CB Noob Question

[TheFauxFox]

Got a basic little CB (Uniden 505) radio for Christmas, a 3ft firestik and some coax. From what I'm reading I can't just run the coax to the antenna, the antenna and it's mount have to be grounded? What? Why doesn't it ground through the wire-to the cb- then to the negative that the CB is plugged into (like the ground power line).

I imagine that question might've made a few of you :doh: but I'm just a bit confused here. Looking NOT to spend all the money for one of those RAGO mounts and instead DIY it. Where should I go from here?

 

[TowMeOut]

Yeah, a bit of the forehead slap but that's OK. Yes, you need to ground the antenna and mount to the chassis of the vehicle. This makes up the "ground plane" for this antenna system. Also....don't just slap it on there and go. You'll want someone with a VSWR (Voltage Standing Wave Ratio) meter to adjust the antenna for optimum efficiency. I think on the firestick the top pops off and there's a setscrew you loosen and move a short antenna element up/down until you get the reading you want.

When in doubt...find a local shop (truck stop, etc) that does CB work and they'll have no problem. It will work without the adjustment but your reception and especially transmitting can be seriously effected if this is way off. Too far off and it can even damage your CB transmitter.

Have fun....

 

[Prommy]

From a technical perspective, grounding the antenna mount ensures that what the CB considers 0 volts/ground is also what the antenna experiences. Without it, you'll get disruptive capacitive-like effects, possibly getting distortion and noise and decreasing your effective transmission power.

 

[TheFauxFox]

Yeah, a bit of the forehead slap but that's OK. Yes, you need to ground the antenna and mount to the chassis of the vehicle. This makes up the "ground plane" for this antenna system. Also....don't just slap it on there and go. You'll want someone with a VSWR (Voltage Standing Wave Ratio) meter to adjust the antenna for optimum efficiency. I think on the firestick the top pops off and there's a setscrew you loosen and move a short antenna element up/down until you get the reading you want.

When in doubt...find a local shop (truck stop, etc) that does CB work and they'll have no problem. It will work without the adjustment but your reception and especially transmitting can be seriously effected if this is way off. Too far off and it can even damage your CB transmitter.

Have fun....

Thanks for explaining

 

[TheFauxFox]

From a technical perspective, grounding the antenna mount ensures that what the CB considers 0 volts/ground is also what the antenna experiences. Without it, you'll get disruptive capacitive-like effects, possibly getting distortion and noise and decreasing your effective transmission power.

And thank you for explaining why!

 

[TheFauxFox]

Wait, so in that case how the hell does the Rago mount work? Do you just have to use a NGP antenna with it? Cuz I thought they are supposed to be installed on the inside lip of the bumper? Like the part that borders the tailgate?

Edit: And that part is plastic

 

[AuSeeker]

Wait, so in that case how the hell does the Rago mount work? Do you just have to use a NGP antenna with it? Cuz I thought they are supposed to be installed on the inside lip of the bumper? Like the part that borders the tailgate?

Edit: And that part is plastic

Run a wire from the mount to the frame to ground it.

 

[TheFauxFox]

Run a wire from the mount to the frame to ground it.

brb :bolt:

 

[4RunAmok]

The best thing to do is not ground the BRACKET, but get a ring terminal the size of the stud on the antenna, usually 3/8", and ground the actual antenna to the frame.

 

[TheFauxFox]

The best thing to do is not ground the BRACKET, but get a ring terminal the size of the stud on the antenna, usually 3/8", and ground the actual antenna to the frame.

Sounds good. Was wondering how I saw someone on YouTube use a rubberized clamp mount...

 

[MightyP]

Wait, so in that case how the hell does the Rago mount work? Do you just have to use a NGP antenna with it? Cuz I thought they are supposed to be installed on the inside lip of the bumper? Like the part that borders the tailgate?

Edit: And that part is plastic

Rago mount requires a grounding strap. Also, it's only for 5th Gens. Last I heard, they're not going to make one for the 4th Gen. Couldn't get it strong enough without it looking goofy.

I use the Comet 720NMO mount, which works, but I had to modify a washer to get it. If I had to do it over again, I'd get this. Honestly, I'm considering switching to this anyway.

https://www.amazon.com/Comet-HD-5-8-24-Heavy-socket/dp/B00AR08GY0

 

[4RunAmok]

Rago mount requires a grounding strap. Also, it's only for 5th Gens. Last I heard, they're not going to make one for the 4th Gen. Couldn't get it strong enough without it looking goofy.

I use the Comet 720NMO mount, which works, but I had to modify a washer to get it. If I had to do it over again, I'd get this. Honestly, I'm considering switching to this anyway.

https://www.amazon.com/Comet-HD-5-8-24-Heavy-socket/dp/B00AR08GY0

I'm using a single Rago ditch light bracket (passenger side) for my ham radio antenna with an NMO mount (thick surface model). Not sure what I'm going to do with that when it comes time to do ditch lights! hwell:

 

[wcjeep]

Do not Key the CB until its tuned. Some vehicles prefer certain types of antennas. Some antennas will not work well with certain types of vehicles. Typically the mag mount antennas work with almost anything. The mag mount antennas have the chance to cause rust on a vehicle if left over a long period of time.

 

[MightyP]

I'm using a single Rago ditch light bracket (passenger side) for my ham radio antenna with an NMO mount (thick surface model). Not sure what I'm going to do with that when it comes time to do ditch lights! hwell:

I thought about that with the bracket extensions, but never pulled the trigger.

https://www.ragofabrication.com/products/ditch-light-bracket-extensions-pair

 

[4RunAmok]

I thought about that with the bracket extensions, but never pulled the trigger.

https://www.ragofabrication.com/products/ditch-light-bracket-extensions-pair

Interesting! Kinda rather go for a bracket made for this though.

I would want the antenna on the inside, and using the antenna NMO as the "bolt" that holds the two together alarms me.

Might have a buddy draw up something in Solidworks and have it made.

 

[MightyP]

Interesting! Kinda rather go for a bracket made for this though.

I would want the antenna on the inside, and using the antenna NMO as the "bolt" that holds the two together alarms me.

Might have a buddy draw up something in Solidworks and have it made.

Secretly, you'll notice the Ragos don't advertise that way. When I asked Mario about it, he did the "Well, I guess it could work" but really didn't like it. Making something specific would be better.

 

[4RunAmok]

Secretly, you'll notice the Ragos don't advertise that way. When I asked Mario about it, he did the "Well, I guess it could work" but really didn't like it. Making something specific would be better.

His wife told me on the phone they don't want their brackets used for antennas, but the guy sold me a single anyway.

It would be easier to rip a ditch light off with a branch than it would be for my flimsy antenna.

I'm not sure what they're worried about.

 

[Prommy]

I'm not sure what they're worried about.

Perhaps they're worried about having skewed inventory, as they probably order/make the brackets in pairs.

 

[4RunAmok]

Perhaps they're worried about having skewed inventory, as they probably order/make the brackets in pairs.

So you say THAT, instead of saying "we don't recommend them to be used for antennas"

 

[MightyP]

So you say THAT, instead of saying "we don't recommend them to be used for antennas"

Haha. Y'all are over thinking this.

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