Those do get very expensive, and one of the issues with these older Canyon/Colorado trucks is that the 3rd brake light sealing would fail after some amount of time. I had to reseal the one on our work truck when we noticed water getting in.
The other drawback to those mounts is that the put the antenna at the far edge of the ground plane, which will toss your signal mostly in one direction.
Certainly an option if drilling is not something you are willing to do, but it does come with tradeoffs.
I fixed the stock 3rd brake light by putting a LED version with proper OED. It was very easy to install.
I cannot find the radio tech anymore. I don't know if his telephone number changed. He is the only one in this area I would trust to do a proper installation.
I called another professional two-way business and learned they could install the NMO. However, when he mentioned the hourly rate of what was described as a 2–3-hour job, I was shocked.
I also talked to an old-timer trucker the other day. I only use the CB on the road. The trucker told me he used to have two co-phased antennas but now has one mounted on the left side so that he can improve performance for Bear Reports.
He told me to install a top bed rail & route the coax underneath the pickup.
He suggested I remove two screws on the back, pull out the bottom liner, and see if I can pass the cable through the gromets on the back of the cab or go through the firewall.
So, let's say that the PL-259 wiggled off. Would I need to pull all of the coax to have the end of the coax fixed with a new PL-259? Do some radio shops solder in the vehicle.
So, I am thinking of other options.
Thanks for all of the help.
