Experience/Pictures of Breedlove Antenna Mounts?
Thread Starter
JK Super Freak
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 1,475
Likes: 4
From: Bella Vista, AR
Experience/Pictures of Breedlove Antenna Mounts?
While reading through one of the best websites on mobile radio, http://www.k0bg.com it referenced some really solid antenna mounts by a company called Breedlove. Should support some significant HF antennas.
I'd love any insight you have have on these on a JK. Pictures would be even better! Thanks!
I'd love any insight you have have on these on a JK. Pictures would be even better! Thanks!
Thread Starter
JK Super Freak
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 1,475
Likes: 4
From: Bella Vista, AR
I asked K0BG a couple questions on the mount and figured I'd post here for everyone's reference:
Me:
Me:
"I'm trying to plan out an HF install in my 2012 Jeep Wrangler "JK". I anticipate using a variety of hamsticks for antennas. Since it has no real roof, a side mount on the rear driver's side of the vehicle seems the best location to prevent it from being ripped by tree limbs.
And yes, drilling into a brand new Jeep is a scary sounding task! In your mount discussions, you reference Breedlove mounts. I have looked and they indeed have very strong "lifetime" looking mounts.
As best I can tell, the "Puck with Quick Disconnect ball mount and SO-239 cable connector" mount would be the most ideal for a side mount between the read drivers taillight and the tailgate. It would look something like this:
I also like that it directly passes the SO-239 through the mount, allowing the cabling to stay inside the vehicle. You also reference that common mode chokes, by way of ferrites on the coax are best outside the vehicle, which wouldn't be possible on this mount.
I was wondering your thoughts if this is the best mount for my purposes. I'll share your feedback with the jk-forum as well as it might be able to help others. Thanks!"
His reply:And yes, drilling into a brand new Jeep is a scary sounding task! In your mount discussions, you reference Breedlove mounts. I have looked and they indeed have very strong "lifetime" looking mounts.
As best I can tell, the "Puck with Quick Disconnect ball mount and SO-239 cable connector" mount would be the most ideal for a side mount between the read drivers taillight and the tailgate. It would look something like this:
I also like that it directly passes the SO-239 through the mount, allowing the cabling to stay inside the vehicle. You also reference that common mode chokes, by way of ferrites on the coax are best outside the vehicle, which wouldn't be possible on this mount.
I was wondering your thoughts if this is the best mount for my purposes. I'll share your feedback with the jk-forum as well as it might be able to help others. Thanks!"
"You probably won't need a common mode choke, but using one is good practice. You almost certainly would need one, if you used some sort of clip mount.
Mounting a ballmount on the driver's side is difficult due to the location of the fuel cap. I can't tell how much room there is between the tail light, and the hatch, but as indicated in the photo, cutting a chunk out of the mount may work just fine.
I agree. That first hole is difficult to drill! Just make sure you measure more than once. One trick is to put a few strips of masking tape across the area you want to put the mount. This makes marking the holes easier. I'd use some sort of punch to slightly dimple the surface, then drill small holes, and then to correct size (1/4x20?). "
Mounting a ballmount on the driver's side is difficult due to the location of the fuel cap. I can't tell how much room there is between the tail light, and the hatch, but as indicated in the photo, cutting a chunk out of the mount may work just fine.
I agree. That first hole is difficult to drill! Just make sure you measure more than once. One trick is to put a few strips of masking tape across the area you want to put the mount. This makes marking the holes easier. I'd use some sort of punch to slightly dimple the surface, then drill small holes, and then to correct size (1/4x20?). "
Last edited by arjeeper; Apr 15, 2012 at 08:16 AM.
Thread Starter
JK Super Freak
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 1,475
Likes: 4
From: Bella Vista, AR
I was also able to track down a guy on another forum who installed the mount on his JK in 2009. He had since sold the JK, but shared this feedback:
"When I traded, my JK, the mount went with it. Dealer asked what it was, I just said a CB antenna mount.
That Double panel is a pain in the ass, it took A LOT of work getting it to crush the two panels together so the mount was secure. In face I had to take 4 new bolts that were about an inch longer than the ones from Breedlove so I could tighten it down enough so the connection to the coax would be clear. Once the body panels were crushed, I took the longer bolts out and replaced them with the stock ones for a clean look.
