CB specifics

I have my antenna mounted like this, and when I had my 3’ firestik I had a range of 2-4 miles. I have a 4.5’ stainless steel centerload now and get 15-20 miles out

 

That's how mine sits! 4' Firestik, plus a quick release and HD spring. I've talked to guys 13-20 miles away! My SWR is 1.0 on CH1 and 1.2 on CH 40!! I also ran a 12g ground wire from the fire ring antenna to the bed rail, just in case.

 

Looking for a C4 Passenger side mount. anyone have one?

 

What kind of antenna mount are you using? Any pictures?

 

You are the CB Guru, every post you have in this thread is gold. Thanks!

I understand your point about the entire vehicle being the ground plane, what I was attempting to get at, is with the "extension" (to get both a ditch light AND an antenna on a ditch bracket) the antenna would be out a little further and not exactly over the hood. I can't imagine this being better than an antenna only ditch bracket, but how much worse is it?

 

The bracket was raised 6" and curved/angled back a few inches (to accommodate bed tent curvature) so it wasn't that close. Plus I used 3' Firestik, so I'd say 1/2 of it was sticking out over the cab. Yes, it is possible I had some signal bounce back. Also possibly didn't scrape enough paint to get better ground (I checked continuity between bracket and door lock strike, it checked out). After a while I gave up in frustration, and used 4" magnet. Tuned it below 1.5.
I recently purchased a trunk lip mount and antenna adapter (yupp, throwing money down the pit...), hopefully I'll find some time to put it all together. Being hopeful

 

Homemade...

 

It's capacitively coupling the antenna to the vehicle, but your point is correct about the vehicle counterpoise. The magnet holds some sort of conductive surface parallel to the car sheet metal separated by fixed thickness of plastic. It's a very large capacitor. One of the reasons a mag mount stops functioning is the electrical insulation, usually a vinyl sticker, gets cut and shorts the intrinsic capacitor.

http://www.cosjwt.com/index.php?a=3

 

Who makes that antenna? There was another post, might have been you, but there was another post about a similar style antenna and I've read other "posts/threads/stories/etc" about a centerload antenna. I'm curious about these?

Thanks for the kind words. There are others that know much more than I, but I can hold my own for sure. Just glad I'm able to help people that don't know and try to teach them.

Regarding the ditch light/antenna, it doesn't have to be over the hood although, don't have it and/or the ditch light bracket too far out or brush and what not will start hitting it/them. As a matter of fact, I'd bet money that your SWR is going to be pretty good, maybe not THEEE best, but I would imagine that it will be 1.5 and below for sure being up front and a fair amount away from the cab "structure".

Man I wish I could help you in person!!! Sebastian, can you throw a picture when you have a chance? I can basically see/imagine what you're talking about, but I would also like to see a picture if you can as well... if you don't mind? I'm wondering if you're not getting a "good solid ground" going??? Since a magmount is working just fine (i.e. below 1.5), the that tells me that it is definitely isolated to your antenna system, but exactly where is the issue?

I know that I'm stating the obvious brotha... just thinking out loud, if you will.

My bad!!! Thinking about the drawing, yeah, agreed, that is quite a cap!!! LOL!!! I can also imagine, how your antenna system would be shorted, in that sense, by missing that electrical insulator, hence, shorting the intrinsic cap as you point out.

But yeah, my bad brothas!!!

 

Man I’d tell you who made mine if I could remember, but I couldn’t remember if you put a gun to my head. I bought mine at a cb shop in dodge city, they recommended it

 

I've been hearing good things about these types of antennas and want to eventually try it out.

I have a 5.5ft Wilson tunable that my old work place was going to trash and there is nothing wrong with it??? The boss just didn't want it.

Anyways, the mount I currently have is gonna eventually get replaced because it can't hold a 4ft Firestik very well due to actual weight whereas, the Francis (i.e. much lighter) it holds pretty good.

Well, I'll just start G oogling and reading then.

Either way, thanks!!!

 

I’ll post some pics of my antenna for you to give you an idea of what to look for. I would also recommend something like a Wilson centerload. Based on the amount of detail you’ve been posting in here I’m sure you know that great grounding is just as important as a good antenna, one is useless without the other. Frame grounds swr to a flat 1, haven’t tried bedrail yet. Saw someone mention that

 

Thanks a bunch for offering to help out , but that bracket ended up in recycling bin that night... I accepted a defeat, and went on the wheeling trip next day with a magnet.

 

Got my CB installed and setup today. Was pleased to see a SWR of 1.2 on Ch.1 and Ch.40 with NO antenna tuning...couldn’t believe it so I checked it 4 times and same each time.

Perfect!

 

A rare miracle, congrats on your unicorn

 

Yeah sometimes people get lucky in the sense that they don't need to really tune their antenna.

I've always gotten 1.7 or greater with the exception of that 2 or 3ft (I can't remember which), but that was expected anyways. It was there for more or less as a "place holder" just to have something there.

 

Thanks for that!!! Much appreciated!!!

 

Well, hoping for the best with your next hardmount attempt. Just make sure that you have a SOLID ground plane for your antenna. I know you already know that... just say'n.

 

Yes sir! And thanks again.


I'm currently scrolling thru this thread, trying to find a post I've seen (I think here) with someone having a battery discharge protection thingy... If You guys know about it, please send some info my way. Thanks.

Edit. Crap! It's not here!!

 

I believe the one in your photo is a Hustler HQ-27.