External antenna mounts for rackmount system-help needed

[muskrat99]

I recently got into scanning after playing music for the last 25 years or so. Now I have some gear that would lend itself to the scannig hobby. I've got some RS Pro-2096 and some older model scanners that I want to install in some anvil road cases. Mounting the scanners is easy enough with some rack shelves which I have, I have Furman power conditioners for the scanners and a pullout rack drawer for a laptop. My questions are How can I mount the antennas at the rear of the rack using blank rack-panels. It seems I would need some way to extend it by 6 inches or so. Is there a cable I could use to go between the scanner and the antenna mounted at the rear of the rack?

[n8emr]

I have a 4u SKB audo rackmount case and have used it for radio's. What I did was put NMO antenna mounts on the top of case and then just screw in the antenna whip when I used the case. Then all you need is a short coax run down to the radio or to a distribution panel if you have more than one radio.

You can also go the other direction, run a short run of coax to a BNC patch panel like this one http://www.cablesandkits.com/images/...CL5GEN_med.jpg and then use any antenna you like external to the box.

[muskrat99]

where can I get one of those patch panels? That may be the ticket!!!! Basically I'll be using one scanner with a dedicated 800 antenna, another scanner with a stock antenna and a couple of others covering freq specific stuff like aircraft etc....I would guess those jacks are isolated from each other?

[jim202]

Make your own. Buy some coax panel bulkhead adapters of the type coax connector you plan to use.

It would be better if you had a metal top on the rack or box that you plan to mount the radios in. Most
antennas are designed to work with a ground plane under them. A plastic or fiberglass case is not
the ideal mounting surface for this use.

There are a number of sources for both the antenna mounts, antennas and the coax connectors.
The best one for you will depend on where your located. Much of this can be mail ordered.

Jim

Originally Posted by muskrat99

where can I get one of those patch panels? That may be the ticket!!!! Basically I'll be using one scanner with a dedicated 800 antenna, another scanner with a stock antenna and a couple of others covering freq specific stuff like aircraft etc....I would guess those jacks are isolated from each other?

[trooperdude]

Roll your own from surplus is cheaper, but if you have the cash...


1.75" Panel, 16 BNC Adapters Insulated - PR175B16BLK



This 1U feed thru rack panels features 16 insulated 50 Ohm BNC female adaptors with non conductive mounting surfaces for isolation from the rack panel. A typical application for a 50 Ohm BNC is data transmission. Panels are made from 16 gauge cold rolled steel and finished with a durable black powder coat.