Re-using antenna holes

[Ron C]

You can just see the two antennas on the roof of our Tahoe in this picture:

The truck had two plugged holes when we got it. Since they were cheap plastic plugs, I removed them and installed some stubby antennas. The one above the B-pillar is white, and the other one you can see if you follow the C-pillar up to the roof. It's black.

Yes, people do slow down when we pull onto the freeway.

the slowing down might be because of the markings? I plan on using a CB antenna in the rear, the other hole is plugged, but I am putting a "shark antenna on it. Probably with a GPS sensor in it or so, that way it finds GPS satelites easier.

I did notice driving mine that people are less likely to 'cut' in front of you or try to force themselves into your lane... maybe it is hard for them looking up to make eye contact or something like that *lol*

 

[Ron C]

View attachment 188239
My K40 CB antenna. Laird GMRS antenna in the roof center and MFJ dual band on the fender.

View attachment 188240 View attachment 188241 View attachment 188242

Nice, I have seen that K40 antenna, I am looking at one like that. Looks like you'rs is a magnetic one? I want to use the hole in the roof and mount it there.
For the other hole, I probably use a shark antenna and put a GPS antenna in it, for use with the audio/navigation radio I plan on.

I used to have a CB antenna mounted between the hood/fender on a grand cherokee years back

 

[iLikeEggs]

the slowing down might be because of the markings? I plan on using a CB antenna in the rear, the other hole is plugged, but I am putting a "shark antenna on it. Probably with a GPS sensor in it or so, that way it finds GPS satelites easier.

I did notice driving mine that people are less likely to 'cut' in front of you or try to force themselves into your lane... maybe it is hard for them looking up to make eye contact or something like that *lol*

I did the same thing with the shark antenna. Aside from the antennas, I still had a big hole that they plugged with a ton of silicone. It was for the cabling on the light bar. I ordered a stick on fake shark antenna on ebay. $3 bucks, shipped. Lol.

 

[iLikeEggs]

Nice, I have seen that K40 antenna, I am looking at one like that. Looks like you'rs is a magnetic one? I want to use the hole in the roof and mount it there.
For the other hole, I probably use a shark antenna and put a GPS antenna in it, for use with the audio/navigation radio I plan on.

I used to have a CB antenna mounted between the hood/fender on a grand cherokee years back

Yes, it's magnetic. I wouldn't mount the CB antenna to the roof though. Because of the length, if it hits something it can bend the roof metal and then you have another problem. If you want to cover the existing NMO mounts, you can get rain proof caps for them. They screw onto the NMO threads and make a tight seal. Cheap on ebay or at any ham or CB shop.

 

[Ron C]

I did the same thing with the shark antenna. Aside from the antennas, I still had a big hole that they plugged with a ton of silicone. It was for the cabling on the light bar. I ordered a stick on fake shark antenna on ebay. $3 bucks, shipped. Lol.

I guess I got lucky, there are only two holes. One I'll be using for CB, the other for a GPS antenna, might as well and that way have the ugly plugs gone (and less prone to leaking probably.

I do have all the holes for the luggage rack plugged, I think I can probably get rid of those plugs by putting a luggage rack back on.

 

[Ron C]

Yes, it's magnetic. I wouldn't mount the CB antenna to the roof though. Because of the length, if it hits something it can bend the roof metal and then you have another problem. If you want to cover the existing NMO mounts, you can get rain proof caps for them. They screw onto the NMO threads and make a tight seal. Cheap on ebay or at any ham or CB shop.

On that site I mentioned, further up, it says you can get a spring for avoiding exactly that problem. I would be a cleaner install though, run the coax and all that out of sight.

 

[CrashTestDummy]

the slowing down might be because of the markings? I plan on using a CB antenna in the rear, the other hole is plugged, but I am putting a "shark antenna on it. Probably with a GPS sensor in it or so, that way it finds GPS satelites easier.

I did notice driving mine that people are less likely to 'cut' in front of you or try to force themselves into your lane... maybe it is hard for them looking up to make eye contact or something like that *lol*

The markings are painters tape we used when auto crossing the truck at a local event. Otherwise the truck is all white. No idea WTF the picture is upside down on this forum. It’s okay on othe4 lists.

 

[Ron C]

The markings are painters tape we used when auto crossing the truck at a local event. Otherwise the truck is all white. No idea WTF the picture is upside down on this forum. It’s okay on othe4 lists.

I don't see it upside down, on my computer it seems right.

I read up about that K40 antenna, I think I like it, but I probably want it mounted to the roof, to cover the existing hole. (would that be the same antenna, but with a different base that 'screws' into the roof?

 

[iLikeEggs]

On that site I mentioned, further up, it says you can get a spring for avoiding exactly that problem. I would be a cleaner install though, run the coax and all that out of sight.

If you decide to go that route, there are plenty of options with the mount. You can use a straight NMO mount and get a PL-259 adapter. Then just add your spring and antenna. To get the proper wave length antenna on the roof though it's going to be pretty long. The spring may be only so effective due to the total weight of the antenna set up. Unfortunately, these Tahoe bumpers aren't really set up to easily take an antenna mount. A 4' 1/4 wave firestick on the front fender or a 102" trailer hitch mounted antenna would be a better option. The roof isn't well suited for anything beyond HF or VHF antennas. But go crazy.

