Whip pole and mount location

[RedTailHawk]

I'm about to head cross country to take my Bronco to EXO Baja Mitad (not overloading, but very fast desert running, and jumps). I just realized my DV8 ditch light mounts includes antenna/whip mount plates. Is this a suitable location to put poles/antennas that will be thrashing around? I'd put the VHF antenna on one side and a whip pole on the other. It would be super convenient since I already have these mounts, but worried the side view mirrors will get hammered. The trail guide looks like an interesting place also, as that doesn't seem like the flag pole would hit any parts of the Bronco.

Also, where's the best place to get a whip pole? How about a custom flag for it too?

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[Bird Dog Off Road]

I use the @Turn Offroad whip mount that goes on the tailgate hinge for mine.

 

[C6ZZGT]

I'm about to head cross country to take my Bronco to EXO Baja Mitad (not overloading, but very fast desert running, and jumps). I just realized my DV8 ditch light mounts includes antenna/whip mount plates. Is this a suitable location to put poles/antennas that will be thrashing around? I'd put the VHF antenna on one side and a whip pole on the other. It would be super convenient since I already have these mounts, but worried the side view mirrors will get hammered. The trail guide looks like an interesting place also, as that doesn't seem like the flag pole would hit any parts of the Bronco.

Also, where's the best place to get a whip pole? How about a custom flag for it too?

I went with the trailsight on both ours, Flag from Jeffs Bronco graveyard....... https://shop.broncograveyard.com/2021-Bronco-Offroad-Dune-Flag-65-Foot/productinfo/B147111/
I see you already found the mount.

 

[Broadcast Static]

There are also built in mounts under the end caps on the mod bumper

 

[swamp2]

Rokblokz Whip Mount & Handy Flag Whip Quick Release.

https://www.bronco6g.com/forum/threads/flags-for-the-sand-dunes.123706/post-2663488

Are you (@RedTailHawk) going on the April Raptor Mitad run? Check in here: https://www.bronco6g.com/forum/threads/exo-baja-mitad-raptor-april-26-who-is-attending.126570/

 

[m453w]

I'm about to head cross country to take my Bronco to EXO Baja Mitad (not overloading, but very fast desert running, and jumps). I just realized my DV8 ditch light mounts includes antenna/whip mount plates. Is this a suitable location to put poles/antennas that will be thrashing around? I'd put the VHF antenna on one side and a whip pole on the other. It would be super convenient since I already have these mounts, but worried the side view mirrors will get hammered. The trail guide looks like an interesting place also, as that doesn't seem like the flag pole would hit any parts of the Bronco.

Also, where's the best place to get a whip pole? How about a custom flag for it too?

I went with a KC light mount attached to the rear spare. Used the Handy Flag quick connect mount. There are a number of mounting holes on the KC bracket but all are too small for the mount - but an easy drill out to 1/2” for the mount. Prefer not to have the whip in my field of view; I know some locations require front mounted so I have a M2M ditch light bracket attached to front bumper if required. I prefer the rear location as the spare also protects any body parts from the whip. The KC bracket isn’t cheap but it is very sturdy and includes the correct spacers for the Raptor spare.

 

[RedTailHawk]

I went with a KC light mount attached to the rear spare. Used the Handy Flag quick connect mount. There are a number of mounting holes on the KC bracket but all are too small for the mount - but an easy drill out to 1/2” for the mount. Prefer not to have the whip in my field of view; I know some locations require front mounted so I have a M2M ditch light bracket attached to front bumper if required. I prefer the rear location as the spare also protects any body parts from the whip. The KC bracket isn’t cheap but it is very sturdy and includes the correct spacers for the Raptor spare.

Looks like a great setup and I like the quick disconnect. I should have mentioned I have a WolfBox G900 TriPro and the rear camera is tucked right in the spare tire (so that whip mount would block the view).

 

[m453w]

Looks like a great setup and I like the quick disconnect. I should have mentioned I have a WolfBox G900 TriPro and the rear camera is tucked right in the spare tire (so that whip mount would block the view).

Got it. The other option I mentioned is using the following light mount on the front bumper for those off-road areas that require front mounts. Has a large enough hole for the quick connect mount so no drilling in this case. There are also numerous mounts for the rear tailgate but some that I saw ended up swaying against the roof so I stayed away from that approach (…although I’m sure you could add standoffs if needed to keep the whip off the paintwork). Good luck!

https://mountains2metal.com/modular-bumper-light-bracket-bronco-2021/

 

[RedTailHawk]

Got it. The other option I mentioned is using the following light mount on the front bumper for those off-road areas that require front mounts. Has a large enough hole for the quick connect mount so no drilling in this case. There are also numerous mounts for the rear tailgate but some that I saw ended up swaying against the roof so I stayed away from that approach (…although I’m sure you could add standoffs if needed to keep the whip off the paintwork). Good luck!

https://mountains2metal.com/modular-bumper-light-bracket-bronco-2021/

Gaahh! Also a good spot but I’ve got a mini bull bar mounted on the bumper. I’m not sure I’ll use a whip (I don’t recall that being required for this EXO Baja Mitad run).

Any recommendations for VHF antennas, mounts quick disconnects, etc?

 

[m453w]

Gaahh! Also a good spot but I’ve got a mini bull bar mounted on the bumper. I’m not sure I’ll use a whip (I don’t recall that being required for this EXO Baja Mitad run).

Any recommendations for VHF antennas, mounts quick disconnects, etc?

Sorry - can’t help there. I use handheld GMRS for my radio needs - I try to steer clear of ext antennas. Nice looking rig with the lights!

 

[swamp2]

Any recommendations for VHF antennas, mounts quick disconnects, etc?

My Rugged Radios mount is very nice and their VHF NGP whip antenna tested amazing for VSWR (basically radiated to reflected power) at the frequency used on the EXO trips. It's so good, they must tune at that exact frequency as it's commonly used at the big Baja races.

All NMO mounts provide fast, no tools removal of the antenna.

 

[RedTailHawk]

My Rugged Radios mount is very nice and their VHF NGP whip antenna tested amazing for VSWR (basically radiated to reflected power) at the frequency used on the EXO trips. It's so good, they must tune at that exact frequency as it's commonly used at the big Baja races.

All NMO mounts provide fast, no tools removal of the antenna.

Do you have links to those items? (I didn’t see them on their site)

 

[swamp2]

Do you have links to those items? (I didn’t see them on their site)

https://www.ruggedradios.com/products/antenna-mount-for-new-ford-bronco-driver-side-view-mirror

https://www.ruggedradios.com/products/vhf-antenna-kit-with-half-wave-ngp-antenna-nmo-mount

You'll almost certainly need to cut/shorten the NMO cable and solder and crimp a new connector. Finding the proper connector was an absolute nightmare as there are SO MANY combinations of inner and outer cable diameters with the same basic connector body (PL-259). This one is nice and fits the inner cable and OD. You solder the inner and crimp the outer.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07K23PFX9?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share

Last but absolutely not least, make sure your radio can SEND and RECEIVE at the frequency that EXO uses: 151.625 Mhz. It's part of what's called a business band typically used by commercial transportation/construction and in the US requires a license. Not all "VHF" radios can both Tx&Rx at this frequency.

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