Running Coax Through Roof For CB

[SOCALFJ]

Ok, ive searched and read through tons of threads.. but haven't found anything that could help me.

My question is , for all you guys with roof rack antenna mounts.. how did you bring the coax back through into the radio? I want it to look clean as possible.. Did you drill a hole in your roof? Rubber grommet? Silicone sealant?

The rig is a FZJ80

I dont want to bring it through a window.
I dont want to run it down into the hood area.
I dont want to run it back to the hatch and in.
I dont want to smash it in a door.

Last vehicle i had was a roof top Wilson, but of course that used its own hole in the roof. This time im running a L Bracket on the roof rack.

any help would be appreciated

 

[CDN_Cruiser]

If you are willing to drill a hole in the roof, why not just install the antenna using an NMO, or similar, mount? This is often the "best" option (ie solid mount, good ground plane, antenna radiates well from this location)

Alternatively, if you don't mind spending some $, you can buy good quality, low loss very thin coax. In my case, this came with the mount, but the feed line has a "thick" length of coax that terminates with a PL-259 plug and then, close to the antenna mount, a very thin section of coax. I was able to slip this section * between * the sliding parts of my rear DS window (ie the window is locked closed, and the feed line is right in the middle.

The down side (especially for CB) is that you need to buy the best stuff you can find to avoid line loss.

Cheers, Hugh

 

[dfmorse]

SOCALFJ;

Here's what I did for my ham system

http://homepage.mac.com/dfmorse/RigProj/page15.html


...

 

[SOCALFJ]

If you are willing to drill a hole in the roof, why not just install the antenna using an NMO, or similar, mount? This is often the "best" option (ie solid mount, good ground plane, antenna radiates well from this location)

Alternatively, if you don't mind spending some $, you can buy good quality, low loss very thin coax. In my case, this came with the mount, but the feed line has a "thick" length of coax that terminates with a PL-259 plug and then, close to the antenna mount, a very thin section of coax. I was able to slip this section * between * the sliding parts of my rear DS window (ie the window is locked closed, and the feed line is right in the middle.

The down side (especially for CB) is that you need to buy the best stuff you can find to avoid line loss.

Cheers, Hugh

What is a NMO mount? I cant do a roof top mount because im running a full length roof rack.

I'll check into that cable.

 

[SOCALFJ]

SOCALFJ;

Here's what I did for my ham system

http://homepage.mac.com/dfmorse/RigProj/page15.html


...

Interesting... so you unscrew the cap and feed through the coax?

 

[1990 LJ78]

There are a number of ways similar to dfmorse's installation.
They all require that you drill a hole some where.
Mount your antenna on the roof rack then drill a hole through you roof, bolt in a coax splice (this also becomes a ground) seal it. Connect antenna with short lead and connector out side, inside use coax with 2 pl259's connect to radio then to other end of splice in truck roof. Run coax inside to conseal it.. done.. cheap and easy..Just have to have the guts to drill that hole..

Good luck

 

[SOCALFJ]

Im not too scared to drill the hole.

Is there a rubber grommet made for running coax through sheet metal i could use? Ive looked at walcott but havent found anything.

 

[Kofoed]

Im not too scared to drill the hole.

Is there a rubber grommet made for running coax through sheet metal i could use? Ive looked at walcott but havent found anything.

www.mcmaster.com

type in grommet in the search. then go to rubber grommets

 

[SOCALFJ]

I used mcmaster carr all the time... why didn't i think of that? thanks Kofoed.

 

[SOCALFJ]

I am blind.... walcott does sell rubber gromets for coax cable..

http://www.walcottcb.com/firestik-c...our_Store_Name=Firestik_-_CGA_-_Coax_Grommets

 

[Tigerstripe40]

Mag Mount the antenna in the center of the hood.

So you can take it off when you aren't using it or when you get to a tight section of trail.

It won't rip yoursheet metal if you catch it on something.

 

[CDN_Cruiser]

What is a NMO mount? I cant do a roof top mount because im running a full length roof rack.

I'll check into that cable.

NMO is a type of antenna connector (ie the antenna screws into this). Can buy versions that are designed to install in roof without leaking

 

[1990 LJ78]

CDN_Cruiser---I've used those up till I got the Cruiser..
Then I decided to go with the Larsen Glass Mount antenna dosen't attract attention to the Cruiser.
If I decide to install HF in the Cruiser, Then I may drill the hole, but not necessarily in the roof. I'm thinking the Icom AH series of tuner & antenna.
Still have not made up my mind to do it yet..

 

[SOCALFJ]

So along the same lines..... im going to be mounting 4 lights up top on the rack at the same time...... now tell me what would you guys would do? I need to run 1 coax and 4 wire harness's through a hole somewhere AND keep it sealed.

 

[alvarorb]

Socal,

I have a CB radio that is permanently installed in my dash. From it, using a L connector, I run a small 3' cable to the glove box. From there I'm able to easily connect my Wilson 5000 antenna anytime I need it.

It's an easy and convenient setup.

Regards

Alvaro

 

[SOCALFJ]

Socal,

I have a CB radio that is permanently installed in my dash. From it, using a L connector, I run a small 3' cable to the glove box. From there I'm able to easily connect my Wilson 5000 antenna anytime I need it.

It's an easy and convenient setup.

Regards

Alvaro

Alvaro, how did you run the power to your lights on your INTI? Drill 4 holes and use 4 separate grommets?

 

[alvarorb]

Socal,

I made a couple of holes on my snorkel and routed the cable through it.
That way I did not have to drill any holes on my roof.

Regards

Alvaro

 

[Capt. Jim]

I had a roof rack with lights and 2 antennas on my 80 for years. I ran the wires into the rear door along the top edge. There alraedy is a wire and wiper-wash tube in this location. I removed the pylon mounts for the rear deflector and drilled where the mounts rest on the door. Then I ran the wires through the pylons and out through a hole I drilled in the pylons. Real clean and never leaked. Upon removal, I had no holes in my roof.

 

[PKP80]

D, I have a real easy setup, when I get the press tool from you just remind me to show it to you. although I do run it through the hood it works....I'm not one for putting holes in my roof.

 

[Brentbba]

Dave,

Perhaps what Sam has done, but I've run my wiring for the XM/GPS antenna (more like a hockey puck size) up thru the engine bay grommet, around thru the opening by the DS door and then up behind the trim piece that becomes the gutter trim piece. That trim up the pillar just snaps off easily and there's enough room for a mini-USB wire (fairly thick wire) and still have the trip piece snap back on. This route does leave the wire exposed once it gets to the top of the roof, but if you route it along the gutter to your first rack foot and up from there you should be fine.