[Mobile-Portable] UHF/VHF antennas in roof of newer pickuptrucks

[K0DAN]

Good luck!

If you can see some knock-out plugs in the firewall you are in good shape. 
Those audio fuse block are a lot better connector than what we're faced 
with. I will probably start a flame war here, but I really regret converting 
all my stuff over to Anderson PowerPoles. Clever idea for standardization, 
but crappy implementation. I can't tell you how many times I've either lost 
power due to a connector coming loose, or in a few cases having poor 
performance because of excess resistance at the connector block. I am in the 
process of getting rid of Rig Runners, etc., and going back to more secure 
connectors. I still use PowerPoles where I have to, but always with a 
pigtail/adaptor to a different connector, and always with some cable ties to 
hold them together!

I'm sure your dealer will do you right as to coax placement and roof 
drilling! I have always done cowl mounts, so other than really old vehicles, 
have never done a roof penetration (and don't want to).

For DC power I could see neither spare knock-outs, nor a direct route from 
battery into passenger compartment. I suppose I could have eventually done 
it myself, but after seeing all the vehicles up on lifts in an immaculate 
shop, I decided to cave in to their suggestion of "let us do it"! They 
didn't know doodly about mobile radios, but they did exactly what I asked of 
them, and I was well pleased.

Wonder what we'll do when all the new vehicles are 48VDC?!?

Let us know your dealer experience!

73
dan
k0dan


-----Original Message----- 
From: Edward L Dowdy
Sent: January 18, 2014 12:40
To: Mobile-Portable Reflector
Subject: Re: [Mobile-Portable] UHF/VHF antennas in roof of newer 
pickuptrucks

I was there today and didn't think of it... I'll be over there next
Saturday. Very good idea. I don't think running the wiring through the
firewall will be a problem. There are a couple rubber plugs that can be
pierced. I have a big fuse block I got from a car audio dealer years ago. It
comes in real handy as a central wiring point when running multiple rigs.

73,
Ed KA9EES

-----Original Message-----