Question for Austrailia guys/gals - 4X4 utes, why the antenna(s) on the bull bars??

[93nav]

I stumbled on some videos of 4x4 action going to and on Fraser Island. Lots of 4x4 utes have an big antenna mounted on the bull bar. Some seem to have more than one antenna. Looking at online AU shops, the antenna that I found were for FM and AM radios. Seems to be overkill. What am I missing?

Thanks

[LakeCleElum]

My buddy lives in Hervey Bay, which is one of the places to catch a ferry to Fraser Island....I've driven his 4x4 Nissian Patrol Ute on Fraser Island - Highly recommended, the largest sand island in the world. The reasons are summed up here:

One of the main reasons you see them so often in Australia is the type of antenna that is commonly used. CB radio usage is very different there compared to North America. Included are thick, heavy, special purpose antennas which are regularly used for long distance communications. These antennas need a very solid mounting point and an ARB bumper, etc, provide an excellent solid point. Due to the length and rigidity of the antenna, roof mounts are inconvenient and prone to failure.

In North America, CB radio is only used for short distances and antennas are light enough to be placed virtually anywhere. Some people do place CB antennas on bumpers, but it isn't as common. The next step up, VHF amateur, requires a wider ground plane then a bumper typically provides - therefore a fender or roof mount provides better reception. The antennas are also less rigid and could be distracting to a driver if placed in front....

[onewhippedpuppy]

Could it also be for safety on sand dunes? Most of the off roading around here in sand dunes requires a big aerial or flag of some type that stands above the truck.

[scottmandue]

Originally Posted by onewhippedpuppy

Could it also be for safety on sand dunes? Most of the off roading around here in sand dunes requires a big aerial or flag of some type that stands above the truck.

Same for the dunes here, there have been cases of two people jumping a dune from opposite sides and colliding. You even see quads running huge whip antennas.

Been a long time since I fooled around with CD radio but I seem to remember having antennas on the front and back bumper increases the ground plain... or something like that.

[93nav]

Thanks LakeCleElum,

Sounds like the antenna's then were for CB's. Like I said, when I looked at online stores in AU, the ones I found were described as for FM and AM radios.

Other guys,

I did not see anyone running flags. And they really were not driving on sandunes, at least the videos I saw. And a lot of the antennas were not really that tall, but some were quite thick.


Ground plane. I was told/read, that for CB's in the USA, the best place was a roof or trunk mount. Bumper mounts were not nearly as good.

[onewhippedpuppy]

Maybe that’s a hip look in Oz? Like running a 12” exhaust on your diesel in the USA.

[porsche930dude]

i watch their vids too. good stuff. they really get into it with those heavy trucks. Totally different scene than the 4x4s here in the US.

[PD41]

I think they call them Roo Bars for Kangaroos.

[sc_rufctr]

What your seeing is an aerial for a HF radio.
They are big and heavy and mounting them to a "Roobar" (Bull bar) is usually the best/easiest option.

HF is for long distance communications and is still widely used today even with the introduction of satellite based communications.
It's reliable and if you have a good set-up you can talk to people all over the world.

Codan is an Australian HF Radio company that is the go to standard for HF radios world wide.
Organisations like the UN for instance use Codan radios.

https://codan.com.au

(Headquarters are in Adelaide SA & I've worked for them. The owner/founder/CEO is a Mazzarati enthusiast.)

[sc_rufctr]