How to Install a 2-Meter Antenna on Your Car

Many ham operators enjoy operating 2-meter radios from their vehicles. Body-mounted antennas are generally sturdier and perform better than glass-mounted antennas. Glass-mounted antennas are unobtrusive and less apt to identify your vehicle as one carrying ham radio equipment.

Things You'll Need

• 2-meter Mobile Antenna - Ham Radio Equipment
• VHF SWR Meter - Ham Radio Accessories
• Antenna Coaxes
• High-strength Adhesives
• Glass Cleaners
• Allen Wrenches
• Phillips Screwdrivers
• Crescent Wrenches
• Electric Drill/assorted Bits
• Nut Drivers
• Slotted Screwdrivers
• Socket Sets

Instructions

Install a Body-Mounted Antenna

1. Read your antenna installation instructions.

2. Decide whether you want a clamp base or a mounting hole in the vehicle's body.

3. Decide where you will clamp the mounting base if you choose not to drill a mounting hole. The trunk lid or hood is normally satisfactory.

4. Drill a hole of the diameter specified by the instructions if you prefer permanent mounting.

5. Plan on using the existing firewall opening into the passenger cabin to feed the antenna coaxial.

6. Explore the vehicle firewall to find wire entrance points if you intend to mount on the front portion of the vehicle.

7. Explore the trunk wall for openings if you intend to mount on the vehicle's rear portion.

8. Feed cable through the opening, reattaching or reinserting any insulating material.

9. Use cable ties to secure the coaxial cable to the vehicle on its run from the radio mounting point to the antenna mounting point.

10. Attach the antenna base to your vehicle, either using the appropriate hardware for a hole-mounted base or by screwing down the clamping system to the trunk lid, hood edge or another metal body part.

11. Tighten the coaxial end spades to the antenna bracket.

12. Trim off the vertical whip to a length specified for frequency of operation.

13. Insert the vertical whip in the base and tighten down the fastening lug.

14. Put the SWR meter in line and test the system by attaching the radio and briefly keying the transmitter to see the meter reading.

15. Adjust the whip length for resonance.

16. Remove the SWR meter.

Install a Glass-Mounted Antenna

1. Read the manufacturer's instructions.

2. Determine which glass panel will hold the antenna, noting the position where the radio is to be mounted and the point on the glass where the antenna will have the best clearance.

3. Thoroughly clean the glass at the point where the antenna is to be mounted.

4. Apply adhesive.

5. Attach the antenna.

6. Thoroughly clean inside the glass opposite the exterior mounting point.

7. Apply adhesive.

8. Attach the proper end of the interior coaxial cable.

9. Allow time for the adhesive to set.

10. Run the coaxial to the point where the radio is mounted.

11. Use cable ties to secure the coaxial to your car body, seats and firewall as necessary.

12. Hide the coaxial under floor mats as necessary.

13. Put the SWR meter in line and test the system by attaching the radio and keying the transmitter briefly to ascertain a reading.

14. Adjust for resonance per the manufacturer's directions.

15. Remove the SWR meter.

Tips & Warnings

• An antenna must be grounded to a metal car body. Make sure the mounting-screw system for a clamp-on antenna penetrates any paint or sound-deadening material on the underside of the trunk lid or hood.

• Many hams use quick-release pincer clamps to temporarily mount antennas on bumpers or mirror brackets. You can feed coaxial cable temporarily through a door seam.

• There is no actual physical connection between the interior coaxial and the exterior whip, only an electrical connection.

• Always use the cleaning solution and adhesive recommended by the antenna manufacturer.

• A clamp-on antenna can mar your vehicle's finish if left mounted for an extended period.

• A glass-mounted antenna can be less sturdy than a body-mounted antenna. Mount it on a spot that won't be struck by hanging objects when the car is moving or by passengers or pedestrians when the vehicle is parked.