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Drilling for NMO on 2016 F150 with panoramic moonroof
- Thread starter kermit1
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mmckenna
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You don't really have a lot of options.
The glass roof doesn't provide a ground plane, so efficiency of any antenna you mount up there is going to be an issue.
About your only rooftop option for a permanent mount is to go just about the 3rd brake light, or maybe up front.
The amount of ground plane is going to be limited, so higher frequencies will have less issues. If you are planning on VHF, VHF Low, or CB, you'll have a less than ideal ground plane.
The glass roof doesn't provide a ground plane, so efficiency of any antenna you mount up there is going to be an issue.
About your only rooftop option for a permanent mount is to go just about the 3rd brake light, or maybe up front.
The amount of ground plane is going to be limited, so higher frequencies will have less issues. If you are planning on VHF, VHF Low, or CB, you'll have a less than ideal ground plane.
kermit1
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It's for a dual band amateur radio. I know it's limited space, which is why I've held off so long on doing it. Currently I have the antenna on a fender mount, but I get a lot of blocking of signal when I go different directions. I wanted to get the antenna up higher so the truck isn't the restriction.
mmckenna
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If I was in that situation, I'd mount it above the 3rd brake light. Not going to be a perfect ground plane, but it's the best you have.
mmckenna
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Drill the roof, make the most of what ground plane you have.
The third brake light mounts are an expensive option, and they put the antenna all the way back at the edge of the cab, which makes what little ground plane you have even worse.
I would also suggest reviewing your antenna choice. Since your ground plane is compromised, look for an antenna that isn't so ground plane dependent, such as a half wave whip, or something like the NMO2/70B. They do tend to be pretty long for on top of a truck.
I'd be looking at 1/2 or 5/8 wave antennas too. My wife had a Ford Edge with a panoramic glass roofs. There was very little room for an antenna. Also, I'd heard rumor of how susceptible they are to cracking. I didn't want to tempt fate so I went with an antenna that was less ground plane dependent.
No where near perfect but it is usable:
mmckenna
I ♥ Ø
The OP says they have a fender mount right now, and getting some shadowing from the cab.
Yeah, those mounts will work, but the lopsided ground plane and having it below the cab is less than ideal. Moving the antenna to the cab roof will help performance quite a bit.
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