Those with CBs, how and where did you mount the antenna? If you don't like where you have it now, what would you do differently?? And finnaly, what the best way to bring in the cable from the antenna?

-N

This may not be what you're looking for, but I don't have a permanent mount antenna because I only use a CB when on long trips. For that, I just use one that goes over the window.

I've also used a device that splits the signal from the radio antenna. It works pretty well, but not as well as a dedicated antenna.

Hey Neech:

I just added a cb to my rig...

Here's my setup:

Cherokee AH-27F Handheld CB
4 ft Wilson "Silver Load" FGT Antenna (for offroadin)
2 ft Wilson "Silver Load" FGT Antenna (for city cruisin)
Firestik Adjustable Channel Mount Kit (comes w/ 18 ft coaxle cable) Mounted on drive fender site 1 hr from the base of the hood.
Pair of quick disconnects so i can swap out the antennas quickly
heavy duty spring
mobile adapter for the handheld and pryme speaker mic.

Drilled a few holes in the fender to place the mount on the driver fender. if u want pix, i'll send ya some when i have a chance. routed the cable down thru the firewall and into the driver side... from there it's pretty easy... just plug and configure...

MAKE sure you tune your antennas... i got the 4 ft antenna to tune around 1.3 ish but the 2ft one is giving me some crap... i'll have to do it over the weekend... arg (just got em installed yesterday)

Initially i wanted to get the wilson whip but i couldn't find a place to mount it. magnetic mounts were out of the question because i didn't want circles on the top of the 4runner. as for the trunk mount, i knew that won't work cuz our trunk opens up too much.. thought about putting it on the hood but didn't think that'd look nice.. as for drilling on the top... nah didn't want that...

so my next option was somehow rig it to my yak megawarrior on top but i didn't want to deal w/ the non grounded antennas and the mounts so i decided on the driver fender mount. it's basic and simple and the most common one anyway.

w/ the 4ft antenna, my swr is 1.3ish so that's pretty good i think it goes down to 1.1 for chan 20 so i'm happy. just gotta tune my 2ft antenna next

some sites to look into (some have videos to help u too)
http://www.truckcitycbgps.com/cb_antennas.htm
http://www.alfenterprises.com/index.html (these guys are great! they will help u all the way!!)
http://www.firestik.com/Tech_Docs.htm (very useful... if this is your first CB read thru this site...)

gl

Lance

From what I've read this stuff can get pretty technical. What I was looking for was simple setup.

The radio I wanted would be the Cobra 75 WX ST All-in-handset Mobile CB. I like it b/c there no head until except for the mic and I can remove the mic when needed. I'd attach a magnet mount antenna to the roof and remove that when not needed. Very basic I know but my needs are more for monitoring when on the highway, for close transmissions to others when on the trails and for emergencies when by myself and need assistance (in the event the's no cell coverage).

Never owning a CB I'm not sure if this setup is suitable. What do you think

Neech:

Don't feel worried about being a noob at this. This CB is my first one and I love it!

I initially was thinking about the mag mount but I did realize that I really didn't like the "circles on my paint" idea. So pretty much that went out the door. Plus I have the yakima megawarrior on top so that pretty much prevents anything going up there since interference would become an issue.

So then I went w/ mounting it elsewhere. I really wanted the Wilson 1000 as Ive only read great reviews about the product. But since there wasn't really way for me to apply it to my 4runner, I ended up just mounting a fiberglass antenna on my side fender/hood area.

I would say any mounting is good so long as you have a good antenna. A crappy one will get you no where as the key to getting a good receiption is the antenna.

I'm not tech savvy myself but doing this by myself was fun! If you have any questions, just post it and we'll all help ya!

Lance

Thanks for the help.

So the fender mount doesn't scratch the paint? How is it mounted?

I didn't think about the circles a mag mount might create but don't they protect against that? Wouldn't they have thought of that?? I'd hope so....

What about mounting it to the luggage rack on the roof. I have nothing up there but I remember reading it needs a good ground plane and I don't know if that a good place or the rear bumper for that matter.

Once important factor is ease of removal. If it's not in a good place I'd probably want to remove when I don't need it. I know it's just a cosmetic thing but I love the look of the antenna-less vehicle.

If you really want to keep it cosmetically clean (i.e. no antenna look) then i'd say gettin the mag mount is the best method.

I did read somewhere that putting wax paper between the paint and mag would prevent the swirls on the paint but i've never tried it myself or can guarantee that it would work. ?!

If you want to install it on the luggage rack, then u'd have to look into the non grounded antenna mounts - since that luggage rack is not grounded.

and yes, the antenna needs to be grounded or u can get the non grounded one's too

but sounds like since you want the mobility, i'd go w/ the mag mount

stick w/ wilson whip's they're the best and give the best results! better than firestik.

Lance

Wax paper may work, but I'd suggest felt instead -- it's a little thicker but shouldn't affect the magnetic mount.

By the way, make sure you clean the area before you put the antenna on. That helps prevent scratches, too.

I would think wax would interfer w/ the magnet less. I'm worried about that on the highway.

Neech:

Either way the mag mounts are pretty strong so having either the wax paper or the felt shouldn't make that much of a big difference. When you see an actual mag mount they're pretty large (diameter), so I think either one would be fine.

Like what jharris2 said, make sure you clean that area nicely (wash and waxie!) so you know that when you added the mag, there were no problems w/ the paint!

good luck

Lance

I have used the 3M adhesive backed clear vinyl scuff guard material that JCW sells. It is 8" wide and I think it is 11' long per roll and costs about $13.00. I'd have to look at the catalog since it has been some time since I bought it. It is great stuff though and you will find many uses for it in terms of paint and finish protection.

I cut a disc the size of the magnetic base on my Lil Will antenna magnetic base. I have run up to over 120mph with the antenna in place with no problem. I have had the film on vehicles for years with no damage to the paint. The biggest problem is to find the correct location to maximize transmissions. As I understand it, it's all about establishing the proper ground plane.

BTW, I would not use felt because that invites grit to be trapped underneath, and that would scratch the finish. YMMV JM2C