Ram 1500 Antenna Mount

[Ramathorne]

Looking for a low pro exterior mounting solution for my truck. For a 700/800mhz antenna. Even if I could find a mount to put a GRE800mhz antenna on. That would work.

I am in a weak area ad it is for reception. And inside my truck with the radio (pro 651) in the console area with the GRE800mhz antenna. It's even worse.

Maybe somewhere on or in or along the side of the box. Or even a fender (hood mount I guess they are?)

 

[Ramathorne]

Maybe even eBay item 181962783404 if you folks think it's any good?

 

[tglendye]

I don't have any experience with the antenna that you're pointing toward on eBay, but it might work a little better than the stock antenna, while inside your vehicle. That's just a guess, though. I've thought about trying something like that when we take trips in my wife's vehicle.

An outside the vehicle antenna would work better. Take a look at this mount: Vehicle 'No Holes' Antenna Mounting Bracket Cable for Dodge RAM 2009 2015 | eBay

The only question I have with this auction is what end (if any) does it have to plug into the scanner. You may need to purchase an adapter for the coax end. Then buy an nmo antenna. You won't have any problems finding an antenna for 800mhz.

 

[Ramathorne]

I already have the GRE800mhz antenna. But I think because of the roof of the truck and other electronics inside it cuts way down on signal strength. A mount like that may work... But like u mention. Idk what kind of adaptor if any is on that Coax.

 

[KK4JI]

I use an on-glass with very good success on my F150. I have it mounted in the top-passenger-side corner of the windshield. Care has to taken to not put the coupler on tinted or blocked areas of the windshield. Here's the one I use:

http://www.theantennafarm.com/catalog/pctel-apr852-3-916.html

EDIT: The Antenna Farm also has no-hole fender mounts, if you want to go that route. I have my VHF/UHF mounted that way using one of these mounts:
http://www.theantennafarm.com/catal...et-mounts-268/vehicle-specific-brackets-1045/

 

[Ramathorne]

I would try the through the glass one mentioned above but it's nearing $100 after shipping to Canada. I don't wanna spend that much. Looking around $40-$60.

 

[Ramathorne]

I picked this up so I need an nmo mount 700mhz (765-775 zone) antenna

http://www.theantennafarm.com/catalog/tram-1259-bnc-1255b-1682.html

 

[cmdrwill]

Here is the 700 range antenna for the NMO mount.
http://www.theantennafarm.com/catalog/larsen-nmoqw700-3240.html

 

[AI7PM]

Here is the 700 range antenna for the NMO mount.
http://www.theantennafarm.com/catalog/larsen-nmoqw700-3240.html

That antenna on the cab roof is probably all you need. If not, put the Larsen (attached) gain model on.

https://www.tessco.com/products/displayProductInfo.do?sku=456622&eventPage=1

 

[Ramathorne]

That antenna on the cab roof is probably all you need. If not, put the Larsen (attached) gain model on.

https://www.tessco.com/products/displayProductInfo.do?sku=456622&eventPage=1

Thanks I may try that one. The first one is too short to mount along the top of the truck box. I need some height.

 

[mmckenna]

I've run both those antennas on my 800MHz system. On 800MHz they are slightly shorter.

You'll have a hard time finding anything that will beat mounting the permanent NMO mount on your cab roof. Since these antennas are so short, mounting them anywhere else is going to impact performance. The short 1/4 wave antenna is going to be 3 inches tall, so unlikely you'll have a clearance issue on a full size truck roof, unless of course you need to grease up your truck to fit it into a small garage.

I've got a full size Ford with both a 1/4 wave VHF antenna and a 1/4 wave 800MHz antenna on the roof. I've tried the higher gain antennas and don't see a big enough difference to warrant putting up with the higher profile look of the antenna.

You can mount it lower, but you'll be impacting overall performance. Not saying it won't work, it'll likely work just fine for what you are doing. However, ideal location would be on the cab roof. Nice thing about these higher frequencies is that they only require a small ground plane. You could remove the center stop light on the cab ( if you have one ) and see if there is access that way. If there is, you can mount the NMO mount you have there. You'll likely be impressed with the performance improvement over what you are doing now. Getting the antenna out of the inside of the vehicle will make a big difference. Also, once you mount an NMO mount, you'll be able to swap out antennas for whatever you'd like.