Where did you mount your CB radio?

[SilverRidgeRunner1]

No, CB operates on an entirely different frequency. Baofengs are just handheld, dual band HAM radio. Meaning they pick up both VHF and UHF. Saying CBs are antiquated is a big understatement. I was absolutely shocked the first time I used my dual band.

If you are married to CB, I advise getting a magnetic mount whip and mounting it dead center of your rig. I'm confused with this forum's obsession with corner mounting their antenna.

If you're ready to make the leap, I suggest a mobile unit instead of hand helds. I'm just going to use the hand helds as loaners and my mobile unit for trail duty. Much more power, and no battery to worry about. It also helps that I have finally convinced my Mexico wheeling buddies to get on board with VHF. The best news of all, the license is only $15!

I am with ya on the corner mounted antenna, I run a mag mount and love it.

 

[absalom]

So if mounting to roof is not an option (future tent), what is the better choice? Back corner or driver side front via cbi mount?

Neither. On the roof directly in front of the tent.

 

[Chuckles89]

My magnet CB antenna on my roof is not good for around here. It gets knocked off all the time... especially on trails.

 

[absalom]

How long is your antenna? Which brand mount is it?

 

[Mgyver1]

I run a 4' Wilson K40 on an Insane Fab rear hatch mount and I was only able to get my SWR down to 1.7

 

[Chuckles89]

How long is your antenna? Which brand mount is it?

I have a 1970s or 80s Realistic CB and antenna. It's probably 2.5- 3 feet long. I'm replacing it with a firestik firefly mounted on the bumper.

 

[absalom]

I have a 1970s or 80s Realistic CB and antenna. It's probably 2.5- 3 feet long. I'm replacing it with a firestik firefly mounted on the bumper.

I suppose not mounting the antenna and leaving it in your closet would give worse reception, but only slightly. These things need a large, metal ground plane to be effective. Especially CB radios, where the antenna, it's placement, and tuning are much more important than the radio and it's power level.

If you mount it on a corner of a vehicle, your reception is only semi-decent in the direction of the body. For example, if your antenna were mounted in the rear-left, your signal would be strongest going from rear-left to front-right. You'd have very little reception behind you or to your left.

I highly suggest doing a 20" (ish) Wilson magnet mount and putting it on your roof as close to center as possible.

 

[D Farms]

I highly recommend that if you do get a cb, you get this antenna and mount it as such. https://plus.google.com/+davidfarmer/posts/MvWaNZxMGox

 

[Idle Beak]

So if mounting to roof is not an option (future tent), what is the better choice? Back corner or driver side front via cbi mount?

So here is what I'm running and it's worked out great. I have a 4' Firestick on a Diamond K400-3/8C mounted on the rear hatch. I have also put on a heavy duty spring to reduce stress on both the antenna and the base. My SWR is down to 1.4 on channel one and 40 and as low as 1.1 on channel 14. The antenna base is very well designed and heavy duty plus there is no drilling involved with mounting. This means that if you don't get the desired results out of its performance, no harm done. The mount can be placed pretty much any where you want.

 

[Idle Beak]

I suppose not mounting the antenna and leaving it in your closet would give worse reception, but only slightly. These things need a large, metal ground plane to be effective. Especially CB radios, where the antenna, it's placement, and tuning are much more important than the radio and it's power level.

If you mount it on a corner of a vehicle, your reception is only semi-decent in the direction of the body. For example, if your antenna were mounted in the rear-left, your signal would be strongest going from rear-left to front-right. You'd have very little reception behind you or to your left.

I highly suggest doing a 20" (ish) Wilson magnet mount and putting it on your roof as close to center as possible.

For most who go off roading an antenna mounted on top of the vehicle just isn't a good idea because it gets knocked around too much. When ever you go with a trail radio there are going to be certain sacrifices made to keep from damaging you antenna, mount, ect which is why a lot of guys who go wheeling often get a firestick because of their durablility and performance. When your on the trail as long as the coil of the antenna is two ft above the roof line there shouldn't be to much interference from the vehicle.

 

[absalom]

I highly recommend that if you do get a cb, you get this antenna and mount it as such. https://plus.google.com/+davidfarmer/posts/MvWaNZxMGox

That's way too distracting while I'm driving ...

 

[DizzyDoyle]

Here is mine...Just a handheld unit that I slide the clip under the cubby thing under the radio.