[BillO]

Has anybody added a RF device to their MINI? ie: cell Phone,CB,Ham Radio. I am in the process of getting a small
"2 meter" antenna and plan to go mobile.

I know that the window sticker says only add stuff that is MINI approved, but the fun of this chariot is to customize it to you.

Any thoughts?

BillO
WA9NBO

02' MINI Yellow/white sunroof

[BillK]

So far I have only used an HT in the MINI, UHF at 5W with no problems. I have also had an 800MHz packset in the car, and I know the trunking data link was transmitting even though I did not run any voice, again, no problems. I am holding off on installing my mobile until I know I don't have any bugs in the system that MINI could claim were caused by excessive RF.

Watch the broadcast band antenna area, and the right front area of the vehicle. My friend has blown the antenna preamp on his Audi a couple of times because the ham antenna was radiating in to it, and the DCS computer is on the firewall on the right.

Of course, locating the antenna seems to be a lot of fun. I do not want to drill a hole for an NMO mount on the MINI. I think I will get one of the Comet articulated mounts and go with either a bonnet or boot lip mount.

Good luck.

73

KD6MCI

[Tee-Roy]

Keep it clean!!!! Go with the window mount. It may not work as good but it will keep your lines clean. (My wife would have my hide if she found a 2M ANT. on our MCS) Have fun N0QXI

[Tee-Roy]

Keep it clean!Go with the window mount.. It may not work as well but it will look better. (My wife would have my hide if she found a 2M ant. on our mini) Have fun..N0QXI

[Technomage]

Just figured I would say hi in the thread.
KF6OCM

[BillK]

I have looked at some nice articulated trunk/hatch mounts that have promise, but I am still thinking I will skip a radio install in the MINI for now, except that I support a team in the Baker to Vegas race. I need a good high gain antenna for that. I'll likely go with a mag mount and protect the car with a piece of chamois. Otherwise I am indeed looking at a glass mount. Conflicting drives at work, I don't want to mess up the lines on the MINI, but I do want to drive it while supporting the race.

[BillO]

I put the cell phone lookalike ant. on the glass right behind the driver side door post. I am running 50 watts with a 2m Kenwood. No RF problems of any kind.

The biggest problem is trying to get the radio itself to "hold on" as I gave up the front cup holders and velcroed it between the posts.


73's out there.

BillO

WA9NBO

[BillK]

Thanks BillO. I looked at this again today and I think I will do a glass-mount cellular look-alike, but on the passanger side, high gain for the race, and a nice short one for in town. I have a Yaesu 8100, so the control head will mount just fine between the pillers, and I'll put the radio inside the left rear fender or under the left front seat.

[w3iwi]

I've used my HT. Plan to put the -742 in soon. I've checked and the main box will fit in the passenger wheelwell and control head under the dash. Waiting for summer (at least above 40F!) to put a dual-band window-mount whip on driver's side.

73 de Tom, W3IWI