antenna mount

Where does the antenna mount belong on the m35a2?

For modern radios, as per the TB, on the pole behind the cab. A bit too high for my tastes..

For my truck, I used a M900 series 5 ton mount on the fender..

This is not authorized but it looks good and works very well for both HF (+CB) and VHF. The mounts are the large "sugar scoops" and the top and bottom edges just fit the C channel of the bumper for convenient weld-on. The cables can be routed behind the bumper and up under the fender to keep them away from the engine, and enter the cab at the back.

You will have no issues on VHF (PRC-25/77, RT524, etc) in convoy. I talked from Texas to a guy in Ohio with the HF one and a regular 100 watt ham radio.

Interesting, do you use a tie down rope with the fender mount or does the antenna stand stright up, and if it does do you clear the bridges.

I have a tie down off the front bumper.. Clears them just fine.. Imagine the "Pole Mounted" ones, they hit EVERYTHING, tied down or not...

Yea I can imagine that, I think I'm going with the fender mount.

I have a mount, but no antenna. Who is a good source for antennas and such?

Depends on what radio set you have...

I don't have a radio, but would like to be a poser with an antenna. I'll get some pics and post.

For that, you can find a non working VRC 12 series antenna base and antenna, or a SINCGARS base and antenna... Since functionality isnt important, you should be able to find one cheap!

For my non functioning one, I have it mounted to the front of the headache rack. That gets it just high enough to clear the side window while tied down. But is not so high as to hit low things. I can run parades with the ant up and a flag off it and clear wires and streetlights.

Hum...mount it on the headache rack...I like that idea. BTW, really nice looking truck!

bigmike said:

Hum...mount it on the headache rack...I like that idea. BTW, really nice looking truck!

Click to expand...

Yep, works good for display puposes. To make one funtion you would need to run a gound strap down to the box or frame.

I like this-would it ever be correct?

Correct as per the TB, no. But whats in the pic worked and soldiers did it..

I do like the side bed mount for the antenna. There are a few guys in the MTA with deuces that have them mounted in that same place.

I was thinking of doing the same thing with my five ton bed and antenna.

Damn that truck sure is sweet.... that might be a better looking spot for the antenna and more practical for maintenance than on the fender.

I have seen several trucks with it mounted on the pass. side front section of the box. But I wanted to pull my ant. forward and was affraid to get it to close to the exhaust. Putting it on the driver side box would have interfeared with opening and closing the door while tied down. And for some reason, I just did not like having the ant. pulled towards the back for tie down. Plus I had found a pic on the net showing a truck with the ant mounted driverside and pulled forward and I really like that look so that's what I copied. With it on the corner of the headache rack, I can stil put the canvas down without it interfearing.

TBs not withstanding-- a lot of stuff gets done in the field because it works, not because some engineer in a lab-perfect environment says this is the way it should be. Probably 90% of my MVs have embodied one premier rule of Murphy's Laws of Combat; If it's stupid but it works, it isn't stupid.
My hat's off to museum-grade restorations. I think that attention to detail is fantastic and worthy of admiration when we get to see something in pristine condition, just as it rolled off of the Kaiser or Ford or Northrup assembly line.
There's a lot to be said though for something that has the look of a battle-tested MV complete with the little personal touches that soldiers give to something they live with and depend on; and often it's those vehicles that most of us can identify with.

I have a bunch of 2 peice grc type antannaes if anyone is looking for some.