k6cpo
Member
I agreed with her request because it's likely we will be selling the vehicle within a year. Besides, it makes for a better relationship if decisions such as that are discussed and a mutually agreeable solution reached.
Hidden antenna in the rear bumper
- Thread starter muchomorek
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I agreed with her request because it's likely we will be selling the vehicle within a year. Besides, it makes for a better relationship if decisions such as that are discussed and a mutually agreeable solution reached.
mmckenna
I ♥ Ø
My wife is 5' 1", so she can't see whats on the roof. All she knows is that her radio works well, and she appreciates that.
I wonder how well the antenna in the bumper will work if one is on muddy roads and going through snow. Mud and snow tend to accumulate around wheel wells and bumpers up here in Canada. I think that would be the last place I would put it while living in the cold north with winter now approaching.
clanusb
Member
What is considered suitable sealant? I have the same type of NMO mounts that will be going on a headache rack. Thank you.
mmckenna
I ♥ Ø
That's a good question. Every time I learn something new about the various sealants, I find that it can be difficult to chose the correct one.
I'd say and outdoor rated silicone, but you need to find one that won't hurt the copper, dielectric, coax outer jacket or any of the parts on the NMO mount.
There are products made specifically for this, self amalgamating tapes, "Scotch-Kote" and similar things.
My concern would be that it's going to get wet under there. Rain water kicked up by the tires is going to be spraying up under that part of the car. The water alone can wick up inside the coax if it's not fully sealed, and it'll corrode it pretty quick. The road salts, oil and whatever crud is on there will probably make it worse.
N5TWB
Member
The first sealant to eliminate is anything that contains acetic acid (vinegar) as the curing agent. This eliminates most clear silicones. Check with automotive electric specialty places for good alternatives.
horizonscanner
Member
Why are you hiding those antennas?
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K5MPH
Member
I will second this also dont get an sealant that contains Vinegar it wont last long and it will start to dry up very quick and start to crack.....
As I stated, mine was just as a test... would an antenna on the bottom of the vehicle work at all? Would it work as well as one mounted on top?
In general, hiding antennas is a good way to avoid advertising there is a radio in the vehicle (theft deterrent). This, combined with a mic-control radio hidden under the seat, makes for a very target-sparse installation.
It can also avoid the syndrome one of my trucks has. I call it the "porcutruck".
Of course, this really only works with UHF and up unless you have a nice cavity like the OP that may support a small VHF antenna.
k6cpo
Member
The average thief isn't looking for radio gear, whether ham or otherwise. They're looking for GPS units, phones, and other more salable electronics. When a couple of crooks got into my truck they took my amateur radio, but it was obvious they had no idea what they had. They ripped out the body of the radio but left the control faceplate behind (which was mounted on the top of the dash in plain sight...)
N5TWB
Member
A short chemistry lesson meant in the kindest way possible:
What is Acetic Acid? (with pictures)
FTA: "Acetic acid is a weak acid which is probably most famous for being the primary acid in vinegar."
Thanks for proving my point against your first statement.
Popular or not, thieves will take anything they can (maybe) get a buck from.
It makes me wonder if your vehicle would have been broken into had there been no signs of anything remotely valuable.
Project25_MASTR
Millennial Graying OBT Guy
Anything they can quickly get to usually. Most of the time they'll go after CBs, OEM radios, and anything laying around. My old dd got slim jimmed several years ago in the driveway (I didn't lock it with the fob hat night so no alarm). They took a 50 cal ammo can full of loaded AR magazines, left the Motorola PM400 on the dash, the Icom F221 on the side of the center console and a Cobra 25 LTD just laying on the floor. Tossed the vehicle looking for the rifle (wasn't in it).Thanks for proving my point against your first statement.
Popular or not, thieves will take anything they can (maybe) get a buck from.
It makes me wonder if your vehicle would have been broken into had there been no signs of anything remotely valuable.
