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How to Install a Ham Antenna on a Motor Home

Ham, or Amateur Radio, is a popular medium, with nearly 700,000 operators in the United States and millions around the world. Many operators work out of fixed stations set up in their homes; however, many operators have mobile equipment they take with them wherever they go. An antenna is instrumental in communicating over great distances, and with the proper antenna and mount, you can enjoy your ham radio from the road or your favorite campsite.

Things You'll Need

Antenna mount (either "lip" mount or mirror mount)
Hex wrench set
Small nut driver set

Instructions

"Lip" Style Antenna Mount
- 1
  Loosen the set screws in the lip mount and, with the door open, slip the mount over the edge of the motor home body. Adjust the mount to a location that puts the antenna at the highest possible point without interfering with getting in and out of the motor home.
- 2
  Slip a small piece of plastic between the back plate of the mount and the body of the motor home to protect the surface. Many lip mounting kits come with this guard piece.
- 3
  Tighten the set screws with the appropriate hex wrench.
- 4
  Connect the antenna to the mount and the base station using the appropriate cable and connectors.
- 5
  Tune your antenna for optimal performance.
Luggage Rack or Mirror Style Antenna Mount
- 6
  Remove the nuts from the mount clamp using the appropriate sized nut driver.
- 7
  Place the mount with the top clamp on the mirror support.
- 8
  Replace the bottom half of the clamp underneath the mirror support and start the nuts to secure the mount.
- 9
  Tighten the mount using the appropriate sized nut diver.
- 10
  Connect the antenna to the mount and the base station using the appropriate cable and connectors.

Ham Radio