Not being a radio geek, but having to install a ham radio in my Jeep for my club, I was ripping my hair out trying to find an antenna and mounting solution for my radio. I should have know to just check your channel... :) Thanks for the information!!
I got to he same bracket. Didn’t realize when I ordered it, that it was a 3/8 NMO. I ordered my antenna base from another source and it was a 3/4. It took some time, but I drilled out the bracket to 3/4.
The only concern I'd have is bonding between the coax shield and the body. It's probably not a huge deal at VHF/UHF but if that antenna is a traditional monopole, it needs a good RF ground plane to bounce your signal off of so you get a good radiation pattern/max output power. 73, Wes/W9YYH
Thanks for posting the video. My club just changed to the same UHF/VHF radio and I have been weighing my permanent mounting options over using handhelds. I think the handheld is convenient but want the benefit of a fully featured radio installed as well. Going to give that Rugged Radios mount a look.
If you can swing it, having both mobile and portable radios with you on the trail is ideal. Your mobile gets you out with 40-75 watts, your HT can keep you on your club's net if you need to dismount your vic for any reason.
hey man enjoy the video's. Long time lurker, first time post-er. What hardware did you use to install your cb antenna? Looking to install mine in a similar location. Apologies if i missed that particular video.
Tried that but it is too close to to metal window frame which will alter SWR and resident frequency of antenna. Be sure you check it before you burn up the finals in your radio.
They've since redesigned the mount so that it only uses one of the bolts, and uses the panel ridgeline for forward/backward stability. New link is www.ruggedradios.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=736&products_id=2759
Been trying to get this driver’s side bracket from them for two months but they have no stock. You can order online but then get an email from their customer support saying they don’t really have it. Any other good alternatives for a similar installation? Tks
o3djeeps [ OVERCLOCK3D Jeeps ] i finally received the brackets. They came with their own steel screws, but they don’t seem any longer than the original screws on the Jeep. Not sure if they would serve as some kind of grounding, as they are not coated, but then again the bracket itself is coated. Any insights? Tks
TMB Real Estate Photography less interference. Better ground plane. I have my hood grounded with strap....plus I use it as a garage height detector. Lol
What FCC license do you need for your radio? Rugged Radios seems to go out of their way not to share what bands they’re using, much less what license is necessary.
That's exactly why I am going to spend some time talking about that on my next radio-related video. Most folks buying "race radios" as sold from Rugged Radios, end up using them illegally because they don't realize that amateur radio licenses are required, and that the frequencies pre-programmed have business licenses owned by govt and companies all around the US... so the frequency maybe legitimately used by Big Willy's Race Team at KOH, might also be the same frequency used by your local Police Dept... And if you are using their channel they'd probably not like it much. :-) I have a general class ham license, but really a technician license is what's needed, unless your are using GMRS, in which case you need a separate GMRS license, and of course a radio that can adhere to the maximum power regulations for them. It's really complicated (at first) and it doesn't help that it's so easy to buy radios without any understanding of what you are getting into. I'm going to try and simplify it as much as I can.... if all goes according to plan. :)
o3djeeps [ OVERCLOCK3D Jeeps ] I doubt the FCC has the authority to do so, but I really wish they’d slap RR around. It’s clear they don’t want people to worry about licensing, just buy their gear and use it.
Absolutely! That will be covered when I do the final install. I expect a lot of people will think that adding a rubber backing is a bad idea because of grounding...but smashing that powdercoated bracket to my paint isn't going to do anything for grounding anyway...so I may as well protect the paint! I hope that the bolts (once I clean off some metal around the bolt holes) will be enough grounding so I don't need a separate grounding strap... but we'll see.
o3djeeps [ OVERCLOCK3D Jeeps ] Can’t wait to see that come together. I’m curious about taking trail comms this direction, but there’s just so little info out there for laymen, it seems.
rugged radios illegally transmit on public service frequencies around the country. look up the list on the FCC ULS, if you are caught transmitting on one of these radios the fines are extremely steep. i'd highly encourage you to get a ham license or GMRS license (no test for GMRS) and stay legal.
Not being a radio geek, but having to install a ham radio in my Jeep for my club, I was ripping my hair out trying to find an antenna and mounting solution for my radio. I should have know to just check your channel... :) Thanks for the information!!
Thanks for this! About to put a UHV/2meter antenna on The NotARubicon and wasnt sure how/where to put it!
I got to he same bracket. Didn’t realize when I ordered it, that it was a 3/8 NMO. I ordered my antenna base from another source and it was a 3/4. It took some time, but I drilled out the bracket to 3/4.
How did you run your coax ?
The only concern I'd have is bonding between the coax shield and the body. It's probably not a huge deal at VHF/UHF but if that antenna is a traditional monopole, it needs a good RF ground plane to bounce your signal off of so you get a good radiation pattern/max output power.
