does the trailer have any sort of gutters at the roof line?
or any kind of protrusion at the roof line?
I am thinking of a gutter mount type bracket which could then support a
5/8's wave antenna of some sort.
Ultimately, since you want it for recreation which potentially means some
distance from repeaters, as well as emergency which could mean  the necesity
to use simplex, you want something with as much gain as possible...i think
something like the tram 1480 which is only 8.5 feet long, probably less then
$50 off ebay (which is where i got mine) and exhibits 6 db on vhf and 9 db
on uhf.
If you devise a method of mounting the antenna to the side of the trailer
with a quick release adapter, you could easily use the siding as the ground
plain and not have to use the 3 ground plain radials that are usually used
with the antenna.
If the idea is just to use an antenna during fixed or stationary
applications, maybe another painters pole rigged up to a bracket on the side
or end of the trailer would work nicely.
Remember you really dont want to put a vhf/uHF antenna below or very near a
vertical HF antenna unless the 2 are going to be used at separate
times...you will find that the VHF/UHF antenna will have an unacceptable swr
if mounted near another antenna especially below it on a mast.
The other possibility is to use a trunk mount or hood mount bracket and just
bolt it to the side of the trailer at the roof line then use an NMO mount or
something similar to attach a 5/8's wave antenna...again, the siding will
act as a nice ground plain.
Given your specifications of economics, the least amount of holes and easy
to store, i think this last one would be the way to go...because you
wouldn't actually need to take it down since the 5/8's is only 4 feet long
and a stainless whip can withstand going under low objects if you need to
drive under something lower then the tip of the antenna.
Instead of a trunk/hood mount, you could use the antenna mount half of a
mirror arm bracket which usually has 2 or 4 holes in it and bolt that to the
side....they are usually a little more robust then the hood or trunk mounts.
73
Colin, V A6BKX
----- Original Message -----
From: "Tom Behler" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Saturday, July 09, 2005 9:22 PM
Subject: suggestions needed for simple and quick mount 2-meter/440 antenna


> Hi, folks.
>
> My XYL and I recently purchased an 18-foot Fleetwood Pioneer travel
trailer
> that we will be using both for recreational purposes, and as an emergency
> communications trailer of sorts.  I am looking for suggestions as to an
> easy-to-mount and store 2-meter/440 antenna for the trailer.  I already
have
> had someone help me install a "painter's pole mast" in the spare tire
holder
> on the back of the trailer for an HF antenna, which I am hoping will be
the
> Buddipole portable antenna you have heard me talk about on occasion.  I am
> trying to think of how I might install a simple 2-meter/440 antenna (such
as
> the Diamond 770) below the HF antenna on that mast pole.  Problem is the
> mast pole is made out of fiber glass, and I don't know how it would hold
up
> with "u" bolts and an L bracket, or something like that.
>
> The trailer itself has some sort of "rubber" roof, and is sided with
> aluminum, so I know of no place to put a magmount base.
>
> I guess I could go with some kind of a "through the glass" antenna, but I
> haven't had the greatest luck in the world with those.
>
> I will use my second TMV7A as the 2-meter/440 rig, so maximum power used
> should be no more than 50 watts.
>
> Any suggestions would be appreciated.  The goal here is economics,
> practicality, and hopefully a minimum of holes drilled.
>
> Thanks to all for any suggestions.
>
> Best 73 from Tom Behler: KB8TYJ
>