[SMCARA] Antenna Mount Advise

Mon Nov 17 10:13:22 EST 2014

Dave and Tom,

Thank you for you outstanding replies! I have not considered the through
the glass mounts as I have heard how touchy they can be and now
confirmed by Tom's remarks. The mount I have been considering is this
one:
http://www.gigaparts.com/Product-Lines/Hard-Mounts/Comet-Antennas-3D5M.html

This will allow me to use my Comet SBB-7 that was installed on my Toyota
Camary on my truck.

Dave once I get the mount in I would like help in getting the hole
drilled. I would pull the headliner down and have it ready so not to
take to much of your time.

Thanks again!

Dan 

On Mon, 2014-11-17 at 14:58 +0000, Clarke, Tom AIR4.0P NATOPS wrote:
> Hi Dan,
> 
> The NMO mount that Dave describes is a great mount.  It would be worth the effort to mount it, as you can try different antennas on it easily.  I installed one on a previous vehicle and it was surprisingly easy.    The mount installs from the outside and I was able to snake the coax through the headliner and down the side without tearing it all out.  I used a 3/4 inch Greenlee punch and accessed the roof via the dome light fixture.  At different times I used a Larsen 2M 5/8 Wave, a 1/4 wave, and the Larsen 2/70 dual bander.  The 2M 5/8 Wave seemed to work best.  Makes sense since it is longer, and single band so not a compromise antenna to work on both bands.
> 
> I use a 3/8 inch mount for my HF antenna on the side rails of the truck bed.  I found that with the light gauge steel of the body, I had to use a stiffener inside the rail to keep it from warping the panel.  I had a scrap of 1/4 inch aluminum bar about 1 x 6 that worked fine.
> 
> The VHF/UHF mount I use now is a Larsen "Through the Glass" dual band antenna.  It works well, but is touchy to get tuned and you can have problems with embedded defrost wires or some factory tints if they are metallic.  When travelling in my wife's car ( no holes rule applies), I either use a Larsen Dual Band mag mount or one of those little "Hershey Kiss" mag mounts with either a 2M 1/4 wave or a dual bander.  The Hershey Kiss mounts are very unobtrusive and don't mar the paint surface. They too, are a compromise, but that's life!
> 
> The Larsens are more expensive than the stuff from the Far East, but work well and last.
> 
> Of course, there is always the "W4OKW 2M Screwdriver Antenna"!!
> 
> 73 Tom/W4OKW
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: SMCARA [mailto:smcara-bounces at mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of Dave Q
> Sent: Sunday, November 16, 2014 12:48 PM
> To: Daniel Metcalf
> Cc: smcara at mailman.qth.net
> Subject: Re: [SMCARA] Antenna Mount Advise
> 
> Dan, I mounted my antenna using a NMO mount and it wasn't really that hard.  My son and I did the whole thing in about 4 hours.  I think I could do a truck like mine it about half the time now that I've done it.
> 
> I used a ⅜" mount because, in my and my machinist son's opinion, it allows for more support.  The disadvantage is that the headliner must be removed.
> With the ¾" mount you may be able to snake the coax through the headliner because you can install the NMO from the roof side.  My F-150 has a channel running from front to back to add support/strength to the roof and would have had to drop the headliner no matter which mount I used.  The headliner on a F-150 is attached at the center with magnets.
> 
> I have the "drill bits", machinist have the real name for them, for drilling which won't grab and drill through your head liner.  They aren't step drills but can't remember the name.  They drill a perfect round smooth hole.  A step drill would work which I also have.
> 
> You mostly have to remove the moldings, sun visors, any coverings for the A and B pillar on a super crew cab, mirror, dome light and anything else in the way.  The only issue I had was removing the seatbelt assembly at the B pillar due to needing a LARGE torx socket.  I was able to drop only one side of the headliner and reach everything.
> 
> I'd be glad to help.
> 
> 73
> Dave - W3DLQ
> 
> 
> On Sun, Nov 16, 2014 at 11:00 AM, Daniel Metcalf <kb3uun at gmail.com> wrote:
> 
> > Good Morning All,
> >
> > I have been driving my truck around back and forth to work because it 
> > has been easier on my back. I think it is time to install a transceiver.
> > Right now I can't decide between my ft-857d or my ic-2820. I am 
> > leaning towards the 2820. I have had a radio in this vehicle before 
> > (back when I owned a ft-2900) with a mag mount antenna that my wife 
> > was notorious for running through tree branches and dropping the 
> > antenna into the bed of the truck. This time I have been considering a 
> > permanent (drill through the cab) antenna mount but I am unaware of 
> > the pros and cons to this type of mount. The obvious first con is the 
> > amount of work to install the mount. I would have disassemble the 
> > interior of my truck to install it but I do think it might be worth it. Any advice or thoughts?
> >
> > Are there any mounts the one would recommend or steer away from?
> >
> > Thanks,
> > Dan -- KB3UUN
> > c. 301 769 1111
> >
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