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Third brake light mounts for CB/emergency radio antenna - any good ones?

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  • Third brake light mounts for CB/emergency radio antenna - any good ones?

    Hope I have this in the correct area.

    My current CB/emergency radio (actually a 12M) uses a roof mount (drill hole in roof) antenna. For my new TV (aluminum construction) I don't want to drill a hole in the roof. In looking at headache racks I was told to check out the 3rd break light mounts out there. Did not even know they made them. Some seem better than others. I posted links to 2 of many

    Examples
    https://acariproducts.com/ Fancy, but may work best for an antenna
    https://www.buyersproducts.com/produ...cab-mount-2770

    Is anyone using a mount like this for an antenna? Opinions on them?

    Thanks for any help
    Keith
    Last edited by howson; 07-13-2020, 11:56 AM. Reason: Fixed spelling in title
    2018 Reflection 150 Series 220RK 5th whee, Star White 2022 F350 King Ranch CC Long bed (HAL) (CCC 4062lbs), B&W 25K OEM Companion,. SteadyFast system, Trailer reverse lights, rear receiver spare tire holder, storage tube, sumo springs, Victron MultiPlus 12/120/3000, Solar, Custom 6K axles upgrade, and other modifications.

  • #2
    I'm going to be following this one. I like the concept for running one of my ham radio antennas up to my boat rack.

    Jim
    Jim and Ginnie
    2024 Solitude 310GK
    GDRV Technical Forum Moderator
    GDRV Rally Support Coordinator

    Comment


    • #3
      Originally posted by Yoda View Post
      Hope I have this in the correct area.

      My current CB/emergency radio (actually a 12M) uses a roof mount (drill hole in roof) antenna. For my new TV (aluminum construction) I don't want to drill a hole in the roof. In looking at headache racks I was told to check out the 3rd break light mounts out there. Did not even know they made them. Some seem better than others. I posted links to 2 of many

      Examples
      https://acariproducts.com/ Fancy, but may work best for an antenna
      https://www.buyersproducts.com/produ...cab-mount-2770

      Is anyone using a mount like this for an antenna? Opinions on them?

      Thanks for any help
      Keith
      I recently went through the same debate. Almost bit the bullet and drilled the hole, but chickened out and went with a third brake light mount lol. I got a Midland GMRS dash mount radio to communicate with the walkie talkies other people we travel with use. The mount I got has four holes, so I can add a CB or LTE booster down the road if I want.

      I came across two, a Larson and a Bulletproof Diesel. The Larson was quite a bit cheaper, but not as polished as the Bulletproof one. I really liked the look of the Bulletproof one, but decided to go with the Larson and am happy with it. It mounts securely and is not too much of an eyesore. My father in law travels with us, and has a similar truck, so I figured if I hated the look of it I would pawn it off on him and get the Bulletproof one, but I think I will stick with it for the savings. Plus I get the ability to add more antennas if I want.

      I went with NMO for ease of antenna install.

      https://bulletproofdiesel.com/collec...-duty-90201129


      https://www.larsonelectronics.com/pr...-3-4-nmo-mount
      Forum moderators are not GD employees--we are volunteers and owners presumably just like yourself. Unless specifically mentioned otherwise, we have nothing to gain should you choose to purchase a product or engage a service we discuss on this forum.

      Neil Citro
      2018 Reflection 28BH Pepwave
      2019 F350 6.7L Long Bed Crew Cab

      Comment


      • #4
        Originally posted by ncitro View Post

        I recently went through the same debate. Almost bit the bullet and drilled the hole, but chickened out and went with a third brake light mount lol. I got a Midland GMRS dash mount radio to communicate with the walkie talkies other people we travel with use. The mount I got has four holes, so I can add a CB or LTE booster down the road if I want.

