Hi all,

Have 94 Explorer which has no luggage rack on top. I would like to mount some Ham and scanner antenna's on the roof but do not want to drill any holes in the roof body. Has anybody tried building a rack of some sort or modifying one to accept antennas? Any ideas.....

Thanks

 

Without drilling the only feasable option is to mount using magnets and run the wires through window gaskets. Personally i think you should drill.

 

I use mag mounts and bring the cables in the rear hatch on my 97. I would not have done that but the previous owner had already used mag mounts on the roof so there was already scratching on it. I am not partial to drilling (and the sunroof causes issues with the mount points on my 97) or mag mounts on my cars when the paint is nice and new. On both prior vehicles I have used a through the glass antenna for it. What frequencies do you want to be working at?

 

If you do go through the gaskets of a window make sure you get it nice and caulked. RTV sealent sounds like the right agent to use, but I would feel better if you got the opinion of a "plugging" expert.

 

I will also tell you to drill, I know it's scary drilling holes in a vehicle, but it is WELL worth it. I have always used magnet mounts on my previous 4 vehicles. My 2000 explorer is by far the nicest and newest vehicle i've ever had, and I was terrified to drill. But I decided since it was nice, I wanted a clean and nice antenna installation to match it. It's really easy and if you do it right, well worth the performance and look gains. Here is a picture of my installation, please let me know if you have any more questions.




As far as magnet mounts go, I used them for awhile on my exploder before i drilled, I ran the coax in to the back door, and ran the coax across the top of the weather stripping, and down the side of the door. Whatever you do with magnets, make sure you dont just run the coax straight down across the weather stripping, it will leak water. Make sure you put a drip loop in the coax if you run it in the door,and try to put it so it won't let water in.

 

My setup looks just like unclebens's k40 - except I'm using a Wilson mount with a Wilson 1000 antenna with a quick disconnect so I can take the antenna off when in the garage, parking decks, etc. I had a magnet mount, but got tired of it and the coax will wear more because of the hatch and seals. Don't be scared to drill the hole - its no biggy. I took the two push pins out and dropped the headliner just far enough to hold a 2x6 there while my father drilled the hole (keeps the bit from going through). then put a 4"x4" piece of steel on the bottom with a hole in it. Mounted the Wilson mount and put a 90 degree coax fitting on it and run the coax from there...

 

I've decided to drill holes on the roof. I plan to install a 2/6 meter, UHF,VHF,Tri-band scanner antenna and 800mhz. How hard is it to take down the interior roof liner? What are the procedures for doing this?
Thanks

 

I havent actually dropped the headliner all the way, but I can tell you next time I drill anything in that roof, the headliner is coming out all the way. I can tell you that for the rear at least, you have to pull out both rear side panes, which is done by pulling out the plastic plugs around the whole thing on both sides. then pull out the plastic plugs that hold the headliner up just inside the rear hatch. Pry the cover off of the dome light over the rear seats, and unscrew that from the roof. You'll also have to take the seatbelts off the pillars if you want to remove the trim all the way, which is highley recomended. The seat belt bolts are Torx heads, not sure what size. Then remove the front side trim. I can't really advise how best to do that, because i never took those down, i just dropped the rear enough to squeeze my hand in to hold the mounts up. If you decide to go that same route, just be carefull you dont rip or bend the headliner on the sides. I did that but luckily it was a small rip and it's hidden behind the trim for a nice finished product. Are you going with all NMO mounts?

Also, if you are coming up short on ideas for scanner antennas, look at www.waltel.com under their mobile scanner antenna section, you'll see the same antenna that I use from Antennex. really nice sturdy antenna. I've found it performs just as well as my radioshack magmount which are actually really nice antennas.

 

So where do you guys mount all your stuff, we got a Explorer and all kinds of ham gear but just not sure where to mount this stuff. KC7VKZ

 

I have a 706mkIIg in my truck. I got the removable face plate cable so I have the rig under the diver's seat and the head unit for it mounted on the dash. Actually, I made a little bracket out of folder sheet metal and put it above the two cubby holes in the center console (below the HVAC controls). I was able to pull the plastic section that has the cubby holes in it forward so that I could put the little plate between it and the HVAC stuff (there is some gasketing material) so it holds it there really nicely. At some point I'll try and get a pic.

K2JJB

 

Custom console. I know the tan carpet is gay, but I was finishing it at like 4AM and walmart only had tan at the time

 

 

Years back when I bought my 2 mtr 440, they did not have the detachable face must say nice feature. Time to install my 10 mtr and the small 2mtr 440. Thanks for the pics. Rod

 

Diamond Antenna has Hatch Mounts which clamp around the lip of the tailgate and use RG 213 Teflon for the antenna cable I have used these for years with good results. And the setscrews which mount the brackets are pointed so they bite into the metal ensuring a good ground connection.

There are receiver mount brackets in the event you want to run HF although the diamond brackets could support an Outbacker antenna you would need the receiver mount for something like a texas bugcatcher.

 

Drill. I have no problems as you can see. The first hole is always hard (on your mind)

http://www.scandiego.com/120/index.htm

My vehicle is an operating breaking news gathering ride. I call it a NAV (News Assault Vehicle)

However, notice I have many glass mounts. Glass mount antennas may be a viable option for you as long as you're staying in VHF and UHF. I have not had good experience with glass mount for anything lower than 100 mHZ.