Motorola Antenna mount question

[cstockmyer]

FWIW Here are the two antennas I have mounted on my fenders.

What do you call thoes mounts? That don't mount onto the hood? Lip mounts??

 

[mpg0515]

What do you call thoes mounts? That don't mount onto the hood? Lip mounts??

The ones that he has are called "trunk L bracket" mounts. The ones that I have are called trunk lip mounts. Check out the pics.... Also again if you don't want to deal with all this yo can get the magnetic mounts as well.

 

[cstockmyer]

Is there an avatar for idiot?

So I found out what I was doing wrong. I should of got the antenna with a base, and a cord all attached. I knew it had been way to easy, and way to cheap.

 

[RISC777]

Charles,
That one I mentioned to you . . . I can take a pic of the actual, but this is what it looks like (I like the lower profile look of it).
`Doug

 

[cstockmyer]

Charles,
That one I mentioned to you . . . I can take a pic of the actual, but this is what it looks like (I like the lower profile look of it).
`Doug

But that's one you have to drill a hole in the hood for right? I am going to try and not do that...key word there is try...

 

[mpg0515]

But that's one you have to drill a hole in the hood for right? I am going to try and not do that...key word there is try...

No, that is just like the one that I posted above, it is a little more low profile though. Look underneath the mount. You will see two little screws that screw into the lip of either your trunk or your hood. The picture below shows what a permanent mount looks like (the one you have to drill a hole for)

 

[RISC777]

No hole(s). Note the two set screws at the bottom edge of the image. It slips onto the edge of a trunk lid or hood, then the set screws when tightened up hold it in place. It has a rubber 'sleeve' on the 'paint side' so that no paint damage ocurrs. Antenna threads onto the top, the cable's routed to where the scanner is/will be.

edit : Images added. Note the "closeness" of the one scanner antenna to the AM/FM antena (that particular one is a lip mount base). The other is to show permanent mounts. (Images snipped from threads here at RR.)

 

[cstockmyer]

No hole(s). Note the two set screws at the bottom edge of the image. It slips onto the edge of a trunk lid or hood, then the set screws when tightened up hold it in place. It has a rubber 'sleeve' on the 'paint side' so that no paint damage ocurrs. Antenna threads onto the top, the cable's routed to where the scanner is/will be.

edit : Images added. Note the "closeness" of the one scanner antenna to the AM/FM antena (that particular one is a lip mount base). The other is to show permanent mounts. (Images snipped from threads here at RR.)

OK I think I got it straight now. Let's hope. I hope the members of the forum can forgive me for being so slow to learn this stuff. Thanks a ton for putting up with all my questions.

 

[datainmotion]

The fact that you are asking questions is good. We've all seen plenty of half-arsed installs by know-it-alls.

Remember - there are no dumb questions, just dumb answers.

 

[cstockmyer]

So even with the hood/trunk mounts don't those require a hole in your firewall?? Don't thoes leak on rainy days or snowy days here???

 

[RISC777]

So even with the hood/trunk mounts don't those require a hole in your firewall?? Don't thoes leak on rainy days or snowy days here???

If you go through the firewall utilizing an opening made by the manufacturer, you just have to make sure it's sealed. If needed a little silicone always keeps the elements out.

 

[datainmotion]

If I rememer right, you said you have an Explorer? There are number of factory rubber grommets on the both the driver's side and passenger side of the firewall. Just make sure you know what's on either side of them before you puncture a hole for your coax.

 

[cstockmyer]

If I rememer right, you said you have an Explorer? There are number of factory rubber grommets on the both the driver's side and passenger side of the firewall. Just make sure you know what's on either side of them before you puncture a hole for your coax.

lol That part I would leave to someone who knows what they are doing. Besides I don't fit under my exploder...how do I do it then?

 

[datainmotion]

If you're not comfortable doing it yourself, I would say don't. Pay to have an installer do it for you.

 

[cstockmyer]

I just ordered 2 mag mounts. It's not a permanent thing I know, maybe when I learn more about running cable and installing antennas on my own I will feel more confutable I hope. Thanks to all thoes who offered help though.

 

[epbernstein]

I just ordered 2 mag mounts. It's not a permanent thing I know, maybe when I learn more about running cable and installing antennas on my own I will feel more confutable I hope. Thanks to all thoes who offered help though.

Anyone have some tips on how to keep mag mounts from scratching the paint on the car? Lots of wax, or ?

 

[cstockmyer]

What's the best place to place a NMO mag mount on the roof of a car? Do the cords take well be shut in doors?? Or how would you suggest I run the cord from a mad mount?

Also how do NMO mag mounts take the weather like rain or snow or something of both?? Anyone had any problems with NMO mag mounts?

 

[RISC777]

Center. Center of trunk, preferably and best is center of top of passenger compartment. The more body metal for the groundplane the better. I've closed multiple mag mount cables in van doors, truck doors, car doors with no problems. Even going through car washes (rouch-less care washes, mind you) no water came in.

The cable should do fine at any door or trunk lid due to the weather stripping. Going above a door window just be careful on how far closed the window gets rolled up.

 

[cstockmyer]

So I got my mag mounts today. Is there an adapter out there that I can put on to make it into a BNC? I went to Radio Smack, they have some, but it also requires 2 different adapters. There has to be something out there, that I does not require 2 different adaptors right? Anyone?

 

[mpg0515]

So I got my mag mounts today. Is there an adapter out there that I can put on to make it into a BNC? I went to Radio Smack, they have some, but it also requires 2 different adapters. There has to be something out there, that I does not require 2 different adaptors right? Anyone?

I assume your mag mounts came with PL-259 connectors? Radioshack makes a PL-259 to BNC connector for 2-3$. Actually I guess they have gone up in price, but here is what you need

http://www.radioshack.com/product/i...+connector&kw=bnc+connector&parentPage=search