HAM Radio Discussion

[rbeau30]

Yes, drilling the hole makes me nervous. NMO is pretty low profile with no antenna on, and I plan on keeping the truck for 10+ years so I'm not worried about resale issues really.

I know High Country 4x4 does CB installs so maybe they can do an NMO as well when I get some work done there.

If I was to not do it myself I would probably ask a CB or 4x4 shop. A buddy of mine put 3 on his roof with no issues, he just put masking tape to center the hole, and over the area he drilled. They also make a bit specifically for doing this... but it is a little expensive. http://www.k0bg.com/options.html#hole

[kawiracer14]

If I was to not do it myself I would probably ask a CB or 4x4 shop. A buddy of mine put 3 on his roof with no issues, he just put masking tape to center the hole, and over the area he drilled. They also make a bit specifically for doing this... but it is a little expensive. http://www.k0bg.com/options.html#hole

I can't really be trusted with a drill around a brand new truck. I'll talk to HCP. Plan on doing a hood channel mount for a CB antenna and then NMO on the roof probably for ham. Now to find a place to mount all this in the truck.

[Irving]

Why not the bed instead of the roof?

[gnihcraes]

I wouldn't go roof mount. Bad things happen to roofs when something low hits the mounts.

Talk to Radio Service Center here in Lakewood - Sheridan and Kentucky - they will do installs. Antenna and Radio. Professional too. Not sure about the costs though.

If you're local, bring it over to me and we'll figure it all out. Been doing it for years. (not that I know what I'm doing) haha

[rbeau30]

I wouldn't go roof mount. Bad things happen to roofs when something low hits the mounts.

Talk to Radio Service Center here in Lakewood - Sheridan and Kentucky - they will do installs. Antenna and Radio. Professional too. Not sure about the costs though.

If you're local, bring it over to me and we'll figure it all out. Been doing it for years. (not that I know what I'm doing) haha

I still have a Geotool, stake mount that I need to get installed. My antenna isn't even on the roof and I was lucky i only broke my antenna when I drove inside the garage.

[kawiracer14]

Why not the bed instead of the roof?

Have a hard tonneau cover on the truck bed with a bike and ski rack on it so I can't use the stake pockets.


Sent from my pocket

[kawiracer14]

I wouldn't go roof mount. Bad things happen to roofs when something low hits the mounts.

Talk to Radio Service Center here in Lakewood - Sheridan and Kentucky - they will do installs. Antenna and Radio. Professional too. Not sure about the costs though.

If you're local, bring it over to me and we'll figure it all out. Been doing it for years. (not that I know what I'm doing) haha

Once I lift the truck I won't be getting it in garages any more but I would like to avoid ripping a huge hole in a new roof.


Sent from my pocket

[kawiracer14]

I wouldn't go roof mount. Bad things happen to roofs when something low hits the mounts.

Talk to Radio Service Center here in Lakewood - Sheridan and Kentucky - they will do installs. Antenna and Radio. Professional too. Not sure about the costs though.

If you're local, bring it over to me and we'll figure it all out. Been doing it for years. (not that I know what I'm doing) haha

I am local - Edgewater so just up the road. Once I get a mobile for the truck I'll be in touch.


Sent from my pocket

[streetglideok]

Been running an NMO roof mount for 2 years, no issues here. I'm even lifted now, and go on trails as well. You don't need a tall antenna to work good either since it's an efficient mount. I'm running a Diamond 72NMO IIRC, so pretty low profile but works very well. Use a 3/4" hole saw( I think that's the size), and mark your spot.

[gnihcraes]

I've seen an NMO mount on a truck cab roof, get hit and stripped a slot right down the roof like a shear would do. Tough mounts, I just don't like roof mount. I've had issues before. Minivan roof mount hit garage door that didn't go all the way up, bent over into the roof - everything was loosey goosey after that. Added a large washer to the inside of the roof helped, but never could use the mount with anything other than a rubber duck.

I've got two of these, used on multiple vehicles, easy to mount or move to another vehicle. No holes. No leaks.

http://www.diamondantenna.net/k400photos.html