3rd Annual Red River Gorge Meet Success w/Pics & Shennanigans

Wore it all weekend too. Like a champ.

 

Just got back from a bachelor party so haven't been on here in a bit.

I put on a Wilson Gum Drop mount on because the hole was too big for the regular firestik mount I bought. There was no directions so I put it on the way it was assembled with the rubber disc between the Wilson Gum Drop and the top of the mounting plate on the bumper with the metal washer on the bottom between the bottom of the mounting plate on the bumper and the nut holding the mount on where the coax screws on.

It's a firestik antenna, 4' I believe

I don't have a great pic but you can kind of see the antenna/spring in this picture:

Also, I got approved for the time off from work so I can come!!!

 

Looks nice. I'm using a 3' firestik but considering getting a 4' before my Amazon return period runs out. I'm at 1.7 SWR at 1 and 40... So I'm not sure if it's really worth troubleshooting or if I should be happy with my results .

 

Wanna shoot for earlier? I'll take a half day off and I can be there by 3 or 4?

 

Makes me smile!

 

The bracket your antenna mounts to, ground that. May help your numbers, I don't really think you're too far out. True test will be when you're around other CB users.

 

Fender redemption! Those wheels are straight secs!

Honestly, I can't see the mount at all.

 

I'm still 2 hrs away no matter what. I could probably be there 4-5 at best.

 

I think that mounting location is decently grounded...but maybe not. I may try to run another wire/strap down to the frame though.

My SWR was running closer to 1.9 (from what I remember) before I added the spring, then once the spring was on I was able to get it closer to 1.7. That's why I'm thinking I need a little more height to get above the roof of the cab....but then again, I'm testing in my driveway and I may need to go to an open field.

 

Remember, Tacoma bed is "plastic"...Not a good ground point. Will work MUCH better with a chassis ground. Use a flat ground strap as opposed to round wire. You should have at least 66% of the antenna (winding) above the cab. Firestix are top loaded. (More wire in top 1/2 than bottom 1/2) I have 3', 4', and 5' Firestix. 3' stays behind seat as a spare. 4' USUALLY stays mounted. 5' is for long distance road trips or wheeling in open country. Reception/transmission (RX/TX) is noticeably stronger as the antenna length grows.

 

Well piss. I was getting the vibe you wanted to be there earlier than what I initially said I would be.

 

I ran an independent ground for my antenna bracket alone. Using regular 8ga stranded green jacketed wire and regular ol single hole lugs. Smeared a bit of goo on the wire, crimped on. Shrinked the ends. Smeared a bit of goo on the lugs, bolted down. I did shave a bit of paint off the bracket and the place I found on the frame, too.

Grounded af!

 

Good call. I found a spot on the frame that already has a hole in it, It's directly below the rear bed bolt. I'll clean up the paint on the frame and run a wire up to the mount. Should need 4' or less.

The place the bracket is bolted to is metal, and connects to the bumper/frame, but it's thinner and also painted. So, we'll see if this ground improves things.

 

Thought this same thing myself. Wrong.

When I ran the independent ground, changed the game.

 

I'll do my best dude. Tell me what time and where to be and I'll try to make it happen.

Edit: Normally, very difficult to leave work before 2 PM

 

We can nail down our meet time a bit closer to the meat

 

Is our campsite reachable by a stock F-150 without causing damage to the truck? A buddy of mine was thinking about coming out and riding along with me.

 

Anyone have a magnetic mount cb antenna i can borrow for the meet?

I can pwr my cb through 12v plug in dash but i likely won't have a good mount for the firestik installed yet.

 

Yea. The most direct route is somewhere off the parkway around Campton.
Is it at least 4x4? It's a pretty steep descent on "gravel" down onto the trial, may have trouble leaving and need pulled out by a Tacoma

 

I had the Scosche from wally world, until LBL. Feel like someone else has this same thing.