Mobile Coax Connection to Ground Plane

[NO6O]

I use a Little Tarheel II screwdriver for mobile HF, and have it mounted on a Comet RS-840 (http://www.hamcity.com/store/pc/viewPrd.asp?idcategory=0&idproduct=1139), on the car's hatchback. However, I've been having trouble keeping the horizontal allen screw tight enough. There are notches that should prevent movement, but it's not enough, and a lock washer doesn't appear to help. Over a period of time, the antenna can start slipping. The ground braid of the coax is connected to the allen screw, which is also connected to a bonding strap to the car body.

I want to try using a Comet RS-730 mount (http://www.hamcity.com/store/pc/viewPrd.asp?idcategory=0&idproduct=724), which I have found is much stronger. However, because the RS-730 is coated with a black finish, it lacks a good connection for the ground braid. Therefore, I'm wondering whether the ground braid from the coax could simply go straight to the bonding strap. Would this provide an even better, and direct, connection to the ground plane?

[K0BG]

There is almost no way to assure a decent connection using a clip mount. You can remove the small bar that fits under the set screws, but in the long run it doesn't work very well. The moment of the trunk lid, and wind buffeting eventually take their toll, and you have to retighten the mount. That's one of the prices you pay for not drilling a hole.

And, you don't want to sand the surface to bare metal. All that does is sand off the zinc undercoating which promotes rust.

You might want to visit my web site, and look under Antenna Mounts.

[NO6O]

Hi Alan,

Thank you for your reply. I have visited your site numerous times, and have found good and useful information. I have great DX performance with the lip mount, and don't see a need to drill a mount. In my original post, I mentioned finding a solution with a different mount. However, I want to know whether the ground from the coax can be connected directly to the body, where I have a bonding strap from the hatch to the body. On the current mount, the ground on the mount is also connected to the bonding strap. My question is whether I can bypass the mount, and simply ground the coax right at the body, and only send the center lead to the mount.