GEOTOOL HF1 Installation Instructions Manual

Installation Instructions - Models HF1 & Hf2
Pick-Up Truck Antenna Mount
For using any standard mobile antenna with a 3/8"-24 style screw base.
Thank you for purchasing our GeoTool Model HF-1 Mount!
You will need a soldering gun or iron, some electrical tape and 13/16", ½", 9/16", and
5/8" wrenches, and screwdrivers. You may also need a rat-tail (round) file to enlarge the
hole in the bottom of the stake pocket, or a 5/8" wood drill (like the one in the photo to the
right) to make a hole in the bottom of the stake pocket if there is none. Read all
instructions before proceeding. The basic installation concept is uncomplicated.
However, the actual installation can be relatively easy to moderately difficult
dependingt on your truck. The instructions below are a little long winded, but I want to
provide you with the basics of the installation process, plus additional suggestions and
helpful hints which may pertain to individual trucks.
1. Select the stake pocket - The mount will generally fit into the front and rear stake pockets of trucks without double wall
construction. Pre-2000± long bed trucks (particularly Fords) may have tapered pockets in the center of each side, but the mount can still
be installed in the front or rear pockets. Some Toyota Tundra stake pockets are smaller inside than at the top opening. Newer trucks
generally have straight pockets all around. Double wall construction, or bed liners, can make installation more difficult because it may
be harder to access the bottom of the stake pocket to tighten the anchor bolt . Rear stake pockets may be easier to use by removing the tail
light for access. On Chevy's, the tail light may be removed by unscrewing two Phillips head screws, accessible when the tailgate is
lowered. Other trucks may have similar fastenings.
2. Adjust the height of the mount in the stake pocket - Begin the installation by checking the height of the mount block in the stake
pocket. It is easier to do this before installing the coaxial cable onto the mount. Measure the depth of the stake pocket. If it is longer than
the mount body, determine how many of the 9/16" flat washers to put in the bottom of the stake pocket to raise the mount to the top of the
stake pocket. If you don't have enough washers, the mounting bolt is too short, or the mount is too long, contact GeoTool for assistance.
3. Attach the coaxial cable to the mount - We recommend that you DON'T INSTALL THE PL-259 on the radio end of the coax until
the mount installation is complete and the coax is routed inside cab. The largest diameter coax that will fit through the hollow 9/16"
anchor bolt, or into the slots in the side of the mount, is 1/4". Accordingly, only RG-8 Mini Coax or LMR-240 Ultra Flex are
recommended. Route the coax through the bottom of the mount, or out the side of the mount using the slots in the body of the mount to
allow inserting the mount into the stake pocket. The 3/8"-24 mounting hardware is shipped with the components connected in the
recommended installation order. Attach the solderless connectors to the coax as shown on Figure 1, and SOLDER THE COAX
CONNECTIONS.
Our new mounts have a Chemfilm conductive coating where the ground ring attaches inside the top of the mount. A few older mounts
may not have this, and the anodizing should be carefully sanded or scraped away to provide a good ground contact under the top of the
mount. Using an ohm meter, check that there is good conductivity between Chemfilm (or cleaned surface), and the threads inside the
bottom anchor bolt hole. The anchor bolt hole was threaded after anodizing to ensure that the bare aluminum provides a good ground
connection (anodizing is non-conductive) The 3/8-24" antenna connector hardware should be tightened snugly to prevent it from
working loose. Be sure the lower nylon washer extends into the mounting hole if possible, and that you insert the 3/8"IDx1/2"OD nylon
spacer inside the top mounting hole. This is because only a small portion of the lower nylon washer extends beyond the ground lead
solderless connector fitting. Tighten the assembly securely. If not sufficiently tight, the nylon shoulder washers may loosen up and
require retightening in a couple of days. Keep an eye on this part of the assembly for a few days. Following installation of the coaxial
cable on the mount, be sure to CHECK ALL CONNECTIONS FOR PROPER CONDUCTIVITY AND SHORTS.
4. Prepare the mount block and stake pocket for installation - Refer to Figure 1 for the location of parts. You will need a 5/8"
diameter hole in the bottom of the stake pocket to install the hollow 9/16" anchor bolt. If not already there, you will need to drill a hole.
Follow the instructions in item 3 in the 'Troubleshooting' section on Page 2, and drill a 5/8" mounting hole. Using emery cloth,
sandpaper, or other scraping tool, REMOVE PAINT FROM THE OUTSIDE BOTTOM OF THE STAKE POCKET to ensure a good
ground. The ground connection is probably the most important part of the entire installation. If the ground is not good, the antenna will
not resonate. The flat washers included with the mount are only for adjusting the height of the mount inside the stake pocket. They
should be used inside the stake pocket only. If placed between the lock washer and the stake pocket, the star washer will not dig into the
body of the truck, and the ground connection will not be adequate. Next, route the coaxial cable into the stake pocket, through the 9/16"
flat washers, and out the hollow anchor bolt, or out the side of the stake pocket.
Phone: (949) 548-8885
E-mail: info@geotool.com
http://www.geotool.com/antmount.htm
U.S. Patent No. 5,995,053
GeoTool
GeoTool GeoTool
Page 1
Drill bit and extension for cutting 5/8" anchor hole.
P.O. Box 10822
Newport Beach, CA 92658