        I came across two, a Larson and a Bulletproof Diesel. The Larson was quite a bit cheaper, but not as polished as the Bulletproof one. I really liked the look of the Bulletproof one, but decided to go with the Larson and am happy with it. It mounts securely and is not too much of an eyesore. My father in law travels with us, and has a similar truck, so I figured if I hated the look of it I would pawn it off on him and get the Bulletproof one, but I think I will stick with it for the savings. Plus I get the ability to add more antennas if I want.

        I went with NMO for ease of antenna install.

        https://bulletproofdiesel.com/collec...-duty-90201129


        https://www.larsonelectronics.com/pr...-3-4-nmo-mount
        How does the antenna cable run to keep it waterproof? Any chance of a picture?

        And pardon my asking what does NMO mean on the install?

        Thanks
        Keith
        2018 Reflection 150 Series 220RK 5th whee, Star White 2022 F350 King Ranch CC Long bed (HAL) (CCC 4062lbs), B&W 25K OEM Companion,. SteadyFast system, Trailer reverse lights, rear receiver spare tire holder, storage tube, sumo springs, Victron MultiPlus 12/120/3000, Solar, Custom 6K axles upgrade, and other modifications.

        Comment


        • #5
          Sure I’ll grab one. I brought the cable around to the bottom and cut a small channel in the gasket. That’s how they recommended it. Then into the truck through the center brake light.

          NMO is “new Motorola”, is a standard where they mount has the cable attached and you attach it to the truck (in my case the Larson mount), and then the antenna threads onto it. Makes it easy to change antennas, or in my case I take it off and put a cap on when I’m not connected to the rig.
          Forum moderators are not GD employees--we are volunteers and owners presumably just like yourself. Unless specifically mentioned otherwise, we have nothing to gain should you choose to purchase a product or engage a service we discuss on this forum.

          Neil Citro
          2018 Reflection 28BH Pepwave
          2019 F350 6.7L Long Bed Crew Cab

          Comment


          • #6
            Here are some photos:

            Click image for larger version

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            Click image for larger version

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            Click image for larger version

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ID:	24146
            Forum moderators are not GD employees--we are volunteers and owners presumably just like yourself. Unless specifically mentioned otherwise, we have nothing to gain should you choose to purchase a product or engage a service we discuss on this forum.

            Neil Citro
            2018 Reflection 28BH Pepwave
            2019 F350 6.7L Long Bed Crew Cab

            Comment


            • #7
              That looks simple enough. Going up from below keeps it water proof. correct? Could you have come in from the top of the break light, just under where your antenna mounts?

              Thanks - sorry about all the questions.
              Keith
              2018 Reflection 150 Series 220RK 5th whee, Star White 2022 F350 King Ranch CC Long bed (HAL) (CCC 4062lbs), B&W 25K OEM Companion,. SteadyFast system, Trailer reverse lights, rear receiver spare tire holder, storage tube, sumo springs, Victron MultiPlus 12/120/3000, Solar, Custom 6K axles upgrade, and other modifications.

              Comment


              • #8
                Originally posted by Yoda View Post
                That looks simple enough. Going up from below keeps it water proof. correct? Could you have come in from the top of the break light, just under where your antenna mounts?

                Thanks - sorry about all the questions.
                Keith
                Yes, but like you said I figured it would be more waterproof. The NMO connector is built into the Bulletproof mount, and it’s cable exits the back right into the brake light hole, it’sa much cleaner setup but more than double the price if you want the double mount (I think I just linked the single above).
                Forum moderators are not GD employees--we are volunteers and owners presumably just like yourself. Unless specifically mentioned otherwise, we have nothing to gain should you choose to purchase a product or engage a service we discuss on this forum.

