The Diamond K400 is a versatile antenna mount designed for mobile radio applications, offering flexible installation options on a vehicle's trunk lid, door, or hatchback. Its primary function is to provide a stable and secure mounting point for various types of antennas, ensuring optimal performance and minimizing damage to the vehicle's body.
Function Description:
The K400 mount serves as an interface between a mobile antenna and the vehicle, allowing for precise positioning and secure attachment. It is engineered to accommodate different antenna bases, including UHF, NMO, and 3/8-24 thread types, making it compatible with a wide range of mobile antennas. The design emphasizes ease of installation and adjustability, enabling users to achieve a vertical antenna orientation for best signal reception and transmission.
Key Features and Specifications:
- Mounting Versatility: The K400 is designed for installation on three common vehicle locations:
- Trunk Lid: The bracket is secured to the edge of the trunk lid. Protection plates are used to prevent damage to the car body from the set screws.
- Hatchback: Similar to the trunk lid installation, the bracket attaches to the edge of the hatchback, utilizing protection plates.
- Door: The mount can also be installed on a vehicle door, following the same principles of secure attachment and body protection.
- Adjustable Tilt Angle: A crucial feature of the K400 is its ability to adjust the tilt angle of the antenna mounting section. This allows users to compensate for the angle of the mounting surface (e.g., a sloped trunk lid) and ensure the antenna remains perfectly vertical. This adjustment is performed by:
- Removing a socket bolt with a large hexagonal wrench.
- Loosening a bottom screw with a large hexagonal wrench to rotate the antenna mounting section.
- Rebuilding the section and fine-tuning the tilt angle until the antenna is vertical.
- Body Protection: The mount includes protection plates that are inserted between the set screws and the vehicle's body. This is a critical design element to prevent scratches, dents, or other damage to the car's paint and metalwork during installation and use.
- Grounding Capability: The K400 series mounts can be grounded to the vehicle's chassis. This is achieved by trimming 1/2" from the supplied aluminum reinforcement strip and connecting it to the outside two set screws. Proper grounding is essential for optimal antenna performance and to reduce RF interference.
- Material and Construction: While not explicitly detailed, the images suggest a robust metal construction, likely aluminum or stainless steel, to withstand outdoor elements and vibrations associated with mobile use. The inclusion of rubber protection caps further indicates attention to durability and weather resistance.
- Included Hardware: The K400 comes with a comprehensive set of hardware for installation, including:
- Trunk lid/hatchback mount bracket
- Protection plate
- Rubber protection cap
- Set screws (short)
- Hexagonal wrench (small)
- Hexagonal wrench (large)
Available Models and Technical Specifications (Antenna Base and Coax):
The K400 series offers several models, each tailored to different antenna types and coaxial cable configurations:
- K400: Mount Only. This model provides the mounting bracket without an integrated antenna base or coaxial cable, allowing users to attach their preferred antenna base.
- K400C: UHF base with 6.5 ft. RG316 Teflon coax & PL259 connector. This model is designed for antennas with a UHF (SO-239) connector, commonly used for amateur radio and other mobile applications. The RG316 Teflon coax offers good performance and durability, especially in high-temperature environments.
- K400CNMO: NMO base with 6.5 ft. RG316 Teflon coax & PL259 connector. The NMO (New Motorola) base is a popular standard for mobile antennas, known for its robust and weather-resistant design. This model is suitable for antennas with an NMO mount.
- K400-3/8C: 3/8-24 base with 6.5 ft. RG316 Teflon coax & PL259 connector. This model accommodates antennas that use a 3/8-24 threaded stud, a common standard for many CB and other mobile antennas.
Usage Features:
- Ease of Installation: The K400 is designed for user-friendly installation, with clear instructions and all necessary tools (hexagonal wrenches) provided. The use of set screws allows for secure clamping without requiring drilling into the vehicle body.
- Optimal Antenna Positioning: The adjustable tilt mechanism is a key usage feature, allowing users to achieve a perfectly vertical antenna orientation regardless of the mounting surface's angle. This is crucial for maximizing antenna efficiency and radiation pattern.
- Non-Permanent Installation: Since the mount clamps onto the vehicle's edges, it offers a non-permanent installation solution, which is ideal for leased vehicles or users who wish to easily remove the antenna and mount.
- Versatile Antenna Compatibility: The availability of different models (UHF, NMO, 3/8-24) ensures compatibility with a broad spectrum of mobile antennas, catering to various communication needs.
Maintenance Features:
- Durable Construction: The robust materials and design contribute to the mount's longevity, minimizing the need for frequent maintenance.
- Protection Plates: The included protection plates not only prevent initial damage during installation but also help to protect the vehicle's finish over time from wear and tear caused by the mount.
- Grounding: Proper grounding, as outlined in the manual, is a maintenance aspect that ensures consistent performance and can help prevent issues related to static discharge or RF interference. Regularly checking the grounding connection can be part of routine maintenance.
- Adjustability for Wear: Should the mounting surface or antenna alignment shift over time due to vibrations or other factors, the adjustable tilt angle feature allows for easy re-calibration, ensuring the antenna remains optimally positioned.
- Replaceable Components: While not explicitly stated, the modular nature of the mount (e.g., separate set screws, protection plates) suggests that individual components could potentially be replaced if damaged, extending the overall life of the mount.
In summary, the Diamond K400 is a well-engineered, adaptable, and user-friendly antenna mount that provides a secure and adjustable platform for mobile antennas, prioritizing both performance and vehicle integrity.
To Next Page
Need help?
General
