HAM Operators - JCROffroad antenna mount

I have a recently purchased 2001 XJ Sport, and a recently purchased Kenwood ™-281A 2M mobile txcvr. My Amatuer Radio license is also a recent acquisition.

I've spent some time looking at antenna mounting options, and am leaning towards the CB antenna mount from JCROffroad. Shown here: http://www.jcroffroad.com/product/XJMISC/XJCB-PC.html If anyone has used one of these mounts in particular, I would appreciate a review/feedback.

My main question is, should I buy the NMO-style antenna or the UHF (stud mount) for use with this particular mounting bracket. I am concerned that the amount of mounting surface on the JCR bracket will not accommodate the wider base of the NMO mount which seems to be the preferred option for antenna mounting.

I'm willing to be schooled on the issue of other mounting options, but will not consider cutting a hole in my roof top to mount an antenna.

Thanks for the assistance and Happy New Year!

if you wheel it it will get torn off and destroy your tail light too.

Do a fender mount up front. Much better protected from trees/rocks and easier to keep an eye on while wheeling.

I used one similar to this
http://www.amazon.com/Firestik-SS-174-Stainless-Steel-Channel/dp/B000X3D7PE

The problem I had with a setup similar for my 2m/440 rig was the antenna was too short to clear the roofline. I could never get the S.W.R.s to an acceptable level. A mag. mount or the front fender mount pictured earlier are better options.

My $.02

Through the roof for the win!!



Sorry.

Somebody had to say it.

:explosion

I made my own mount that put the antenna there.

broke it 4 times.

i just installed the jcr antenna mount and i'm already starting to regret my purchase. mounting location is not sturdy and have that feeling im going to rip it off on a tree and mess up my hatch. i think im going to try this instead
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...rd_t=36701&pf_rd_p=2079475242&pf_rd_i=desktop

Just throw a Wilson 1000 magnet mount on the roof and be done with it. Nice thing about the mag mount, you can always tuck it inside. It's a damn good antenna, this comes from a ham also.

The Aussies run their antennas out front. They can see the antenna in the brush and the hood is a good ground plane. I ran my CB antenna there for a while but recently got creative and hand fabricated a fender mount to emulate the factory radio antenna mount on the pass side.

Here is my old set-up

Are you on the WCARES repeater?

I don't use ham much anymore but when I do I use magnetic mount.
Same for CB radios for group trips. Rigs go in and out of the vehicles quickly.

Warlock1 said:

Just throw a Wilson 1000 magnet mount on the roof and be done with it.

Click to expand...

That is for 11M & 10M. Kokomoto has a 2M transceiver.

I would definitely go with an NMO mount as it opens up a lot more antenna options for 2M & 70CM vs. UHF mount.

If you are just using the radio for trail communications than any 2M antenna and mount could get you buy.

I went with a Breedlove #078 NMO roof mount (https://breedlovemounts.com/NMO_Mounts.php) for my Kenwood D710G install. The roof with a good NMO mount would be the best location. I used the same mount on my ZJ and XJ.

On the ZJ:





This guy has some good info: http://www.k0bg.com/antmount.html

Thanks for all the advise guys. Decided the JCR mount wasn't the best option after your responses.

Drove to Ham Radio Outlet and bought a Comet SSB5 NMO antenna and Comet RS-730 lip mount with cable. The RS-730 can be rotated from horizontal mounting to vertical, and will attach to any lip on the XJ. Lots of options from hood to tailgate. I'll post pics when the install is complete.

The Comet SBB5 NMO is what I am using and is pictured above. iI'm gladhe HRO in Va isn't within driving distance for me. lol.