In article ,
(known to some as Gary) scribed...

I'm giving serious thought to buying a new vehicle and you know it's bad
when your first thought is not the mileage or seating capacity, but
where to plumb the radio! Does anyone manufacture an adjustable bracket
that will fit into or around the luggage rack frames? I can fabricate my

snippety

With the first-generation antenna installation for my van (better
known as the 'Techmobile'), I used 10.5" high 19" blank aluminum rack
panels, suspended by Adel clamps around the cargo rack crossbeams. See
http://www.bluefeathertech.com/kc7gr/thevan.html for some outdated
photos (major updates are pending). If you choose to do it that way,
standard NMO mounts will not work (the rack panels are too thick). You
will need 'thick mounts' (available via Tessco from Radiall/Larsen,
PCTel, and other vendors).

It worked OK for a couple of years, until the rear hatch gaskets
(where I was running the cables through) started losing flexibility and
leaking in rainy weather. I converted everything to standard through-
roof NMO mounts, and haven't had a problem since. I would recommend that
you do the same.

Yes, there are safe-and-sane ways to drill the correct size of
hole, even in a new car. My personal favorite is the Irwin Manufacturing
'UniBit,' also known as a step-bit. Well worth the $45 or so they cost.

Couple said Unibit's action with a standard deburring tool for
sheet steel (available from any well-stocked hardware store), and you're
good to go.

Reserve a full day, take your time, and drink plenty of water.

Happy installing.


--
Dr. Anton T. Squeegee, Director, Dutch Surrealist Plumbing Institute
(Known to some as Bruce Lane, KC7GR)
http://www.bluefeathertech.com -- kyrrin a/t bluefeathertech d-o=t calm
"Salvadore Dali's computer has surreal ports..."