Digital Antenna

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I would like to have some suggestions on an antenna for my uniden 396xt. I take this thing everywhere with me. What would an ideal setup be to have inside a 2012 Dodge ram 5500? Something easy to convert back and forth with. No holes can be drilled.
Thanks!
*Edit*
Forgot to mention I am scanning some MARC's traffic, and some analog traffic.154.XXX
 
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KC8ESL

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I understand that you say "no holes can be drilled" but that is the absolute BEST ground you can achieve in a mobile setup.

You have several mounting options on a truck. Can you do any metal fabrication/are you good with a soldering iron and crimp tool?

One trick I've seen is buying an NMO connector(under $25 on amazon) (the kind you need to drill for) and fastening 2 pieces of metal - essentially sandwiching them in the truck bed tie-down openings using the NMO connector as the bolt and nut. The ground is less than desirable but it's still a very functional mount system.

Another trick is to buy a backrack and mount antennas to that. Alot of the redneck bretheren with deeper pockets use the dual CB antennas you'll find on semi-trucks mounted to those. But you'll have the same luck with mounting a broadband antenna on it also.

Lip mounts (from personal experience) tend to rust out over time even if they claim they don't and cause havoc on your paint job.

Bottom line is, if you're serious about the hobby and the truck is paid for, drill, drill, drill. I mounted 2 NMO's on my Chevy Blazer in 2006 and they don't leak or rust. Odd part is, the rest of the vehicle is rusting, but not those!

Once you can get the coaxial line in the cab, it's a matter of slapping a BNC or PL-259 with an adaptor on the cable and you're in business.

Also, if you ever go to sell the truck, you can just install this: http://www.theantennafarm.com/catalog/antenna-accessories-481/rain-caps-hole-plugs-1026/ or a similar product.
 
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I fully agree with the whole drilling and getting the best results with grounding issues. This is not a pickup truck. But just a single cab at the moment. There will be a utility bed mounted at a later date. If I was able to go and purchase a radio just dedicated to this truck I prob wouldn't have an issue with doing this. But the radio will be removed all the time, and then placed back in. The truck is used by different people. The factory antenna just isnt picking up well. What about a radio shack window mount? Good or bad?
 

KC8ESL

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In that case I think I would find the cheapest decent mag mount antenna I could get my hands on and run the coax through a rear window slot. Once that's done I would accept the system for what it is and call it a day. Any antenna outside of the vehicle is better than a rubber duckie antenna all day long.

Sounds like you're in a compromise situation. An honest "good luck" goes out to you.
 

tapiot

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Some mobile antennas work better than others. Just looking for recommendations. Either magmount or window mount...
 

KC8ESL

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For clarification, the only reason I suggested the cheapest, fastest method possible is because if the other people don't use it/care what it is, it could easily be broken. You could easily run the wire in under 30 seconds and it will work for you.

Sometimes the optimized system isn't what is needed. Down and dirty trench-style works too. Again, this is for clarification to my previous post.
 
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