Antenna mounts

[andrewket]

I wasn't sure which forum to post this. Exterior mods seemed closest. Mods feel free to move if there is some place better.

I am curious what antenna mounts people are using for VHF/UHF (GMRS, Ham, etc). I see some drill-less mounts for Ford, GM, etc., that re-use bolts and slip between the hood and the fender but none specifically for Rivian. I'm curious if anyone has used any of these successfully? Of course I'm open to other options. Pics even better!

Thanks!

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[LivingInKaos]

I have a thru the glass antenna for my GMRS.

Tram 50-Watt Pretuned Dual-Band 150 MHz to 154 MHz VHF/450 MHz to 470 MHz UHF Amateur Radio Antenna Kit with Glass Mount and Cable WSP1192 at Lowes.com

(Yes, I stand it up when I'm going to be using it)

 

[UnsungZero_OldTimeAdMan]

Saw this Sea Sucker GMRS antenna on Instagram a while back: https://www.seasucker.com/products/gmrs-antenna-mount

If you have a roof rack or crossbars up top you could probably find or make a stubby antenna mount for it and run cable through door jamb.

 

[andrewket]

Thanks for the pointers. I’m looking for something a bit more permanent. I am installing a rack, and that’s likely the direction I will go. My plan is to remote mount the radios in the trunk, so an antenna between the fender and the hood would make it easy to route the coax. However, mounting it to the roof rack would provide better elevation.

Glass mounts are out. Too much loss especially with tint installed.

 

[SurlyBurris]

I've been debating on something like this for a HAM antenna. Just the bracket.
https://mandronline.com/products/2023-rivian-hood-mount-ditch-lights?variant=45690309247136

 

[UnsungZero_OldTimeAdMan]

Thanks for the pointers. I’m looking for something a bit more permanent. I am installing a rack, and that’s likely the direction I will go. My plan is to remote mount the radios in the trunk, so an antenna between the fender and the hood would make it easy to route the coax. However, mounting it to the roof rack would provide better elevation.

Glass mounts are out. Too much loss especially with tint installed.

Use forum search. There's been a few build threads where people share how they've outfitted their vehicles, radios and antenna mounting/cable routing.

 

[andrewket]

I did search antenna mount without much success. I’ll go look for “build” threads. Thanks!

 

[andrewket]

I've been debating on something like this for a HAM antenna. Just the bracket.
https://mandronline.com/products/2023-rivian-hood-mount-ditch-lights?variant=45690309247136

Exactly! A larger diameter would be helpful for an NMO, but I might be able to make that work. Please let me know if you try this!

 

[csharp]

I've used something like this on all of my vehicles. If you are adding a roof rack, I would personally use something like this.

 

[andrewket]

I've used something like this on all of my vehicles. If you are adding a roof rack, I would personally use something like this.

Love it. Did you buy that piece or build it?

 

[csharp]

I've done both. There are plenty of mounts out there. For one of my vehicles I designed a piece and had it cut via SendCutSend because I wanted something very specific.

 

[andrewket]

I found the part using image search. Just in case someone finds this thread later, here is the link: https://mohawkdesignsoffroad.com/pr...nna-mount-for-gmrs-ham-radios-3-4-or-3-8-flat

 

[Rivian Owner]

Before my Rivian I had an FJ with a roof rack. I took two aluminum plates and sandwiched one of the roof rack slats; drilled and tapped a couple of holes in the plates and used stainless steel bolts to secure the two plates. I had an HF radio so I was using Hustler antennas with the spring mount (which came in handy if I forgot about the antenna and drove under trees or into a garage) so I needed a strong mount. The Hustler spring mounts have a quick disconnect so you can easily remove the antenna for car washes or low overhead clearance. See here:

https://www.dxengineering.com/search/brand/hustler-antenna/part-type/mobile-antenna-springs
https://www.dxengineering.com/search/brand/hustler-antenna/part-type/mobile-antenna-mast-couplers

I haven't gotten around to mounting my HF or VHF/UHF radio in the Rivian yet, so please post your solution. BTW, I always try and mount my antenna centered in the vehicle as you get the best radiation pattern and takeoff angle.

 

[Dasoss]

I wasn't sure which forum to post this. Exterior mods seemed closest. Mods feel free to move if there is some place better.

I am curious what antenna mounts people are using for VHF/UHF (GMRS, Ham, etc). I see some drill-less mounts for Ford, GM, etc., that re-use bolts and slip between the hood and the fender but none specifically for Rivian. I'm curious if anyone has used any of these successfully? Of course I'm open to other options. Pics even better!

Thanks!

There is a posting on this thread about a ditch light bracket that mounts to the fender bracket by the windscreen in the cowl area. Amazon lists an antenna mount that attaches to a light bracket. Not sure how to get the antenna feedline into the car. There are devices that are intended to pass a Starlink cable through a wall or bulkhead. They would probably work with RG-59 size coax. I would put the transceiver in the frunk. There are bulkhead mount RJ-45 connectors that could be used for the remote head and microphone connections. Several transceivers use CAT-6 cable for these connections. There is a company that makes both GMRS and Ham transceivers that are controlled by an app by Bluetooth. They use a proprietary BT microphone. I have a similar HT,
I would steer away from these, the software is not well thought out.
Amazon lists several antenna mounts that mount to the cargo bars.
There is also a clamp-on motorized fold-over mount that looks like it might fit. Wouldn't that be cool for a cargo bar.
I have a gadget from MFJ (sadly, out of business} that clips on top of a window and has an SMA connector on the outside and feeds a thin coax to the inside.
There are also hitch receiver antenna mounts, but they are mostly for HF antennas.
These mounting arrangements are not going to work well with basic 1/4 wave antennas that need a ground plane. for a counterpoise Get a longer antenna.
I have not tried any of this. I'm still thinking. I will need to figure how to get 12 V to the transceiver too. I don't want to mess up my new R1S quad launch edition. For the time being I can plug a handheld into a USB C port for power and run the coax out the window. Good luck using a mag mount on a Rivian.

 

[the.phd]

I've done both. There are plenty of mounts out there. For one of my vehicles I designed a piece and had it cut via SendCutSend because I wanted something very specific.

What size was the hole you made?

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