base and aerial.

[Madkore]

On the topic of unscrewing antennae connections due to garage height restrictions, does an exposed coax connection need to be covered from the weather when the whip part is off?

Anyone got a solution to this for the GME 4705?

I've been hunting around for a while without success.

[photoprado]

I've had one of the RFI CD900 (at least that's the model I think it is) on the 90 for a few years now. I've had it bounce around a bit but never snap but I do remove the whip when not in use (city driving).

http://www.rfiwireless.com.au/elevat....html#tab_spec

The top part of the whip is stainless but the curved bit that sits above the "nail" base is some sort of polymer construction.

Might work on a 90, but the ss whip dies on a 120 Diesel. Specifically recommended against on the Prestige website.

** Not recommended for diesel vehicles with excessive bullbar vibration **

[fido666]

I've had one of the RFI CD900 (at least that's the model I think it is) on the 90 for a few years now. I've had it bounce around a bit but never snap but I do remove the whip when not in use (city driving).

http://www.rfiwireless.com.au/elevat....html#tab_spec

The top part of the whip is stainless but the curved bit that sits above the "nail" base is some sort of polymer construction.

[rob_macca67]

Agreed, I had the same thing happen and would not go down the S/S path again. Thought I'd give the Uniden one a go since u can get them for $54 delivered.

Just don't get the metal upper aerial, the bottom large spring base is fine but the metal antenna is not so. Since the Prado bullbars move so much by themselves it just jiggled like crazy from day one.

Like these

Ours snapped and bounced across the bonnet on the way through Coonabarabran whilst on holidays. Bought a fiberglass one in Dubbo and all great now.

[gspy4u]

Just don't get the metal upper aerial, the bottom large spring base is fine but the metal antenna is not so. Since the Prado bullbars move so much by themselves it just jiggled like crazy from day one.

Like these

Ours snapped and bounced across the bonnet on the way through Coonabarabran whilst on holidays. Bought a fiberglass one in Dubbo and all great now.

[rob_macca67]

Found this Uniden AT870 UHF Aerial on eBay for $54.00 delivered. It comes with a Barrel type springbase as well. For everyday driving I reckon it would be ok, but I've been told that its not suitable for offroading...... does anyone have experience with this UHF Aerial?

[Madkore]

Yes, Like everything exposed to weather it will corrode, and then you will start to loose signal strength/signal distance or no propper connection.

Thanks downunder - I'll have to look at a little screw top to cover the connection.

[Hutch]

I have a RFI cd5000 sitting on a tab on the bullbar and it sits about an inch higher than the car so if the aerial goes under I am good to go, went in a 2mtr car park the other day the aerial just touched so I kept going, all good, just fitted.


Hutch- 2012 Prado 150, some TJM Kit.