Grounding on Rago CB Mounts

[VARunner03]

I have two ground straps connected to the base of the antenna. They are both about 2.5 feet long, one connected to the body and one to the chasis. It is getting the job done for both CB and Ham bands. Good luck with the install, keep us posted!

Would you mind posting the link to the ones you have? A lot of the braided grounding straps I'm finding are only like 6-10 inches long. Thanks!

 

[bancorat]

This is what I used. 10' x 0.35" Copper Ground Strap Cable+Do-It-Yourself Terminal Kit. Tin Coated | eBay.

 

[jhguth]

Would you mind posting the link to the ones you have? A lot of the braided grounding straps I'm finding are only like 6-10 inches long. Thanks!

remember that it's to create a reflective ground plane to reflect the signal up and out (counterpoise is a better term), it's not grounding like creating an electrical ground so if it's much further than a 6-10 inch strap it probably won't make a very effective ground plane.

 

[bancorat]

Just like jhguth said, what you want to create is an antenna ground plane to effectively radiate RF from your system.

 

[VARunner03]

Just like jhguth said, what you want to create is an antenna ground plane to effectively radiate RF from your system.

Ok I understand, thank you!

 

[Keech]

Hello guys,

I successfully installed the Rago mount + CB antenna and got it work just right, key is grounding.

I used the Firering cable from Firestik, but the principle is the same with any other cable.

I had to sand down the beautiful Rago powder coat where the firering makes contact with the bracket.

Also on the bracket backing plate, I drilled a hole and installed a flush bolt from which I ran a bonding strap to the trucks body. I will try to provide pictures but the area is pretty hard to access afterwards.

Hope this helps.

Hi where did you run the ground strap from the backing bracket to? IÂ’ve been under the 4Runner for days and can not find a close enough place to connect the strap.

 

[macscac]

I have two ground straps connected to the base of the antenna. They are both about 2.5 feet long, one connected to the body and one to the chasis. It is getting the job done for both CB and Ham bands. Good luck with the install, keep us posted!

bancorat, so one braided cable is mounted to the inside of the vehicle and the other to the bottom of the truck.. somewhere near the spare tire?

 

[The_Reaper]

bancorat, so one braided cable is mounted to the inside of the vehicle and the other to the bottom of the truck.. somewhere near the spare tire?

There is a grounding post behind the left tail light inside the panel where the jack mounts. would that not be sufficient to ground the antenna? I don't know much about antennas, I need to learn as well. I just figured any ground that is good enough for my tail/brake lights should be good for an antenna. Unless that causes some weird interference. I just ordered the Rago mount as well, but if that's not going to work well I can mount to my ladder or rack I guess.

 

[Mudhorn]

Bump.

Did anyone go with the no ground antenna option with this mount? Curious how that setup is working.

 

[big44g]

Bump.

Did anyone go with the no ground antenna option with this mount? Curious how that setup is working.

I don't have this mount, but I do have two of the Rago ditch bracket antenna mounts (on the hood). I am using a GMRS antenna and Ham 2m/70cm on the other. Both are no ground antennas and work great with no SWR issues. I am sure you can use a no ground antenna on this mount within the GMRS and HAM bands.

 

[Bugser]

I don't have this mount, but I do have two of the Rago ditch bracket antenna mounts (on the hood). I am using a GMRS antenna and Ham 2m/70cm on the other. Both are no ground antennas and work great with no SWR issues. I am sure you can use a no ground antenna on this mount within the GMRS and HAM bands.

I do the same as above.....works fine....is it the best? Nope! Better than on the tailgate lip or driver's tail light corner. The best is an NMO mounted dead center of the Runner......did that on all my past vehicles with huge sucess - and leaks. Leaks are why I went the Rago Ditch mount. Also ran Outbackers, Hy-Gain HF cans and single band Firsetick type HF antennas all with success. But in mobile systems, success is relative - can you hear the other station or not.

