cb radio questions

[Ldub]

There are a few of us around here that prefer the Wilson "Lil' Will" magnetic mount...while others like the "Firestick". (can't remember manufacturer)

I zip tied my wire to the roof rack, over to the door jamb, down behind the weatherstripping, & under my floor mat to the CB. (mounted on the pass. side of the hump)

If you search, I remember seeing links to all kinds of info on the subject.

Also, a trip to the nearest truck stop will reveal a pretty good cross section of what's available.

[taylorRichie]

I originally bought a firestik, but then got chastised, so I bought a wilson fiberglass antenna that was very similar to a firestik... but worked better.

I don't recommend either

I was hittin the trail and had to limbo a tree and (((SNAP))) Get something that's thin and flexible, like the wilson Magnet antennas. I bought a mirror mount from the local Pilot truck stop, bought longer screws at the home depot, and Mounted it to my roof rack cross bars (OE) and it worked great, with no modification.

I then ran my wire through the back gate.

Welcome to the confusing world of CBs, and buy yourself an SWR meter.

[mdwyer]

Sadly, the wavelength of CB means that a decent antenna has got to be at least 9 feet long, electrically. Add to that that it should be in clear air, above everything else, and you've got a recipe for clearance problems.

Consequently, pretty much any CB antenna is a compromise. For what you want, though, I imagine one of those mag-mount ones would be sufficient. Keep in mind that most of the roof is covered in ridges, which sort of limits where you can put a mag-mount.

Also, you're pretty much guaranteed to scratch your paint with a magmount.

A couple of people have done permanent installs to the tailgate door, in installations that look pretty good. I think they're probably the best. There are others that will fit in the trailer hitch, if you're got one of those.

I drilled my roof, but then the antennas I use are only 19" long, and aren't any higher than the stock antenna. Hit up the search engine for other installs.

[Thmstec]

Thanks for the advice guys! I like the "lil wil" but I also managed to find a mount that looks like it would look very nice drilled through the back-side cladding. Guess I just gotta decide if I want to drill

And on a side note- planning to be at MOAB next year!

[Jolly Roger VX'er]

I have the same mount you indicated but mounted mine on the sheet-metal and use the fire stik antenna with cobra radio. I personally like the look and have gotten great results with the range (like 14-15 miles).

[Thmstec]

Jolly, I like your setup, looks good! I'm thinking I'll take that idea from you, but with a shorter antenna, something that ends up just as high as the am/fm radio antenna. Thanks for post!

[Jolly Roger VX'er]

here is another place to put that style of mount:





http://www.firestik.com/Tech_Docs/TT_2drill.htm
http://www.firestik.com/Tech_Docs/roofrack.htm
http://www.firestik.com/Tech_Docs/rack-mnt.htm
http://www.firestik.com/Tech_Docs/BAD-INSTALLS.htm

[Ldub]

Jolly, I like your setup, looks good! I'm thinking I'll take that idea from you, but with a shorter antenna, something that ends up just as high as the am/fm radio antenna. Thanks for post!

FWIW, as I understand it, CB antennas work best mounted on the roof, as far away from body sheetmetal as possible.
I see from your gallery that you have a roof rack & it wouldn't be too difficult to fab a round (or square) piece of 1/8" steel plate of slightly larger diameter than a magnetic base. Then drill a couple holes & bolt it to the center of the rack.
Just throwin' out another option before you start drilling holes in body sheetmetal...
Hope to see you in Moab !!!