If one is interested in the “no-hole” fender mount for specific models, how does one select the specific model required without first adding a pig in a poke to their cart?
Hi @Be_Your_Own_Bodyguar! We carry a variety of fender mounts, some of which are car brand specific. Can you tell us more about your vehicle and antenna/connector?
Yes we have a variety of options. It would help what vehicle you have and whether this is for VHF/UHF of HF. Obviously we have magnetic mounts. We also have a variety of fender mounts for truck beds, similar to these.
https://www.gigaparts.com/nsearch/?q=fender+mount
We also have a variety of lip mounts from Diamond and Comet for hood or trunk mounting.
We also have mounts for mirror brackets or even glass mounts for vhf/uhf antennas to be mounted on your rear window.
https://www.gigaparts.com/nsearch/?q=glass+mount
If you can provide a little more information we can find one specific for your needs.
None of these require drilling of holes in your vehicle.
Thanks, Harry. I’d like to outfit my 2020 Ford F-150 in an IC-2730a for UHF and GMRS. Not fully sold on the fender mount but it’s an interesting alternative. As to connectors, I can put anything on the end of a cable and have not selected an antenna. I’m sure you can help there. I do like five and seven element co-linear for UHF.
Cheers_____________
John
John, for your 2730a you are looking at a vhf/uhf antenna. The FO3ANTNCG is the best fender mount mounted on the driver’s side at the hood.
https://www.gigaparts.com/fo3antncg-ford-specific-fender-mounting-bracket.html
This mount would use an nmo or uhf antenna mount base. I would recommend the NMO mount
https://www.gigaparts.com/diamond-antenna-c101nmo.html
For that mount there are a number of NMO base dual band antennas in various sizes. I recommend the 38” Comet SBB5NMO
https://www.gigaparts.com/diamond-antenna-c101nmo.html
This antenna folds over if you need to go into a garage. It comes in a 58” size, but the 38” may be easier to use. This antenna has a 5.5 db gain on 440.
I do not recommend the 5 to 7 element collinear array for vehicle mounting that you suggested. A collinear array is not appropriate for a vehicle in motion and is a bit cumbersome.
As you know you will need to get the coax from the antenna base, through the firewall, and into the cab to connect to your 2730A.
Hope this helps. There are other options.
Harry, this is extremely helpful. Why do you particularly recommend a driver’s side mounting. Setting aside the difficulty of bonding cab to box to frame as the F150 has an aluminum body, I’ve always thought a bumper or front edge of the box were structurally advantageous. What will you recommend for these alternatives?
Thank you, Harry.
Cheers,
John
John,
Well, if the residential street has trees, then driver’s side is better. If you need to adjust it to go into a parking garage it is closer.
On my mobile antenna I have an additional braid ground from the antenna to the hood mount. You may want to consider another ground wire to your radio. However, at vhf/uhf frequencies additional grounding is not as critical as with HF installations…note your HT…no extra ground. There are bumper mounts or trailer hitch mounts, but then your antenna will be behind your truck bed and shielded or blocked. With a hood mount the antenna is “out in the clear” with no obstructions.
Harry, thanks for the help. I’ve ordered the IC-2730a w/MARS, the Fender Bracket, Antenna, and NMO Harness you suggested. Also, the nifty window suction-cup control head mount. I love those things. When it all arrives, I’ll run it into my local shop and have it installed. Can’t wait.
Merry Christmas to me!
And Merry Christmas to you, Happy New Year, or whatever holidays you celebrate in the Season.
God Bless Us, Every One
John H J Mountcastle, MS, CISSP, PMP, AC3LU
Merry Christmas to you too, John! You will have a superb installation in your truck. Great idea to have your local shop run that through the firewall and maybe provide some extra grounding. To extend your coax, you may want to consider this “barrel connector”
https://www.gigaparts.com/pl-258-double-so-239-uhf-adapter.html
I have a 2020 toyota tacoma. Can you help me with the mount that is specific to that model. HF antenna.
The Comet TACANTGNCG is specifically made for the 2016 - 2023 Toyota Tacoma and goes on the driver’s side.
https://www.gigaparts.com/tacantncg-driver-side-no-hole-antenna-fender-mount-for-toyota.html
You could also use the Comet Lip Mounts, like the HD-5NMO, or others on your Tacoma.