[jmartinsmart]

So over the weekend I decided to get my Amateur Radio Technician License. Passed the test Sunday, and am now waiting to be included in the FCC database and get my Callsign.

In the meantime... I'd like to install a transceiver in my 453, so I'm antenna planning. Does anyone really know what is under that non-metal roof panel? My preference is to roof mount (I'm not afraid of headliners - or drilling a hole).

Any advice or experience to share?

Jim in Hollister

 

[jwight]

From the SCoA vault...

https://www.smartcarofamerica.com/threads/anybody-installing-a-ham-radio-in-the-smart.972/

It's aimed at the 451 but might give you some ideas.

 

[jmartinsmart]

It's aimed at the 451

Yeah, I read that entire thread last night (I use search)... but the 451 is a totally different beast.
I was hoping some 453 owners had tackled antenna installs. Most of the 451 owners were heading for the Tow Eye insert, and I just don't like the asymmetry of that... nor having to deal with it blocking my tailgate. I'd much rather drive around looking like a thumbtack... so roof mounting is my preference.

I guess the best thing to do is start dropping that headliner and seeing what is up there.
A thick NMO type mount should work, since there is no metal up there for mag mounts.
Then, with the NMO up there, I can have a choice of what goes on top.

Thank you though, for pointing that thread out.
Jim

 

[misfitsailor]

Congrats from KE6MSN!

 

[jmartinsmart]

I did find some helpful information on Evilutions's site, where he installed a roof mount FM antenna.
At least now I know that the roof panel appears to be about 7mm thick, so a longer threaded NMO mount is advised.
I am concerned however about there being no metal at the roof panel, so I was thinking at least a metal plate (as large as would fit) between the Nut/Washer and the bottom of the fibrous roof panel (grounded to the Tridion Cell) might help create that missing ground plane.

Just have to gather the parts, and the gumption to drill the hole.
If all else fails, I'll just drive around with a cork in my roof and call it quits.


Jim

 

[jmartinsmart]

It's official:

Wooohoooo.
Jim

 

[misfitsailor]

jmartinsmart makes a good point, no ground plane on a plastic roof. Something to think about. I did find this idea:
Speedcom Antenna Mounting Ground Plane

 

[jmartinsmart]

jmartinsmart makes a good point, no ground plane on a plastic roof. Something to think about if your type of antenna requires it. I did find this idea:
Speedcom Antenna Mounting Ground Plane

Yeah, that's the kind of thing I was thinking... just a piece of metal with a matching hole at the mounting point.
I assume the larger the better, but I won't know until I get inside the headliner and look.

Jim

 

[Mjolinor]

Kitchen foil works well and can be stuck inside easily enough. Making the connection can prove tiresome and if you use aluminium flux it trashes your soldering iron tip so you have to reserve it for aluminium only.

 

[SubRosa]

Welcome to the fold, de W7TFO

SR

 

[jmartinsmart]

jmartinsmart makes a good point, no ground plane on a plastic roof. Something to think about. I did find this idea:
Speedcom Antenna Mounting Ground Plane

Ironically, when looking into this particular accessory, I noticed the only negative review was from someone who sent it back because, and I quote:

"Junk... magnet will not stick to this at all."

Hellooooo.... it's aluminum.
Ugh.

Jim

 

[Bill Walsh]

So over the weekend I decided to get my Amateur Radio Technician License. Passed the test Sunday, and am now waiting to be included in the FCC database and get my Callsign.

In the meantime... I'd like to install a transceiver in my 453, so I'm antenna planning. Does anyone really know what is under that non-metal roof panel? My preference is to roof mount (I'm not afraid of headliners - or drilling a hole).

Any advice or experience to share?

