Thanks everyone. It has been working out great so far. I have some samples of some different brush alluminum laminate coming also. This way, I can try to get a closer match to the stock finish.
I have been able to (from Illinois) listen in on some transmissions from California. It was on the low side band, so it must have been a good skip day.
Next project will be do design a cover for it, so that when I don't have the mic connected, I can hide it from theiving eyes. Not sure how I will do that yet though.