Ham Radio Antenna Install

No worries man, it's good to see options. I stayed away from lip mounts specifically because my brother has one and doesn't like it very much (he loves my setup and is getting a hood hinge bracket for his t4r now), but it's a much cheaper option.

If I was going to do it again I would put it on the driver's side instead (I bought a new bracket and moved it since creating this thread), and I might go with a bracket other than relentless' that gets it more out of the way.

 

I would also recommend reading this thread if you want to see other options:
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/clean-vhf-cb-radio-installs.415584/

 

Shampoo.... also.

 

As the aformentioned @cheuer brother who had a lip mount almost identical to this one, I wouldn't use it. I had it on a 3rd gen T4R for a couple of years and when I took it off to replace it you could see where this mount had scratched the paint on the hood along the sides. I think it was from the antenna swaying back and forth and putting slight pressure along the long edge of the mount against the hood. YMMV but I'd say stay away from this type of lip mount unless you like to scratch the paint on your shiny new Taco.

 

I've never had this issue over several years of use on other vehicles, though I will readily admit that I buy my vehicles to use and don't care in the least about scratches, or even dents. Good advice for someone else who may be more OCD than I, but again, I never had that issue.

 

Could have something to do with how flat the surface you have it on is possibly, who knows. Just relaying my experience with this type of mount. I don't mind some trail rash (I have plenty of scratches in my not-even-a-year-old T4R already) but if I can avoid putting in scratches deliberately, I will.

 

Is transmitting at 440Mhz at 50 watts that close to driver or passenger safe? http://hintlink.com/power_density.php
http://www.wirelessconnections.net/calcs/rfsafety.asp

 

Perhaps not for extended transmissions, but a) I'm almost always at medium power, much lower than 50 watts, and b) I'm never transmitting that long anyway.

 

excuse the n00b question, but what tools are needed to attach the coax to the NMO mount? Thanks,

 

Mounting to the windshield wiper? I wonder if it makes his signal strength modulate when he turns on the windshield wipers?

All nice mounting examples here... I just went with a mag mount and put the coax in through the rear slider with some weatherstripping foam to seal up the window. It runs behind the rear seat split, under the rugs and mats up to the center console cubby where I keep my radio. Power comes from up front under the plastic console edge to the existing hole in the bottom of the cubby. Out of sight 100% except for the antenna.

 

Has anyone mounted off of a ditch light setup? I like the hood hinge setup BUT I plan to mount the ditch lights. Rago fab has a nice bracket that goes to the rear on the tailgate but, thats some distance for the coax and only comes for CB antennas and not the 3/4 hole for an NMO mount. I'm at a loss and my kenwood 710 wants to be put back in service...

 

There's plenty of different mounting options. You could get that rago fab bracket and drill it out to 3/4 I bet.

Check here for more ideas: https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/clean-vhf-cb-radio-installs.415584/

 

Is this mount still working well for you? Looks so clean.

 

Yes still works perfect.

 

Noob questions: I'm buying a Midland microMobile GMRS radio pretty soon and want to know if cb antennas are interchangeable? This will be my first time installing a radio.

 

I don't really know anything about GMRS or CB, so you'll have to find another thread to ask this in, sorry.

 

Put my new mfj 1750 up today. It works really good. I am hitting repeaters I couldn’t now. Seems better than my j pole.

 

No, they're completely different.

GMRS is FM and UHF, CB is AM and a much lower frequency. Your SWR would be atrocious and you could blow up the radio if you transmitted.

I'm not a HAM, so someone who is feel free to correct me if I'm wrong... I'm pretty sure you need licensed to transmit GMRS in the US. You more than likely won't get in trouble for general use, but you probably should register and learn about your radio so you don't accidentally cause interference and get fined by the FCC.

 

You need a license for GMRS but it's easy to get. And yea, the antenna is completely different and yea, you can fry your radio.