Jim in Hollister

Welcome from KA5LSU

I got an arm rest from the internet and put a small 2meter mobile with a remote head in it. the arm rest drops into the cup holder at the rear of the console. I cut about a 1 inch hole through the cup holder and arm rest to run coax and power wires through. Ran power wires directly from the twelve volt battery. There's a small cut out in the bottom front of the arm rest that allows the head wiring and microphone wires to come through. Just above the hatch is a heavy bar that will hold magnet mount on the roof with a small antenna. Works very well except at freeway speeds in a very high head wind. Radio uses the entire cage of the body structure as a ground plane through the grounded negative battery connection.

Works well and no noise in the radio receiving or transmitting.

 

[jmartinsmart]

Welcome from KA5LSU

I got an arm rest from the internet and put a small 2meter mobile with a remote head in it. the arm rest drops into the cup holder at the rear of the console. I cut about a 1 inch hole through the cup holder and arm rest to run coax and power wires through. Ran power wires directly from the twelve volt battery. There's a small cut out in the bottom front of the arm rest that allows the head wiring and microphone wires to come through. Just above the hatch is a heavy bar that will hold magnet mount on the roof with a small antenna. Works very well except at freeway speeds in a very high head wind. Radio uses the entire cage of the body structure as a ground plane through the grounded negative battery connection.

Works well and no noise in the radio receiving or transmitting.

Interesting...
I've ordered this unit:

QYT KT-WP12 Mobile Radio 25W 200 Channels Dual Band Car Ham Radio Transceiver Two Way Radio with Programming Cable : Electronics

Buy QYT KT-WP12 Mobile Radio 25W 200 Channels Dual Band Car Ham Radio Transceiver Two Way Radio with Programming Cable: Two-Way Radios - Amazon.com ✓ FREE DELIVERY possible on eligible purchases

www.amazon.com

And plan to put it up under the dash (there's tons of room there, and all the controls are on the mic, so I don't need to see the head unit). I'll design up a 3D print of a mic holder that will attach behind and extend out from the right side of the factory radio face plate... so that should look nice.

I'm still looking for the best antenna solution, but have a few ideas, and I have a trunk style clip NMO mount coming that I can slip onto the front edge of the rear hatch for now... but I think I'll eventually punch a hole just ahead of that rear bar you refer to and go with a NMR mount there. I'll probably put a metal plate under the mount, and ground it to the Tridion so there will be at least some form of ground plane.

Thank you for the welcome, and the advice.
Jim

 

[Bill Walsh]

Interesting...
I've ordered this unit:

QYT KT-WP12 Mobile Radio 25W 200 Channels Dual Band Car Ham Radio Transceiver Two Way Radio with Programming Cable : Electronics

Buy QYT KT-WP12 Mobile Radio 25W 200 Channels Dual Band Car Ham Radio Transceiver Two Way Radio with Programming Cable: Two-Way Radios - Amazon.com ✓ FREE DELIVERY possible on eligible purchases

www.amazon.com

And plan to put it up under the dash (there's tons of room there, and all the controls are on the mic, so I don't need to see the head unit). I'll design up a 3D print of a mic holder that will attach behind and extend out from the right side of the factory radio face plate... so that should look nice.

I'm still looking for the best antenna solution, but have a few ideas, and I have a trunk style clip NMO mount coming that I can slip onto the front edge of the rear hatch for now... but I think I'll eventually punch a hole just ahead of that rear bar you refer to and go with a NMR mount there. I'll probably put a metal plate under the mount, and ground it to the Tridion so there will be at least some form of ground plane.

Thank you for the welcome, and the advice.
Jim

Dd you research before ordering? My wife said she did and they have heat issues and shut down.

 

[jmartinsmart]

Dd you research before ordering? My wife said she did and they have heat issues and shut down.

I watched some favorable reviews... nothing mentioning heat issues, but even the Amazon listing mentions that it ships with extra fuses... so that could be a concern. For the price however, I'll give it a try... if it doesn't work out, simple install, simple remove, no harm done. Has some good features, and I like the hidden head unit.

I don't expect I'll be on it very much, I'm kinda new to this whole Ham thing.
Although, if I'm honest, I spent hours in my dad's Lincoln Continental back in the early 70's yacking on a CB.
That 1/2 acre trunk lid on that Lincoln with a base coil antenna could reach everywhere.