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I guess making them waste their time looking for a valuable target they think is there, but isn't there is another useful tactic.
They likely have a set time to get stuff then bail lest they get caught. Was the ammo can in plain sight? That is an attractant to them.
They likely have a set time to get stuff then bail lest they get caught. Was the ammo can in plain sight? That is an attractant to them.
Project25_MASTR
Millennial Graying OBT Guy
It was in the back next to the life gate and that vehicle had 70% tint so I was just as visible as the radios, just in a corner at the back. Current truck has 50% and a cover (I have my days of liking it and not liking it) so it's a little more secure when I leave stuff in it.I guess making them waste their time looking for a valuable target they think is there, but isn't there is another useful tactic.
They likely have a set time to get stuff then bail lest they get caught. Was the ammo can in plain sight? That is an attractant to them.
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k6cpo
Member
Thanks for proving my point against your first statement.
Popular or not, thieves will take anything they can (maybe) get a buck from.
It makes me wonder if your vehicle would have been broken into had there been no signs of anything remotely valuable.
Possibly. I now put everything out of sight when i park the car at night and if I'm away from home, I'll take it all into the hotel with me.
According to the DA's office, someone was arrested and prosecuted for the theft and they were going to ask for restitution if the individual was convicted. I filled out a bunch of paperwork for the restitution, but never heard another word from them. I've pretty much given up hope of ever seeing anything back from the theft.
A very novel, clever idea! .... My concern would be how mechanically stable it is, mounted with exposure to water, road chemicals, vibrations and such. What is the SWR like? I would imagine it has quite a unique radiation pattern.
Years ago I had a bit of experience with some stealth antenna designs used by a '3-letter' government agency. The most effective ones where actually disguised to look like AM radio antennas. They came in various styles, even pre-distressed- beat up looking things, new out of the box (I think Larsen made them for Motorola.) One of the best and most invisible designs was a thin guage wire dipole-like antenna, on clear Mylar tape, placed in the rear windows of sedans. The SWR was essential 1:1 on a 160 Mhz band. Hooked up to 100 Watt Motorolas, it made me feel like I sitting inside a big microwave oven.
............................CF
.... My concern would be how mechanically stable it is, mounted with exposure to water, road chemicals, vibrations and such. What is the SWR like? I would imagine it has quite a unique radiation pattern.Years ago I had a bit of experience with some stealth antenna designs used by a '3-letter' government agency. The most effective ones where actually disguised to look like AM radio antennas. They came in various styles, even pre-distressed- beat up looking things, new out of the box (I think Larsen made them for Motorola.) One of the best and most invisible designs was a thin guage wire dipole-like antenna, on clear Mylar tape, placed in the rear windows of sedans. The SWR was essential 1:1 on a 160 Mhz band. Hooked up to 100 Watt Motorolas, it made me feel like I sitting inside a big microwave oven.
............................CF
I can't speak for the others, but your concerns were mine, too.
It's as stable as it would be right-side up. The exposure to water and chemicals is likely higher than on the trunk deck, but it's still exposed either way.
The radiation pattern is skewed, but is not all that bad. SWR? It's the same. After all, the antenna is merely upside down (in my case) so it's still a vertical radiation pattern and has the ground plane (this time above the antenna).
I know of the antennas of which you speak that replaced the FM antenna and the tape antenna. But for radiation, is the extra 6" really going to make that much difference vs a trunk desk mounted antenna? Either way you are a bag of popcorn.
It's as stable as it would be right-side up. The exposure to water and chemicals is likely higher than on the trunk deck, but it's still exposed either way.
The radiation pattern is skewed, but is not all that bad. SWR? It's the same. After all, the antenna is merely upside down (in my case) so it's still a vertical radiation pattern and has the ground plane (this time above the antenna).
I know of the antennas of which you speak that replaced the FM antenna and the tape antenna. But for radiation, is the extra 6" really going to make that much difference vs a trunk desk mounted antenna? Either way you are a bag of popcorn.
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