For those using or having used a magnet mount antenna in the center of the roof. How did you route your cables ? Going to pick up the antenna for my CB later and have been searching on here for some ideas.
mag mount cable routing 80 series
- Thread starter half k cruiser
- Start date
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- Thread starter
- #3
There is :
I had thought of doing an NMO style but am concerned about bending the sheet metal if the antenna gets whacked on something. The Wilson 1000 permanent mount looks cheap and i'm not convinced it would keep moisture out. Therefore my option is the mag mount. I do like the look of the hatch mounts but I don't like the idea of running a GB antenna from one end of the vehicle. Also I just got back from picking up the mag mount.
I think most folks run them at the back sliding windows or drill a hole somewhere.
One of the things about the rear mounted hatch bracket is you can run notch the metal that the grommet/seal runs on at the back hatch, and then run the coax under the grommet seal and to the mount, which is why I asked the question.
I used a quick disconnect antenna mount so I can leave the antenna in the truck and get it in and out of the garage without damaging it, you can also get antenna springs which mount between the antenna and base.
One of the things about the rear mounted hatch bracket is you can run notch the metal that the grommet/seal runs on at the back hatch, and then run the coax under the grommet seal and to the mount, which is why I asked the question.
I used a quick disconnect antenna mount so I can leave the antenna in the truck and get it in and out of the garage without damaging it, you can also get antenna springs which mount between the antenna and base.
There is :
I had thought of doing an NMO style but am concerned about bending the sheet metal if the antenna gets whacked on something. The Wilson 1000 permanent mount looks cheap and i'm not convinced it would keep moisture out. Therefore my option is the mag mount. I do like the look of the hatch mounts but I don't like the idea of running a GB antenna from one end of the vehicle. Also I just got back from picking up the mag mount.
I have been running a Wilson NMO 5/8th wave 2 meter antenna for years mounted right in the middle of the roof of my 80. After drilling the hole I have never looked back you'd be surprised how durable the roof actually is! I live and wheel without regard to tree limbs sliding along the roof corners and top, and have yet to develop any leaks or much more than a ever so slight bend in the roof(small enough I doubt you'd notice). Now the antenna has been straightened a couple of times, but thats after many miles of 'old trail' scouting.
Matt
For my temporary mag mount set up I loop the coax around the roof rack and then drop through the left rear door, hang the excess off the driver headrest and run to the center console. Quick to move and deply, not stepped on or tripped on and the back door sees fewer coax crushing cycles than the driver door.
This has been a decent set up as I run it in the center when the roof is bare and easily move it to in front of the sunroof when the RTT is up there.
I will be front fender mounting on a Gamiviti mount for a permanent install very soon. I think there is more ground plane to use that way vs rear hatch (for VHF/UHF at least).
All CB mounts should be temporary so it's faster to rip out and replace with HAM gear
This has been a decent set up as I run it in the center when the roof is bare and easily move it to in front of the sunroof when the RTT is up there.
I will be front fender mounting on a Gamiviti mount for a permanent install very soon. I think there is more ground plane to use that way vs rear hatch (for VHF/UHF at least).
All CB mounts should be temporary so it's faster to rip out and replace with HAM gear
- Thread starter
- #7
All right, so I couldn't stand the thought of running a wire down the side of my rig, and I don't really like the look of the mag mount up there. Just called and set up an appointment to get an NMO mount put in the center of the roof. For $60 it will be worth it to just have someone else do the install. I think this is going to make for a much cleaner and versatile option in the long run.
Definitely the best way to go.