Mobile antenna installs

[JustinWHT]

I've been reading posts, some four years old and closed for relies

One used a steel fish tape. Those are nearly impossible to stear, fiberglass ones are better. I have a tube of four foot fiberglass push rods.

Access through removable done lights is one trick. In my Explorer I pulled down the rear edge of headline and used broom handle to push down headline towards the front. I'm a pinch you can tape a couple of straightened out metal clothes hangers.

When you're popping off the plastic trim nuts, there's tools that look garden weed pullers. Problem with those trim nuts is half the top me they can't be reused. I epoxy furniture nuts inserted backwards that lets me re-enter.

As for mounting radios, back in the old days you could hang four or five control heads on the bottom lip of metal dash. Not any more.

I'm going to be mounting some gear in the center above my head. I'm thinking off welding two one inch wide aluminum yardsticks and tuck ends in the door trim, then bolt a rack on.

I'll get some pics tomorrow of my roof top antennas.

 

[FFPM571]

I've been reading posts, some four years old and closed for relies

One used a steel fish tape. Those are nearly impossible to stear, fiberglass ones are better. I have a tube of four foot fiberglass push rods.

Access through removable done lights is one trick. In my Explorer I pulled down the rear edge of headline and used broom handle to push down headline towards the front. I'm a pinch you can tape a couple of straightened out metal clothes hangers.

When you're popping off the plastic trim nuts, there's tools that look garden weed pullers. Problem with those trim nuts is half the top me they can't be reused. I epoxy furniture nuts inserted backwards that lets me re-enter.

As for mounting radios, back in the old days you could hang four or five control heads on the bottom lip of metal dash. Not any more.

I'm going to be mounting some gear in the center above my head. I'm thinking off welding two one inch wide aluminum yardsticks and tuck ends in the door trim, then bolt a rack on.

I'll get some pics tomorrow of my roof top antennas.

all sounds very hamsexy

 

[JustinWHT]

all sounds very hamsexy

Me: Where is my drill and 3/8" hole saw?
BF: OMG, not another antenna!

 

[RFI-EMI-GUY]

How to deal with curtain airbags and coax...?

 

[slowmover]

I'm going to be mounting some gear in the center above my head. I'm thinking off welding two one inch wide aluminum yardsticks and tuck ends in the door trim, then bolt a rack on.

I’m following a model where a hardwood board is epoxied to roof under headliner. Coax back towards roof mount antenna and 12V down starboard A-pillar.

Access is via overhead light opening. Fish power same entry.

 

[prcguy]

How to deal with curtain airbags and coax...?

You avoid them like the plague. Don’t want an airbag turning some coax into a projectile.

 

[JustinWHT]

I'm following a model where a hardwood board is epoxied to roof under headliner.

I considered drilling four hole through the roof and bolting on a thin sheet of plexiglass pulled up against headliner.

 

[RFI-EMI-GUY]

I considered drilling four hole through the roof and bolting on a thin sheet of plexiglass pulled up against headliner.

I would be concerned that plexiglass is not the best structural material. Also drilling holes in the roof are going to require some big backing washers above. How about some very strong magnet pads that have a screw in them. Place them up against the roof metal and bolt through the headliner into the bracket. While I suggest this, everyone will tell you that regardless of how you mount a radio overhead, it can become a pretty lethal projectile in a crash.

 

[krokus]

I'm going to be mounting some gear in the center above my head. I'm thinking off welding two one inch wide aluminum yardsticks and tuck ends in the door trim, then bolt a rack on.

I’m following a model where a hardwood board is epoxied to roof under headliner. Coax back towards roof mount antenna and 12V down starboard A-pillar.

Access is via overhead light opening. Fish power same entry.

View attachment 162463

I'm curious how old that photo is, based on the CD holder on the visor.

 

[JustinWHT]

I'm curious how old that photo is, based on the CD holder on the visor.

My BFF senior retired couple bought a new Toyota RAV4 and not happy it there's no CD/DVD player. They called around and we're always told to simple pair their smartphone's stored playlist.

But.... They don't have a cellphone. They're holding out for the "All American phone plan" - $60 smartphone, 5G, $25 a month, unlimited tethering to multiple clients.

 

[slowmover]

I'm curious how old that photo is, based on the CD holder on the visor.

2006-model truck same as my 2004 where it counts.