Has anyone seen or have a Bullet Proof Diesel Third Brake Light Antenna Mount on a F-250 / F-350 Pick-up Truck? A NMO to 3/8"-24 P/N 6000215 adapter is required to install a CB antenna. I am curious as to what the maximum length CB antenna can be attached because this type of mount is designed for smaller VHF antennas.
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Mobile 3RD Brake Light Antenna Mount
- Thread starter Recon
- Start date
This Larsen mount looks stronger
https://catalog.larsonelectronics.c...tvJMd9ZPpy5E&method=and&isort=score&view=list
https://catalog.larsonelectronics.c...tvJMd9ZPpy5E&method=and&isort=score&view=list
Yes, I have this mount but the coax is exposed. It is great piece of work for a mag base antenna for temporary use but the coax needs to be routed through an open window. The (overly expensive) Bullet Proof mount is designed to route the coax into the cab. I need someone to pinch me hard to see if I am awake before I spend that kind of money for a piece of machined-out aluminum.
If I’m going to buy a vehicle, I pay cash. The last vehicle was in 2007. A 2004 Dodge Ram 2500 2WD Quadcab. Man trans & 8’ bed. The 305HP/555TQ model. One previous (commercial) owner. Best vehicle I’ve ever owned as to reliability and component life. (All original except one brake re-line and u-joints. Two sets of tires in 225k).
Had it (12) years now. Can’t see a good reason to change. (21-mpg average all miles; 15 average pulling my 35’ travel trailer).
The 3rd Brake light type mount wouldn’t interest me. BREEDLOVE, or nothing.
1). Whatever truck you own, it won’t ever have the next-to-nothing depreciation my model has seen. ($3000 down in 12-years from what I paid before trade-in).
2). Nor will your truck feature buyers who fly across the continent to get it.
3). Those others like mine remaining have been thru the hands of kids who abused them. Operators who wore them out twice already. Etc.
4). Go count the holes already in your vehicle. Doors are a hole. Doorhandles. All the glass. Etc. Dozens of them.
5). EMT & LEO plus corporate have had 2-way equipment since before any of us were born. The IMTS Motorola phones my father had starting in 1962 always required a hole cut for an antenna. Buick’s and Cadillacs.
A). None leak.
B)) Re-sale isn’t affected.
C). Note the deceptive use of the word “damaging” in the items description. (That’s a lie, as it is in no way, “damage”).
6). If the long-term residual & collector value of my pickup is (will be) greater than what one can buy recently — and the improvements by the owner that are equal to or better than factory (where abuse isn’t indicated; gooseneck hitch; 4WD lift kit,etc) — why should you hesitate to do it correctly?
Would I cut an antenna hole in a rare collector car? Why wouldn’t I? It’s one hole among many.
The brake light mount is a handy-looking (expensive) item. But if it doesn’t maximize performance, it’s a mistake, IMO.
It also isn’t the difficult part of an installation. (That’s your focus)
www.k0bg.com
.
Had it (12) years now. Can’t see a good reason to change. (21-mpg average all miles; 15 average pulling my 35’ travel trailer).
The 3rd Brake light type mount wouldn’t interest me. BREEDLOVE, or nothing.
1). Whatever truck you own, it won’t ever have the next-to-nothing depreciation my model has seen. ($3000 down in 12-years from what I paid before trade-in).
2). Nor will your truck feature buyers who fly across the continent to get it.
3). Those others like mine remaining have been thru the hands of kids who abused them. Operators who wore them out twice already. Etc.
4). Go count the holes already in your vehicle. Doors are a hole. Doorhandles. All the glass. Etc. Dozens of them.
5). EMT & LEO plus corporate have had 2-way equipment since before any of us were born. The IMTS Motorola phones my father had starting in 1962 always required a hole cut for an antenna. Buick’s and Cadillacs.
A). None leak.
B)) Re-sale isn’t affected.
C). Note the deceptive use of the word “damaging” in the items description. (That’s a lie, as it is in no way, “damage”).
