Mobile Antenna Options

[W5LZ]

... "Trunk Monkey", the only way to go...

 

[Nick23]

So a mag mount will handle 400 watts and a hatchback lip mount won't?

 

[w9cll]

So a mag mount will handle 400 watts and a hatchback lip mount won't?

No a mag mount has more metal under it as opposed to the lip mount on the hatch. Both will take the power but remember its the metal under the antenna that matters.

 

[W5LZ]

There's no guarantee that either will handle anything over 'normal' power levels. It depends entirely on the mount and how it's mounted, if that makes sense.
The only good excuse, and the reason they were invented, is that if there's a reason why a 'normal' mount can't be done then there are alternatives. The key word in that is 'alternatives'. One depends on capacitive coupling, the other has an inherent mechanical disadvantage. If you can compensate for those characteristics then either is certainly better than no antenna at all. Is one 'better' than the other? Not really, both are -alternatives-, you know?
- 'Doc

(Drilling a hole is a sort of traumatic experience. Do it right and there really isn't a problem. The 'resale value' thingy is pure B.S.)

 

[222DBFL]

Yes you can run power through a properly setup mag mount, I run about 3-400 watts with a mag mount and most of the time I make contacts without the amp on. 60-80 watts pep is what my radio does and I have talked all around the world with a sirio pl5000 and mag mount. Just today I had a good conversation from a guy on the coast of France while driving down the highway. Get a good antenna and set it up right and it will work just fine. Most issues with mag mounts happen with more than 400 watts IMO, but a small amp isn't going to hurt a good antenna with a good magnet mount setup properly. JMO, and yes, if I could I would hard mount mine in a heart beat, but it's not mine to do so, like posted, if done properly, the hole isn't that bad and is the best way to go. Good luck with whatever you decide and I would heed the advice of these guys they know what they speak of!!! God bless

 

[DJboutit]

Go with this option

Get any coil antenna like 55 10k Road Ranger Mr Coily. Then get a a quad mag mag mount and get 4 3/4" coupling nuts like these

Shop The Hillman Group 3/4-in - 10 Zinc-Plated Standard (SAE) Regular Nut at Lowes.com

Put these coupling nuts between the t bar a the top and the magnets. Then get a right angel antenna connector like this one

OPEK SM-1L - Right Angle Antenna Adapter - SO-239 to 3/8" x 24 Thread

Now you can run any size coax you want to and have a better magmount and not have to drill any holes

 

[M0GVZ]

No a mag mount has more metal under it as opposed to the lip mount on the hatch. Both will take the power but remember its the metal under the antenna that matters.

However a magmount uses capacitive coupling rather than direct contact so the limit of the power it'll work with OK without putting a load of common mode on the coax is dependent upon that capacitive coupling which is dictated to some extent by the diameter of the magmount.

 

[The DB]

You would be surprised at how many lip mount installs don't actually make a direct connection between the mount and the metal they are attached to... These essentially end up acting like magnet mount antennas.

Even when the screws contact metal and you get continuity at DC between the mount and the metal it is attached to, it is a stretch at best to assume that there will be the same level of continuity at HF frequencies. There is a big difference between DC and AC, especially when you get to HF frequencies.


The DB

 

[ctvanover]

I'm gonna jump in and ask, I have a Sirio antenna and it looks like a Sirio 5000 and if i use the base of an Wilson 5000 for the Sirio ant. will it work on top of my Silverado ext. cab?

 

[222DBFL]

The sirio base should work with the wilson mag mount. Both connections are the same underneath.

 

[ctvanover]

Thanks for the info 222DBFL! I've been reading another post that talks about using an 102" and or 108" with a wilson 5 or 10 inch shaft, I think I'm goona try.

 

[222DBFL]

I am currently using a modified sirio pl5000 with a cut down 102" whip, you have to cut the whip to at least the same length as the stock whip, the bottom section has to be drilled out, I used a 13/64 bit for this and it is a tight fit, still and able to use both Allen screws as well. The 102" cut whip works well but is way heavier than the stock whip, I have my setup on top of a work van and there is no headliner, so I installed 6 5" magnets on the bottom side of the 6" magnet that's on the roof. It holds very well and has yet to be knocked down even at 70+ mph on the highway and hitting things. I did this as I was having issues with the stock tip getting bent, but you have to understand that my truck is 8ft9in at the top, which puts my antenna tip at 14ft2in., most people aren't running their antennas this tall. The cut 102" whip is much stiffer and heavier, but I am happy with the results of my setup. There is nothing wrong with the stock whip on the sirio pl5000 as long as you aren't going to be hitting a lot of hard objects, and I don't mean little branches, more like bridges, underpasses, large branches and so forth. IMO, the sirio is a better antenna than the wilson, I have used both and a k40 as well, and setup right, the sirio has better tx/rx range and is built better. JMO. Anyway, not sure what your plans are, but the sirio pl5000 and the 145 mag mount if you aren't planning on a hard mount, is going to be the best setup, IMO, that or a quad mag mount and predator 10k. And as far as coax, you can upgrade the coax from the factory (sirio). Like I said, check out DNJ radio and at least have a look at what they have, and they are good about replying to emails as well. Good luck and hope you get it all sorted. My vote is for the sirio pl5000 with the 145 mag mount. God bless.

 

[ctvanover]

Which end of the 102 did you cut on?

 

[222DBFL]

The bottom. I cut it in 1/4" intervals until I got the swr that I desired, (1.1-1.2) across the 11 meter band. I have made pages of contacts with this setup, so I have no doubt it works, but the added weight needs to be addressed accordingly as you don't want the antenna coming off at highway speeds. Also the 13/64" bit is the perfect size. Makes for a good fit and still gave me the option of having both Allen screws to lock the whip down. And just to clarify, I am not the original person to do this mod, got the ideas from a other forum member here after he had the same issue as I did. Like I said, the stock whip works fine as long as you aren't at a real tall height with the tip. And it's not really the very tip, it's around 6" down the tip that kept bending. After a long trip up north and hitting a few underpasses and low bridges, the tip of my antenna looked like a square. This is why I chose to use the 102" whip. And yes, it was cut from the bottom as should be. Take your time and I would suggest ordering another whip section as well, just in case you have an issue. I have 3 total top sections, this includes the base load and the whip, just not the other half of the base load that has the connection on it. I ordered 2 more after the 1st one was damaged, as I knew where I was working that the second one may become damaged as well. And it did. So that's when I found the mod using a 102" ss cut whip. Got my 102" whip from radio shack (which I can't hardly believe lol). Anyway, if you do try this mod, you may find that you may need a tri mag mount to accommodate the weight created by the 102" ss whip. JMO. Like I said earlier, the stock whip is fine as long as you aren't going to be running it above 13ft. At the tip. Hope this may have helped and god bless.

 

[M0GVZ]

My only concern about the 102" whip is the additional weight and lack of give putting more mechanical stress on the matching section of the 5000 when both driving and when its hitting things. Sometimes having more give isn't a bad thing.