2' firestik on a Diamond k400 or Comet rs 720?

[socal-4runner]

After doing some reading it seems like these hatch lip mounts aren't made to support a fiberglass antenna like the firestiks but more suited to use with thinner antennas for HAM. Would the 2' or 3' firestiks be okay on these without it getting ripped off if I were to go through a parking garage?

I really want to use a mount that doesn't involve drilling into the car.

 

[Styer]

I use the K400 with my 4' firestik firefly antenna. While I wouldn't purposely hit anything with it on, the times I've hit the antenna accidentally its been absolutely fine. If you're going in parking garages often just get a QD for the firestik and pop the antenna off quickly when needed

Sent from my Nexus 4 using Tapatalk

 

[kris022]

I have the K400, 2' firestick, and a quick disconnect. I typically just use the CB when I'm with a group. Most of the time the antenna is off. I have a K400CNMO on the other side for my ham antenna, and that is on full time as it doesn't hit the garage door.

 

[socal-4runner]

I have the K400, 2' firestick, and a quick disconnect. I typically just use the CB when I'm with a group. Most of the time the antenna is off. I have a K400CNMO on the other side for my ham antenna, and that is on full time as it doesn't hit the garage door.

Do you think I could get away with using a spring instead of the quick disconnect?

 

[kris022]

Do you think I could get away with using a spring instead of the quick disconnect?

You might be able to. It all really depends on where you have the mount on the hatch door and how much clearance u have on the garage opening. If the antenna just grazes the garage opening, you should be ok. My mount is about half way on the hatch door and there is no way my antenna will fit in the garage.

 

[Inv4drZm]

I have the K400 and a 2ft firestik. Works fine driving through a garage how I have it mounted.

 

[USMCEngineer]

Lip Mounts

I have both lip mounts and the Diamond is much sturdier. Not to say the Comet can't get the job done, but I think the Diamond is probably worth the extra money.

 

[socal-4runner]

Thanks guys

 

[EdmundGTP]

Or don't use the hatch mount?

I have a 3' K40 Superflex on the CBI mount that doubles as a ditch light bracket.

I also have it on a spring base. No need for a quick disconnect. I can literally reach out the drivers window, unthread the antenna from the spring base and toss it in the back seat if I don't want it on. While driving if need be..

 

[socal-4runner]

Or don't use the hatch mount?

I have a 3' K40 Superflex on the CBI mount that doubles as a ditch light bracket.

I also have it on a spring base. No need for a quick disconnect. I can literally reach out the drivers window, unthread the antenna from the spring base and toss it in the back seat if I don't want it on. While driving if need be..

That's a great idea. Do you have a picture of your setup?

 

[EdmundGTP]

Ordered everything off Amazon except the bracket from CBI

Mounting the antenna in this location gives the system a MUCH better transmission ground plane to work from. It will transmit and receive signal in this position a lot better than it will sitting behind the back hatch.

Tighten the 90 degree adapter, mounting stud, and spring base with a wrench. Hand tighten the antenna on to the spring base and you can easily twist it off from the driver's seat if need be. As long as you don't have the hand/wrist strength of a 60 year old arthritic woman.

-Uniden PRO520XL 40-Channel CB Radio
-K40 SF-300 Black 3' 1000W Superflex Tunable Fiberglass CB Whip Antenna
-Wilson 305311SS Stainless Steel Heavy Duty CB Antenna Spring
-MPD Digital RG58-UHF-PL259-Male-12ft MPD Digital 12-ft. RG58 Coax Cable with PL259 to PL-259 Male Connectors
-Firestik K-4A Stud with Screw-On Coaxial Termination for Antenna Mirror Mounts
-RoadPro 90 Degree "L" Connector - PL-259 to SO-239

Speaker below is installed up behind the front grille and connected to the PA output of the radio, so I can yell at pedestrians from inside the truck
-PYLE PSP8 All Weather 5-Inch Trumpet Speaker

Jumper and SWR meter below are used to tune the antenna. Tuning the antenna makes a HUGE difference in transmit and reception capability.
-Procomm 3 feet Coaxial Cable Jumper with PL259 Connectors
-Astatic PDC1 100 Watt SWR Meter

Please excuse the bird shit.

 

[socal-4runner]

Ordered everything off Amazon except the bracket from CBI

Mounting the antenna in this location gives the system a MUCH better transmission ground plane to work from. It will transmit and receive signal in this position a lot better than it will sitting behind the back hatch.

Tighten the 90 degree adapter, mounting stud, and spring base with a wrench. Hand tighten the antenna on to the spring base and you can easily twist it off from the driver's seat if need be. As long as you don't have the hand/wrist strength of a 60 year old arthritic woman.

