| Author |
Message |
    
Dale
Senior Member
Username: Dale
Post Number: 1536
Registered: 12-2002
| | Posted on Tuesday, February 02, 2010 - 7:47 pm: | 
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hi guys.wellm i recently got a mini van, my first. on the install i wanted the antenna dead centered on the roof with coax routed thru back door [which wouldnt be used much]however upon
putting up my wilson 5k mag. mount ive found that the 18ft of coax wasnt enogh to go from the roof down by the back door top the front of van.
so i put the antenna futher back till i got enough coax up front .now the wilson 5k sits
about 8-1- iches from center which im not real happy about i was hopeing to take full advantage of that big roof.my swrs are fine just curious
as how will this effect my overall performance.
is it enough for me to go out and buy a double barrel connector and 18 inches of coax and mount
that were it should be or leave it alone?thanks guys hopefully this isnt as confusing as this sounds.any help or suggestions will be appreciated as im lost on this one.
dale/a.k.a.hotrod
cef426
cvc#64
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Milkman21218
Intermediate Member
Username: Milkman21218
Post Number: 404
Registered: 1-2004
| | Posted on Saturday, February 06, 2010 - 11:12 pm: |
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I have 2 Dodge Caravans. And I run a mag mount Wilson 1000 on one & a 5000 on the other. I run the coax thru the back drivers side door on both. At the top back corner there's a notch. I run it behind it. (then duct taped it down there). Then run coax down the jam under the trim. Under the trim plate on the floor. Up to the radios. I have a CB & Ham radio antenna hooked up this way. |
Tech237
Moderator
Username: Tech237
Post Number: 1293
Registered: 4-2004
| | Posted on Sunday, February 07, 2010 - 9:25 am: |
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The slightly off centre antenna will make so little difference you'll never notice. You're still using the whole roof as your ground plane, and that is the important fact.
In subscribers>articles you will find two articles on installing radios in vehicles. A third part is just waiting to be posted.
Tech237
N7AUS
Chipmonks roasting on an open fire
Hot sauce dripping from their toes.
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Tech808
Moderator
Username: Tech808
Post Number: 17416
Registered: 8-2002
| | Posted on Sunday, February 07, 2010 - 10:52 am: |
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Note!
You will find BOTH of Simon's / Tech237's articles posted in the Area / Topic below.
Copper Talk
» Ask The Tech
» Installations
» Installing Radios in Vehicles
Lon~Tech808
N9CEF
CEF#808
Radio Enthusiast!
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Dale
Senior Member
Username: Dale
Post Number: 1539
Registered: 12-2002
| | Posted on Sunday, February 07, 2010 - 9:18 pm: |
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thanks simon.the ground plane issue is what i was wondering mostly about.funny thing i read
the owners manual 2 day and it stated for 2 way radio and ham radio install antenna on roof on
rear on roof.which made me scratch my head.milkman did you run any power wires directly to battery?if so how ya route it .i generally go thru the door/and fender to the battery but i didnt see any gap small enough,if any.thanks lon thats a nice article there
dale/a.k.a.hotrod
cef426
cvc#64
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Milkman21218
Intermediate Member
Username: Milkman21218
Post Number: 405
Registered: 1-2004
| | Posted on Monday, February 08, 2010 - 11:26 pm: |
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Dale the way I did it takes little time. About 1/2 hour. I removed the drivers side front wheel. Then the inner fender (the black plastic.) Then ran wire (wrapped wire in spiral wrap to help protect it)thru the door jam. And other end thru hole near the front of fender into engine compartment, to battery. Rather easy fix. |
Milkman21218
Intermediate Member
Username: Milkman21218
Post Number: 406
Registered: 1-2004
| | Posted on Monday, February 08, 2010 - 11:32 pm: |
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Dale I forgot to say Please put fuses on both leads at the battery. It's just a Extra safety thing. |
Dale
Senior Member
Username: Dale
Post Number: 1540
Registered: 12-2002
| | Posted on Wednesday, February 10, 2010 - 9:57 pm: |
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roger that on fuses on both leads
dale/a.k.a.hotrod
cef426
cvc#64
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Tech237
Moderator
Username: Tech237
Post Number: 1297
Registered: 4-2004
| | Posted on Thursday, February 11, 2010 - 12:39 pm: |
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DO NOT run wired thru a door jamb. Even protected in spiral wrap this is a great way to lose a car. Yes I HAVE seen it happen.
If you cannot find an existing grommeted hole MAKE ONE and put a good quality rubber grommet in it. DO it properly the first time and reduce the chances of any problems happening..
Tech237
N7AUS
Chipmonks roasting on an open fire
Hot sauce dripping from their toes.
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Milkman21218
Intermediate Member
Username: Milkman21218
Post Number: 407
Registered: 1-2004
| | Posted on Sunday, February 14, 2010 - 12:12 am: |
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On some of the Dodge Caravans you can't reach the firewall to to run wires into the cabin. Because of how the engine sits. The door jam is the only way that I've found. On both my 99 & 03. Thats why I fuse both leads at the battery. And the radio too. |
Dale
Senior Member
Username: Dale
Post Number: 1725
Registered: 12-2002
| | Posted on Sunday, June 26, 2011 - 7:02 pm: |
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well its been sometime since i posted here on this .i made some changes first i put my old
monkeymade mm9 antenna on a tri pad mag mount '
started at about middle of roof swr was 1.5-1.7
from 1-40.so i moved the antenna around and found that the swr got better towards the rear
right now its about 12 inches maybe a lil more
from the rear hoping i didnt make it directional
i was able to hook up with a local about 30-40 miles away with the vehicle pointed away from
him so i guess its not making it too directional ..yet. i would like to mount the
antenna futher back as my swr now is 1.3-1.5 about from 1-40. so it improved from the center
i didnt do yet cause i gotta move that luggage strap that runs horizonally across the roof ,and to move it up i gotta remove my magnet and coax completly as the rack wont clear my tri pad without removing it.i wanna run a amp with lower a lower swr
dale/a.k.a.hotrod
cef426
cvc#64
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