[tracy08172002]

Nice!!! Let's see your antenna setup on the roof...🤔😉😁

Eh, nothing spectacular yet. The wire doesn’t allow the OEM antenna to sit flush so I’m currently 3D printing a housing that will encompass all the antennas and have a rubber grommet around it. This is the antenna that comes with the cheap bundle I got that surprisingly works well enough but plans are to upgrade it to a larger one to be mounted in the rear. Probably with the wire coming out at/near the rear taillight.

 

[tracy08172002]

As a general rule, it is wise not to locate a transmitting antenna too close to your AM/FM/SXM/GPS receiving antenna. You run the risk of overloading the front end of the uConnect radio.

Yes, good point thank you for bringing that out. I forgot that my setup isn’t what normal forum-ers could expect.

The OEM antenna serves no purpose for me after I replaced the uconnect with the TEYES radio. I didn’t even bother plugging them back into the rear of the head unit after putting the WiFi antenna on. I am now spoiled by CarPlay and Hotspot. You might even be able to see that my antenna isn’t one of the sharkfin ones, I just snapped the mast off and it looked close enough. 😂

 

[tracy08172002]

Hard to see the antenna in the 2nd pic....but get the idea....

I have a small antenna okay, leave me alone 😂

 

[tracy08172002]

Update: Got the larger antenna in and mounted. Mounted using a Firestik door jam mount used for CB antennas. It holds fine with the tapping screws that came with it but I think I’m going to put in some rivets just in case. Changed the wire routing to go behind the taillight, following the taillight’s wiring through the grommet and along trim pieces until right around the passenger’s seat. There it goes under the carpet to the center console.

 

[tracy08172002]

what length is the wire on that?

Right at 5 meters so a touch over 16 ft.

 

[tracy08172002]

Nice spring mounted antenna and vehicle mount....what brand??

It’s the RETEVIS MR300 antenna - fiberglass radome 1200mm/47ish inches for GMRS. It comes with a rather cumbersome mount that doesn’t really have a decent home on the KLs, so after watching someone on YouTube named “Blackhawk KL” I took inspiration from his Firestik CB Antenna Door Jam Mount in the rear. Did have to drill a wider hole in it though.

 

[tracy08172002]

you test for SWR w/ GMRS, right?

Yup, floating right below the 2.0 mark. Not dangerously high by any means but not the optimal <1.5 advertised either. Probably will run a better grounding if I want to get picky.

 

[tracy08172002]

Your suppose to, as well as have your $35 liscense

Yup yup!

 

[tracy08172002]

hate antennas for that. best location isn't the best practical 24/7 location or best looking. everything is a compromise

Right? My bullbar is my nemesis for that. I can get it level with the vehicle, but that's not level with the ground and vice-versa.

 

[tracy08172002]

nice work, isn't it scary drilling into your truck? I've done it. there's kind of a thrill to it. I admire your commitment

Thanks! Yeah it definitely is a bit un-nerving. If the door jam mount wasn't the exact width (+/- a few mm) of the gap between the trunk and its adjoining fender I wouldn't have trusted the hold. The way it is now will basically uses the trunk as a stop for the screws to come out and that gives me extra piece of mind.