-Uniden PRO520XL 40-Channel CB Radio
-K40 SF-300 Black 3' 1000W Superflex Tunable Fiberglass CB Whip Antenna
-Wilson 305311SS Stainless Steel Heavy Duty CB Antenna Spring
-MPD Digital RG58-UHF-PL259-Male-12ft MPD Digital 12-ft. RG58 Coax Cable with PL259 to PL-259 Male Connectors
-Firestik K-4A Stud with Screw-On Coaxial Termination for Antenna Mirror Mounts
-RoadPro 90 Degree "L" Connector - PL-259 to SO-239

Speaker below is installed up behind the front grille and connected to the PA output of the radio, so I can yell at pedestrians from inside the truck
-PYLE PSP8 All Weather 5-Inch Trumpet Speaker

Jumper and SWR meter below are used to tune the antenna. Tuning the antenna makes a HUGE difference in transmit and reception capability.
-Procomm 3 feet Coaxial Cable Jumper with PL259 Connectors
-Astatic PDC1 100 Watt SWR Meter


Please excuse the bird shit.

This is perfect! Just what I'm going to do with mine now. Thanks!

 

[gm350reratliff]

Ordered everything off Amazon except the bracket from CBI

Mounting the antenna in this location gives the system a MUCH better transmission ground plane to work from. It will transmit and receive signal in this position a lot better than it will sitting behind the back hatch.

Tighten the 90 degree adapter, mounting stud, and spring base with a wrench. Hand tighten the antenna on to the spring base and you can easily twist it off from the driver's seat if need be. As long as you don't have the hand/wrist strength of a 60 year old arthritic woman.

-Uniden PRO520XL 40-Channel CB Radio
-K40 SF-300 Black 3' 1000W Superflex Tunable Fiberglass CB Whip Antenna
-Wilson 305311SS Stainless Steel Heavy Duty CB Antenna Spring
-MPD Digital RG58-UHF-PL259-Male-12ft MPD Digital 12-ft. RG58 Coax Cable with PL259 to PL-259 Male Connectors
-Firestik K-4A Stud with Screw-On Coaxial Termination for Antenna Mirror Mounts
-RoadPro 90 Degree "L" Connector - PL-259 to SO-239

Speaker below is installed up behind the front grille and connected to the PA output of the radio, so I can yell at pedestrians from inside the truck
-PYLE PSP8 All Weather 5-Inch Trumpet Speaker

Jumper and SWR meter below are used to tune the antenna. Tuning the antenna makes a HUGE difference in transmit and reception capability.
-Procomm 3 feet Coaxial Cable Jumper with PL259 Connectors
-Astatic PDC1 100 Watt SWR Meter

Please excuse the bird shit.

Very nice setup!

I run a Comet HD-5 mount on the back hatch door but I don't like it. IMHO, it's not stout enough for trail use. This was evident when the machined washer it uses to hold together broke while going over Imogene pass.

 

[EdmundGTP]

Very nice setup!

I run a Comet HD-5 mount on the back hatch door but I don't like it. IMHO, it's not stout enough for trail use. This was evident when the machined washer it uses to hold together broke while going over Imogene pass.

I've whacked the superflex as mounted above against a few things pretty hard and it's held up just fine so far. The mounting bracket from CBI is a single piece of bent 1/4" steel that's attached via the hood hinge bolts, so it ain't going anywhere. Having a spring base between the antenna and the mount helps both the antenna and the mount itself not get tweaked/damaged when it inevitably hits something on the trail or in a garage.

 

[Snoopy]

I have the K400, 2' firestick, and a quick disconnect. I typically just use the CB when I'm with a group. Most of the time the antenna is off. I have a K400CNMO on the other side for my ham antenna, and that is on full time as it doesn't hit the garage door.

Can I mount my firestik straight to the k400 with my k-4 stud, fire-ring coax, and bolt? Should the fire-ring terminal be placed on the top or bottom of the mount? Thanks!

 

[Snoopy]

I have the K400 and a 2ft firestik. Works fine driving through a garage how I have it mounted.

Do you have any photos of how your coax is run inside your hatch door?

 

[Inv4drZm]

Do you have any photos of how your coax is run inside your hatch door?

Its the most ghetto routing ever. The cable gets pinched in the door jamb and droops over the wheel well panel then gets routed through the door sill kick plates. :naughty:

I've been wanting to route it cleaner through the top of the hatch but I'm waaaaaay too lazy. Its been like that for over a year now.

 

[773_T4R]

Do you have any photos of how your coax is run inside your hatch door?

Ran mine through the rubber grommet and taped the crap out of it. I'll redo this when it gets warmer but for now it works. 3 Foot Firestik with spring mount on a K400.

 

[svana]

Do you have any photos of how your coax is run inside your hatch door?

No photos currently, but I've got my K400 mounted right at the corner of the tailgate where it meets the tail light. I drilled a hole in the rubber bumpstop, routed it through the door and through the rubber wire loom that goes from the tailgate to the hatch. Completely unseen. My only gripe is that I didn't think I was able to pull off the loom plug during install so it ended up poking a hole through the inside. Wish I would've given it a little more muscle and popped it out, but oh well...