Antenna assembly help...

[llong66]

I have finally collected all of the parts to install the correct antenna on my M1008, the mount, brush guard, the rubber gasket and the antenna sections. I have seen someplace a diagram of how it all goes together, the placement of the rubber insulator, etc. I have searched here as well as my computer and cannot find it. Could someone please post a link showing an exploded diagram or give me an idea where to find it in the TMs? Thanks!

 

[tennmogger]

Would help if you have a model number for the antenna, mount, etc. Pictures? As soon as that's known you will get lots of help.

Bob WB4ETT

 

[llong66]

It is the AB15 base with one center section and a top section, the pic I included is the mount/brush guard combo I have. Hope this helps!
Thanks!

 

[tennmogger]

The AB-15 is simple. Two ceramic insulators, top and bottom. Insert top insulator with threaded antenna spring assembly (rubber covered) down through the mount hole. Rubber insulator goes under this insulator to seal on top of mount. If you have the large star washer with coaxial connector ground clamp on it, that goes against the bottom of the mounting plate. Flat washer next, then bottom insulator. Slide the bottom insulator with it's coaxial connector up over the bottom of the antenna threaded end and tighten.

The clamp (like hose clamp) tightens around the coaxial connector to ground this end of the coax.

The assembly is so simple I think I have misinterpreted your question!

The whip sections, MS-116, MS-117, and MS-118 screw into the top of the rubber covered spring. Mix and match to get the length closest to quarter wave at the frequency you will use. Include the length of the rubber covered spring as part of the antenna length.

Bob
WB4ETT

 

[llong66]

Bob,

Thanks much! I was unsure where the rubber gasket went! You got me all setup now! Thanks again!

Greg

 

[tennmogger]

You're welcome. The AB-15 base and those MS sections make, IMHO, the most simple, versatile, and efficient military antenna system available (of the mobile whippy types, of course).

My Unimog 404 radio comm box was designed to use up to five of them on top!

Bob WB4ETT

 

[mutt1966]

That mount is not for a AB-15 its for the Self-Tuning AB-1729 ............Scott O&O

 

[papakb]

There's a widget that looks like an overgrown flat washer that adapts the AB-15 to that mounting bracket. I forget the number but they're out there. There are some tricks for keeping your antenna alive over the years you should know about. The mast sections are made of copper plates steel and will rust together over time. Whenever you assembly them always add a little bit of grease to exclude moisture and keep them rust free. Personally I use Dow Corning DC-4 silicon lubricant but any grease will work. Another thing to do is to add a distributor cap nipple to the bottom section/AB-15 union. This will keep water from running down the masts and into the AB-15.

 

[tennmogger]

...chop... Another thing to do is to add a distributor cap nipple to the bottom section/AB-15 union. This will keep water from running down the masts and into the AB-15.

Danged good idea!!!

Bob WB4ETT

 

[llong66]

mutt1966, you are indeed correct, the mounting hole in the bracket it about an inch or so to large for the AB15 base. I am going to make a plate to put onto the top of the bracket with a smaller hole so my AB15 will fit. I was looking at the 1729 bases and the cheapest I could find was around $115.00, a little more than I have to spend right now after getting all the other stuff, plus I am not sure what mast sections I would need or the cost/availability of those. Thanks for the heads up!
Papakb, could you give me a few more details about the distributor cap nipple idea? I am not real clear on where you are suggesting to put it. My bottom section is simply the insulator assembly with 6" or so of rubber, then about 4" or so of metal protruding from this that the center section of the mast screws into. Thanks!

Greg

 

[papakb]

Greg,

Your trying to keep water out of the AB-15 with the nipple so what you want to do is to screw the MS-116 into the AB-15 then slide the nipple down over the mast section. This way any water that collects on the antenna and runs down the mast sections doesn't run into the AB-15.

For AB-15's that are used with receivers where the frequency match isn't that important you can use the upper fiberglass mast section from the AS-1729 antenna as your antenna element. The AT-1095 has a recess in it's base that overlaps the top of the AB-15 and makes a nipple unnecessary.

Kurt

 

[tennmogger]

The AB-15 has a drain hole in the bottom of the threaded hole but it usually gets plugged. For occasional use where the MS-sections are removed (as for height clearance) the AB-15 takes care of itself.

BTW, the one meter screw-together sections of the British Clansman antennas also fit the AB-15.

Bob WB4ETT