Antenna Bracket - Larson / 2024 GMC Canyon

mmckenna

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No, never installed one.

Before you do, here's a few things to think about;

They do not provide a suitable ground plane. That won't stop the antenna from working, but it'll work better with a proper ground plane under the antenna. While these can make installation easy, they are a compromise mounting solution.

While they have multiple holes in them, you don't want to install several antennas side by side on these, even though the manufacturer mentions doing exactly that. Ideally, this would have one hole right in the center. Spacing multiple antennas that close together would be an RF nightmare if any transmitting was done. Even if receive/scanner only, close antennas can detune the antenna and throw off the radiation pattern.

The 1/2" hole size is an odd choice. Industry standard NMO mounts use 3/4" holes. You can purchase mounts that will do 3/8" holes. So if you use an NMO mount (and you should), you'll either have to drill one hole out, or play with some sloppiness in the mount.

You need to consider coax routing. How are you going to get the coax inside the vehicle? This bracket doesn't solve that issue.

You need to pay very close attention to waterproofing. Some of these style mounts are known to leak and you'll get a puddle in the back of your cab.

If you do go with an NMO mount, you need to make sure you get the type that has the enclosed underside. Standard NMO mounts will leave the bare conductor exposed.


I always recommend drilling the hole as that will solve the ground plane and waterproofing issues. If that is 100% out of the question, then go with a fender bracket. That'll be less expensive and probably save you some long term issues.
 

vannossc

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Schenectady NY
Thank you! Sage advice as always. This indeed looked too good to be true. And at $200+ as well!

I am getting a cap for the truck and may look into a mounting scheme there. Fiberglass so no built-in ground plane. It's a situation where I'll likely need to take the antenna off as I load things on top.

Will research fender brackets for this year and model.
 

mmckenna

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Joined
Jul 27, 2005
Messages
26,355
Location
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Thank you! Sage advice as always. This indeed looked too good to be true. And at $200+ as well!

I am getting a cap for the truck and may look into a mounting scheme there. Fiberglass so no built-in ground plane. It's a situation where I'll likely need to take the antenna off as I load things on top.

Will research fender brackets for this year and model.

You can fabricate a ground plane under the cap. Metal foil tape will work. Metal screen, etc. Basically sandwich the material between the inside of the cap and the antenna mount.

Fender brackets are an option. Just keep in mind a few things;
1. They place the antenna off to the side of the ground plane, which will impact performance, even if you use a 'no ground plane antenna".
2. You need to protect the underside of the NMO mount. They are designed for mounting through the roof so the coax is in side the cab. Fender brackets expose the underside to the elements.
3. Placing them below the cab level will impact performance.

Drilling the hole and doing a permanent NMO mount addresses all these issues, but I know it's not something that everyone wants to do.
 
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