1Coolbanana's Grande Build Up

[1coolbanana Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close 1coolbanana]

Got an early xmas present from my wife today for some extra camping fun (she doesnt know it yet though)
How thoughtful of her!
I suppose Id better tell her...................or not????

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

Well, Im please to say that after many weeks including some offroading that the "Coolbanana Antenna Mod" (duct tape and heat shrink) seems to be working a treat with no signs of breaking
No more antenna epeleptic fits, no longer has the distracting mega wobble and a couple others that have tried it also seem to have yielded the same results.
Nice and cheap too, quite pleased with it so far.

I reckon ARB should supply heat shrink when you buy a bar

Good idea.
Did you wrap the aerial base in duck tape several times and then apply the heat shrink over it?
Where did you get the heat shink that size? I have only seen small diameter stuff
Always something new to learn on the forum!


Cheers

[1coolbanana Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close 1coolbanana]

Good idea.
Did you wrap the aerial base in duck tape several times and then apply the heat shrink over it?
Where did you get the heat shink that size? I have only seen small diameter stuff
Always something new to learn on the forum!


Cheers

Thanks mate

Initially I wrapped the spring in duct tape to test out the idea, that seemed to take most of the vibes out but after a few weeks it was "slipping" as stretchy tape does.

I put the heatshrink over the top of the tape.
Seems to be the answer.

The heat shrink I got, from a local supplier called Larrikin Products, but you can probably buy it anywhere like Jaycar.

http://www.larpro.com.au/larpro/product/3967 \

Its Sumitomo Sumitube, its 60mm flattened, 38mm diameter, just big enough for the largest part of the spring and shrinks enough for the smallest bit.

Just make sure you measure your spring, mine is a max of 38mm but they vary a lot.

Cheers

[PradOz Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close PradOz]

Fitted up the Uniden AT870 tonight.
The ARB bar is managing to piss me off once again with no antenna mounts other than the drilled holes in the ends.
I dont want mine there preferring to have it near one of the posts.

Got one of these very solid mounts thanks to another PP inmate who put me onto them.



From here:

http://www.pefabrication.com.au/prod...html#universal.

Rang him up, caught him while he was on his tractor spraying weeds in Moree and he rushed home to put one in the post for me. Now thats service

hi marc

just wondering why you had a preference for your antenna up on top of the bar rather than the side wing area that has predrilled holes? just curious as to whether its for reception issues or something else. just found where you got your mount so still contemplating whether i need to remount mine from side to top or maybe just be lazy and leave as is

[1coolbanana Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close 1coolbanana]

hi marc

just wondering why you had a preference for your antenna up on top of the bar rather than the side wing area that has predrilled holes? just curious as to whether its for reception issues or something else. just found where you got your mount so still contemplating whether i need to remount mine from side to top or maybe just be lazy and leave as is

G'day mate
Personal preference more than anything I suppose.
I just felt that mounting the antenna out on the sides may have a couple of effects, one, being extra "wobbles" since the ends of the bar move the most and two, maybe the reception might be better more centrally located and a little higher.
Whether either of these are true Im not sure but it makes me feel warm and fuzzy anyway
Cheers
Marc

[Trekrider Banned Find all posts View Profile Close Trekrider]

G'day mate
Personal preference more than anything I suppose.
I just felt that mounting the antenna out on the sides may have a couple of effects, one, being extra "wobbles" since the ends of the bar move the most and two, maybe the reception might be better more centrally located and a little higher.
Whether either of these are true Im not sure but it makes me feel warm and fuzzy anyway
Cheers
Marc

With mine out on the side I find it's forever hitting overhanging vegetation as well. Might think about moving mine more inboard too

[1coolbanana Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close 1coolbanana]

With mine out on the side I find it's forever hitting overhanging vegetation as well. Might think about moving mine more inboard too

Oh yeah, dead right too, I forgot about that

[PradOz Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close PradOz]

its definately much higher in the middle so i am guessing it helps the reception ??

i have had same antenna set up on the 90 series on the bonnet and then top of bullbar, then on this 120 on top of nudge bar in centre and now on wing on side of arb bar. when it was on the 90 series i could hear and pick up way more channels and conversations. too many really. it would get confusing when off in a convoy and then to hear someone talk and then find out its from someone separate to us and so far away they cant even hear me. to give you some idea, i could hear someone in villawood from south of cambelltown during the day. not sure if thats normal, good, bad or what

on the nudge bar on the 120 i got less noise/traffic than the 90 and now its moved to the side of the arb there is hardly any excess noise/traffic so much so i often think its not even working. i dont find vegetation a problem, even if it hits it bends out of the way easily enough.

i was at local opposite lock store last week and he said they get so many 120 prado owners back with broken steel uhf antennas but none at all with the others. wouldnt mind mine a touch higher like it use to be if it stayed out on edge or in the middle if the bracket looked ok, but really cant be bothered rewiring it all to move or lift it. dont know enough about aerials to decide if its even a good idea to buy a longer one. hmmm....

[1coolbanana Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close 1coolbanana]

I wouldnt bother with a longer aerial.
I can alternate my 3db and 6.5db wips but only use the 6.5db when I was out around Camerons Corners and that sort of flat country otherwise the 3db is the permanent one for 99% of use.

This is an alternative the the very overpriced clamp I bought.
These are less than half the price and can be mounted horizontally or vertically.

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Stainless...item519524e3f6

Try the duct tape first and the heat shrink, it will make you happy

[PradOz Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close PradOz]

i will have a look at the link - thanx. the heat shrink idea is on my list of things to do. if you still have aerial movement can you put another layer of heat shrink on the first layer or wont it not work like that? [shows how much i know about heat shrink. oh and btw, can i use a heat gun on the heat shrink or does it have to be those gas burner doodahs DOH! ]

btw, did you ever fit an inverter? i got one and still trying to decide where to fit it. i have looked at others on pp and still undecided. i would like it towards front so its easily accessible but it cant go under front seats in a grande. not enough room between second seat and drawer front (worried excess heat will damage seat back) and in the side of cargo area seems too far away from front and batteries.
if you have done it any pluses or minuses on where you have done it? and pics too

[Trekrider Banned Find all posts View Profile Close Trekrider]

This is an alternative the the very overpriced clamp I bought.
These are less than half the price and can be mounted horizontally or vertically.

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Stainless...item519524e3f6

Prestige also have one a bit cheaper again but with only one clamp:

http://www.prestigecom.net.au/index....products_id=91

[1coolbanana Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close 1coolbanana]

can i use a heat gun on the heat shrink or does it have to be those gas burner doodahs DOH! ]

btw, did you ever fit an inverter?

Heat gun is probably the best way to do it, if I had one, thats what I would use.

Havent got an inverter, havent found a need for one, everything I need is 12 volt, or at least for the moment

[MidLifeCrisis Out of control poster! Find all posts View Profile Close MidLifeCrisis]

Prestige also have one a bit cheaper again but with only one clamp:

http://www.prestigecom.net.au/index....products_id=91

.....talking to yourself again. At least you know when you posted and what to say

[1coolbanana Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close 1coolbanana]

Few pics of Friday camping on the Turon via the Pinnacles Fire trail and Saturdays return via Baal Bone and Blackfellowshand Trail :-)

[Trekrider Banned Find all posts View Profile Close Trekrider]

Looks like fun Marc, what happened to the mudguard?

Just got back from my trip too - I'll give you an update later