Hood Antenna Mount, now available.

I wanted a place to mount my 1/4 wave HAM antenna that didn't scream "HEY I'VE GOT A RADIO IN HERE." Since we don't have an external FM antenna, the hood seemed like a great place.

After about a year, I'm still super happy with it, and enough people have asked that we decided to make it available. It's designed to use NMO style antennas which are available for all sorts of wavelengths, including CB.

Free shipping to your door in the lower 48.

https://www.victory4x4.com/product/VT3CB-BARE.html







Just in case you are curious, these are the parts in my com setup:
TYT TH-9800 Quad Band Mobile Two Way Radio
Victory 4x4 Antenna Mount
PCTEL BMATM3-NC NMO connector
Tram 140MHz-170MHz + 430MHz-470MHz Dual Band NMO Antenna

 

Very cool. I'll probably go this route when my callsign gets issued. Welcome back, FCC!

How is your phone mounted up there, just a suction cup on the windshield? I hadn't thought of mounting it up there.

 

I've ordered one, but do I need to be concerned about passenger radiation exposure at 50-100 watts?

 

I ran the numbers before, but I can't find them. I will sit down and do the calcs again after lunch. It was within FCC limits if I remember correctly, but I'll update soon.

 

Magnet mount: https://www.scosche.com/magicmount-peeloffdash

 

Side note, what mobile are you running at 100w? Haha inquiring minds asking .


I don't think mine has left 10w in a few months haha. I'm slacking

 

Ps @monkeyevil that thing is sweet!

 

OK, antenna exposure:

Passenger chest/head is ~3' from the antenna, driver chest/head is ~4'. Not worried about legs because the firewall and dash will block most radiation. I also don't have a real way of knowing how much the windshield knocks down the power density. Not sure if our trucks have passivated glass or not.

At 100w I don't think you have a chance of staying under the exposure recommendation with a hood mount. With cable losses (say 90w at the antenna) you are looking at like a 5' minimum distance (controlled environment rating) with a 2.5Dbd gain antenna on UHF and only slightly more with that same antenna on VHF (unity gain.)

50w is right at the limit. Say 45w at the antenna, you are looking at like a ~3.3' minimum distance (controlled environment rating) with a 2.5Dbd gain antenna on UHF and only slightly more with that same antenna on VHF (unity gain.)

CB (regulated at 4w) is safe within a foot from the antenna.

None of those calcs take into consideration the windshield blocking power density. Also, transportation devices are exempt from Part 15 because "Although the FCC's exposure criteria apply to portable and mobile devices in general, at this time routine evaluation for compliance is not required for devices such as "push-to-talk" portable radios and "push-to-talk" mobile radios used in taxicabs, business, police and fire vehicles and used by amateur radio operators. These transmitting devices are excluded from routine evaluation because their duty factors...are generally low..."

What that means to me personally is, even though there a no legal FCC regulations on this, transmit only as high as needed and stay under 50w. If I needed more power I think I would do a roof mount, as that would be a "better" antenna setup if you need that much range, plus more safety factor with a metal roof.

Thanks for reminding me of this BTW! I need to add a disclaimer to the product page.

 

Does this antenna work for FM.? If so, how well?

I'm thinking of upgrading my antenna cuz I'm on the fringe of decent reception..??

 

It would work for FM, you would need a 31" antenna and an adapter to get from whatever cable end you have to the factory radio connector. The easiest would probably be a coax cable with a Motorola connector, then use an adapter like this to get into the factory radio. I have no idea what the blue wire is for, however.
https://www.amazon.com/FEELDO-Aftermarket-Antenna-Adapter-Accessories/dp/B074FRJDKR

So parts list:
Our antenna bracket ($25) - https://www.victory4x4.com/product/VT3CB-BARE.html
Laird MABTO adapter ($12) - https://www.mouser.com/ProductDetail/Laird/MABTO?qs=EU6FO9ffTweCDe7O3AMx1g==
Larsen NMOQ88C Antenna cut to 31" ($26.95) - https://www.theantennafarm.com/catalog/larsen-nmoq88c-3198
Male Antenna Adapter ($6.50) - https://www.amazon.com/FEELDO-Aftermarket-Antenna-Adapter-Accessories/dp/B074FRJDKR
Cable with Motorolla end ($8.00) - https://www.amazon.com/Motorola-Ant...d=1548791306&sr=8-5&keywords=fm+antenna+cable

So like $80 for a real FM antenna all said and done? Seems like a lot, unless your reception really sucks. I also am not sure how much better this would be than the stock antenna.

 

We're supposed to be lopro with our comms? ...oops

3rd antenna is going on a driver side ditch mount.

 

Thanx a lot... I'll check all this out and see what I'll do come spring.

4' deep in snow right now and -25......

 

I thought I answered but can't find the post so I'm sorry if this is a repeat. I have a Yaesu FT857. I'll probably use this with a cb antenna for monitoring CB on the highway, but I could see putting on a ATAS120 in the future for all band access. I rarely transmit So I don't worry too much about the exposure, but just in case.

 

Serious Question. Will the Antenna survive a drive-thru carwash? if not i'll probably mount it in the bed behind the rear window.

 

Is this the Antenna you are using? it seems a little longer than the one in the picture.

$25 TRAM 140MHz-170MHz + 430MHz-470MHz Dual Band NMO Antenna (1181)

https://www.amazon.com/Tram-140MHz-170MHz-430MHz-470MHz-Dual-Antenna/dp/B00IDTJ2KE

 

Yep, that's the one.

Yeah, I go through an automatic all the time.

 

Yeah, antenna doesn't scream "HEY I'VE GOT A RADIO IN HERE" but the interior certainly does. Screams bust my windows and take all my shit. I never install anything in plain sight i'm not prepared to lose, but that's just me. I also live in the city where that shit goes on all the time. May luck favor you. Outstanding install BTW

 

I don't have to worry much about it in my town (not to say I haven't had stuff stolen), but everything is quickly detachable if I park somewhere where I should worry about it. Also, tinted windows help hide a lot

 

Hey @monkeyevil, so im new to the Ham world and im currently buying a setup right now and was looking at this mount since its lowprofile and such. I was wondering which size connector did you use? I googled the part number and it was talking about 3/8th hole or 3/4 hole and such. Just want to make sure i get the correct cable to mount with this. Thanks for the help and awesome looking product. And if it matters, im going to see bout getting the same antenna you use and pair it with a kenwood TM-D710G.

 

Looks good. How does it handle larger antennas? I have a beefy 5/8 VHF NMO whip that my current fender mount can't handle.