Nissan Frontier Antenna Mount Options

[fourstringburn]

Yes, it does look like a good mounting scheme. Maybe put a 2m/440 antenna on the driver side since it shouldn't block your view. The ATAS should work well on the passenger side.

Be sure to post pics of the finished install.

 

[Mudfoot]

Yes, it does look like a good mounting scheme. Maybe put a 2m/440 antenna on the driver side since it shouldn't block your view. The ATAS should work well on the passenger side.

Be sure to post pics of the finished install.

I was leaning toward mounting it on the drivers side. Took some effort to ream that hole out. I was thinking of using my plasma cutter. Thought it might get too hot and mess up the powder coat. You think the passenger side is a better spot? The only VHF rig I have is an Anytone 878. I'd like to get one of the tiny 2 meter radios and a small NMO antenna.

 

[fourstringburn]

Maybe, I only said that because the ATAS seems big enough where it might obstruct some some of your view on the drivers side. Of course you"ll have to judge that for yourself.

 

[Mudfoot]

ATAS and FT-891 are installed and working fine. The bracket is holding firm. It seems solid. It'll flex a bit by grabbing the antenna and giving it a yank. I think it will hold up. Not sure I like it on the driver's side. Might need to move it to the passenger side. Not exactly straight up and down. Has a slight list that bugs me. Made a few contacts today. Seems to be OK for what it is.

 

[fourstringburn]

Looks solid and stable. Yeah, I think I would put it on the passenger side.

Is there a way you put some spacers on one side of the bracket mount to level it up?

Other than that, it looks good!

 

[Mudfoot]

Is there a way you put some spacers on one side of the bracket mount to level it up?

My brother in law is helping me. Gonna mount the passenger side bracket and level it out the best we can, then go from there. I wanted to try and straighten it myself, but he told me I'd likely mess something up. The hood hinges aren't the strongest. Since I'm moving it to the passenger side, we'll do the bending in a vise. I can tolerate the location it is in now. I just can't tolerate the list. My bro in law is very fabrication oriented.

 

[fourstringburn]

Bending could do it or maybe some shims on the opposite side that it's leaning would do it. May need a longer bolt to compensate for it though.

You'll get it!

 

[Mudfoot]

Bending could do it or maybe some shims on the opposite side that it's leaning would do it. May need a longer bolt to compensate for it though.

You'll get it!

That's a good idea. The bolts on the hole are kinda long. I could definitely get a couple washers under there.

 

[Mudfoot]

I like how everything turned out. I got the mount straightened out where it's pointed straight up. I noticed some gnarly interference while driving at night. My LED headlights are the culprit. I notice a little bit in the daytime coming from the smaller daytime running lights. The FT-891 is also picking up some ignition noise. It's most noticeable on hard acceleration. My QT-60 and QT-80 are quiet. Is why I always wished ham rigs shared the same blanker characteristics.

 

[fourstringburn]

Are you getting that noise on all bands? I had one truck where on 40m I would hear the acceleration noise but other bands were fine. Could never eliminate it, just got used to it.

As for LEDs, it maybe the the LED exciter generating the noise. I haven't experienced that yet. If you have enough slack on the headlamp wires you can try looping a mix 31 ferrite bead thru them.

Up the value adjustment on your Noise Blanker and try some Notch filtering should help null it out.

HF mobile operating with modern vehicles is going to get even more challenging with all the fancy electronics on vehicles today.

 

[Mudfoot]

Now that you mention it, the LED noise is strongest on 40. Seems like it spreads every 30-40 kc. It's like an S-4 garbly sound. Night is the worst. Daytime is negligeable, but still irritating The ignition pop, so far, is definitely on 10 and 11 meters. I haven't checked other bands yet. AM is worse, SSB isn't affected so much. I've tried adjusting the radio with no real reduction. When I ran the Radioddity rigs they were practically dead quiet.