Member Since: 31 Aug 2015
Location: Essex
Posts: 828
CB antenna mounting
Wasn't sure which section to put this in, this or off road - but anyway...
I've bought myself a 2nd hand Midland Alan 42 handheld. I was warned that just using inside the car with no external antenna, reception maybe sketchy at best - well I have found out that this is indeed the case.
So I am exploring external options. I will only be using it occasionally, hence why I went for a handheld rather than installing a 'rig' permanently (see, learning the lingo), so the antenna needs to be able to be installed/removed.
As I see it, two option:
Mag mount - with a full glass roof on the D4, there isn't much metal to connect it to - centre of the roof behind the front sun roof I think. Will the reception be ok there? I am slightly concerned about paintwork damage, but hopefully with some careful cleaning before hand.
Some sort of attachment to the roof rail - May take a bit longer to install/de-install, but thats not an issue. Will reception be ok there? Any suggestions on suitable attachment/mount?
Antenna - I am guessing some sort of springing whip would be ideal. Any recommendations?
TIAMY2012 D4 HSE Nara Bronze with some extra stuff
I'd stick to using one of the redundant roof rail captive nuts if you haven't got roof rails fitted. Don't bother with a mag mount the cars made of aluminium.
11th Dec 2017 3:11 pm
Luapno
Member Since: 27 Sep 2013
Location: Birmingham
Posts: 871
I seem to remember Uncle Ray (forum name RLD) supplies a mount that fitted on the roof railsWhen you are dead, you do not know you are dead. All of the pain is felt by others. The same thing happens when you are stupid.
11th Dec 2017 3:23 pm
Nasher
Member Since: 07 Mar 2009
Location: Clanfield, North of Pompey - UK
Posts: 2686
Magmount on the roof works fine, there is a section on the high part of the roof, just in front of the glass roof that does the job, mine used to be there until I added the magnetic amber beacons
I have an Uncle Ray Bracket now, mounted at the rear of the LHS roof rail, works fine too I bought a magmount repair bit, so I unscrew the whip when I need to remove it and leave the base bolted to Uncle Rays Bracket
With either setup I can get an SWR of under 1.3 - 1.5 so not bad
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11th Dec 2017 5:42 pm
Hairy Dan
Member Since: 19 Jan 2011
Location: Co. Durham
Posts: 12319
I'm the same as Windy Corner, had a magmount but didn't like having to take it off all the time so got one of Ray's brackets and have it mounted on the N/S/R roof rail with a magmount repair cable going down inside the tailgate and under the seats to the front. Great connection in both places but the RLD mount is less hassle Cheers Ian
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11th Dec 2017 6:25 pm
mick_n3
Member Since: 19 May 2017
Location: Kettering
Posts: 421
Uncle Ray mount every time LRs are a fond memory, apart from the maintenance.
11th Dec 2017 7:11 pm
DSL Keeper of the wheelie bin
Member Since: 11 May 2006
Location: Off again! :-)
Posts: 72787
+1, though sold mine as part of The Dark Bluie Great Parts Bonanza. Now I just need to sell my CB setup as have neither use for it nor bracket to mount it on.
11th Dec 2017 7:14 pm
tayaste
Member Since: 15 May 2013
Location: Chester
Posts: 7633
+1 for uncle rays mount. You could also add a quick disconnect if you wanted to remove and refit frequently. But if your going to just use it infrequently then can Just unscrew the antenna and refit when needed.
11th Dec 2017 7:23 pm
ITO
Member Since: 26 Jan 2017
Location: Aberdeenshire
Posts: 37
A+1 for Uncle rays or +2 even as I have CB and VHF on them.
Member Since: 10 Feb 2016
Location: Teesside
Posts: 311
Interested to know how you get on with the midland Alan 42 and the external mount lasertam, am looking at getting one myself looks like an uncle ray mount is the way to go. General Grabber AT3's
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11th Dec 2017 9:05 pm
LaserTam
Member Since: 31 Aug 2015
Location: Essex
Posts: 828
Thanks for the helpful replies (as always) and Uncle Ray has been in touch - sounds like I have a solution.
What about the antenna itself - any recommendations?MY2012 D4 HSE Nara Bronze with some extra stuff
11th Dec 2017 9:07 pm
tayaste
Member Since: 15 May 2013
Location: Chester
Posts: 7633
What range are you looking for? And when will it be used? ie green laning , motorway slogs etc?
11th Dec 2017 11:57 pm
LaserTam
Member Since: 31 Aug 2015
Location: Essex
Posts: 828
Fairly low range, laning or at 'events', not for motorway stuff.MY2012 D4 HSE Nara Bronze with some extra stuff
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