Antenna + Van ???

[rangelia]

I tried the search, maybe I did it wrong? Anyway, I had to trade in the ram 3500 4wd flatbed dually (my dream truck) for more of a family ride,, got a baby on the way. Came home with a 2019 Chevy express 3500 15 passenger van, HAHAHAHA... I was running a Wilson trucker on my truck and want to put it on the van, but where? I know the perfect spot would be top dead center but I dont want to drill holes (for the obvious reasons) and dont want to use magnets because Im afraid of rust under the magnet. So whats my next best option? 108"whip bumper mount, or get a fender mount and put my trucker back on there???? Any other ideas? Thanks in advance

 

[Alexis Mercado]

I wound go for the whip. It’s a classic one. On top of the van would be too tall. Any branches or low objects can knock off the antenna with magnet from the roof.

Buy all the necessary parts to install the whip like the spring, a quick release adapter, etc.

 

[secret squirrel]

I agree with the 102 inch whip. It’s a great plan. Since you already have the Wilson, there are stainless steel hood channel mounts. Try a mount on the driver’s side hood channel. On type 2 ambulances, the VHF antennas are mounted with NMO hood channel mounts. The Wilson should tune there will be some reflect due to the van body. There would also be reflect with the 102 on at the rear number or rear quarter ball mount. Best of luck.

 

[Robb]

Mag mounts usually have a piece of Mylar on the bottom. So, rust is not a problem. Been using one for over a decade now, and had zero issues with it. Be sure that your mag mount has Mylar on it, and you should be good to go.

 

[RT431]

I'm gonna second the channel mount and the Wilson.With some bonding, It should work fine there.

 

[binrat]

So many options.
Channel mount and Wilson. Puck mount and Wilson.
102 with Spring and ball mount.

 

[Slowmover]

Breedlove Puck Mount or NMO.


The bible of Mobile Installation:

www.k0bg.com

There’s no good reason to not do a proper antenna mount. Objection is unreasonable as it isn’t supported by evidence. They don’t leak, re-sale isn’t affected, and they work for decades.

The mount type and it’s location are the most important aspect of any radio installation, but with enormous penalties in Mobile when wrong.

Your vehicle is one-half the antenna. The close-coupling of permanent makes the most of that.

To do it right means it’s completely out of the way.

Mag-mounts get tossed in backseat. Doesn't get used. Then gets wrecked after something dumped on it. Etc.

A low-key example with NMO would be the Laird or Larsen 49” base-load whips.

Sky’s the limit from there. Big & Crazy if you want.

Read at the link. It’s more than one night to get a grip on it. Take your time and get a real plan.

My experience is that most folks who think they know what is CB Radio haven’t been exposed to what is truly possible.

As another radio type might someday be desired, consider getting it right from the start.

A van would be a great mobile. With the right mount.

I get passed by escort vehicles for oversized loads daily. Many are vans.
Very few have permanent mounts. But the ones that do can out-talk nearly every vehicle on the highway.

Again, read at the link.

Take your time.

.

 

[rangelia]

Thanks for all the replies so far, and thanks for the link slowmover.. I understand that the more money you spend and "doing it right" will get you better results but putting holes in my roof, removing headliners buying pretty much new everything just isn't for me at this point. 20 years ago when more people used the radio maybe but now even drivers dont use radios. If I was in competitions Id be all for it.
The setup I had would talk and listen probably 10-12 (+/-) miles barefoot and even further (especially when talking to a base ) when I used a small 200w heater and I was good with that. Im in south Ga. so its pretty flat around here. Skip is skip but as far as local goes the most thing I hear around here is either Mexicans or the chick at the truck stop trying to sell truck washes. Skip is actually where I spent the most time on the radio. I understand that Im not gonna get optimal conditions with what Im looking at but giving the circumstances I cant see myself going further than "novice " status.

 

[rangelia]

Im probably looking at this. https://www.wearecb.com/cb-coax-cable-rg8x-ring-terminals.html and this https://www.wearecb.com/hood-cb-antenna-mount-van.html . Question on the "ring terminals" , how does something like that hook up on the antenna side? Ill bond the crap out of everything as well.

