Financial restrictions also dictated that many of the tracking vehicles be rentals. An antenna mount was developed that would be accurate, durable, and strong enough to carry the necessary antenna system while keeping vehicle restoration costs to a minimum. The system is built on a set of roof racks and can be adapted for vehicles with or without rain gutters. In situations where antenna height is a concern, the mount can be adapted to allow the antenna to telescope up and down approximately 76 cm. This modification, however, may introduce another source of bearing error.
All parts are generally available.
Only three items need to be built or supplied by a welder or machinist. Installation of a sun roof is one restoration option. We presently have 24 of these systems in use, some of them are in their sixth field season.