Mobile Mobile antenna recommendation for 88-98 reg can Chevy truck

[red97k1500]

I’m shure this has been asked before. But now that where beginning to start to ease into a new solar cycle. I want to install me a mobile setup again, and this time around I don’t want to use a Wilson 1000 mag mount.

I want to hard mount an antenna in the middle of the roof of my 97 regular cab Chevy truck. I will probably buy one of those Greenlee punches since I paid 200 bucks to have the roof repainted about 3 years ago. I know using a step bit will cause the paint to chip off around the edges of the holes,

Which Breedlove mount should I buy? I’m also thinking about trying one of those new president antennas. Any recommendations on mount and which antenna is greatly appreciated. Basically what would you buy if it was your truck?

 

[undertaker]

I used to have a Wilson 1000 on the roof of my pickup. But since Wilson sold out there quality is bad. So I have a 102 inch whip with a spring on my tool box works great!! breedlove makes a great mount just be sure it is the 3/8 mount..

 

[groundwire]

Breedlove puck mount with the backing plate and a predator 10k antenna.

 

[Tallman]

I like a 1/4 wave on a metal tool box.

 

[Slowmover]

That same job awaiting me back home.

Antenna will be (mainly):

President Texas

May be out of production. See thread. Still available a few places. (Walcott Radio?)

Thread titled, “Roof Puck Mount”, is for my ‘04 Dodge 555.

Breedlove Machine catalog bigger than it looks. I’d go over carefully and list some part numbers I think might work. Call for their advice. An 84” Texas is a pretty good wind load. More so for a Predator. (It’s not the antenna weight. What works at 60-mph may crumple sheetmetal at 77-mph. Etc).

The online MARINCO 3% DC Voltage Drop calculator very handy for total length of POS/NEG cable. How to determine AWG required. That needs to be USCG or SAE 105c rated. Etc.

Another thread here is re Proper Mobile Coax Choke. Palomar Engineers is one source (and most other ferrites).

Recommended (clicky):

www.K0BG.com

The Bible for Mobile Install

I’m in the stage of RF bonding. Supplies still coming in. I’m only home a few days per month.

I’ve ordered the same clamp-on RF Ammeter Allen suggested. An antenna analyzer needs purchase. (Install details and tests of Install components is precedence over actual radio gear).

Plenty to read on. Recommend going over it all before getting too far.

As a thought, a SIRIO 5000 Performer with PL-145 mag mount is a get-by till install done. And useful with every other vehicle. (See threads). It’s a handy A-B reference to the later, permanent install.

Coax I cover with UV-resistant split loom, and flame-resistant split loom for power cables. (I’m using ANCOR 10/2 Duplex in the Dodge. 15’ POS/NEG combined length is 20A draw capable before insertion losses).

Elsewhere, The Big 3, upgrade to vehicle primary electrical system wiring worth the read. Truck really should have new, bigger (and more) DC grounds just as insurance. True HD BATT cables, also.

A low voltage shutoff worth considering.

Etc.

(Get the weak sisters out of the TOTAL system-of-systems needed for Radio)

A radio installation that is the right type for HAM Radio equipment is the goal, IMO.


Remember:

CB is for chumps.

Eleven Meter — ability to work sideband — is The Real Thing.

(You ain’t gotta admit that to Skeeter OR to Cousin Cletus).


.

 

[2NC995]

I’d go with a Texas also. It’ll beat the 10k and be FAR less conspicuous and much easier on the roof. My Texas has been handling a DX1600 without any issue. It’s a talker.

A whip on the toolbox could certainly work, however. I wouldn’t sneeze at that option. It’s a good one.

My experience with Wilson’s are the same as above. Have some on heavy equipment that are 20 years old and still work great. New ones seem janky.