6). If the long-term residual & collector value of my pickup is (will be) greater than what one can buy recently — and the improvements by the owner that are equal to or better than factory (where abuse isn’t indicated; gooseneck hitch; 4WD lift kit,etc) — why should you hesitate to do it correctly?
Would I cut an antenna hole in a rare collector car? Why wouldn’t I? It’s one hole among many.
The brake light mount is a handy-looking (expensive) item. But if it doesn’t maximize performance, it’s a mistake, IMO.
It also isn’t the difficult part of an installation. (That’s your focus)
www.k0bg.com
.
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Your statements are valid! The first new truck I punched a hole in the center of the roof for a CB antenna was a 1986 F-250 Super Cab. Perfect location because getting access to the coax connection was directly above the dome light. I installed a K-40 antenna which had a one-quarter turn quick-release coil. The CB radio was stock with probably three watts and a perfect SWR on all channels and transmit and receive was outstanding. As the years passed and I bought new trucks, I tried mag-mount antennas which became a PITA with either the coax passing through open windows or between the door seals. More years had passed and I tried the Breedlove stake pocket mount and a 48" top loaded fiberglass antenna and life was good. A few more years pass by and I thought I would try the Larsen mount because it allowed me to use a base loaded mag-mount antenna, but it just didn't as good a job as the stake pocket mounted antenna. I have no idea where I stored the Breedlove stake pocket mount, but I will probably order another one. The Bullet Proof Third Brake Light appears that it may work-out, and this is why I was asking if anyone has installed one. Just too darn expensive for me. On my last truck I installed a Breedlove Fold Over mount in conjunction with the stake pocket mount and that is probably what I'll get for my new truck. Being the roof on my F350 is aluminum, there may be a reinforcement bar in the center if the roof that would give me a problem, therefore I'll skip the idea of a permanent roof mount antenna.
I’ve ran hard mounts for years, drilled every vehicle I’ve owned except the current one. Haven’t gotten around to it yet. I’m reminded in the mean time that magnets work. I’ve been very pleased to work some good DX over the past few weeks, including bagging contacts in Uruguay and Cape Verde from my mobile. With few exceptions, if I can hear them I can work them. Would a hard mount be better? I suppose, but in the mean time I’m not complaining.
On that brake light mount - WOW. That price is a tad high!
On that brake light mount - WOW. That price is a tad high!
A "tad" high? I'd would say so, plus the cheapest postage rate to my location is $24.00.
I didn't have the guts to drill a hole in the roof of my one-month old F-350 and I "bit the bullet" and purchased and installed the (very expensive) Third Brake Light Antenna Adapter. I will admit that it is a very good design with built-in quality and workmanship and it "fits like a glove" and looks great. I installed a President 40" Iowa antenna. It may not be the optimum length antenna but traveling around town and on the highway, it will be just fine.
As I said, I just didn't have the guts to drill a hole in the roof.
I'm passing on a little (and lessons learned) information for anyone who is considering using the Third Brake Light Antenna Adapter for a CB antenna.
The adapter is a well designed and functional antenna mount.
The adapter does have a support bar in addition to the four sheet metal screws to attach it to the cab.
I would not recommend installing a bottom-coil antenna having a diameter in excess of two-inches and the mast longer than 48". I think a large diameter bottom coil and a long antenna will catch a lot of wind and put strain on the aluminum. Personally, I would not install a rigid fiberglass antenna unless a heavy duty spring is added.
The diameter of the bottom coil on the President Iowa is approximately 3/4" diameter which should hold-up to high winds.
A, Tram Model 1295 NMO to 3/8"-24 Adapter is required to install an antenna with a 3/8"-24 TPI.
The height of the NMO adapter is 1-7/8" which obviously adds height to the aluminum brake light adapter.
The third brake light antenna adapter is probably best suited for short business band antennas and this is why I selected a short antenna with a small diameter bottom coil.
That mount is really for 3/4 nmo antennas. I looked that mount but price to high and would not fit any of my antennas. So I use my 102 whip mounted on tool box works just fine. I will try the president on the roof BUT man it is heavy....put in a Wilson roof mount. so we will see...