Roof Mount Antenna Install

This is a basic run through of installing a roof mounted antenna on a modern vehicle. The vehicle in question is a 2013 GMC Sierra Crew Cab. Though the installation is of a Panorama Sharkee all-in-one antenna (GPS, Cellular, 2.4/4.9 GHz and optional whip).

[@outlaw_jay914]

When you started drilling the roof told my self there's no going back now haha

[@WETHEGOODPEOPLE]

Do you have a link for all the tools used in the video? And the antenna mount itself?

[@ElPasoTubeAmps]

I have mounted antenna in the roof of my vehicles for 40+ years (different vehicles) and never had a leak issue. The only issue I ever have to deal with is the thickness of the roof. The mounts that I use are for the screw-in, detachable antenna (probably more meant for a bumper mount) and the shoulder on the plastic/teflon insulator is always too thick to tighten down so I have to use a washer on the bottom and eye-ball the center of the mount in the hole and tighten it down hard with the top shoulder mount upside down. I do get it to work out OK. I do use a dremel tool to remove the paint just around the hole for a good mechanical/electrical connection. Thanks for the video. I have never mounted they type of antenna us use and was looking for more ideas on the issue I mentioned above of how to deal with the antenna mount and teflon thick shoulder issue. I can't figure any other way than the way I have been doing it in the past.

[@billoscroft8119]

I would agree with another reply: plenty of masking tape around the hole site and use a vacuum cleaner to suck away the metal swarf - don't blow it away. Also, I would use a chassis punch rather than drill the hole as shown. With this antenna, I believe, it is important that the nut that screws the unit down to the roof is making a really good electrical contact with the metal where this nut is screwed tight on the roof underside - but screw it down to the recommended torque setting. Don't overtighten. Before you start, make absolutely sure you know how you are getting your feeder cable(s) back to the various kit (only touched on later in the video) between the roof lining and roof taking into account available clearance between the two, making sure the various cables do not go near airbag units to avoid fouling on airbag deployment or inadvertent activation. On a general point, make sure that no EMC (google it) issues are introduced by adding additional equipment and/or antennae as EMC problems can screw up other, standard issue manufacturer-fitted, electronic equipment in the car such as the ABS braking system - which could be embarrassing.

[@atahservices2840]

you should have put masking tape over the spot where you where drilling

[@dmb3428]

im trying to get the nerve to do this with a new GMC Sierra, ive done it in the past and this is the best install location for a vhf-uhf antenna for ham radio. I run a 19" larsen dual band nmo. I never had a water leak in 3 years around the mount, it has double O-rings plus you get get a cover if you ever want to remove the antenna later.

[@RicSpivey]

Pretty vehicle, suspense, terror, success. Love it

[@robertpolito6139]

U can put a nut on top of the roof and try to move the nut round from inside with magnet to find where to drill the hole.

[@nevadabadger7925]

Greetings from Reno, Nevada.

[@jeffmee763]

Hi Does a chrysler town and country have a double skin roof and can I fit a roof antenna thanks. Jeff

[@akadirtysteve]

How is the performance of this antenna on the VHF/UHF bands?

[@danny117hd]

Thanks for drilling.

[@suprola7961]

Where did you get the antenna from? I need this for GRMS radio.

[@shadowsteve68]

Nice video man. Handy as I'm installing a roof mounted DAB antenna in my car, I put a mag mount one on and ran the cable down the rubber seal, great reception but looks pretty meh, so plumped for the drill through type. I'm gonna use your tip of removing the ceiling light, drill through from top, run it all through the roof and down the pillar.

[@ben11141976]

What brand bit is it you use?

[@jermlac]

Do you have an updated video of your completed installation?

[@rowdyraider556]

+jermlac I have it with the mobile radio installed but I haven't hooked anything additional to it yet.

[@Paul.atherton]

so would that antenna work for a vhf/uhf radio set up

[@billoscroft8119]

If this antenna is the same idea as you can get in the UK from Panorama, you should be able to do so by fitting a suitable panorama screw-in 1/4 wave antenna into the back of the main housing as shown in the video. You should be able to trim the antenna length by removing the plastic end cap of the screw-in rod, trimming to length, and then replacing the end cap so it looks neat and tidy. However, if it is just your intention to use >only< VHF or >only< UHF, the antenna discussed in the video would be overkill as most of it would end up not being used as you are not using the various 3G/4G and other bands covered by this particular antenna - hence all the feeder cables attached to the antenna housing in the video. You would be better off just using the standard base available from panorama.

[@mistermister8]

The Tool: Answering my own question, it's a Laird HS34 hole saw. Pricey, but worth the money.

[@plve82]

Why? As opposed to a normal 3/4 hole saw?

[@cnick6]

It has a fixed depth where most 3/4 hole saw bits do not.

[@JCunningham21]

i just drilled a hole in my 17 Silverado LTZ crew cab 6.2L. im dropping my headliner so a i can hid the coax.

[@DENMONKEY]

I'd be coating that bare metal with some rust inhibitor .

[@M70ACARRY]

It's the small drill filings that are bad. They are rust cancer cells.

[@user-un1wq5cc4w]

👍👍👍👍👍👍👍💎

[@gertvoogd3110]

What tool did you use for the drilling?

[@mistermister8]

Yeah what was that tool?

[@nonstopbg]

You mounted it perpendicular, seems wrong to me.

[@michaeldeerwester3178]

I love Mag Mount Antennas. I hooked up Stryker SR-A10 Magnetic Mount CB Antenna with my Stryker 447 hpc2 Radio. I've talked 50 miles local ground wave and from Maine all the way down the East Coast over to Texas with Conditions. The antenna was easy to set on the SWR. With the amp on its 1.4, with it off its 1.0. I would suggest this Antenna to anyone wanting a real good magnet mount.

[@billoscroft8119]

...the above is CB - nowhere >near< the frequencies being contemplated with this MiMo antenna......

[@TXLorenzo]

How many dollars in resale value does this cost?

[@RobertMorgan]

Buyer dependent. With the right person it's a selling point.

[@kennethsouthard6042]

That varies depending on how much water gets in and how much damage it does.

[@mrbelat]

ouch... :)

[@randallwright5804]

Can't hear anything. No audio

[@M70ACARRY]

Use a hole punch.

[@chrisbennett1701]

I'd rather drill two small holes in my bumper for a 102 inch whip verses drilling into roof but each person is different

[@mdgeist012002]

put on stabilization on next time agggggh

[@B---dw6pz]

Why not just run a magnet mount?

[@butterbean4195]

not even close to being as effective as direct ground. and if you plan to run power magnets will burn the paint. been there many times

[@dustyrother]

Butter Bean your worried about burning paint when you just drilled a hole in the roof a truck???

[@billoscroft8119]

A mag mount at these frequencies would not be very efficient at all unless the antenna is designed to be used without a ground plane (as some panorama antennae are). From the Panorama catalogue, I suspect a metal ground plane is needed. Also, this antenna is MiMo (many in many out) with multiple coax feeds for each service and so a mag mount is not very practical.

[@usfederalgovernment]

@@butterbean4195 yes that is correct 👍

[@butterbean4195]

@@dustyrother ive seen people worried about just that in 50+ years of radio, me i rather have the holes any who my truck is T-rex coated.

[@gfl1957]

Well he showed HALF the process.

[@chrisao1987]

Bro i cringed watching this

[@user-un1wq5cc4w]

👍👍👍👍👍👍👍💎