Mounting Ham HF antenna

Motorradmark

Well-known member
Callsign: KO4FIC
I am mounting an ATAS120a to support my new to me Yaesu ft857d. I am thinking of putting it on the right side wing top, where I currently have a small dual band antenna. Easy position to reach grounding points.
My predicament is what kind of mount would work. Most of the lips mounts don’t fit anywhere on a LR 110(1985). (Probably important for discussion. Currently considering a Breedlove 3”puck mount. https://breedlovemounts.com/store/ols/products/3-in-puck-so-239-to-so-239-mount

any mount suggestions or recommendations. Appreciated
 

GREENI

Member
52FD2FCA-8EBF-46F2-B735-CA0E75702FD0.jpeg


I made a mount, i put 2 rivnuts on the wing edge and bolt it on. Theres enough gap for it to fit nicely.
 

chris snell

Administrator
Callsign: NW5W
Staff member
I've mounted my antennas right on the wing top but it's bad because they get hit with brush and the Diamond NR770HBs are much stronger than the wing and will bend it. Plan is to cut out some plates to mount them on at the same spot, and a second set to act as backing plates to strengthen it.

It's not a bad spot to mount them. I get better than 1:1.1 SWR when I tune them.
 

javelinadave

Administrator
Staff member
If you are using your radio for convoy chatting you can mount it on the front bumper, tire carrier, wing, it doesn't matter. If you are going for distance a roll cage mount or some type of roof mount is best but as Chris eluded to you are going to wack it on things when you leave the road and either bend the antenna, the mount or the body it is mounted to.
 

Motorradmark

Well-known member
Callsign: KO4FIC
Like the mount and recommendations. Much appreciated. I am planning on using it for all three bands, but really for the HF capability. The ATAS is a auto-tuning Screwdriver mount, damn heavy lower section, part of the challenge. Chris, I can see the issue of wing damage, that was leading me toward that puck, it has a top and bottom plate to sandwich the wing. Either that or something like Greeni’s mount.
 

leastonce

Well-known member
Callsign: w2eng
I am mounting an ATAS120a to support my new to me Yaesu ft857d. I am thinking of putting it on the right side wing top, where I currently have a small dual band antenna. Easy position to reach grounding points.
My predicament is what kind of mount would work. Most of the lips mounts don’t fit anywhere on a LR 110(1985). (Probably important for discussion. Currently considering a Breedlove 3”puck mount. https://breedlovemounts.com/store/ols/products/3-in-puck-so-239-to-so-239-mount

any mount suggestions or recommendations. Appreciated
When i travelled from NY to CA i mounted my ATAS-120 on a post-mount bolted to the NAS roll cage, I used a battery ground strap into one of the cage bolts to get a solid ground. It worked flawlessly ... wasn't pretty though!

The puck mounts look like a good idea for panel mounting.

Something like a diamond k9000 might be good to get it high on the vehicle but with the ability to lower it for protection when needed.
 

WreckITFrank

Technical Excellence Contributor
What about replacing the solid vent cover on the wing opposite the heater? Can easily be removed when not used if needed. Can possibly be combo'd with a wingtop locker if you are willing to drill a hole in the lid.
 

Motorradmark

Well-known member
Callsign: KO4FIC
I tried a comet lip mount that was recommended for the ATAS on the rear door, but had poor bonding. The Breedlove 3 “ puck arrives Monday and will provide a solid mount with good rf grounding. Hope to get on the airwaves next week. Will post a pix of the finished product and any results
Thanks to all for the discussion and ideas.
 
Top