WSBT754

I purchased one of the Larsen Electronics 3rd brake light mounts for my 2016 F-150. I do have a NMO mount in the center of the roof that held a quarter wave Browning CB antenna, that sucker whistled terribly probably from accidentally placing it in the exact spot where the air comes over the roof and hit the antenna. I now use the NMO mount for a dual band antenna and moved the CB antenna to the brake light mount. The most important part of installing it is to evenly tighten the screws on the mount to spread the pressure evenly on the gasket. Thus far, in the spring rain season of Michigan I have not had any leaks coming in through the mount. It is a very rigid mount and I have not had any concerns as yet about holding up to the daily drive and/or vibrations. As to the headliner, at least on my Ford it was very easy to run the coax. I just reached up behind the headliner and grabbed the coax connector and pulled it into the truck until all the slack was gone. Then just pushed it back up into the headliner area as I worked my way over to the side and was able to get it behind the trim piece until it was all the way to the floor. Popped off the bottom moulding and ran it over to where the front passenger seat is and fed it under the carpet to a seat mound hole in the carpet and to my radio. Pretty easy install, at least on my truck.

That one hasn't been brought online yet. I seen it listed here for months now but nothing seems to be happening with it yet. I know I would be able to hit that one just fine as there is an amateur repeater on 440 there and can hit it full quieting. It's not a big deal really, was just curious to see if there is any activity at all around the Port Huron area but it seems as though there isn't.

Yes, I know of those repeaters, and where I am just outside Port Huron and a 13 element beam antenna I cannot hit Mayville and just barely break into the Macomb. I won't try to use a repeater that I cannot get into full quieting as I don't want to make other users struggle to hear my transmission or just making noise on the systems. I would be interested in a simplex channel being used over making very choppy calls into someones repeater. Thanks for the reply.

Anybody here from St. Clair county or close by that are somewhat active on GMRS? No repeaters around close enough and not much activity can be found.

It can be done. With some effort of course. https://www.robkalmeijer.nl/techniek/electronica/radiotechniek/hambladen/qst/1996/02/page32/index.html

You make valid points. It all depends on what your needs are.

I would think a base is all you need. My opinion on repeaters is; if you're going to put up a repeater put up a real repeater. Put it up high, whether on a tower or large building, but get it up there. 40 foot is better suited for a home base station, my thoughts are a repeater should be 100 feet or more to make the effort worth it. I would go with just one of those Wouxons, good feed line and antenna. Try that first.