VHF "Race Radio" Antenna for OBS Ford Trucks / Broncos

Post by **SteveG** » Thu Apr 16, 2020 4:56 pm

Peep it:

https://www.ruggedradios.com/index.php? ... ts_id=2923

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hobbyturnedobsession · Thu Apr 16, 2020 10:08 pm

Those are awesome! I may have to order one for Carly's bronco and one for my 350.

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BDKW1 · Post by **BDKW1** » Fri Apr 17, 2020 8:24 am

That's a pretty poor place to mount an antenna performance wise. Clean, but not super useful.

1Hondalover · Post by **1Hondalover** » Sat Apr 18, 2020 9:45 am

Very cool piece Steven. That sheet metal is fairly thin to take much torquing.....did you put some kind of backing underneath?

Post by **SteveG** » Thu May 28, 2020 2:59 pm

BDKW1 wrote: ↑
Fri Apr 17, 2020 8:24 am
That's a pretty poor place to mount an antenna performance wise. Clean, but not super useful.

True. The best place for an antenna is as high as possible with zero obstructions. Buuut, most people running radios just use them running around in a relatively close group and don't necessarily need it to have the longest possible range. Generally, those users will sacrifice range for ease of installation and, especially, drilling holes in sheet metal. That said, on Wilson, I'm using it for a backup antenna.

Post by **SteveG** » Thu May 28, 2020 3:00 pm

1Hondalover wrote: ↑
Sat Apr 18, 2020 9:45 am
Very cool piece Steven. That sheet metal is fairly thin to take much torquing.....did you put some kind of backing underneath?

It seems OK. I tweaked on it and am not really concerned. Roof panels flex as much or more and I don't know that I've ever seen one break the metal. It wouldn't be hard to put a plate under it, though.

BDKW1 · Post by **BDKW1** » Thu May 28, 2020 4:25 pm

I have repaired 2 roofs where the antenna pulled out. Both Dodges......... I usually put a backing plate on the bottom side if I can fit it. A little epoxy to bond everything together and it will last a very long time.

Post by **SteveG** » Thu May 28, 2020 8:47 pm

BDKW1 wrote: ↑
Thu May 28, 2020 4:25 pm
I have repaired 2 roofs where the antenna pulled out. Both Dodges......... I usually put a backing plate on the bottom side if I can fit it. A little epoxy to bond everything together and it will last a very long time.

I like the reinforcement plate. Maybe we’ll start stamping them out and offer as an accessory.

Post by **SteveG** » Thu May 28, 2020 8:51 pm

Low-profile antenna on Wilson. You’ll have to excuse all the spider webs. Wilson’s been sitting under a canopy for a few weeks....

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yikes · Post by **yikes** » Fri May 29, 2020 5:58 am

Hmmmmm. I might need that for Brown. I think the mount would work.

BDKW1 · Post by **BDKW1** » Fri May 29, 2020 8:38 am

SteveG wrote: ↑
Thu May 28, 2020 8:47 pm
I like the reinforcement plate. Maybe we’ll start stamping them out and offer as an accessory.

Somebody was making them for commercial use, I used to buy them out of the catalog. I think they were for NGP transit antennas mounted in fiberglass.

ChaseTruck754 · Post by **ChaseTruck754** » Fri May 29, 2020 9:43 am

yikes wrote: ↑
Fri May 29, 2020 5:58 am
Hmmmmm. I might need that for Brown. I think the mount would work.

Body lines are a little different, but you're smart enough to make it work. What's going on with the brown one? I wanna see!!