AB-15 Tie Down?

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mrdibbles
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AB-15 Tie Down?

Unread post by mrdibbles » May 28th, 2008, 8:47 pm

Hey Guys-
I am installing my Antenna array (116, 117, 118), side-mount, and cabling for my AB-15 and I have a question. This antenna, designed for use (amongst other things) with the R-442 Receiver, is tall. It's real tall 8) Maybe 12 feet of so. Anyway my question is how are these buggers secured? Is there a tie-down? With this mounted on the same side as the AM-2060/PRC77, which is hooked up with the antenna mounted on the passenger rear corner, won't there be contact between the two? Would that be bad? I can just imagine two unsecured antennas banging all over tarnations if I don't use tie downs. So... what's the protocol guys?
Thanks,
Matt-
1992 Mercedes-Benz 250GD Wolf - Former German Army
St. Augustine, Florida

k8icu
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Re: AB-15 Tie Down?

Unread post by k8icu » May 29th, 2008, 9:20 am

The antenna for the prc77 is pulled forward and tied down with a clip and cable at the windshield. I have seen the Ab-15 antenna then pulled back and secured to the tower of the other antenna. The big one goes forward and the thinner one goes backwards. The method of tie down has been all different types. The best one I've seen is a length of rubber tubing pulled over the antenns so that it wont ground out to the tower and then one of the antenna hold down clips bolted to the tower holding the antenna in place. Then when you get settled you unclip the prc77's antenna and the receivers antenna and your in business... :)
There is one nut on a M151 that is very difficult to remove.....

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Re: AB-15 Tie Down?

Unread post by BadSaturn3 » May 29th, 2008, 10:57 am

Here is a copy of the manual and what the military says is correct for the big antenna.
http://www.scottie4442.net/mv/mutt/docu ... iedown.pdf

Unfortunately I can't find anything on the other hope this helps alittle.

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Re: AB-15 Tie Down?

Unread post by k8icu » May 29th, 2008, 11:09 pm

One of the PS manuals also stated that the tip of the antenna could not be any lower than 12ft (I think...it's been a long time since I read it) this way the spring on the base wouldn't be under strain and a normal person could walk under it safely. I guess GIs were pulling them low and people were getting poked in the eyes...
There is one nut on a M151 that is very difficult to remove.....

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Re: AB-15 Tie Down?

Unread post by moose53 » May 30th, 2008, 4:46 pm

the eye hazard was the reason for the big plastic balls on the ends of the antennas.....lol
gotta sojur proof em...


Jim
Zigzag50, Northeast51, KC2QDZ
MVPA # 30032 G838.org

--------------------------------------
1971 G838-M151A2 1966 G857-M416
1968 G748-M101A1 1976 G748-M116A1
1990 MEP-701A

--------------------------------------
Real jeeps have horizontal grille slots

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Re: AB-15 Tie Down?

Unread post by vtdeucedriver » May 30th, 2008, 10:16 pm

For those of you who have vietnam paint jobs and antenna's tied down. I was told by several guys that they had issues of antenna hitting low trees and possibly triggering gernades in the branches. This was before the tie down kit. So they would take a .50 cal link and slide it down the antenna and tied a rope to it and tied it off. I can take pics of mine tomorrow cause thats how I have it!
Jeff
Army Transportation Assoc Vietnam, Associate Member
Vietnam Veterans Assoc, Associate Member
Green Mountain Military Vehicle Club
1968 M52A2
1968 M54A2
1968 M151A1
1964 M151A1
1953 M62
1951 M37
" I am deuceless" Sold them all.

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mrdibbles
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Re: AB-15 Tie Down?

Unread post by mrdibbles » May 30th, 2008, 10:19 pm

Here are the current pics of the radio project. I still need to install the loudspeaker, which I want to do on the dash, and maybe an interconnect box (on dash) too. I am still wondering though how the heck to stow this AB-15 antenna so it's not whipping all over the place :lol: I don't see how it could attach to the existing antenna tie down, for my main antenna, so I am just one confused Mutter 8)

The pictures aren't great but these should tell the story.

Image

Image

Image

Image

Image
1992 Mercedes-Benz 250GD Wolf - Former German Army
St. Augustine, Florida

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rickf
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Re: AB-15 Tie Down?

Unread post by rickf » May 31st, 2008, 10:45 am

Matt, Just go with the 117 and 118 sections. I have been told that on the reciever it does not make much difference and it brings it down to a managable height.
Rick
1964 M151A1
1984 M1008
1967 M416
04/1952 M100
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mrdibbles
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Re: AB-15 Tie Down?

Unread post by mrdibbles » May 31st, 2008, 12:17 pm

Yep Rick that sounds like good advice. I really don't like the "look" of the fully extended three-section mast when its tied down. It looks good parked though. I think I will actually stow the three sections in the A2 and just leave the rubber cap on the AB-15 base for regular use. Oh and I just went ahead and mounted the LS-454 Loudspeaker on the 1029 sponson. This is simplier and was done in service. It also required no additional holes be drilled.

Now I need though to learn how to use this damn thing :lol:
1992 Mercedes-Benz 250GD Wolf - Former German Army
St. Augustine, Florida

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Re: AB-15 Tie Down?

Unread post by k8icu » June 3rd, 2008, 10:33 pm

On receive antenna length is not as important as it is on transmit. So yeah just go with section 117 and 118. And my way of telling you to tie it down works. On your corner antenna mount/tower at the top of at the last hole bolt an antenna tie down. The same type being used on the front but with out the string. Slide a length of rubber hose like vent line or fuel line hose over the antenna so that when you pull the ant over into the locked down position it is insulated from the body by the rubber hose.

Here is a picture of it so that you can see how it looks. I had to take a picture of the picture because I didn't feel like cleaning off the scanner...lol.
Image

Image

And you need to add the extra spare tire and all the mud to your jeep to make it a recon jeep...lol... :) Jeep looks really good!
There is one nut on a M151 that is very difficult to remove.....

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Re: AB-15 Tie Down?

Unread post by Bob Croce » June 6th, 2008, 2:39 pm

Where did you get the sniffer unit for your 151?? I've managed to collect everything except the unit itself. My 151 has all the holes in the fender and dash for the unit.
Are you able to put the windshield down with the mount on the fender?

Thanks
Bob Croce
1967 M-151A1
M-416 Trailer

Sgt. HHD, 2nd Bn, 11th SFGA (ABN)
1984- 1990

vtdeucedriver
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Re: AB-15 Tie Down?

Unread post by vtdeucedriver » June 6th, 2008, 4:34 pm

Sniffer unit????? Ok, I think I got an idea what it is but I will act dumb, what is it???? Reason I ask is I too have 4 holes in the right fender that I have never seen on other mutts and its in the EXACT location as in the pic!!!! So can we see some pics?
Jeff
Army Transportation Assoc Vietnam, Associate Member
Vietnam Veterans Assoc, Associate Member
Green Mountain Military Vehicle Club
1968 M52A2
1968 M54A2
1968 M151A1
1964 M151A1
1953 M62
1951 M37
" I am deuceless" Sold them all.

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