LB antenna and the 03 suburban.

apco25 · Post by **apco25** » Mon Jul 14, 2003 6:11 pm

Ok gang, so far I've got the antennas figured out for the roof

4 NMO mounts with 2 to maybe 4 glass mounts for 800 Mhz stuff.

If I really think its required I'll add 2 more NMO and drop the glass mounts to 2 and end up with 6.

Anyway, that's the simple part.

I need to put a lowband antenna on the ride.

I did a mock up on the roof of various antennas, a combo of whipless maxrad MLPV and normal whips for the usual bands.

While the lowband antenna is all black it looks MIGHTY big on top of the already very tall 3/4 ton suburban. Also its the biggest antenna of course and looks a little funny next to everything else which is 20 inches or shorter.

A ball mount would look cool - but I just can't see putting that on. Maybe when I had the Yukon but not on this ride.

I know it will be a compromise to put it on the front fender - driver or passenger side, but this seems like reasonable alternative location and should perform similar to a trunk mounted antenna on the rear fender.

110w Orion is on the other end of the antenna. its a mutual aid radio and won't be getting much use on TX.

I think USPSS mention CHP is now using this type of setup on their Tahoes and its working just fine.

Thoughts? Ideas? Insults?

JAYMZ · Post by **JAYMZ** » Mon Jul 14, 2003 6:53 pm

Most departments and fire chief's use the "L" bracket fender mounts for the low band antennas around here. Mostly they work very well and generally work very well.

nmfire10 · Post by **nmfire10** » Mon Jul 14, 2003 6:55 pm

JAYMZ wrote:Most departments and fire chief's use the "L" bracket fender mounts for the low band antennas around here. Mostly they work very well and generally work very well.

Ditto. Is it 100% efficiant? No. But will it work fine, yea.

Post by **Code3Response** » Mon Jul 14, 2003 7:53 pm

Im using a Antenex NMO mount 49" whip on the roof of my 03 tahoe and its working fine. Looks kind of weird, but doesnt bother me at all. Performance is awesome. I havent seen any CHP Tahoes, but on their Expeditions here they use a ball mount. All of their patrol cars however use the 49 inch Antenex whip like Im using - it must be allright! I know what you mean - couldnt bring myself to putting a ball mount on there - it would of been nice though; my clearance is about 11'6" or so. Kinda sucks for drive thrus and parking garages!

BO-105 CBS-5 · Post by **BO-105 CBS-5** » Wed Jul 16, 2003 11:16 am

Does anyone remember the antenna specialists "disguise" whips? They had a variety of OEM looking mounts for them.....when I was a volly they were what....5 ft or so for our 46 MHz stuff. Shame...I don't believe they make 'em anymore.....and besides that, access to the inside of that '03 GM front fender would be difficult!

Stan reminded me, that for off-center (of vehicle) mounting of the LB antennas, use SHUNT FED vs. series fed base loaded whips (better SWR with limited ground plane in one direction.) Something to keep in mind if you are going with that "L" bracket on the fender.

Good luck....Joe

apco25 · Post by **apco25** » Wed Jul 16, 2003 1:14 pm

Yes, shunt vs series thread I'm already aware of.

COMPROD makes some really neat disguise antennas like that, but I didn't see anything listed to fit the suburban. The fender mount isn't even on the fender on this truck but behind the hood and between the fender and window pillar. I could probably get to it.

The antennas for this truck is really a complicated setup - so many ways to do things....