Mounting suggestions

radeohedca · 02-06-2015, 02:00 PM

After 4 years of resisting, the ham radio geek inside has gotten the better of me and I want to put a UHF radio in my e90. I'm seeking antenna mounting suggestions for the "NMO" mount to be used with a low profile antenna.

- I straight out refuse to drill or punch a hole in any sheet metal panel... can't do it.
- Prefer not to use a magnet mount... eventually scratches the paint after repeated on-off cycles, even when just leaving it on (been there...).
- I looked into trunk lip mounts... the e90 trunk has a unusually thick lip with a seam bead running close to the edge of the underside ... it won't accept a standard lip mount with set screws.
- I considered using a "fender mount" L-bracket screwed within the body side of the truck opening but here too is a seam with a funky bead running along the usable span of flat sheet metal that renders it useless. WTF ?

I've run out of ideas. Anyone out there who is more creative than I am ? I'm all ears (eyes).

3s4u2 · 02-06-2015, 02:19 PM

Rear tow hook mount along with an L bracket under the rear bumper. Then get ready for the weird a$$ looks from everyone but radio operators!

Dozhdbog · 02-06-2015, 02:27 PM

Hire a person to hold it out your window when you drive around.

Dozhdbog · 02-06-2015, 02:28 PM

Suction cup it to a window.

3s4u2 · 02-06-2015, 03:06 PM

This looks promising, especially the glass mount!

http://www.rfiemea.com/wireless/mobi.../UHF-band.html

radeohedca · 02-06-2015, 03:15 PM

I've tried the thru-the-glass antenna... very inefficient to start with and
I think the tint and embedded rear defroster hampered it further.

3s4u2 · 02-06-2015, 03:27 PM

Find you a use roof rack and use it for your array, it's at least easily removable.

Agentphish · 02-06-2015, 03:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 3s4u2

Find you a use roof rack and use it for your array, it's at least easily removable.

This is probably the most costly, but least cosmetic impact in the long term, to your car since it won't wear your paint or leave any residues and you don't have to drill to use it.

335NJ · 02-06-2015, 04:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dozhdbog

Hire a person to hold it out your window when you drive around.

+1

Best solution available

udm328i · 02-07-2015, 09:12 AM

Protective film and magnet?

upstatedoc · 02-07-2015, 09:23 AM

Had my CB antenna wired with magnet on my trunk. No scratchies.

02-06-2015, 02:00 PM	#1
radeohedca Private First Class 32 Rep 160 Posts Drives: 2013 320i Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Toronto, Canada iTrader: (0)	Mounting suggestions - Ham radio antenna ? After 4 years of resisting, the ham radio geek inside has gotten the better of me and I want to put a UHF radio in my e90. I'm seeking antenna mounting suggestions for the "NMO" mount to be used with a low profile antenna. - I straight out refuse to drill or punch a hole in any sheet metal panel... can't do it. - Prefer not to use a magnet mount... eventually scratches the paint after repeated on-off cycles, even when just leaving it on (been there...). - I looked into trunk lip mounts... the e90 trunk has a unusually thick lip with a seam bead running close to the edge of the underside ... it won't accept a standard lip mount with set screws. - I considered using a "fender mount" L-bracket screwed within the body side of the truck opening but here too is a seam with a funky bead running along the usable span of flat sheet metal that renders it useless. WTF ? I've run out of ideas. Anyone out there who is more creative than I am ? I'm all ears (eyes). Last edited by radeohedca; 02-06-2015 at 02:06 PM..
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02-06-2015, 02:19 PM	#2
3s4u2 Beamer Mantic 82 Rep 1,191 Posts Drives: 2006 325i Prem Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Texas iTrader: (0)	Rear tow hook mount along with an L bracket under the rear bumper. Then get ready for the weird a$$ looks from everyone but radio operators! __________________ 2006 325i 2006 M5 2008 X5 4.8i 2014 X5 50i M-Pkg
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02-06-2015, 02:27 PM	#3
Dozhdbog Lieutenant Colonel 86 Rep 1,849 Posts Drives: 2011 335i Sedan Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Hollywood iTrader: (0)	Hire a person to hold it out your window when you drive around. __________________ 2011 E90 / Premium Package / Stage 2 PPK / Performance Suspension
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02-06-2015, 02:28 PM	#4
Dozhdbog Lieutenant Colonel 86 Rep 1,849 Posts Drives: 2011 335i Sedan Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Hollywood iTrader: (0)	Suction cup it to a window. __________________ 2011 E90 / Premium Package / Stage 2 PPK / Performance Suspension
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02-06-2015, 03:06 PM	#5
3s4u2 Beamer Mantic 82 Rep 1,191 Posts Drives: 2006 325i Prem Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Texas iTrader: (0)	This looks promising, especially the glass mount! http://www.rfiemea.com/wireless/mobi.../UHF-band.html __________________ 2006 325i 2006 M5 2008 X5 4.8i 2014 X5 50i M-Pkg
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02-06-2015, 03:15 PM	#6
radeohedca Private First Class 32 Rep 160 Posts Drives: 2013 320i Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Toronto, Canada iTrader: (0)	I've tried the thru-the-glass antenna... very inefficient to start with and I think the tint and embedded rear defroster hampered it further.
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02-06-2015, 03:27 PM	#7
3s4u2 Beamer Mantic 82 Rep 1,191 Posts Drives: 2006 325i Prem Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Texas iTrader: (0)	Find you a use roof rack and use it for your array, it's at least easily removable. __________________ 2006 325i 2006 M5 2008 X5 4.8i 2014 X5 50i M-Pkg
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02-07-2015, 09:12 AM	#10
udm328i Lieutenant 57 Rep 503 Posts Drives: e92 Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Westchester🇺🇸 iTrader: (3) Garage List 2008 BMW 328i [9.00]	Protective film and magnet? __________________ ZSP/ZPP/BMW PE&PI/ BMW CF STRUT BRACE/ EIBACH PRO SYSTEM / H&R WHEEL SPACERS
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02-07-2015, 09:23 AM	#11
upstatedoc I'll get back to you 7564 Rep 2,132 Posts Drives: blue streak Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: not downstate iTrader: (2)	Had my CB antenna wired with magnet on my trunk. No scratchies. __________________ 2018 Stinger GT 2009 E90 N51 /Active Autowerke Stage 2 tune/BMW Performance Exhaust/ Countermeasure enthusiast.
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