Antenna Inatallation?

[JJ Sinclair]

I'm going to install an antenna with a ground plane tube on the lower portion
(about 24 inches) Question; Is it OK to mount the antenna on the side of my
motorhome with only the antenna portion sticking up above the roof ?

Just got us a TREK with the bed that raises up to the ceiling, don't even have
to make the bed. Just be sure Cookie is out of it before hitting the switch
that makes the bedroom disappear and the living room appear.
JJ Sinclair

[Eric Greenwell]

JJ Sinclair wrote:
> I'm going to install an antenna with a ground plane tube on the lower portion
> (about 24 inches) Question; Is it OK to mount the antenna on the side of my
> motorhome with only the antenna portion sticking up above the roof ?

It'll probably be just fine, though in theory, it's better to have it
all higher than the roof. It works fine somewhat below the roof line on
my MH.

Get an SWR meter and check the SWR with the antenna in the position you
want it. Doesn't have to be mounted, but just have it stuck in a piece
of wood or something you can easily put there temporarily.

If the SWR is less than 2, great. Less than 3, OK. More than 3, try
another position.

--
-----
Replace "SPAM" with "charter" to email me directly

Eric Greenwell
Washington State
USA

[Paul Repacholi]

(JJ Sinclair) writes:

> I'm going to install an antenna with a ground plane tube on the
> lower portion (about 24 inches) Question; Is it OK to mount the
> antenna on the side of my motorhome with only the antenna portion
> sticking up above the roof ?

That will work I guess, but will give a biased pattern if you
have a metal roof.
--
Paul Repacholi 1 Crescent Rd.,
+61 (08) 9257-1001 Kalamunda.
West Australia 6076
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EPIC, The Architecture of the future, always has been, always will be.

[JJ Sinclair]

I just finished up installing the antenna with about half of the lower (ground
plane) tube above the roof line. Got good field strength all around the antenna
and a SWR of 1.7.
Thanks to all that answered my question.

BTW, last year I had this same antenna mounted to the TV antenna in the
motorhome. Sounded like a slick idea, just crank up the TV antenna and the VHF
antenna was ready to go, or so I thoight. I found several cases of blanking
with this arrangement. I believe the metel TV shaft that I clamped thr VHF
antenna to, was blocking transmittion and reception on that side. My *stand
alone* set-up has fixed this problem.
Peace,
JJ Sinclair