 

[CB590]

I did a 5' FireStik II on the right rear quarter of my 1999 K2500. Little directional. Works decent as I've done skip with it. Remove tail light to bolt bracket thru with lock washers. I used the FireRing mount and it all came as a kit I think. Been a few years. Works fine with my RM203 and Uniden 980. (And 3 prior rigs)

 

[Slowmover]

Don’t be lettin’ one a’these other Texans try and hornswoggle you into buying a StarGun Antenna.

.

 

[red97k1500]

That same job awaiting me back home.

Antenna will be (mainly):

President Texas

May be out of production. See thread. Still available a few places. (Walcott Radio?)

Thread titled, “Roof Puck Mount”, is for my ‘04 Dodge 555.

Breedlove Machine catalog bigger than it looks. I’d go over carefully and list some part numbers I think might work. Call for their advice. An 84” Texas is a pretty good wind load. More so for a Predator. (It’s not the antenna weight. What works at 60-mph may crumple sheetmetal at 77-mph. Etc).

The online MARINCO 3% DC Voltage Drop calculator very handy for total length of POS/NEG cable. How to determine AWG required. That needs to be USCG or SAE 105c rated. Etc.

Another thread here is re Proper Mobile Coax Choke. Palomar Engineers is one source (and most other ferrites).

Recommended (clicky):

www.K0BG.com

The Bible for Mobile Install

I’m in the stage of RF bonding. Supplies still coming in. I’m only home a few days per month.

I’ve ordered the same clamp-on RF Ammeter Allen suggested. An antenna analyzer needs purchase. (Install details and tests of Install components is precedence over actual radio gear).

Plenty to read on. Recommend going over it all before getting too far.

As a thought, a SIRIO 5000 Performer with PL-145 mag mount is a get-by till install done. And useful with every other vehicle. (See threads). It’s a handy A-B reference to the later, permanent install.

Coax I cover with UV-resistant split loom, and flame-resistant split loom for power cables. (I’m using ANCOR 10/2 Duplex in the Dodge. 15’ POS/NEG combined length is 20A draw capable before insertion losses).

Elsewhere, The Big 3, upgrade to vehicle primary electrical system wiring worth the read. Truck really should have new, bigger (and more) DC grounds just as insurance. True HD BATT cables, also.

A low voltage shutoff worth considering.

Etc.

(Get the weak sisters out of the TOTAL system-of-systems needed for Radio)

A radio installation that is the right type for HAM Radio equipment is the goal, IMO.


Remember:

CB is for chumps.

Eleven Meter — ability to work sideband — is The Real Thing.

(You ain’t gotta admit that to Skeeter OR to Cousin Cletus).


.

I already got her big three’d up lol, all the battery and alternator wires have been upgraded.

The pictures don’t do it justice, the wires are much better than stock

 

[Blackcat630]

Breedlove puck cant really go wrong.. I did a comet or diamond? so239 permanent mount on the roof of my truck.. it worked fine but I did put a large washer on the under side of the roof as a red neck backing plate.. you can also use a circular saw blade. Sirio P5k also cant go wrong.. new Wilson's I would stay away from. Cant speak about the president antennas but people seem to be pleased with them.

 

[red97k1500]

View attachment 36814

Don’t be lettin’ one a’these other Texans try and hornswoggle you into buying a StarGun Antenna.

.

I wouldn’t even dream of it! I pretty much have it narrowed down between a Sirio 5000 or one of the president antennas.

 

[groundwire]

I’d go with a Texas also. It’ll beat the 10k

Hahahaha, thats funny.

 

[Slowmover]

DX Engineering a good supplier.
Owner keeps his other enthusiast catalog site as a hobby:
Summit Racing

 

[Blackcat630]

Summit just got 4 bones of my stimulus scratch.. $ going into Camaro not radio..

 

[2NC995]

Hahahaha, thats funny.

You’re certainly welcome to draw your own conclusions. The best thing about a 10k is it’s construction. They’re very well made. But I’m not planning to mount one on my roof anytime soon.