Tonneau Cover with Mobile Ham radio Antenna?

[ColoRockiesFan]

Hi everyone,

This is a bit off topic but has anyone found a workable combination for a tonneau cover and mobile ham radio antenna? I just bought a Chevy Colorado and plan on purchasing a tonneau cover. I also would like to use the stake hole to anchor the antenna for my antenna. My question is - which tonneau covers do not obstruct the stake hole? Or, where else should I consider for a place to mount the antenna?

Thanks for your help!
Lisa

[Daubsy]

Originally Posted by ColoRockiesFan

Hi everyone,



This is a bit off topic but has anyone found a workable combination for a tonneau cover and mobile ham radio antenna? I just bought a Chevy Colorado and plan on purchasing a tonneau cover. I also would like to use the stake hole to anchor the antenna for my antenna. My question is - which tonneau covers do not obstruct the stake hole? Or, where else should I consider for a place to mount the antenna?



Thanks for your help!

Lisa

Hi Lisa. I have a Colorado SB with a Paragon hard cover. It does not cover the stake holes. I have come across some flag pole holders that mount in the stake hole, but I don't remember where I found them. They are out there though.

[Ron in BC]

The thing that I'd check first is the suitability of the stake hole to hold anything really firmly. I know the ones on my Ranger are tapered and slightly different from hole to hole and my rack hoops still are a little wobbly.

Ron

[john o]

Also consider the really good ground that you need for the antenna. The body is the ground plane element to the antenna.

Not specific to this truck but I have and have used a stainless plate inserted a gap such as the tailgate to body gap where I screw into the body out of sight. The antenna base is mounted to the stainless plate and is bent to the side a bit. Wish I knew where it is for a photo...
I will be looking for a creative solution also as my new Canyon will be picked up tomorrow.

John

[ColoRockiesFan]

After weeks of tinkering I finally have a permanent solution!

I had a Retrax cover installed. Love it!

Then, I hired a professional audio guy (Driven Mobile Electronics in Chantilly, VA) to install the radio, speaker, a reprogramming wire, and cable wire to the antenna.

For the antenna, I purchased a Breedlove stack pocket mount. This proved to be the biggest challenge. The first top plate for the mount was 6.5 inches (too short). This would have caused the cable to rub against the side of my truck and marr the paint. So, I asked Jerry Breedlove if he had other sized plates. He did and sent me a 8.5 inch top plate. This proved to be too long and stuck out too far.

So, I asked Jerry to make me a 7.5 inch plate and he did so. It is perfect!

Persistence is the key.

See attached photos.

Lisa
KK4PXC

[BCnomad]

Looking good!

So how are you stopping the cables from rubbing the paint? The pics looks like it will?

[ColoRockiesFan]

Thanks! Neither the cable or connector rub on the side of the truck at all. The only contact is at the corner of the bed between the bed and the cab where the cable tucks between ... no solution for that ...

[War Eagle]

Lisa, Go to any larger commercial bicycle shop. They sell rolls or sheets of a clear self-adhesive plastic film (most commonly 2" wide rolls, buy whatever length you need) that protects the paint on bicycle frames from rubbing by cable lines and painted car finishes from roof rack mounting systems. When you don't need/want it any more, it just peels off. We purchased a Yakima roof rack to mount our kayaks on top of our Prius, and used some of this type film to protect the car's paint where the roof racks clamp on. Works great. If you've not seen it before, here's just one example of the type of product I'm talking about:

Roof, Trunk, or rear Bumper Mounted Rack Guard for SUV, Vans, Trucks & Standard Vehicles, Roof Rack Paint Protection

For no more than you'd need, a nice shop owner might just give you a inch or two of the stuff.

Dale

[War Eagle]

Lisa, Quick follow-up - the brand of protective film we used was from a bike shop and didn't involve water during application. Just peal the paper backing off and apply the protective film. Easy to wrap around even abrupt edges. Dale

[ColoRockiesFan]

Excellent idea! Thanks Dale!