Ham radio HF antenna mount

I bought some ferrites, tried them on the radio power supply with no success. My next effort will be on the LED light end ( DD Sport LEDs) Fingers crossed. I'm not certain if there is a difference between the ferrites I purchased and a ferrite toroidal choke. Off to Google for some research !

 

I have a Lil Tar Heel it is inside the bed it is mounted to the support just inside of the tailgate (inside the bed) on a ball mount. It's been there since the truck was new in 2011. I have worked the world mobile with it. A truck is not a ground plane steel or plastic bed so it's waste of time to try and correct it. At one point it was connected to a 3/8 24 stud mount sitting up a bit higher that did not go well because the cast brass stud broke and the antenna landed in the street. I made a lexan mounting for the antenna tube to stiffen it up. The entire antenna is RF hot so it has to be insulated from the body. The ball mount I use is the RF return so you do need a good ground at the coax brad it is only a ground return to the radio. I have only been a ham for 30+ years so I'm still learning. Here is a good read for you about "ground myths" k0bg.com/myths.html I'll add you do need a choke on the power feed to the antenna otherwise it will become part of the antenna and it will not tune.

 

A mix 31 will work for you on HF

 

The upper support is lexan the bottom standard ball mount. The whip is removable with a threaded hand nut (they sell the kits fits standard 3/8 24 thread) It is secure enough to shake the truck with the antenna mast. So far it has not been in the way because it narrower than the wheel wells.

 

Wiring is inside behind the tail light.