 

[Ron C]

If you decide to go that route, there are plenty of options with the mount. You can use a straight NMO mount and get a PL-259 adapter. Then just add your spring and antenna. To get the proper wave length antenna on the roof though it's going to be pretty long. The spring may be only so effective due to the total weight of the antenna set up. Unfortunately, these Tahoe bumpers aren't really set up to easily take an antenna mount. A 4' 1/4 wave firestick on the front fender or a 102" trailer hitch mounted antenna would be a better option. The roof isn't well suited for anything beyond HF or VHF antennas. But go crazy.

Yeah I get your point, On my CJ5 the whip is mounted on the back, and works well. A Grand Cherokee I used to have, I had one mounted on a bracket that went between the hood and fender.... BUT I have a hole to fill on the Tahoe *lol* so instead of adding additional holes, I might as well put an NMO mount there with a CB antenna. Maybe when I get a license I replace that antenna with something else and put the CB antenna elsewhere (if I still want it). I saw that K40 even makes 24" CB antennas (probably far from optimal) but could get an additional 48" one .. for when "out there".

 

[iLikeEggs]

Yeah I get your point, On my CJ5 the whip is mounted on the back, and works well. A Grand Cherokee I used to have, I had one mounted on a bracket that went between the hood and fender.... BUT I have a hole to fill on the Tahoe *lol* so instead of adding additional holes, I might as well put an NMO mount there with a CB antenna. Maybe when I get a license I replace that antenna with something else and put the CB antenna elsewhere (if I still want it). I saw that K40 even makes 24" CB antennas (probably far from optimal) but could get an additional 48" one .. for when "out there".

If you just want to cover the hole, put an NMO mount in it and put a rain cap on it. Its very clean looking and water tight. All I'm saying is that sheet metal has its limits. I get it that the top of the roof is the best place for antennas though.

 

[Ron C]

If you just want to cover the hole, put an NMO mount in it and put a rain cap on it. Its very clean looking and water tight. All I'm saying is that sheet metal has its limits. I get it that the top of the roof is the best place for antennas though.

Yeah I have been looking around a bit to see what's out there. A few years ago I had a Jeep GC, that I mostly used for road trips etc, had a CB in it, They come in handy when on a trip with others, and on long trips can be entertaining. I saw there are even some 24" CB antennas, poor performance probably

 

[nofaz]

View attachment 188239
My K40 CB antenna. Laird GMRS antenna in the roof center and MFJ dual band on the fender.

View attachment 188240 View attachment 188241 View attachment 188242

Nice! Any trouble with the long K40 whip driving around town?

 

[nofaz]

Here's the roof of my Yukon with the 3 low profile antenna installed. These allow me to go into the garage without making a racket and messing up the antennas.

The front one is a 430-450, the middle for 222 and the back is tunable from 140-160.

There a little pricey but work pretty well.

 

[iLikeEggs]

Nice! Any trouble with the long K40 whip driving around town?

No problems so far. It's a pretty flexible steel whip, about 48". The magnetic base is plenty adequate. I've hit some low hang branches and it was solid.

 

[CrashTestDummy]

View attachment 188270
Here's the roof of my Yukon with the 3 low profile antenna installed. These allow me to go into the garage without making a racket and messing up the antennas.

The front one is a 430-450, the middle for 222 and the back is tunable from 140-160.

There a little pricey but work pretty well.

That’s pretty much our setup, but one less on the Tahoe. The Caprice, though, we call ‘the porcupine ‘.

 

[nofaz]

Here's a link to the CB antenna we used on lots of gov and private installs. Its about 4 foot long and performs quite well. You will want some one to check the final installation with a watt meter or swr bridge to make sure the whip length is correct! Not doing so might make for poor performance.

https://www.theantennafarm.com/cata...4.html?zenid=b4d9a2aae18b4772b0e7d5310fe8edbb

 

[Ron C]

Here's a link to the CB antenna we used on lots of gov and private installs. Its about 4 foot long and performs quite well. You will want some one to check the final installation with a watt meter or swr bridge to make sure the whip length is correct! Not doing so might make for poor performance.

https://www.theantennafarm.com/cata...4.html?zenid=b4d9a2aae18b4772b0e7d5310fe8edbb

Thanks for the link! I was actually talking to these guys last Thu and they recommended this one: https://www.theantennafarm.com/catalog/pctel-maxrad-mlb2700-706.html

They seemed helpful, I ordered coax, mount and antenna from them. And yes, I'd have to find someone to calibrate the antenna/setup to see if it all works optimal. For now I ordered a CB that can use the side bands.

 

[nofaz]

Cool! SSB is how I got interested in ham radio. Wish I lived closer, I'd tune that antenna for you!

 

[iLikeEggs]

Here's a link to the CB antenna we used on lots of gov and private installs. Its about 4 foot long and performs quite well. You will want some one to check the final installation with a watt meter or swr bridge to make sure the whip length is correct! Not doing so might make for poor performance.

https://www.theantennafarm.com/cata...4.html?zenid=b4d9a2aae18b4772b0e7d5310fe8edbb

I have a Laird GMRS NMO on top. It performs quite well.
I like that Laird CB 27. 49" whip in your link. Did you put that on top or elsewhere?