JK Dual Band Antenna Mount

[Akecj7]

I just relocated my Diamond Antenna dual band antenna that I use with my Kenwood 710A. I originally had the antenna mounted in the rear next to the spare tire. I started having issues with SWR and ended up tracing the issue to interference with the tire its self. I got this idea from this thread http://www.expeditionportal.com/foru...t-Edition-quot and figured I would share my install.

I picked up a Diamond K400S w/13.5ft of coax kit from HRO. I had to trim a piece off in order to get it it sit flush. Here is a picture of how much I had to trim.



I had one of my machinist at work trim on our mill to ensure a clean cut. I removed the trim piece on the driver side, and then trimmed the small piece of aluminum, and then tightened the set screws then reattached the trim piece. I had to leave the lower bolt in the trim piece.





I then finished the assembly of the mount and attached my antenna. I am probably going to pull it apart again and move the coax to the rear to help protect it a little more.





I did and quick test with my SWR meter, and it was nearly 1:1, fired it up and was able to hit a local repeater that I normally would have barely gotten into before from the same location talked to my dad and he does not remember it being as clear as it is now. I would recommend this location to anyone that has a JK. When I get my general license I am going to do the same thing with the same setup on the passenger side.

[crawler#976]

May I make a suggestion?

IF you can, get the coax behind the mount instead of in front of it. I don't know if you ever get into brush, but I see the coax being snagged and ripped off as is. You may also wish to cobble together a brush antenna like I did for Cactus Red: http://www.expeditionportal.com/foru...hlight=antenna

[mhiscox]

Thanks for sharing the information. The antenna on my JK camper is in pretty much the same place and I am pleased to hear that it's a good choice.

[Akecj7]

May I make a suggestion?

IF you can, get the coax behind the mount instead of in front of it. I don't know if you ever get into brush, but I see the coax being snagged and ripped off as is. You may also wish to cobble together a brush antenna like I did for Cactus Red: http://www.expeditionportal.com/foru...hlight=antenna

I actually had it mounted this way first then realized it was not the way I wanted and re-did it and after I had things tight noticed the coax slide forward again. So that is actually my plan as soon as I get some time hopefully this weekend.

Thanks for sharing the information. The antenna on my JK camper is in pretty much the same place and I am pleased to hear that it's a good choice.

No thank you for the original post for the idea.

[mhiscox]

No thank you for the original post for the idea.

Too funny. Well, then, thanks for the dedicated work as my application engineer.