Everything you never wanted to know about VHF/UHF antennas

[SilentShooter]

These guys have a product like that. Designed for lights and maybe a little big but could be a platform.

Acari Products: Sleek Rooftop Mounting System for Trucks

I need to look into that.. Might just work. Wish it was a little more streamlined but the cost of having a billet unit made would be $$$$

 

[onesickpuppy]

Just pop a hole in the roof and be done with it....

 

[Rookie]

Just pop a hole in the roof and be done with it....

My favorite thing to do is take a hole saw to my truck. It makes people cringe.

 

[onesickpuppy]

I use a conduit knockout punch/die

 

[Chris Crampton]

Questions for you radio guys, I'll be mounting 2 NMO antennas on the roof of the truck. I have only ever run one antenna on any truck I've used. So my questions are, one NMO is for the VHF radio and the other is for the Cellular Booster. I'll be placing the VHF NMO as centered as possible in the roof and not sure how far the Cell NMO needs to be positioned away from the VHF. I've read 18" between in most situations, can I locate closer to ease install? From what I understand, if the frequencies bands are far apart(150.***-160.*** for VHF and 800-1900 Cell) then the antennas can be closer together?

Also can you guys give me an idea of where any roof supports/bracing may be located(to avoid drilling into one). BTW my Raptor does not have a sunroof.
Can I assume to mount VHF near the dome light and the Cell behind without colliding with bracing issues?

Thanks!

 

[All The Way]

I cant help you on the bracing because I have the moon roof. 19 or more inches will put you properly spaced.

 

[Chris Crampton]

I cant help you on the bracing because I have the moon roof. 19 or more inches will put you properly spaced.

Thank you. I'll dive into the headliner next week for placement.

 

[Yukon Joe]

@All The Way @Kanakry @Kmandoske

I have a question about mounting a dual band antenna to a fiberglass camper shell.
Will it work since it is not metal? I thought the cable needed to be grounded?

If it did work, how effective will the antenna be? I understand that I need a no ground plane antenna for longer distances. But I'll mostly be using it in small caravan when traveling with others.

Just trying to figure out where to drill the hole for the antenna.... thanks.

@Yukon Joe
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[Kmandoske]

Joe, you will be fine drilling into the fiberglass, you may want to but a NMO mount that is longer than the one normally needed for the thin sheet metal of a roof or trunk, You will of course need a No ground plane VHF antenna. They make mounts with more thread and also check and make sure you get as long a cable as you can. 17' I think is the longest stock ones.

 

[t_j]

What Keith said, plus I'd consider some metal reinforcements for the nmo base as the fibreglass will be quite brittle around the hole. If you go this route you will want a ground strap to the plate