Batboard

Is there a fender mount bracket that would work with the new style hoods on Chevy's larger trucks? On the newer trucks the hood wraps down over the outside at the top of the fender so the old style "L" shaped braket won't work. I don't want a hole in the roof and the 16-channel Radius is only 25 watts so a fender mount shouldn't be a problem. Thanks.

Use a Sti-Co disguise antenna, I have one that is dual band, vhf/800 that I used on my K2500 if that will work for you.

SG

Thanks, that looks like a neat antenna, but it looks like it installs in place of the truck's FM radio antenna and I want to keep my FM radio (I need my tunes!)

If you looked at the web site, you will notice that in addition to the antenna being VHF/800, it is also a broadcast (AM/FM) antenna. So you give up nothing but the $$$ for the equipment.

SG

A 3/4" holesaw and your roof !!!

I installed a spectra a5 in a friend's Avalanche. I used a small lip mount on the edge of the hood near the windshield. BTW, the A5 head fit really slick in a recessed compartment on the dash. The radio is used 99.9% of the time as just receiver.

But I have to agree with Jim, a 3/4" nmo drilled in the roof is the best.


Jason

Seems as though he doesn't want a hole in his roof. I have used Sti-Co on UC vehicles for years, minimal or -0- reflected power. So why blow a hole in the roof?

You will get the best ground plane, that is certain, but depending on the use of the equipment, the Sti-Co performs well, creates no damage and can be removed and reinstalled on another vehicle.

But...... I am sure I am wrong, so go ahead and let the flames go.

SG

This undercover antenna will work, but "little loss"....I won't agree with. When you have a 31" rod that has to work with both 87-108 MHz and 155 or 450 MHz, there will be some type of combiner/tuning network to separate the two bands. It's gonna have decent sizing to the network to keep the RF out of the AM/FM radio. There's gonna be more then "minimal" loss- espeically at higher power levels. You might not have reflected power, but it's not all getting radiated either. Like a tuner on an HF rig- it will read a good VSWR or no reflected power to the radio, but the RF that isn't radiated get blown off as heat in the tuning network.
I can "tune" a coat hanger to my FT-890 HF rig with my MFJ tuner, but it ain't gonna radiate for squat and it sure ain't gonna talk more than a few miles. It will look "good" on the meters, though.

Why not just use the glass mount or an "L" bracket inside of the bed with a direct-feed antenna?

What band is the Radius on?

I have also used the Sti-co antennas and if I didn't want a hole in the roof that would be the way I would go. I have used these on repeaters and simplex and I think they work great.

I know they may not be the best, but I would definitely take a sti-co antenna over a glass mount or L Bracket anyday.

I'd take a paper clip over the "L" bracket !

jim wrote:I'd take a paper clip over the "L" bracket !

YOUR the one who suggested a "L" bracket, I talked over 20 miles on my Sti-Co, VHF simplex freq., no problem. If you have ever seen one, you would know that there is more to it than a rod with a PL259 coming off of it.

As far as your suggestions, while a roof mount will provide the absolute best performance, the owner doesn't want a hole in his roof, nor will a "L" bracket be sufficent.

So why even jump in on the thread, your not providing a solution to the man's question. Are you just trying to get your post count up?

SG

jim wrote:This undercover antenna will work, but "little loss"....I won't agree with. When you have a 31" rod that has to work with both 87-108 MHz and 155 or 450 MHz, there will be some type of combiner/tuning network to separate the two bands. It's gonna have decent sizing to the network to keep the RF out of the AM/FM radio. There's gonna be more then "minimal" loss- espeically at higher power levels. You might not have reflected power, but it's not all getting radiated either. Like a tuner on an HF rig- it will read a good VSWR or no reflected power to the radio, but the RF that isn't radiated get blown off as heat in the tuning network.
I can "tune" a coat hanger to my FT-890 HF rig with my MFJ tuner, but it ain't gonna radiate for squat and it sure ain't gonna talk more than a few miles. It will look "good" on the meters, though.

