Amateur radio (Ham) antenna install

[masternater199]

Had to do it, went three months before installing my tri-band antenna. Straight forward if you ware wanting to do the same. Removed one of the stake pocket plastic covers hoping there would be enough room to put a Breedlove mount in it. However, since it seems like these stake pockets are more for thin metal bars I decided to utilize one of the holes. Using a 5/8th drill bit I increased the holes diameter. Now a SO-239 connector fits perfectly snug! This is a SO-239 to NMO mount so I was able to use the instal nut to secure it. The best part about this to me is I can easily remove the antenna and put the plastic back on and no one would be able to notice! This is part 1 tomorrow I’ll be running the coax (using a RG-58 coax cable) unfortunately the coax came with pre-fitted PL-259 connectors which is great except the fact that I have to squeeze that big connector threw a tiny Gromit!

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[Onceaneagle]

Had been wondering if anyone had installed a CB radio and antenna and how that was done. That antenna looks good.

 

[Aemonn]

Looks good! Good luck running the wire. It's not horrible.. easier than breaking through the front firewall, at least for me.

I added my GMRS antenna like this:

I used this bracket and some creative use of bolts, multiple nuts to create stand offs and locknuts.
https://www.valley-ent.com/store/3-...for-two-way-radio-antennas-universal-fit.html

 

[Onceaneagle]

The antenna mounts look really good and easy to remove when parked or before a carwash. Now where are radio owners locating their CB radio? Can it be mounted under a front seat or under/behind the back seat or in the center console or some other location and then controlled by a wired or wireless remote device to transmit, receive, switch channels, or adjust volume etc.?

 

[Aemonn]

Under the front passenger seat. Used large zip ties to strap it up there.

I have the BTECH GMRS 50-pro. All controls are on the handset.

 

[MasterCylinder]

Had to do it, went three months before installing my tri-band antenna. Straight forward if you ware wanting to do the same. Removed one of the stake pocket plastic covers hoping there would be enough room to put a Breedlove mount in it. However, since it seems like these stake pockets are more for thin metal bars I decided to utilize one of the holes. Using a 5/8th drill bit I increased the holes diameter. Now a SO-239 connector fits perfectly snug! This is a SO-239 to NMO mount so I was able to use the instal nut to secure it. The best part about this to me is I can easily remove the antenna and put the plastic back on and no one would be able to notice! This is part 1 tomorrow I’ll be running the coax (using a RG-58 coax cable) unfortunately the coax came with pre-fitted PL-259 connectors which is great except the fact that I have to squeeze that big connector threw a tiny Gromit!

I mounted mine on the aluminum bed cover rail cap and ran the wire up through the bed stake pocket!

 

[masternater199]

Had been wondering if anyone had installed a CB radio and antenna and how that was done. That antenna looks good.

Thanks it’s for 2m, 1.25m and 70cm band cb is pretty dead in Oklahoma and since its range is pretty

Looks good! Good luck running the wire. It's not horrible.. easier than breaking through the front firewall, at least for me.

I added my GMRS antenna like this:

I used this bracket and some creative use of bolts, multiple nuts to create stand offs and locknuts.
https://www.valley-ent.com/store/3-...for-two-way-radio-antennas-universal-fit.html

Acrually just did it! Ran it through the cab vent! The worst part was removing the baby’s car seat!

 

[ShadowDragon24]

owners manual shows the best place that ford tested for the different radio freq's for antennas

 

[MasterCylinder]

Looks good! Good luck running the wire. It's not horrible.. easier than breaking through the front firewall, at least for me.

I added my GMRS antenna like this:

I used this bracket and some creative use of bolts, multiple nuts to create stand offs and locknuts.
https://www.valley-ent.com/store/3-...for-two-way-radio-antennas-universal-fit.html

How's your SWR's there? I had to get away from the cab to get mine down low!

 

[Aemonn]

How's your SWR's there? I had to get away from the cab to get mine down low!

I don't have the equipment to measure it, but I'd guess not great. I know there are issues with where I placed it, but I use my radio a hand full of times. a year when on trips with friends.

I have other stuff I mount on the bed of my truck on these trips that I wanted to keep clear of. I may consider moving it. What effects does a high SWR have? I'm not a huge radio head, still learning.

 

[RCMUSTANG]

I went this route.
https://www.ranger6g.com/forum/threads/rc-mustang-azure-gray-raptor-build.19602/post-384701

 

[Arsenall11]

Ran mine thru the fire wall and mounted the antenna on the chase rack.

 

[MasterCylinder]

I don't have the equipment to measure it, but I'd guess not great. I know there are issues with where I placed it, but I use my radio a hand full of times. a year when on trips with friends.

I have other stuff I mount on the bed of my truck on these trips that I wanted to keep clear of. I may consider moving it. What effects does a high SWR have? I'm not a huge radio head, still learning.

In basic terms SWR is the amount of output reflected back into the system instead going out and can damage the radio. Those meters are different for CB/GMRS/Ham and are set to measure across the frequency span. If your in a good size city Id run by a shop that can check them for you usually most of them won't charge much if anything if they can sell you something. They are also full of helpful tips and tricks if they've been around a while and use them themselves. The fact you did your own thing and think outside the box, that's the ticket!

 

[Reddog99]

For the people mounting the antenna on the bed and close to the cab, be aware that the cab will block radiation from & to that direction.

 

[Tom W8JI]

There are no simple generalization because it all depends on how the antenna currents distribute in the antenna and truck. We really usually want the antenna maximum current areas above obstructions if possible.

My Ranger VHF/UHF antenna is on a mag mount in the center of the roof. Problem solved for me. Doesn't matter what antenna style I use in the roof center, they all work great with very little difference.

I had a 5/8th wave two meter antenna just behind the cab on the top rail in my aluminum F250. The antenna was tall enough that the current maxima 20" below the tip was still well above the roof. That antenna pattern was barely elliptical. It was not directional enough to notice no matter which stake hole I used.

I made this mount so I could move my antenna around to any stake hole, and flip it inward on an open bed or outward with a cover or topper.

Since it fit any hole I played with various locations.

My HF antenna was the real Ranger challenge. Thanks to the steel, the mag mount solved the VHF/UHF stuff.

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