CanesFan95
Analog already is interoperable.
The final finished install:
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Drilling The Holes...Which Direction?
- Thread starter CanesFan95
- Start date
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CanesFan95
Analog already is interoperable.
The DeWalt drill bit worked good after all. It ended up being real smooth with no hopping or wobbling/walking. I am not an experienced installer or whatever, but had no problems at all. So I think the final conclusion here is the hole saw is OK to use, but I wouldn't use it for a roof job. It does tend to punch through in a way that would make it risky in my opinion.
Overall, both antennas are working good and everything turned out great so far. The longer antenna on the left is a Larsen 2-meter/440 dual-bander for the hammy bands, and the short black antenna on the right is a Larsen 150/450/800 scanner antenna. My biggest regret was not doing the two antenna install 3 years ago in the first place. Now I have an ugly hole plug in the middle and may want to try and paint it silver to blend in better.
Overall, both antennas are working good and everything turned out great so far. The longer antenna on the left is a Larsen 2-meter/440 dual-bander for the hammy bands, and the short black antenna on the right is a Larsen 150/450/800 scanner antenna. My biggest regret was not doing the two antenna install 3 years ago in the first place. Now I have an ugly hole plug in the middle and may want to try and paint it silver to blend in better.
tekheavy
Member
Nice neat job.
Looks very good!
As far as the hole in the center goes, I'd just get a small GPS puck and put it there. You can connect it to something or just leave it unconnected. Either way, a small puck would look better than the plug. That looks like the plastic plugs. They tend to leak if not sealed with silicone. We use the rubber plugs at work. Model number K35/25. They are a very tight fit and seal up nicely without silicone.
mmckenna
I ♥ Ø
I agree, I'd have left the NMO mount there and just put on the NMO rain cap.
Those plugs work if sealed. On top of a full size truck, they'll disappear if painted the same color of the truck. Not sure how well that'll work on the trunk.
Those plugs work if sealed. On top of a full size truck, they'll disappear if painted the same color of the truck. Not sure how well that'll work on the trunk.
I agree with the last two posters, the install will look better with something on the center mount. I have a chrome rain cap I found at a hamfest once, it looks just like a regular NMO 1/4 collar but with no hole for the rubber whip support. That would look much better than a rubber plug.
mmckenna
I ♥ Ø
CanesFan95
Analog already is interoperable.
Disappear? How's that??
clbsquared
Member
Because of the height of the top of a full size truck cab, a hole plug painted the same color as the truck is not as noticeable as one on the trunk of a car. How often are you looking down on the cab of a truck?
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KC4RAF
Member
As 'clbsquared' posted and being painted same color, it blends in. Just won't stand out making it more unnoticeable.
And 'Homeboys-Scanna', you did a great job of drilling and mounting those NMOs. Gonna go down a few counties and get you to help me mount a few now! lol
And 'Homeboys-Scanna', you did a great job of drilling and mounting those NMOs. Gonna go down a few counties and get you to help me mount a few now! lol
CanesFan95
Analog already is interoperable.
The plastic hole plug fit very snug and tightly in place. So it's still possible it can leak? Honestly, it doesn't look/feel like it would leak at all.
I have seen several used and never had a leak.
wtp
Member
so...
fill it with another antenna !
fill it with another antenna !
In the long run? Any plastic plug sitting against a sharp sheet metal hole, will vibrate and work and get cut up a bit by the sheet metal. The sheet metal may reach 140F in the heat of the summer, it will expand and contract and cut more into the plug. It will withdraw some in the dead of winter. At 70mph on the highway with another 15mph in winds? That's an 85mph breeze that may be trying to force rain and dampess into the crack that keeps trying to work. And if that water freezes, that's how rain in dsmall cracks breaks down granite and mountains.
So the plugs work and work very well, but they will eventually fail.
I've known people in the used car business, managers, who said very simply if there's a plug in the car, they don't want to touch it. Because the next buyer may want a big discount, or may say nothing and simply buy another car with no holes in the top. Something that's easy enough in a big city.
In your local market, folks may not care. Maybe they're less picky. But in *some* markets? Holes in the metal mean "no sale". And the only way to permanently get rid of the hole, is to epoxy or weld a sheet metal plate under it, then fill it with body repair materials, and repaint the entire panel. Not so hard on a trunk (which can be replaced) but incredibly expensive on some roofs.
NMO mounts? Great idea, if you work vehicle requires the best antenna performance, or if you plan to keep your personal vehicle for ten years, when the resale value won't be such an issue. Short term? Problematic. Could be a great thing to have, if you sell the vehicle to another radio operator!
So the plugs work and work very well, but they will eventually fail.
I've known people in the used car business, managers, who said very simply if there's a plug in the car, they don't want to touch it. Because the next buyer may want a big discount, or may say nothing and simply buy another car with no holes in the top. Something that's easy enough in a big city.
In your local market, folks may not care. Maybe they're less picky. But in *some* markets? Holes in the metal mean "no sale". And the only way to permanently get rid of the hole, is to epoxy or weld a sheet metal plate under it, then fill it with body repair materials, and repaint the entire panel. Not so hard on a trunk (which can be replaced) but incredibly expensive on some roofs.
NMO mounts? Great idea, if you work vehicle requires the best antenna performance, or if you plan to keep your personal vehicle for ten years, when the resale value won't be such an issue. Short term? Problematic. Could be a great thing to have, if you sell the vehicle to another radio operator!
CanesFan95
Analog already is interoperable.
I've thought about exactly what you're saying, and I do plan on keeping the car for a long time, prolly another 10 years, and it's already 4+ years old. Unfortunately, my job has a parking garage, otherwise I would have thought about a roof install. In fact, a pickup truck with a roof install would have been awesome. That would be like the dream setup.
ke6gcv
Member
I agree with buddrousa, it shouldn't leak. If you're still concerned, however, you can run a bead of silicone around the underside of the plug to help seal it.
Julian1
Member
Drill bit(s) used on your project?
Your project looks great. I'm about to drill my first NMO in a 2014 Dodge Charger Trunk Lid.
Please describe the bit (or bits) you used.
I read a lot of info and I could not find those details.
Congrats!
Julian
Your project looks great. I'm about to drill my first NMO in a 2014 Dodge Charger Trunk Lid.
Please describe the bit (or bits) you used.
I read a lot of info and I could not find those details.
Congrats!
Julian
Fastened both mounts not too tight and routed the coax into the car.
Then added wire ties and put the trunk liner carpet back on:
CanesFan95
Analog already is interoperable.
Well, I posted a link above to the exact drill bit that I got.
For a standard NMO 3/4 hole I would use something like this:
http://www.theantennafarm.com/catal...7.html?zenid=bade82805c201ea02962d399db429d1a
There are more expensive ones but this one will do the job.
http://www.theantennafarm.com/catal...7.html?zenid=bade82805c201ea02962d399db429d1a
There are more expensive ones but this one will do the job.
CanesFan95
Analog already is interoperable.
Same debate all over again.
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