Antenna: Which Side?

Want to put radios in your jeep? Discuss it here.

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ndcctrucks
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Antenna: Which Side?

Unread post by ndcctrucks » October 29th, 2016, 11:07 pm

Hi All:

It seems the installation instructions from TM 11-2300-476-14&P calls-out the driver's side as the preferred side for antenna installation (inferred from the passenger side being labelled as the "Alternate" side); why do I see so many MUTTs with the antenna on the passenger side??
Keep 'em rolling!

199th mp
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Re: Antenna: Which Side?

Unread post by 199th mp » October 30th, 2016, 6:05 am

i just looked through some of my jeep pics, and the majority had the antennas mounted on the passenger side. i will admittedly speculate here---easier for the driver to turn around and use if he's alone----shorter cable run for the radio if it's mounted behind the passenger, which keeps the cables from crossing the rear floor---keeps the driver's side free in case a fording kit ever needs to be installed---easier for the rear seat guy to use, rather than turning half sideways to the radio, if it's behind the driver. again, just speculating on my part.

kmam
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Re: Antenna: Which Side?

Unread post by kmam » October 30th, 2016, 6:10 am

The fording kit, or the possibility of a later installation, makes a passenger side installation mandatory.

Personally I also like putting that weight on the pax side as the 151 is often driven with a driver alone.

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Stagg
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Re: Antenna: Which Side?

Unread post by Stagg » October 30th, 2016, 8:25 pm

The primary side, for an antenna is the driver side because that is the side least likely to encounter trees/branches from the side of the road.

This is the reason I've seen listed in several manuals. And was my experience in the recent army.

ndcctrucks
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Re: Antenna: Which Side?

Unread post by ndcctrucks » November 6th, 2016, 8:31 pm

Thanks guys, all great replies!

I sure am tempted to install my antenna on the driver's side per the manual, but as usual, there are points to consider:

As was mentioned by the previous replies:

For passenger side
1. Fording kit installation
2. Weight distribution
3. Most common method

For driver's side:
1. Foliage clearance
2. Installation manual calls for driver's side as primary location

One more factor:

The MUTT I have has the holes on the passenger side already...

Installation will be several months from now as I am in the middle of a complete restoration.

THANKS to all of you for taking the time to post

Best Regards,
-Ken
Keep 'em rolling!

kmam
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Re: Antenna: Which Side?

Unread post by kmam » November 6th, 2016, 8:48 pm

Foliage is irrelevent off-road and not likely to be an issue on-road if, as the manual says, the antenna is tied down while driving.

Re the installation manual: be a devil, break the rules :)

Either way is good - enjoy and make sure we get photos when it is all done!

Howard
ndcctrucks wrote:Thanks guys, all great replies!

For driver's side:
1. Foliage clearance
2. Installation manual calls for driver's side as primary location

One more factor:

The MUTT I have has the holes on the passenger side already...

Installation will be several months from now as I am in the middle of a complete restoration.

THANKS to all of you for taking the time to post

Best Regards,
-Ken
Howard

Daimler Ferret Mk 1/2
AM General M151A2
Austin Champ

salt6
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Re: Antenna: Which Side?

Unread post by salt6 » November 6th, 2016, 10:23 pm

The radio was installed on the driver's side because the passenger was supposed to be the radio operator. The only time I ever saw a radio on the driver's side in the army was if there were two sets on the vehicle.
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SturmTyger380
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Re: Antenna: Which Side?

Unread post by SturmTyger380 » November 7th, 2016, 9:19 am

If you are running a VRC-47 as I plan to do. (Right now the RT-524 and R422 are in my M38A1 which is not correct. :oops: )

That setup will move to the M151A1 when I get a chance. So I will end up with two antennas and plan on putting the main antenna with frequency switch on the passenger side and the aux antenna for the R422 on the drivers side. I have found a base that I will use for the aux mount. I plan on mounting that on the passenger rear. Anyone have a photo of that mount in that position?

This is the mount I am talking about - can't figure out the base number. http://www.ebay.com/itm/m151-m151a1-m15 ... xy7MtRv1ta
45' MB, ??' MBT, 47' CJ2A, 48' CJ2A,
51' M38 #1, 51' M38 #2, 51' M100,
52' M37, ??' M101A1 (1st Gulf War Vet),
53' M38A1, 53' M211, 65' M151A1, 67' M416,
MVPA #31724

miljeep
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Re: Antenna: Which Side?

Unread post by miljeep » November 7th, 2016, 12:00 pm

As far as the RT-524 and the R-442 being mounted in a M38A1 being wrong not so I have that setup in mine, installed with the Signal Corps instructions from 1964, as for the M151 both brackets are on the passenger side, the angled bracket also has a brush-guard piece.... Scott O&O

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rickf
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Re: Antenna: Which Side?

Unread post by rickf » November 7th, 2016, 12:10 pm

And that antenna is an AB-15.
1964 M151A1
1984 M1008
1967 M416
04/1952 M100
12/1952 M100- Departed
AN/TSQ-114A Trailblazer- Gone

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muttguru
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Re: Antenna: Which Side?

Unread post by muttguru » November 7th, 2016, 1:57 pm

SturmTyger380 wrote: Anyone have a photo of that mount in that position?

This is the mount I am talking about - can't figure out the base number.
Sturm,

The parts are:--

Mount....SC-DL-48528 NSN 5985-00-893-0917

You will also need:-
Whip - MS 118A (Top) 5985-00-238-7474
- MS 117A (Middle) 5985-00-115-7149
- MS 116A (Lower) 5985-00-119-8831

Ball Tip (Small) SC-C-446046 5985-00-930-7223
Connector-Adapter UG-273/U 5935-00-149-3534 (Available from Radio Shack as PL-259)

ken
Kind regards....
Ken

Always wanted - Details and pictures of M416 Trailer data plates & M151 data plates & body-tags for my research. Thanks!

Contact address - - muttguru@aol.com

Note for 2023..... Ken..."Less Stress - More Exercise!"

SturmTyger380
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Re: Antenna: Which Side?

Unread post by SturmTyger380 » November 7th, 2016, 9:36 pm

I finally caught on after I saw this post: http://www.g838.org/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=7138

I have the AB-15 mount but just realized what I have been seeing is the brush guard bolted on top of the AB-15.

I will use that mount for the R422. I have a MX-2799 base that I plan on mounting on the passenger side with the corner bracket I bought a few years ago.

I would leave the setup in the M38A1 but I have a RT-68 I want to put in that Jeep.
45' MB, ??' MBT, 47' CJ2A, 48' CJ2A,
51' M38 #1, 51' M38 #2, 51' M100,
52' M37, ??' M101A1 (1st Gulf War Vet),
53' M38A1, 53' M211, 65' M151A1, 67' M416,
MVPA #31724

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