Hidden antenna in the rear bumper

[muchomorek]

Just installed this antenna in the rear bumper.

 

[77Impala]

Nice install. How well does it work?

 

[toastycookies]

is the pic sideways or did you really set that up horizontally polarized?

 

[muchomorek]

Nice install. How well does it work?

it works just as good as Laird Phantom Elite Mobile Antenna ETRAB8063 that is mounted on my trunk.

 

[muchomorek]

is the pic sideways or did you really set that up horizontally polarized?

Hi Cookie, the picture is sideways, antenna is installed vertical in the rear bumper.

 

[toastycookies]

Hi Cookie, the picture is sideways, antenna is installed vertical in the rear bumper.

ah. pic plays tricks with my eyes.

neat idea for stealth.

 

[Voyager]

Will be interesting to hear how well it works when the paint wears off and you get metal-to-metal contact (and the resulting shorts and static).

Or is that bumper plastic?

 

[muchomorek]

Yeah , it's all plastic down there, the car was made in late 2000's

 

[N5TWB]

Stealth install without any performance compromise - cool!!

 

[mikesatter]

I would put something in there to keep it from rubbing the metal but nice otherwise.

 

[cmdrwill]

it works just as good as Laird Phantom Elite Mobile Antenna ETRAB8063 that is mounted on my trunk.

Does not speak well for the Phantom antenna.

 

[mmckenna]

Just installed this antenna in the rear bumper.

Seal up the underside of the NMO and where the coaxial cable connects with some suitable sealant. Those style NMO mounts are intended to be installed through the roof where the underside is protected from the weather. Under the bumper you're going to expose it to water, road salts, mud, etc. The exposed coaxial cable will quickly corrode. Water will travel up the inside of the coax and destroy it pretty quick.

Periodic maintenance will be important. Take the antenna off every few months (more often in the winter) and clean the mount really well. Any signs of corrosion and replace it.

 

[k6cpo]

My question is "Why did you install it this way?"

 

[mmckenna]

My question is "Why did you install it this way?"

The hobbyist quest for "infinite gain/every frequency/invisible antenna"
or
Wife wouldn't let him drill a hole in the car.

 

[ElroyJetson]

For RX only applications, I just stuck a mag mount antenna on the back side of the factory subwoofer in the trunk of my car. I wouldn't recommend this for transmitting, but for monitoring the county's trunked system it works absolutely fine and required no effort to install.

The radio itself is totally hidden behind the carpet liners in the trunk as well. Control head is up front installed in the dashboard in place of the cigarette lighter and ashtray assembly.

 

[ab5r]

mmckenna, you HAVE the answer, for sure!

 

[k6cpo]

The hobbyist quest for "infinite gain/every frequency/invisible antenna"
or
Wife wouldn't let him drill a hole in the car.

I recently had to deal with the latter and I went with a hood edge mount.

 

[AI7PM]

What is it with wives making technical decisions? Compromise. No hole for my antenna? Oh,..OK....no money for your new wardrobe.

 

[Voyager]

I've been using a very similar 'stealth' antenna under the car (UHF) for years. They work surprisingly well. I mounted it there to see how well it would work based on how some agencies mount them. Mine is actually on the underside of the trunk compartment, so the cable is protected from weather the same as a roof mount, and the wire was much easier to run.

 

[nosoup4u]

Great idea! I just got a new car and have been weighing my antenna options. I will have to look under it later and see if I can pull that off.