73,
Wes/W9YYH
Thanks for posting the video. My club just changed to the same UHF/VHF radio and I have been weighing my permanent mounting options over using handhelds. I think the handheld is convenient but want the benefit of a fully featured radio installed as well.
Going to give that Rugged Radios mount a look.
If you can swing it, having both mobile and portable radios with you on the trail is ideal. Your mobile gets you out with 40-75 watts, your HT can keep you on your club's net if you need to dismount your vic for any reason.
I've been trying to find options to mount my antenna for my ham radio on my jeep. I'll be picking up one of these!
How did you run the antenna co-ax cable into cowl area, as it is welded to fender panel?
did the powdercoat give you any issues with grounding?
Hi,how long ago did you buy that bracket?.they seemed to have changed the design? Thanks
hey man enjoy the video's. Long time lurker, first time post-er. What hardware did you use to install your cb antenna? Looking to install mine in a similar location. Apologies if i missed that particular video.
I never really did a video on it. I just drilled a hole in the bumper, and used a spring mount.
You might be able to see it in the Excessive Industries front bumper install video. I am not positive tho,.
Tried that but it is too close to to metal window frame which will alter SWR and resident frequency of antenna. Be sure you check it before you burn up the finals in your radio.
I'm surprised you didnt mount the Cb antenna in the rear.
03DJeeps, did you ever post a vid with the cable/radio install? Wondering how you routed your cable cleanly into the cowl from the mount.
Sure did! ua-cam.com/video/gVYYqAi8iok/v-deo.html
o3djeeps [ OVERCLOCK3D Jeeps ] Awesome, thanks!
They've since redesigned the mount so that it only uses one of the bolts, and uses the panel ridgeline for forward/backward stability. New link is www.ruggedradios.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=736&products_id=2759
Been trying to get this driver’s side bracket from them for two months but they have no stock. You can order online but then get an email from their customer support saying they don’t really have it. Any other good alternatives for a similar installation? Tks
Sorry.. I wish I could help you. I couldn't find them anywhere else when I looked.
o3djeeps [ OVERCLOCK3D Jeeps ] i finally received the brackets. They came with their own steel screws, but they don’t seem any longer than the original screws on the Jeep. Not sure if they would serve as some kind of grounding, as they are not coated, but then again the bracket itself is coated. Any insights? Tks
Why do you put the cb antenna on the front bumper? Just curious.
TMB Real Estate Photography less interference. Better ground plane. I have my hood grounded with strap....plus I use it as a garage height detector. Lol
What FCC license do you need for your radio? Rugged Radios seems to go out of their way not to share what bands they’re using, much less what license is necessary.
That's exactly why I am going to spend some time talking about that on my next radio-related video. Most folks buying "race radios" as sold from Rugged Radios, end up using them illegally because they don't realize that amateur radio licenses are required, and that the frequencies pre-programmed have business licenses owned by govt and companies all around the US... so the frequency maybe legitimately used by Big Willy's Race Team at KOH, might also be the same frequency used by your local Police Dept... And if you are using their channel they'd probably not like it much. :-) I have a general class ham license, but really a technician license is what's needed, unless your are using GMRS, in which case you need a separate GMRS license, and of course a radio that can adhere to the maximum power regulations for them. It's really complicated (at first) and it doesn't help that it's so easy to buy radios without any understanding of what you are getting into. I'm going to try and simplify it as much as I can.... if all goes according to plan. :)
o3djeeps [ OVERCLOCK3D Jeeps ] I doubt the FCC has the authority to do so, but I really wish they’d slap RR around. It’s clear they don’t want people to worry about licensing, just buy their gear and use it.
John Daily I’d say they’re pushing VHF/UHF down the road toward deregulation kinda like CB frequencies so many years ago.
Is this essentially a mobile ham radio antenna?
make sure you ground the antenna.
Absolutely! That will be covered when I do the final install. I expect a lot of people will think that adding a rubber backing is a bad idea because of grounding...but smashing that powdercoated bracket to my paint isn't going to do anything for grounding anyway...so I may as well protect the paint! I hope that the bolts (once I clean off some metal around the bolt holes) will be enough grounding so I don't need a separate grounding strap... but we'll see.
o3djeeps [ OVERCLOCK3D Jeeps ] Can’t wait to see that come together. I’m curious about taking trail comms this direction, but there’s just so little info out there for laymen, it seems.
How did you ground it the antenna? I have the same mount but trying to figure out how to ground it
@@o3djeeps - ha! Kindly ignore the comment I made earlier then about bonding!
rugged radios illegally transmit on public service frequencies around the country. look up the list on the FCC ULS, if you are caught transmitting on one of these radios the fines are extremely steep. i'd highly encourage you to get a ham license or GMRS license (no test for GMRS) and stay legal.