Best way to mount an antenna on my truck...

[mfred]

Here's the scoop... My through the glass Radio Shack scanner antenna isn’t cutting it. I want to purchase an Antenex ABSCANC scanner antenna because of the high praise it has received. My problem is mounting it. I don’t want to drill any holes in my roof and I don’t want a magnet mount. Any suggestions using some sort of bracket? I have a 2003 Dodge Ram Quad Cab. Can someone describe or explain what I can do? Any pictures? What part numbers, etc? I have also though about putting an Antenex dixie cup on my roof as well. Although its not multi-band, it may be better than what I have. I assume this needs a hole though?

Thanks...

 

[Dubbin]

I think a mirror mount or bumper mount is about the only choices you have. You could also fabricate something to go on the bed rail behind the cab.

 

[mfred]

I like the idea of mounting the antenna to the bed rail, right behind the cab. Are there any stock brackets for this.

 

[Dubbin]

I like the idea of mounting the antenna to the bed rail, right behind the cab. Are there any stock brackets for this.

I would think thats something you would have to make. It cant be that hard to do.

 

[loumaag]

There are mounts made to be ... well mounted ... in the stake holes on the pickup bed. Most are for 3/8" mounts but there are some for other types. I remember seeing one that just used the hole as support and had a flat bracket extending from it so that you could mount any type of adapter in the hole on the bracket.

 

[Al42]

Here's the scoop... My through the glass Radio Shack scanner antenna isn’t cutting it. I want to purchase an Antenex ABSCANC scanner antenna because of the high praise it has received. My problem is mounting it. I don’t want to drill any holes in my roof and I don’t want a magnet mount. Any suggestions using some sort of bracket? I have a 2003 Dodge Ram Quad Cab. Can someone describe or explain what I can do?

Anything mounted much below the roof line won't work - the cab is a shield and it'll detune the antenna if they're close. You could mount the antenna to the top (when closed) of the tailgate, but you have the same "drill a hole in the new truck" problem, and the cab will shadow the signals from the front.

Try an angle bracket, at least twice as wide as the hole the mount needs, mounted so that the vertical part is screwed into the wall of the cab with a couple of sheet metal screws and the horizontal part is level with the roof. Be sure to waterproof the holes well and use SS or aluminum hardware all around. (You'll also need a grommeted hole for the cable to enter the cab through.)

 

[n4voxgill]

I have a Ford Expedition. When I bought it I decided to use two trunk lip mounts on the hood instead of permanent mounting.

I am very satisfied with these mounts. Diamond makes a mount with two angle adjustments so that you can get the antenna verticle.

I have no engine noise on my dual band ham radio, nor on the scanner.

The main reason I went for these mounts was the expedition is so tall could not reach the antenna to take it off to go through the car wash if there were on the top. This hood mount makes it very easy to remove the antenna and the mounts are so sturdy that car wash has never effected the alignment.

Great NMO mounts.

 

[cdenton]

Trunk Lip Mount

Try TMB8 (Black) or TM8 (Chrome) from Antenex. Don't forget the rain cap if you go through carwashes.
Waltel has the antenna you mentioned, the mount, and the rain cap. It's cheaper than ordering from Antenex directly, near as I could tell.
I just ordered all three yesterday, and they gave me a 20% "welcome discount" because it was my first order!
Note that Waltel calls them ATXTMB8 and ATXTM8

 

[n4voxgill]

rain cap, real men use condoms

 

[bsavery]

rain cap, real men use condoms

Ha! Real men wait for the rain to wash the mud off the truck!

That or wait for the gals at Hooters to hold a car wash!

:lol:

Bob

 

[cdenton]

Rain Cap

No condom made can cover my 18" whip!

 

[imcleish]

To lip mount to the front fender of a dodge, I have a stainless steel plate which was fabricated by a local radio shop, this secures to the fender with 3 screws. the bracket in use is cut for a larsen antenna, but the design is quite simple.

it is basically 2 inch wide by 1/8 inch thick stainless with 2 bends to follow the contours of the fender (first bend drops towards the ground, and second makes the plane level again).

This bracket has been in use for 3 1/2 years, no twisting, no paint rubbing, and if I needed another one for a dodge I would either use this one and possibly re-bend it, or go buy another.

No digital camera, so unfortunately no image.

 

[LarrySC]

Both Antenex and MAXRAD make a Chrome and Black flat fender bracket for the Dodge truck. When mounted the coax runs thru the crack where the
door, cowl, and fender come together. Run coax thru panel under door
henge and to moulding under edge of dash. If you sell truck the mounting holes will never be seen. Antenex part # for chrome bracked is SBT3400

 

[garys]

I had a similar problem and built a mount that went into one of the stake holes. It's pretty simple to do, actually. Reception is very good on all bands. If you'd like to see some pictures, you can go here,

http://www.strongsignals.net/access/feature/article_001.html

Gary