Tying down antenna mast

[jeff.]

Hello All:
I want to tie down the antenna mast on the rear of my '45 MB and I have an antenna tie down rope but wonder how to tie it off properly. Can I get some instruction on how to do it right?

thanks,
jeff.

[Ben Dover]

You can try to tie it to the BOD Light Bracket, or if you have a 1/4 Ton Trailer, tie it to one of the rope hooks.

[John Neuenburg]

Related subject: use the clamps on the section joints and consider not driving with it up at all. I once had all 5 sections on and tied back on the M20, but not clamped. Did a 40 mile freeway run and the top section wasn't there when I arrived. Gone. The green one. OK, rookie mistake not fixing it tight.

Funny thing is the next year when I made the same trip with 5 sections tied back, and clamped, darn if I lost the top section again! How you say? The rod portion of the top piece vibrated out of its knurled section! Gone. Don't know if those are pressed or soldered together. But no more driving with the full antenna. I'll go with three sections. But on the last run to Camp Delta, section 2 broke in half and the upper section was dragging behind the car from the tie down rope. Wife following was flashing her lights so I pulled over and we saved that piece (her job is to signal if pieces fall off the car. If it's only antennas I figure I'm lucky).

Conclusion - Don't do long road runs with old antennas under load or unsecured.

[ston61]

Jeff,
I agree 100% with John. I've had the same problem on my Willys, last section MS49 gone.
Anyway, if you have BC659 or BC620, the correct antenna rods kit for 1/4 ton vehicle is only 3 sections, MS53,MS52,MS51.

Stefano

[rafbloke]

When I had my Jeep (1942 MB), I tied the antenna down using 2 x Halyard M-378. These clipped just under the top-most antenna joint and I then tied one halyard to each of the left & right chassis rails. This triangulation stopped the antenna from swaying side-to-side when I went round corners. However, my antenna base was an MP-48 and this caused quite a curve to set into the antenna rods - the MP-48 spring is seriously powerful. I also lost the top 2 rods off my antenna (fortunately saw them go and managed to rescue them) when driving with it full up. This was caused by the antenna rotating and unscrewing as I drove along, and was due to the curve set into the rods - if you watch these antennas when you are driving along you can see the tip traces a circle, which creates the rotational force. If you have an MP-48 base, my advice would be to only tie down the antenna for short periods, and if you are going to drive with it like this make sure the tip is sufficiently high up that it isn't going to accidentally stick someone in the eye. I don't want to sound like a 'doom-and-gloom merchant' as it does look cool to have the antenna tied down, and I am sure it is expedient in a tactical situation, but I found it less hassle to just take it down. Cheers.

[John Neuenburg]

The G.I. screw clamps will solve the unscrewing problem (if you can find them all) but like I said before, the rod came out of my knurled fitting so it could happen to anybody. I forgot to mention that the MS-49 rod is a standard 3/16" diameter so is easy to make a new piece. Just round the top end and make sure it's fixed tightly in the fitting this time. I would think silver soldering should be strong enough to withstand driving, but additional insurance can be had by drilling through the assembly and pinning it. I epoxied mine and don't drive around with the MS-50 and 49.

[Sandman1942]

Curious to know about Ston61 pic above. The 2 jeeps in the front with the canvas tops. Are the backs of the canvas top folded under and secured somehow or are those a different type summer canvas top?????

Sandman

[John Neuenburg]

And note the zoomy camo on #3. Looks like at least one other is camo'd. Has this photo ever been on the jeep geek forum?

[willy]

I have and sell the proper tiedown clamps 13.00 each plu shipping
Now if you also want the colored clamps they are 10.00 each and the tiedown clamp becomes also 10.00
At the moment I do not have any green clamps but I do have yellow, red, and blue
Willy

[MASH_4077]

I am also looking for tie downs for my antennas.....

[willy]

including the above clamps I also have tiedown rope and insulators
Packege includeds rope, insulator, 3 colered clamps and tiedown clamp, including shipping = 130.00
All NOS
willy
I will accept paypal at willyd@hughes.net