Why not just use the glass mount or an "L" bracket inside of the bed with a direct-feed antenna?

I just re-read this post, who even mentioned 87-108 or 155/450 bands coverage?

I posted I have used and have an extra Sti-Co on the 155/800 band, as far as reflected, I was using a pair of MCS's on this application, 110 watt VHF and 35 watt 800, I could hit our trunk sys from 70 miles out and the vhf repeaters we are using from the same distance, I talked on them, not just keyed them up.

So while your tuning your coat hanger, why don't you tell us how well it works jammed up your ass..... your a goof.

SG

I have to agree with Spectragod, I have seen a sti-co out perform a 1/4 mounted on the roof in some situations.

It works some better than others. Personally I have had nothing but positive results with the Sti-co.

If you don't want to put a hole in the roof, the sti-co is the way to go.

Just my opinion, nothing more.

That's "you're a goof", not "your a goof." If you're going to TRY to insult someone, at least learn English, grammar and proper punctuation. Intelligence is the key to success, so we see where you stand. Please call 1-800-ABCDEFG for help.


Didn't mention 87-108....what in the hell do you think FM radio is, dipshit? I guess you are just another weekend warrior that CLAIMS to know something about radio, but doesn't even realize that the public FM broadcast band IS WHAT THIS ANTENNA WAS DESIGNED TO RECEIVE, Eienstein.

Speaking of things up assses, better watch out for the Humane Society. They might get wind of what you've been doing with those gerbils and the PVC pipe.

And just in case some haven't figured this out, if you are removing an OEM AM/FM antenna from a vehicle to install a Sti-Co antenna, you are dealing with 87-108 MHz. In the case of most vehicles with a rod-type OEM antenna, you remove it for use with a Sti-Co.

On a Crown Vic or certain other vehicle without an OEM rod antenna, you can add the Sti-Co and not have to worry about FM broadcast band, since you aren't removing anything. These cars have the antenna in the glass and when you add the Sti-Co, looks normal to the eye since the single antenna looks normal.

When using the Sti-Co on a car WITH an OEM antenna, you have to remove the OEM antenna or you will have two antenna rods....which just blew your cover. When removing the OEM and adding the Sti-Co, you are connecting the new antenna to the AM/FM radio and 87-108 MHz.comes into play, but I guess that some people that don't do anything with radio other than "tinker" with it on occasion wouldn't realize this.

Happy gerbiling.

jim wrote:And just in case some haven't figured this out, if you are removing an OEM AM/FM antenna from a vehicle to install a Sti-Co antenna, you are dealing with 87-108 MHz. In the case of most vehicles with a rod-type OEM antenna, you remove it for use with a Sti-Co.

On a Crown Vic or certain other vehicle without an OEM rod antenna, you can add the Sti-Co and not have to worry about FM broadcast band, since you aren't removing anything. These cars have the antenna in the glass and when you add the Sti-Co, looks normal to the eye since the single antenna looks normal.

When using the Sti-Co on a car WITH an OEM antenna, you have to remove the OEM antenna or you will have two antenna rods....which just blew your cover. When removing the OEM and adding the Sti-Co, you are connecting the new antenna to the AM/FM radio and 87-108 MHz.comes into play, but I guess that some people that don't do anything with radio other than "tinker" with it on occasion wouldn't realize this.

Happy gerbiling.

Yeah, I "tinker" with radio, hahahahaha. For a man that claims to do 5000 installs a year by himself, you seem to have a lot of time to flame people on this board.

As far as the Gerbil thing goes, you seem like you have a lot of inside knowledge about them, experience maybe? So you have resorted to name calling and such because someone doesn't agree with you, then this will be fun..... for me at least.

So why don't you explain how those mirror antenna's radiate, I suspect the only thing radiating is you, head going to burst??

The bottom line, your still not contributing to solving this mans problem, so what is your point to posting....... Gerbil boy.



SG

I think we are done with this flame war....

Enough is enough.

-Alex