Ham antenna on 2015 roof rack rail

[BettysNephew]

I did a search and found numerous threads regarding mounting 2m 70cm antennas but none that addressed my question.
Can a folding antenna mount be mounted to the slotted rail of the OEM roof rail and be expected to work with any semblance of decent TX/RX? I have metered it out and the rail is grounded to the body through the brackets at each end. Will being raised above the roof plane upset the SWR enough to preclude doing this? I will use threaded plates to attach the mount to the rail. I posted this on the Expedition Portal also and have gotten a few comments but it is a much wider scope forum and includes many different vehicles so was hoping to get info from someone that may have actually tried this on a 4R. Thanks.

 

[Cypher]

I did a search and found numerous threads regarding mounting 2m 70cm antennas but none that addressed my question.
Can a folding antenna mount be mounted to the slotted rail of the OEM roof rail and be expected to work with any semblance of decent TX/RX? I have metered it out and the rail is grounded to the body through the brackets at each end. Will being raised above the roof plane upset the SWR enough to preclude doing this? I will use threaded plates to attach the mount to the rail. I posted this on the Expedition Portal also and have gotten a few comments but it is a much wider scope forum and includes many different vehicles so was hoping to get info from someone that may have actually tried this on a 4R. Thanks.

I don't see any issue with this. I had the same set up on my 100 Series Land Cruiser, which is about the same size vehicle and same sized ground plane. It had great TX/RX and never had a problem with the set up. I have also seen a good number of others do the same on other SUVs without issue. I say get it done and get on the air!

 

[BettysNephew]

Thanks for the reply. If you happen to have any pix of your antenna setup or can direct me as to where I can find one or more please let me know. I will definitely not be on the air for a few weeks as my test date is March 7. Hopefully I will pass both Tech and General but I will do my best. If by some chance I pass both of those I will take the Extra test but am not holding my breath for that monster. Too many years since being in the business and many laws etc. are different than commercial stuff. I think the chances are fair as I used to hold a 1st class radiotelephone license and radar endorsement but also know how tricky those FCC questions can be.

 

[Orlyg1521]

Just took my test, used this site: https://hamstudy.org/.

Looking fwd to the pics, I am in the same boat. Bought a mag antenna but want a fold down setup like you going to do. Starting with a Baofeng HT but having trouble with the computer cloning right now.

 

[Cypher]

Unfortunately, I do not have any pics of the antenna set up for the 100 Series LC. However, I can recommend the following:

I have used these Diamond fold over antennas for many years and love them:
Diamond® Antenna ~ NR770HB Dualband Mobile Antenna

You can then buy a mag mount to put it right in the center of the roof:
Diamond® Antenna ~ SPM35 Magnet Mount

Now, that said, one thing nice about ham radio is that it does not required the same ground plane like CB. For your CB to TX well, you need to have it top center of the roof. Not so much the case for ham. I currently have my antenna mounted to the rear door using the Comet Antenna CP-5M trunk lid mount found on this page:
Mounts with Coax | Comet Antenna

I use a short dual band antenna that sits below my roof line for daily around town use so that I can fit in my garage and parking garages. Then I put on the Diamond linked above for road trips and off-road trips. I can provide a few photos when I get home and have the ability take a few.

 

[jicko]

Motorized roof rack mount is probably the best solution. Diamond K9000LRMO is what your need.

Its only like $100.

I think harper7 has done it right - http://www.toyota-4runner.org/gallery/58037-june-2010-t4rotm-harper7-24.html#post1375562 if you have a full rack.

If not, this will be as good.
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00AR09O2S/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B00AR09O2S&linkCode=as2&tag=jickrevi-20&linkId=M2NEWWFINGYYKHIH">K9000LRMO ~Luggage rack mount, motorized for NMO</a><img src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=jickrevi-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B00AR09O2S" width="1" height="1" border="0" alt="" style="border:none !important; margin:0px !important;" />

(you will need the "LRMO" version to fit our stock 4Runner luggage rail, just like this above pic; our rail is thick, 1.5in x 1.5in)

This is the installation instructions (it gives your the difference mounting dimensions for TM, LRM and LRMO models):
http://www.diamondantenna.net/pdfdocs/K9000TM-LRM-LRMO.pdf

After that, probably a NR770HBNMO antenna will be a good fit.

 

[BettysNephew]

Good info from all, thanks everyone. This will be a good starting point. Now to just get the test passed on March 7. That done, off to the radio shop.