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

[Madkore Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close 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?

[downunder Find all posts View Profile Close downunder]

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?

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

[rob_macca67 Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close rob_macca67]

If you wanted to have a "joint /connector" in your coax lead for the ability to swap between different types of aerials (small aerial around town and tall one for outback touring).... what sort of losses would u experience?
The UHF I'm currently using is a commercial grade and puts out 25watts. My main worry would be if there was too much signal reflection that may cause damage to the UHF radio itself....
Anyone has any suggestions in how to switch between different Aerials (long and short ones)
cheers....
rob

[winniliss Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close winniliss]

If you wanted to have a "joint /connector" in your coax lead for the ability to swap between different types of aerials (small aerial around town and tall one for outback touring).... what sort of losses would u experience?
The UHF I'm currently using is a commercial grade and puts out 25watts. My main worry would be if there was too much signal reflection that may cause damage to the UHF radio itself....
Anyone has any suggestions in how to switch between different Aerials (long and short ones)
cheers....
rob

I use an Icom Pro 400 (up to 25w output) and I use 2 antenna's - a ZCG ZN3-77-12 black (8.1dbi 2.1m) and ZN3-77-11 black (6.6dbi 1.2m). You won't have any issues with VSWR unless there is issues with the coax or corrosion in the antenna base connector. The reason why I use these antenna's is because they come in black (you won't notice it as much when driving), they are heavy duty and designed to last and the main one I use (the short one) clears the top of the roof for optimal communication. As stated before I achieved comms at 50km, mobile to mobile in simplex mode with the short whip (at 5watts).



Winston

[rob_macca67 Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close rob_macca67]

I sort of need our everyday Aerial to be level or just above the roof height so the missus can get it in the garage w/o constantly hitting the garage door or roof.....By looking at your pics, that might not suit my needs. That's why I enquired about using a connector of sorts.....

[winniliss Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close winniliss]

I sort of need our everyday Aerial to be level or just above the roof height so the missus can get it in the garage w/o constantly hitting the garage door or roof.....By looking at your pics, that might not suit my needs. That's why I enquired about using a connector of sorts.....

I have a 50mm suspension lift an I can get under 2.1m carparks with the short antenna attached.

[Hutch Addicted PP Member Find all posts View Profile Close 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.

[Madkore Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close 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.

[rob_macca67 Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close 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?

[gspy4u Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close 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 Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close 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.

[fido666 Banned Find all posts View Profile Close 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.

[photoprado Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close 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 **

[Madkore Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close 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.

[wooley Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close 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.