 

[M0GVZ]

Why the reluctance to drill a hole in the roof? You won't see it stood on the ground, you won't get any rust - 8 years after putting one on my car I had no issues. If you use an antenna like a Sirio 5000 and the Sirio SO239 body mount they do it comes with a screw on plastic cap you can put on it when not in use so if you sell the vehicle you can just leave the cap fitted and it looks all nice and neat.

When it comes down to it it's the least damaging method of installation. It won't be long before the directivity of hanging it off one side or corner of the vehicle starts to annoy you.

 

[secret squirrel]

If you get ring terminal coax make sure whoever made it took the time to put heat shrink over the solder contentions. Besides the protection from weather I believe the heat shrink tubing just makes the wires stiffer and easier to work with. When using ring terminal there is a screw that supports the mounting stud instead of the SO-239 connector at accept the PL-259 connector on the coax cable. I picture is worth a thousand words.

Look at the K-4 stud mount for explanation.

 

[Shadetree Mechanic]

I tried the search, maybe I did it wrong? Anyway, I had to trade in the ram 3500 4wd flatbed dually (my dream truck) for more of a family ride,, got a baby on the way. Came home with a 2019 Chevy express 3500 15 passenger van, HAHAHAHA... I was running a Wilson trucker on my truck and want to put it on the van, but where? I know the perfect spot would be top dead center but I dont want to drill holes (for the obvious reasons) and dont want to use magnets because Im afraid of rust under the magnet. So whats my next best option? 108"whip bumper mount, or get a fender mount and put my trucker back on there???? Any other ideas? Thanks in advanceView attachment 39034

A 15 passenger van for a family ride? One thing I can say is that its great when the older children can help take care of the younger ones. Between my wife and I, we have 5 children, our baby girl is 15 years old now and the last one still at home. Don't blink, they grow fast. Haha! More power to you!

 

[Slowmover]

Van choice made, but look at the
Nissan 2500 3500 Series passenger vans. Very highly recommended as tow vehicles. Vans, I hear, are addictive. Cover the field for the next one.

As a truck driver I see some VERY nice ones. From Airstream Sprinter models to dressed factory pieces.

Nothing — and I mean NOTHING —looks as good out on the road as one with really well chosen aftermarket wheels.

Two upgrades:

1) BILSTEIN or KONI shock Absorbers.

2). Change front & rear antiroll bar bushings to polyurethane from rubber. (Ride quality unchanged, but bars act much faster and poly pretty much doesn’t wear out. Win-Win).

— I’d do both on a vehicle with 15-miles on it.

The bushings don’t require the vehicle or wheels be off ground.

Just ease self underneath.

Wow, what a great time to investigate Starboard-side wiring runs to get that coax back to the pillar!!

— Firewall-access for Ancor 10/2-Duplex in FR split-loom though a marine cable gland to the optional SECOND battery to run that kickin’ radio rig !!

—The Big Three Upgrade!!

Man, what a great Saturday that’ll be after the Breedlove NMO Mount & Larsen NMO27c antenna arrives !!

.

 

[rangelia]

Why the reluctance to drill a hole in the roof? You won't see it stood on the ground, you won't get any rust - 8 years after putting one on my car I had no issues. If you use an antenna like a Sirio 5000 and the Sirio SO239 body mount they do it comes with a screw on plastic cap you can put on it when not in use so if you sell the vehicle you can just leave the cap fitted and it looks all nice and neat.

When it comes down to it it's the least damaging method of installation. It won't be long before the directivity of hanging it off one side or corner of the vehicle starts to annoy you.

JuSr can't bring myself to it..

 

[rangelia]

If you get ring terminal coax make sure whoever made it took the time to put heat shrink over the solder contentions. Besides the protection from weather I believe the heat shrink tubing just makes the wires stiffer and easier to work with. When using ring terminal there is a screw that supports the mounting stud instead of the SO-239 connector at accept the PL-259 connector on the coax cable. I picture is worth a thousand words.View attachment 39082

Look at the K-4 stud mount for explanation.

Thanks for the pics!