I would not mount an antenna there again. By the time it crushed the two panels together enough for the mount to work, it sucked in the outer body panel distorting the panel. It looked terrible if you knew what you were looking for.
As for the performance of the mount, I would buy that mount ALL DAY LONG again, IT WORKED.
I traded my JK so I forget if the passenger side panel is a single or dual metal? If you do not off road, consider mounting it on the passenger side panel.
If you mount it in the same spot I did, be prepared for a few hour install, a lot of cutting, a lot of muscle to tighten it down and a distorted body panel. The longer bolts I used to crush the panels together should be heavy grade so you do not snap them while tightening them down. I could have used an impact gun, I just did not want to break one so i took my time.
Now if Breedlove could make an extra aluminum insert so the panels do not have to be crushed together, it would work great, but he would also have to redesign the inside coax connection so it can make the extra reach of a new spacer. I'm sure he can do it, but there is added machining so added time and $$$$$.
I bought a used TJ because I missed my Jeep, the tail light mount is the best idea for the TJ, that is what I will be installing." - Happy_Hamer
That Double panel is a pain in the ass, it took A LOT of work getting it to crush the two panels together so the mount was secure. In face I had to take 4 new bolts that were about an inch longer than the ones from Breedlove so I could tighten it down enough so the connection to the coax would be clear. Once the body panels were crushed, I took the longer bolts out and replaced them with the stock ones for a clean look.
I would not mount an antenna there again. By the time it crushed the two panels together enough for the mount to work, it sucked in the outer body panel distorting the panel. It looked terrible if you knew what you were looking for.
As for the performance of the mount, I would buy that mount ALL DAY LONG again, IT WORKED.
I traded my JK so I forget if the passenger side panel is a single or dual metal? If you do not off road, consider mounting it on the passenger side panel.
If you mount it in the same spot I did, be prepared for a few hour install, a lot of cutting, a lot of muscle to tighten it down and a distorted body panel. The longer bolts I used to crush the panels together should be heavy grade so you do not snap them while tightening them down. I could have used an impact gun, I just did not want to break one so i took my time.
Now if Breedlove could make an extra aluminum insert so the panels do not have to be crushed together, it would work great, but he would also have to redesign the inside coax connection so it can make the extra reach of a new spacer. I'm sure he can do it, but there is added machining so added time and $$$$$.
I bought a used TJ because I missed my Jeep, the tail light mount is the best idea for the TJ, that is what I will be installing." - Happy_Hamer
Thread Starter
JK Super Freak
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 1,475
Likes: 4
From: Bella Vista, AR
So it's somewhat of a mixed bag. It sounds like the mount performed admirably, but the damage to the vehicle from installation is more than just drilling some fresh holes in the body. :/
Last edited by arjeeper; Apr 15, 2012 at 09:08 AM.
JK Enthusiast
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 258
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This one is a Breedlove but for a flat surface.
Another option if you like the right angle mount and location from the OP is to add something like the AEV rear corner guards, which are 1/8" thick steel plate and would provide a solid mounting platform.
Another option if you like the right angle mount and location from the OP is to add something like the AEV rear corner guards, which are 1/8" thick steel plate and would provide a solid mounting platform.
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JK Enthusiast
Joined: May 2007
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What Breedlove model is the second flat vertical base atop your AEV carrier?
JK Enthusiast
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 122
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From: St. Albert, AB
I use a Breedlove mount for my HF antenna/tuner mount. Radio is an ICOM IC-7000. ICOM AH-4 antenna coupler/tuner.
I started with the Teraflex antenna mount, but there was not enough space behind the tire to mount things properly with wider rubber. So, I made an "offset" using a piece of square metal tubing and drilling some offset holes.
I have the breedlove "flat" mount and the quick disconnect on top of that.
I do get some 10m and 20m RFI that throws off the Jeep computer when driving though....I have to do some serious bonding yet to try eliminate.
Grant (VA6GCT)
I started with the Teraflex antenna mount, but there was not enough space behind the tire to mount things properly with wider rubber. So, I made an "offset" using a piece of square metal tubing and drilling some offset holes.
I have the breedlove "flat" mount and the quick disconnect on top of that.
I do get some 10m and 20m RFI that throws off the Jeep computer when driving though....I have to do some serious bonding yet to try eliminate.
Grant (VA6GCT)