                Neil Citro
                2018 Reflection 28BH Pepwave
                2019 F350 6.7L Long Bed Crew Cab

                Comment


                • #9
                  Originally posted by ncitro View Post

                  Yes, but like you said I figured it would be more waterproof. The NMO connector is built into the Bulletproof mount, and it’s cable exits the back right into the brake light hole, it’sa much cleaner setup but more than double the price if you want the double mount (I think I just linked the single above).
                  In the Bulletproof reviews there was an issue getting the antenna set up. From what I can tell the ACARI folks have a path for the antenna cable to go through the lights hole. Still trying to verify.
                  Keith
                  2018 Reflection 150 Series 220RK 5th whee, Star White 2022 F350 King Ranch CC Long bed (HAL) (CCC 4062lbs), B&W 25K OEM Companion,. SteadyFast system, Trailer reverse lights, rear receiver spare tire holder, storage tube, sumo springs, Victron MultiPlus 12/120/3000, Solar, Custom 6K axles upgrade, and other modifications.

                  Comment


                  • #10
                    Originally posted by Yoda View Post

                    In the Bulletproof reviews there was an issue getting the antenna set up. From what I can tell the ACARI folks have a path for the antenna cable to go through the lights hole. Still trying to verify.
                    Keith
                    Huh that’s strange. I’ve never actually seen one, but from the pictures it looks pretty simple. Be curious what you hear.
                    Forum moderators are not GD employees--we are volunteers and owners presumably just like yourself. Unless specifically mentioned otherwise, we have nothing to gain should you choose to purchase a product or engage a service we discuss on this forum.

                    Neil Citro
                    2018 Reflection 28BH Pepwave
                    2019 F350 6.7L Long Bed Crew Cab

                    Comment


                    • #11
                      I thought I would update. https://acariproducts.com got back to me in a round about way. I also talked to several Cb/radio shops about the mount. First I want a path to run cables out of the weather. Only the Acari mount does this and possible the Whelen. https://www.whelen.com/auto/product.php?head_id=7&cat_id=180&prod_id=779 . There may be more out there as several mounts are already being re-branded. The radio shops recommend the steel top plate and the top plate must be grounded to the cab (Acari mount is not grounded) easy to do with SS wire and SS screw to avoid aluminum corrosion. They recommended heavy wire.
                      One shop also indicated this mount would also work for a cell phone booster antenna, etc

                      So sometime down the road when I get the new truck this is the way I will probably go. I plan to use a Wilson 5000 roof mount antenna centered in the plate.

                      Of course I could save a few hundred dollars and just drill a hole in the roof
                      TucsonJim
                      2018 Reflection 150 Series 220RK 5th whee, Star White 2022 F350 King Ranch CC Long bed (HAL) (CCC 4062lbs), B&W 25K OEM Companion,. SteadyFast system, Trailer reverse lights, rear receiver spare tire holder, storage tube, sumo springs, Victron MultiPlus 12/120/3000, Solar, Custom 6K axles upgrade, and other modifications.

                      Comment


                      • #12
                        Originally posted by Yoda View Post
                        I thought I would update. https://acariproducts.com got back to me in a round about way. I also talked to several Cb/radio shops about the mount. First I want a path to run cables out of the weather. Only the Acari mount does this and possible the Whelen. https://www.whelen.com/auto/product.php?head_id=7&cat_id=180&prod_id=779 . There may be more out there as several mounts are already being re-branded. The radio shops recommend the steel top plate and the top plate must be grounded to the cab (Acari mount is not grounded) easy to do with SS wire and SS screw to avoid aluminum corrosion. They recommended heavy wire.
                        One shop also indicated this mount would also work for a cell phone booster antenna, etc

                        So sometime down the road when I get the new truck this is the way I will probably go. I plan to use a Wilson 5000 roof mount antenna centered in the plate.

                        Of course I could save a few hundred dollars and just drill a hole in the roof
                        TucsonJim

                        Yeah I was going to go the hole route but just couldn’t bring myself to do it lol.
                        Forum moderators are not GD employees--we are volunteers and owners presumably just like yourself. Unless specifically mentioned otherwise, we have nothing to gain should you choose to purchase a product or engage a service we discuss on this forum.

                        Neil Citro
                        2018 Reflection 28BH Pepwave
                        2019 F350 6.7L Long Bed Crew Cab

                        Comment

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