Hardtop antennas

[Tmurder1776]

Has anybody drilled holes into their hardtop yet to install antennas? I'm looking to install a few antennas for work and they'll need to be on the roof.

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[MtnTopComms]

Actually there are a variety of options for antenna mounting that intentionally don't involve the roof. What bands do the antenna's operate in?

 

[Tmurder1776]

Actually there are a variety of options for antenna mounting that intentionally don't involve the roof. What bands do the antenna's operate in?

A tri-band VHF/UHF/7-800 NMO whip and a panorama cell/gps/wifi antenna. The NMO and Panorama need to be mounted to a flat surface. I know I could do single bands on the tailgate, lips, or trail sights, but then I'd need one for each band and I don't want an antenna farm.

 

[doyouglas]

Maybe get a half rack roof rack?

 

[MtnTopComms]

Ok so food for thought, you can do A pillar NMOs on both sides (I am doing this with the Mountain to Metal bracket) and do VHF/UHF on one side and 700/800 on the other and then if they are two separate radios (or then can join them together with a combiner if they are on the same radio.

Now as for the panorama, my plan (as I have the same problem, but not yet built) is to fab a bracket to go over the brake light to hold the panorama. It's slightly below the roof line but really you're not likely to see much of a difference.

Another option would be a half roof rack and you could mount the panorama on that.

You really can't mount to the roof on the bronco effectively because it's not structurally set up for that and since it's not metal it offers no ground plane benefits.

 

[Tmurder1776]

Ok so food for thought, you can do A pillar NMOs on both sides (I am doing this with the Mountain to Metal bracket) and do VHF/UHF on one side and 700/800 on the other and then if they are two separate radios (or then can join them together with a combiner if they are on the same radio.

Now as for the panorama, my plan (as I have the same problem, but not yet built) is to fab a bracket to go over the brake light to hold the panorama. It's slightly below the roof line but really you're not likely to see much of a difference.

Another option would be a half roof rack and you could mount the panorama on that.

You really can't mount to the roof on the bronco effectively because it's not structurally set up for that and since it's not metal it offers no ground plane benefits.

I was thinking about doing a grounded plate under the hard top like we do on motorcycle installs. But a bracket for the panorama isn't a bad idea.

Maybe get a half rack roof rack?

I have plans for a custom roof rack with proper ground planes. I've sent it to a ton of welders and haven't gotten a yes yet.

 

[MtnTopComms]

The panorama I was planning to use was long and skinny so it lent itself to that but I know some use the round.

 

[604Bronco]

The thought of compromising the OEM hardtop even more makes me throw up in my mouth a little bit.

 

[Tmurder1776]

The panorama I was planning to use was long and skinny so it lent itself to that but I know some use the round.

I have the round great white from an uninstall I did. I know panorama has some other mounts but I think they're more meant for temp applications.

 

[CalvinT]

If you can find a suitable antenna that's a 1/2 wave instead of a quarter wave, you don't need a ground plane. Half wave antennas can be mounted anywhere.

The flat surface requirement for a 1/4 wave antenna assumes a metallic flat surface that functions as a ground plane.

 

[Rocky905]

A tri-band VHF/UHF/7-800 NMO whip and a panorama cell/gps/wifi antenna. The NMO and Panorama need to be mounted to a flat surface. I know I could do single bands on the tailgate, lips, or trail sights, but then I'd need one for each band and I don't want an antenna farm.

I had a Tri-band mounted on the edge of the hood on my 4Runner. This was on the side opposite the OEM radio antenna, about even with the OEM radio antenna. Was for VHF/UHF ham radio bands. Don’t see why that would not work for BRONCO. Easy installation and wiring to interior with no drilling.

 

[Johnny Mo]

I have the round great white from an uninstall I did. I know panorama has some other mounts but I think they're more meant for temp applications.

Check with these guys - https://www.whelen.com/ my buddy used to work for them, they apparently were test fitting a Bronco a couple years back, probably for some Forest service or other Ranger type fleet vehicles. He left a couple years ago so not sure where they are on Bronco products yet or if they even sell to the public.

 

[Fasteddy]

I found this interesting spot just above rear cross bar, I was thinking of using the ASP 3/8" style NMO with a ground plane sheet on the underside for a 7/800 5/8 wave...

 

[HoosierSquatch]

I was thinking about doing a grounded plate under the hard top like we do on motorcycle installs. But a bracket for the panorama isn't a bad idea.

I have plans for a custom roof rack with proper ground planes. I've sent it to a ton of welders and haven't gotten a yes yet.

Have you figured this out yet? I have a trailrax roof rack and was thinking of running the antenna wire up my a-pillar and through the front gasket on the drivers side, then mount to my rack. I did this for my light bar on the passenger side. No issues with water.

 

[CalvinT]

Have you figured this out yet? I have a trailrax roof rack and was thinking of running the antenna wire up my a-pillar and through the front gasket on the drivers side, then mount to my rack. I did this for my light bar on the passenger side. No issues with water.

I saw a youtube video where Heretic Studios ran wiring for their light bar through the passenger door gasket instead of drilling the rack strut. He discusses the gasket construction. Could be helpful.

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