Front fender antenna mounts

PDXDave · 08-19-2023, 05:38 PM

I've done a bit of searching with no luck, so I figured I'd asked here...
I'm looking to add two antenna mounts, right and left for ham and cb antennas and I want to us a typical front fender mount style that bolts under the hood and fits between the fender and hood.
I'm having zero luck finding anything E-350 specific, which is kinda surprising considering how many of these end up in commercial duty of some kind.
Worst case scenario, I'll fabricate them myself to get what I want, but it would be so much easier to just buy them premade.
Thanks!

(I've looked at the Vantage Optics hood hinge mounts, and they're too small for an NMO style antenna base)

BrianW · 08-19-2023, 05:51 PM

This is what I used for a cb antenna, but not sure if it will support your style of antenna.

https://www.rightchannelradios.com/p...-antenna-mount

Twoxentrix · 08-19-2023, 07:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PDXDave

...I've looked at the Vantage Optics hood hinge mounts, and they're too small for an NMO style antenna base

Little out of my league here, but I have a set of the Vantage Optics hood mounts (with the optional extra brace) and they are extremely well made - seems to me the hardest part of fabricating something along these lines would be making the plate with properly spaced hood hinge holes, and the correct spacing/angle of the support neck. So, maybe get a set from Scott and have a local fab shop build upon them to accommodate your antenna base???

PDXDave · 08-19-2023, 07:34 PM

I'm I'm absolutely planing on a set of these for lights.
I considered them for antenna use, but both of my antennas (11 meter and dual band) are NMO based and the mounting surface is too small for the hole requires of a NMO base.

larrie · 08-19-2023, 09:56 PM

I have two mounts bolted to the fender and use NMO mount. Will take a photo of them tomorrow and post it.

arctictraveller · 08-19-2023, 11:33 PM

I made my own, starting with Simpson strong ties brackets. They have lots of different configurations and I got a couple that were close and rebent them a bit in a vice and then used a hole saw to to make the NMO size hole. I made a cardboard template and once I got the way I wanted it I transferred it to the steel. Photos tomorrow…

larrie · 08-20-2023, 10:55 AM

I got the Z brackets from Ham Radio Outlet. They have several different kinds and lengths. They are stainless steel.

Drivers side with hood closed.

Passenger side is bent from driving through some bushes on the Arizona Strip.

Passenger and drivers side brackets are attached to fender bolt.

I put some leveling spacers under each bracket. The leveling spacers were made from some strut nuts with the spring removed. I used a bench grinder to taper them.

arctictraveller · 08-20-2023, 12:08 PM

Modified Simpson strong tie brackets from Home depo

PDXDave · 08-21-2023, 10:14 AM

Lots of good ideas guys.
It's looking like I'll just buy a pair of long Z style mounts and mod them for my use.

Thank you for the replies.

REDOVAL · 08-21-2023, 11:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PDXDave

Lots of good ideas guys.
It's looking like I'll just buy a pair of long Z style mounts and mod them for my use.

Thank you for the replies.

One final note on this topic....the antenna does matter depending on the mounting area and style used. Mounting away from a large flat roof area you'll need an antenna specific for "no ground plane" use.

I used an NMO mount and drilled a hole in the roof right above the front to rear headliner split and it's been awesome for the last 6 years or so for me with very low SWR using a Yaesu FTM-400XDR ham. The only other issue is the 5/8 wave antenna I run does add about 4 feet to the top of the van but the performance is worth it to me.

Scott