Antenna Mounts & Accessories
Essential components that enable secure antenna installation exist across a spectrum of applications, ranging from residential to commercial and even vehicular setups. These versatile and reliable components tend to be made out of durable materials—most commonly stainless steel—that can stand up to the rigors of harsh weather. And when it comes to securing the antenna itself to a structure, from a roof to a wall or even the side of a vehicle, one will tend to find that mounting brackets and bolts are the order of the day, along with precision-engineered mounting holes.
These mounts are rigged to securely attach antennas to surfaces like doors or roofs, providing a nearly foolproof method for accomplishing what up until now has been a more or less delicate act of balancing an antenna atop a vehicle. Heavy-duty brackets and bolts come with the territory because truck and RV antenna mounting locations tend to be subject to high winds, vibrations, and other forces that could easily dislodge a lesser antenna.
More Information about Antenna Mounts
Choosing a mount for an antenna requires consideration of the application for which the antenna has been chosen, the type of antenna itself, and the location where the antenna will be mounted. You can find simple mounts with a single hole for basic installations and need-them-now convenience. You can also find complex brackets made for heavy-duty applications, conditions that require a mount working in multiple planes, and setups involving several antennas. Why aren't all mounts made like these? Because the stiff mounts found in setups for several antennas often aren't needed—and shouldn't be needed—for setups involving a single antenna. For applications involving vehicles—such as trucks and RVs—specialized antenna mounts known as NMO (New Motorola) mounts are favored. The reason for this is simple: The NMO mount is versatile beyond imagination, and it is downright easy to use.
FAQs
What selection of antenna mounts are available to add to vehicles that provide functionality and durability?
Available vehicle antenna mounts that provide functionality and durability include magnetic mounts, trunk lip mounts, roof rack mounts, mirror mounts, and fender mounts, all designed to securely attach antennas while withstanding the rigors of mobile use.
UHF Frequency Basics
Ultra High Frequency (UHF) is the designation that has been assigned for any radio frequency in the range between 300 megahertz and 3 gigahertz. This designation was assigned by the International Telecommunication Union. Here are some basic facts about UHF:
- The frequency range is directly related to the wavelength range, which will range from 1 meter up to 1 dm.
- The size of the antennas used for this frequency range are dictated by the wavelength.
- Depending on the frequency being used, it is possible to see the behavior of specific wavelengths vary from other frequencies in the UHF spectrum.
- In most cases wavelengths in UHF spectrum propagate by line of sight.
- Used in medium range radio transmission signals such as: cell phones, walkie talkies, wireless networks, FM radio stations, TV broadcasting, etc.
- The higher the frequency, the more important line of sight in transmitting and receiving radio communications.
- In most cases, UHF radio transmission is limited to about 30-40 miles, often shorter depending on local terrain.
- The Federal Communications Commission has allocated that different ranges within the UHF spectrum be used only for certain purposes.