KIP-1152, the "Continental Kid"

(God that was 50 years ago).
Jim

 

[Bill Walsh]

I watched some favorable reviews... nothing mentioning heat issues, but even the Amazon listing mentions that it ships with extra fuses... so that could be a concern. For the price however, I'll give it a try... if it doesn't work out, simple install, simple remove, no harm done. Has some good features, and I like the hidden head unit.

I don't expect I'll be on it very much, I'm kinda new to this whole Ham thing.
Although, if I'm honest, I spent hours in my dad's Lincoln Continental back in the early 70's yacking on a CB.
That 1/2 acre trunk lid on that Lincoln with a base coil antenna could reach everywhere.

KIP-1152, the "Continental Kid"

(God that was 50 years ago).
Jim

I had a '61 Ford Falcon with a Black Face Johnson [ Messenger II ] hanging under the dash when I was 16. If mom called I had better answer or have good reason why I didn't. Intensive care and the morgue were good reasons. Not much of anything else. Had the "plate screw" turned up to about twenty watts out. I talked from a hill top in Kansas into Nevada.

Little better than fifty years ago. *<]D

 

[jmartinsmart]

Little better than fifty years ago. *<]D

Midland, 13-882, 23 channel (they didn't have 40 then), mounted on the transmission hump... in the back seat (I was only about 12-13 years old - so didn't have a license).
Antenna Specialists 42" whip on top of a base coil. (Found this picture on the internet):

I later built a small desktop cabinet for a 12v power supply and the radio, and moved it indoors.
Dad bought me a 20' tall, 5/8 wave ground plane, from Grainger's.
We stuck it on the roof of the house on top of another 12' pole.
I could really put out with that thing. No amp, no linear, nothing weird... it just really worked.

Met my first girlfriend on that... KIY-2427 "Topaz." We used to go to the "breaks" at Pizza and Pipes here in Campbell.
Those were wonderful years... I'd do them again in a heartbeat.

Jim

(It's my thread, so I can ramble on)
Just noticed your header say's, "Joined 5 h ago" Welcome to the forums.

 

[Bill Walsh]

Midland, 13-882, 23 channel (they didn't have 40 then), mounted on the transmission hump... in the back seat (I was only about 12-13 years old - so didn't have a license).
Antenna Specialists 42" whip on top of a base coil. (Found this picture on the internet):

View attachment 68570

I later built a small desktop cabinet for a 12v power supply and the radio, and moved it indoors.
Dad bought me a 20' tall, 5/8 wave ground plane, from Grainger's.
We stuck it on the roof of the house on top of another 12' pole.
I could really put out with that thing. No amp, no linear, nothing weird... it just really worked.

Met my first girlfriend on that... KIY-2427 "Topaz." We used to go to the "breaks" at Pizza and Pipes here in Campbell.
Those were wonderful years... I'd do them again in a heartbeat.

Jim

(It's my thread, so I can ramble on)
Just noticed your header say's, "Joined 5 h ago" Welcome to the forums.

Midland made some pretty good radios. I had several over the years.

 

[Richard LeBlond]

So over the weekend I decided to get my Amateur Radio Technician License. Passed the test Sunday, and am now waiting to be included in the FCC database and get my Callsign.

In the meantime... I'd like to install a transceiver in my 453, so I'm antenna planning. Does anyone really know what is under that non-metal roof panel? My preference is to roof mount (I'm not afraid of headliners - or drilling a hole).

Any advice or experience to share?

Jim in Hollister

I bought a duel band antenna that mounts on my rear window glass . The RF is connected thru a device that does not require any holes-----mounts with adhesives! Used it for years, works great. Found it at Ham Radio Outlet! Probably need a spot on the glass that does not have the window heater grid. N6ooz. Great wswr! used on both bands.

 

[SMARTKAR]

What was the length of the antenna