dreti's build thread

[dreti]

Guess I should start this thread with a pic of the old girl...

Finished my 2' Firestik antenna mod so figured I would start a build thread...

I'd played around with a couple of configurations and landed on this one that adapts the l-bracket of Firestik door-jam mount to fix it to the roof rails. I used an 18' Firering cable routed discreetly to the front so I can plug in my Midland 75-822 when I need it.

I started by making an aluminum block to go inside the roof rail.

The drilled and tapped a hole that would take the ratchet-handle screw.

Assembled the block, bracket and washers on the screw with wiring.

Did a quick test fitting before heat-shrinking the connections and figuring out how how much ground and braided sleeving I would need... then got some sleep.

Got it all in place and heat-shrinked the spring and bolts to black it all out..

Ran the cable behind the roof bars and through the trunk lid gap.

Attached the ground to one of the lid strut bolts.

Tested it up.

And tested it down.

Works great!... Not the best SWR ever at 1.5ish, but that'll work for me right now.

 

[CowboyTaco]

Great job, and nice write-up!

 

[(none)]

Looks really good. I like that idea, I've been thinking of where to mount my firestik. Does anyone run a full size CB? I had mine on the passenger footwell side of the center console in my JK, looking for a spot to mount it in the 4R.

 

[T4RGold]

Excellent job. You do good work Brother. I'm sure it performs as well as it looks. Should I decide top set mine up I'm definitely coming to you for advise. Thanks man.

 

[01100101]

Nice job on the antenna mount. If you don't mind sharing, what are the dimensions of that aluminum block?

 

[dreti]

Nice job on the antenna mount. If you don't mind sharing, what are the dimensions of that aluminum block?

I don't know what the exact dimensions are. I measured it with a vernier gauge and used it to score the aluminum. That said, the aluminum strip was .25" thick and 1.5" wide. The piece I cut off was approximately 1". I wanted it longer than it was high so it would resist turning in the channel and I rounded the edges so it would seat well.