Mobile antennas and parking garages

[rescuecomm]

Two places that rip off antennas: the county office building parking garage and the main trauma center hospital parking garage. Now I keep a cheap beer can 2m/440 antenna in my FJ and swap it out before I leave for town. I only trashed 3 going to pay taxes and checking on friends.

 

[bharvey2]

I usually keep a couple of NMO caps in my car/truck on the rare chance that I need to remove an antenna to prevent damage. To be honest though, other than the very rare occasion that I go through an automated car wash (or park in my neighbor's garage) I don't have to remove them other than my annual maintenance routine.

 

[Project25_MASTR]

I haven't dropped a headliner in decades. Using the correct NMO hole saw (Not the Home Depot "close enough" hole saw) will prevent issues.

I've never dropped a headliner for a NMO install...hell, we still have trucks in service at the county level that have double walled roofs and there is no underside access to the roof in those.

 

[mmckenna]

I've never dropped a headliner for a NMO install...hell, we still have trucks in service at the county level that have double walled roofs and there is no underside access to the roof in those.

Yeah, and by "drop", I mean lower a corner or side enough. Last time I did it was for a vehicle that had a sun roof, and lowering the side was only so I could see the mechanism.

Removing headliners is not required, but you'll often hear the hams claim that it is required.

 

[bharvey2]

Yeah, and by "drop", I mean lower a corner or side enough. Last time I did it was for a vehicle that had a sun roof, and lowering the side was only so I could see the mechanism.

Removing headliners is not required, but you'll often hear the hams claim that it is required.

100% - I usually remove a trim edge on one side and that's enough to fish the coax AND I slide a pizza tin under where I'm drilling in case I should get too enthusiastic with the drill and to catch any stray shavings. I know most don't do it that way. Granted, I don't recall ever touch the pizza tin but with my luck, the first time I'd try without it the drill would slip.

 

[mmckenna]

100% - I usually remove a trim edge on one side and that's enough to fish the coax AND I slide a pizza tin under where I'm drilling in case I should get too enthusiastic with the drill and to catch any stray shavings. I know most don't do it that way. Granted, I don't recall ever touch the pizza tin but with my luck, the first time I'd try without it the drill would slip.

Good idea.
If you are using the (overpriced) NMO hole saws, they have a collar that keeps them from penetrating too far, also the pilot bit is short.

But the pizza tin is a cheaper alternative, plus you can make pizza on it, which you can't do with a NMO hole saw, so bonus points.

 

[bharvey2]

Good idea.
If you are using the (overpriced) NMO hole saws, they have a collar that keeps them from penetrating too far, also the pilot bit is short.

But the pizza tin is a cheaper alternative, plus you can make pizza on it, which you can't do with a NMO hole saw, so bonus points.

I don't do enough installations to merit the purchase of purpose built, expensive hole saw. Having one might drive me to do more installations to justify the purchase and the under-dash contortions and gymnastics required for some of the newer cars just doesn't have the appeal that it once did. I do like your pizza idea though

 

[tweiss3]

I haven't had any issues with the Larsen NMO2/70SH spring base antenna on my 6'3" tall truck with the proper hole/mount, but it does hit on every beam of the 7'2" clearance parking garage and make a heck of a noise.

For some reason, vegetation seems extra dense this year causing range issues where I previously didn't have issues. I keep thinking of swapping in the NMO2/70B sitting on my shelf to overcome the vegetation, but I'm pretty sure that 36" without a spring will be one heck of a fulcrum to do some damage to the roof.

 

[mrweather]

The "curly cue" whip that comes with the NMO270B is very flexible and will bend down quite a bit before putting too much stress on the coil. For good measure, you could add a spring and shorten the whip accordingly for extra twang protection.

 

[mmckenna]

and the under-dash contortions and gymnastics required for some of the newer cars

Young persons work. I'm too old for that ****.

 

[DMurphyNNJ]

I have had a handfull of the drill type mounts and never had 1 leak. Much better performance too as apposed to a mag mount, fender mount, etc. Also a fan of the Stiico flexi whip!