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Mobile Antenna ideas needed !

FlyBoy50

FlyBoy50

Radio 75
Feb 22, 2019
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Well the time has come that I had to part ways with my old 2004 Ford Expedition ( Sob ) because it's getting to expensive to keep it on the road. I just purchased a 2023 Ford F 150 but the problem is the Aluminum body doesn't go well with all my Magnetic mount antennas. I have some ideas cooking as a work around but with all the experience in here I think it is time to open up my eyes and ears again to a treasure trove of experience. All my ideas involve a lot of money to be spent. The trouble with these new trucks is they don't have good side mirrors to work with but I don't have much experience there also.
HELP Please. LOL
 

The best way is to not be afraid and drill a hole and use a clean installation looking NMO mount with CB stud adapter. These are fine for fiberglass whips or loaded coil antennas like the Wilson 2000. If you sell the truck, there are NMO caps so not to leave an exposed hole.

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If you are using a big metal coil antenna you could look at stake hole mounts but I understand many newer trucks don't have stake holes anymore.

Look at Breedlove mounts for many different mounting options. These are some of the best stainless steel mounts available. While not cheap, these are high quality and made to last.

breedlovemounts.com

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We provide mounts for mobile ham radio operators.
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Note: Mag mounts should only be used for temporary setups. They don't ground with the vehicle well, high power setups tend to scar the paint underneath the magnet, and in an accident, the mag mount becomes a projectile which could cause extra damage or injury and it won't be covered by insurance.



Pics of NMO mount with an OPEK CB stud adapter

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Thanks for the ideas so far & looks like I'll have to do some thinking on this project. Sometimes I can be a Old Hard Head about Antenna in the center of the roof and need a kick in the pants. First thing I'm going to a truck cap place to see what is available that I can add a ladder rack to the front and back of the cap to haul a little long lumber on occasion.Then I could fabricate a bracket for a tilt type antenna mount in the front of the cap which would then put my antenna on center of the roof line. The night is young but you know what they say about the best laid plans of mice & men ! LOL

Thanks to all
 
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I vote for punching the hole. I've punched 2 vehicles I've owned now, one I owned before and my now daily driver. I bought a greenlee 3/4 knockout punch and that made it a breeze.

The previous one was a an suv so I punched it in the very center just a tad towards the rear of the truck. The one now is a sedan and I went with the trunk lid option. I wasn't completely sold on the trunk lid optiin but the antenna works really well there too.

I use the Laird nmo-27 antenna and although it isn't a big power handling antenna it works nicely with my barefoot ssb rigs.
 
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