HF Antenna Mounting Considerations on the Freightliner Century

Hi all,

I'm in a bit of a quandary. I am leaving soon to go back out on the road for a small O/O, and wanting to take my HF radio out with me.

I will be in a Freightliner Century tractor.

My last truck was a daycab Western star which has an all metal cab, thus antennas weren't a real problem. The antenna I have to take with me is a Yaesu ATAS-120 to go with my FT-857D.

I have heard several different options from simply putting it on the mirror, to using the step on the fuel tank to mount it. Now, I realize that this antenna is a compromise in it's self, so I don't want to add insult to injury by having no groundplane.

I used to repair/install radios at the last trucking company I worked for, however everything was VHF and UHF and not requiring a huge groundplane. Most of the antennas were modified NMO mirror mounts that had radials attached.

Here's a couple of things I thought of.

I have a Comet CP-5M mount that I could use on the bottom of the truck where the tractor floor is, however, I don't know how sturdy nor how the groundplane would be this way. I also thought of using a non destructive mount, like a clamp mount with the little set screws to hook to the steps on the fuel tank, then bonding the step to the frame to keep down noise.

Any suggestions on where to mount the antenna would be most helpful.

I'm really iterested to find out some good solutions to this as this will be my primary radio out there besides the ol' trusty CB.

 

Bump...........

 

Thanks for the reply...

I went down to the company the other day and looked the truck over. It is not the type of century that has the exposed tanks (which I was kinda wishing it had), instead it has the fiberglass farings that cover the tanks from the hood to the drive axles.

I am unsure as to the composition of the floor in this particular type of truck, ie: all metal, plywood with metal ribs, etc...

Anyway, I figure worst case scenario I could mount it on the side at the floor line and bond both sides of the cab to the frame. Maybe it'll work.

That is, unless the steps are still electrically connected to the frame by the tank straps.

I am sort of against using a mirror mount with this antenna because I don't think it'll even tune without a good ground. I do have a solution for my Dual Band, Scanner, And Cell antennas. I have made a long groundplane/mount out of sheet metal and drilled 3/4" holes for the antennas. It's about 25" long by 4" deep. Not a great groundplane, but usable none the less. It will be mounted above the visor with heavy duty sticky tape.

So, right now HF is the major problem.

 

Hadn't thought of that......

Could do that, but wouldn't that alter the radidation pattern into 2 side lobes and a null at the middle? Given the presence of the sleeper and trailer (dry van).

I could be wrong though.. I'm sort of new to HF when it comes to installation and repair on comercial vehicles, I'm just going on past experience with VHF/UHF problems.

I know on my 4 wheeler the ATAS had some problems to begin with as I had to bond all the doors and hood to reduce radiated noise and by doing that I also was able to get a better match and a lower SWR. (it may not have been truly resonant, but it sure fooled the radio).

I guess it's just a trial and error thing. There isn't much on the net anywhere else on this topic as I googled it and came up with a bunch of junk.

 

I might try that...

I actually remember seeing the horizontally mounted screwdriver with external whip before. There's a guy here local that has one similar to the "camper shell" design you spoke of. Never did get to see it in action though.

I know I'm gonna upgrade antennas ASAP, just need to get money before I can. (Hence the job change) The coal business has all but dissapeared down here.

I think my next antenna will probably be either an Icom AH-2B and tuner, or an SCG whip and Super Tuner. I'm kinda waiting until Dayton Hamfest as this run I'll be on will have me through Dayton 2 times a week.

And "Oh Boy", when I get there, The first thing I'm gonna do is get me an Icom IC7000 and a new ant and tuner.

Daddy wants a 7000!!!! Actually a 7800, but momma don't like the 10k price.

She about had a coronary when I came home with a Motorola R2001A Service Monitor last year and found out it cost 3200.00!!!

 

I like the price of the Bandhopper.....

I also thought of the High Sierra screwdriver as well, but till money gets a flowin' again, the ATAS-120 will have to do.

I do like your mounting suggestion. I could mount the antenna on the rear grab rail and route the coax through the sleeper floor.

Good thing I just bought some more bonding braid. Probably will need quite a bit.