CB antenna writeup

[VinceYJ]

Your going to hit your mirror off the tree before you hit your antenna mount. So your going to realize "my mirror just broke off, my antenna is not going to clear this tree".

 

[Stumpalump]

Nothing should be mounted to the side of a wheeled vehicle.
You can always be careful, but there's always that one time you can't help it.
It's all downhill after that..........

I went to a magnetic mount on the roof and I wrap the cable around the factory roof bars so when, not if ,I rip it off, it dangles on the roof without harm. If you never leave the street the side would be OK but the best ground plane is on the top center of the roof anyway. The ground plane is electrically 50% of your antenna. Ground plane is as important as the antenna itself.

 

[cjcargo]

Nope...... pop cans and strings :twak:

That's funny!
I just figured since everyone can't live without your cell phones who needs a static box CB. I have a few and really a roof mount antenna is the best for range. Like someone already said the vehicle becomes part of the antenna through the grounding.
I saw this one time at a Radio shack showing the radio waves at differant placements of the antenna on the vehicle, and roof mount was the best and suggested location.

 

[John90XJ]

Here's a picture of what we run into in the Northwest. That's the driver's side window of member pSYChedXJ.

Mirrors fold in and they don't trail OUTSIDE the arc of the rear of the rig as you turn away from an obstacle

Different applications for different situations.

 

[stoneattic]

With a spring mounted the antenna slaps the side of the XJ. Whats up?

I'm trying to figure out a way to keep the spring mounted antenna from slapping the side of the XJ on trails too. Last time out I tried a nylon tie to attach it to the roof rack, but that got ripped off in about 5 minutes.

The only things I thought of that might work is a somewhat stiffer spring, and/or maybe putting a rubber hose over the spring to stiffen it up. That should also limit the extents of it's movement too. Of course you would have to strike a balance between keeping from beating the hell out of the XJ and still be flexible enough to keep from snapping the antenna.

I've been thinking about a way to use some kind of "bumper" like the old tennis ball trick, but something not as butt ugly.

Any ideas?

 

[GlennH]

On a stock jeep where else can you mount the antenna besides buying a mount from firestik and using the tailight position.

I just am curious as I wanna install my CB when I get my jeep right away and do the lift once I return from work.

I have a cobra CB radio... I still need what? Coax Cable, Antenna, Antenna Mount? What should I be buying thats GOOD?

 

[JAS]

While I do not oppose other mounts I did not choose to use them

While everybody is whining about mouting things to the side of the Jeep... What about the door handles? Mirrors? While I have lost a mirror to a tree if you are that close to a tree then you are likely bending the sheet metal at least a little.

Here is where I have mine. Light brush does not bother it... Yes.. A serious rub on a tree or a rock will break the mount... but then it will also likely bend the metal and maybe break the window. and not because this little ball is rubbing.

It sticks out no farther than the door handles. It is in line with the door handles and I can keep a close eye on it if I am close on that side.

It almost never hits the body and can bend down flat when it is rubbed with brush and sticks. Although in Michigan we do not have many rocks that cause side to side rocking.

 

[Lowrange2]

I can't seem to find a good antenna to go with my CB... I never get good reception... this is the 3rd CB i've gone thru...

 

[karstic]

Wilson 1000 roof mount

Either magnetic or permanent

Tune it

There's nothing more frustrating on the trail than shitty communications.

 

[Lowrange2]

aight, ill check it out... who can tune those things? I dont know of anyone around here...

 

[karstic]

aight, ill check it out... who can tune those things? I dont know of anyone around here...

CB/radio shop, OR buy an SWR meter, directions on the antenna package or found online.

 

[Lowrange2]

Just bought a Wilson "Lil Wil". I'll give that a try. The only dif between that and the Wilson 1000 is power handling and I only have a small Cobra Cb. No real power or anything. Plus i Certainly don't need a 62" whip that comes with the 1000, the "Lil Wil" handles 300 watts and has a 36" whip... more my style....

 

[John90XJ]

I've been thinking about a way to use some kind of "bumper" like the old tennis ball trick, but something not as butt ugly.

Any ideas?

Handball or racquetball, both solid color and usually not offensive looking, and no fuzz.

Maybe a piece of small foam pipe insulation?

 

[John90XJ]

While I do not oppose other mounts I did not choose to use them

My question would be "why did you choose to use this mounting location?"

For all the spots there are to put one, why put it in, arguably, one of the most vulnerable? And the thought of drilling holes in the outer sheet metal when that is something generally avoided.

They work better on the roof and at the hood because of the ground plane effect. They are more visible on the hood or bumpers to avoid damage.

If it's just for looks and the terrain doesn't warrant putting it anywhere else, would someone just say that? Otherwise this leaves me scratching my head.

 

[stoneattic]

Handball or racquetball, both solid color and usually not offensive looking, and no fuzz.

Maybe a piece of small foam pipe insulation?

Good ideas. I especially like the pipe insulation. That seems the least obvious looking.

 

[whatevah]

well, to keep the stock look... you can replace the stock AM/FM antenna with a CB antenna. A buddy of mine did it on his: http://www.traildamage.net/Coppermine/thumbnails.php?album=57

if you get creative, you can wire in a splitter so you can still use a stereo with the new antenna when you're not using the CB. I lost the part numbers needed for that, though. any good cb/ham shop should be able to set you up, though.

 

[Frankkl]

Here is the one I fabricated from an old piece of steel. I got a 4ft Wilson on it.

Here