Hood Channel CB Antenna Mount Question

[Blanco]

Tried installing my Firestick 2' up on my roof basket/rack but SWR reading was lousy. Thought I'd try and ground the antenna mount with a 12 ga wire down to my frame but decided that it just looks to messy. SO, my next favored option is to pick up a 3' and install a mount in the hood channel on the driver's side. Just did a major Google and saw plenty of photos of this but no particularly solid info to accompany them.

Question 1: What's the best mount(s) to fit into the hood channel? The space between the hood and the panel looks really skinny. Also, if I dremel some paint off where I attach said mount, should I be okay for ground or will I need to run separate ground?

Question 2: Will standard coax fit through the space in channel? And subsequent question is, assuming I purchase a short coax with bare end (to get through firewall grommet), is there a coax plug that is easy to attach once through to the engine bay? (Sorry, haven't Googled that yet).

Looking to hear from anyone who has done this already with success.

Thanks for you help - as always.

 

[J-money$$$]

Why dont you try the new Drifter cb antenna mount from outdoor logic. The rear mount seems to work good. I think the hood mount looks bad...

 

[Blanco]

Yeah, I had also been considering the Drifter mount on the rear as it looks really solid. On the plus side I wouldn't have to go through the pain of rerouting my coax as it's already in the back, however the mounts are a bit pricey for me plus I'll need to fork out for a 4' antenna and a stronger spring. Gonna trawl the threads on ODL/Drifter mount and think about it.

 

[J-money$$$]

Yeah, I had also been considering the Drifter mount on the rear as it looks really solid. On the plus side I wouldn't have to go through the pain of rerouting my coax as it's already in the back, however the mounts are a bit pricey for me plus I'll need to fork out for a 4' antenna and a stronger spring. Gonna trawl the threads on ODL/Drifter mount and think about it.

I made my own about the time Driffter33 made his original mount. Took bout 45 minutes and some scrap steel. But that new mount sure does look pretty cool

 

[Socco]

Question 1: What's the best mount(s) to fit into the hood channel? The space between the hood and the panel looks really skinny. Also, if I dremel some paint off where I attach said mount, should I be okay for ground or will I need to run separate ground?

Question 2: Will standard coax fit through the space in channel? And subsequent question is, assuming I purchase a short coax with bare end (to get through firewall grommet), is there a coax plug that is easy to attach once through to the engine bay? (Sorry, haven't Googled that yet).
[/QUOTE]

My Answer 1: I put on a Firestik MK174 mount kit recently. I love it. The kit comes with their "Fire-Flex" cable with "Fire-Ring" connector for the antenna side. This lets you get the bracket mounted down lower to the fender. Thie bracket is thick, but mine isn't rubbing the hood.

My Answer 2: Yes the coax does fit between fender and hood without issue.

I installed this kit with a Wilson W4FD-B antenna to my cheapo CB and got a nearly dead flat SWR of 1.1 to 1.2 from Ch.1 to Ch.40.