A good mobile antenna reference site is:

KOBG.COM

Pay particular attention to:
Antenna Myths
Bonding

This is an in-depth discussion by a guy who is very knowledgeable on the subject...... It may take you a while to digest it though!

Cheers

Bob

 

[Mudhorn]

Thanks for the info. My needs are very basic, just for comms with trail buddies. Never too far apart.
Definitely keep all the info in my pocket if I ever upgrade needs.

 

[Charlievee]

Any updates on this?

 

[bancorat]

bancorat, so one braided cable is mounted to the inside of the vehicle and the other to the bottom of the truck.. somewhere near the spare tire?

Yes, I used a ring terminal on the braid and attached it to one of the chasis bolts near the spare tire. The other is connected to the body inside the tail light housing where the jack is. Sorry for the late reply.

 

[Schriner13]

Just installed my mount. Tried running a braided ground to body and frame of the mounting bracket back plate with no luck. Ground off powder coat where fire ring makes contact and ground the recesses where the screw heads go. Swr is 3.5+ with a 5’ fire stick


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[Brick Sprickly]

Just installed my mount. Tried running a braided ground to body and frame of the mounting bracket back plate with no luck. Ground off powder coat where fire ring makes contact and ground the recesses where the screw heads go. Swr is 3.5+ with a 5’ fire stick


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I have this same mount/antenna setup.


Did you grind both the top and bottom of the fire ring connection? Seemed to work better for me. Also, since the grounding strap is attached to the backing plate under the bumper area, you'll also have to remove some powder coat on a screw hole top surface of the mount (the inside beveled surface). This way, the screw itself will connect your ground to the chassis via the backing plate to the strap.

Fire ring-->bracket mount-->screw-->backing plate-->braided ground strap-->chassis

I think you're on the right track but there might be something minor preventing a good connection. I also used dielectric grease throughout.

Lastly, how/what did you do to run the coax to the front? Which route did you take? Do you have excess coax you had to coil up anywhere? Pinched/crimped coax at odd angles?

 

[Schriner13]

I have this same mount/antenna setup.


Did you grind both the top and bottom of the fire ring connection? Seemed to work better for me. Also, since the grounding strap is attached to the backing plate under the bumper area, you'll also have to remove some powder coat on a screw hole top surface of the mount (the inside beveled surface). This way, the screw itself will connect your ground to the chassis via the backing plate to the strap.

Fire ring-->bracket mount-->screw-->backing plate-->braided ground strap-->chassis

I think you're on the right track but there might be something minor preventing a good connection. I also used dielectric grease throughout.

Lastly, how/what did you do to run the coax to the front? Which route did you take? Do you have excess coax you had to coil up anywhere? Pinched/crimped coax at odd angles?

I ground all the screw heads still no go. Ran coax through bumper up behind til light and then down inside the paneling all the way to drivers seat then under into the consol. No Loups or kinks. Continuity where I should and none where I shouldn’t


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[Schriner13]

I have this same mount/antenna setup.


Did you grind both the top and bottom of the fire ring connection? Seemed to work better for me. Also, since the grounding strap is attached to the backing plate under the bumper area, you'll also have to remove some powder coat on a screw hole top surface of the mount (the inside beveled surface). This way, the screw itself will connect your ground to the chassis via the backing plate to the strap.

Fire ring-->bracket mount-->screw-->backing plate-->braided ground strap-->chassis

I think you're on the right track but there might be something minor preventing a good connection. I also used dielectric grease throughout.

Lastly, how/what did you do to run the coax to the front? Which route did you take? Do you have excess coax you had to coil up anywhere? Pinched/crimped coax at odd angles?

Can you post a pic of ur setup outside of the vehicle? Also where did u mount the strap to the body


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[Brick Sprickly]

Can you post a pic of ur setup outside of the vehicle? Also where did u mount the strap to the body


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Might be an issue with where you mounted the grounding strap then. I picked this spot:

 

[Schriner13]

Got it working moved the ground strap a few times and finally got it to work of the grounding post in the compartment the factory jack goes in


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