Clean VHF/CB radio installs

If you already tested the coax cable, and tested good.. tried a different antenna, and got the same results (high SWR) i would suggest to try a different SWR meter... but try to use a good quality one... I use this one
https://www.amazon.com/Bundle-Anten...ocphy=9031581&hvtargid=pla-605723506228&psc=1
is expensive and very accurate
good luck..

 

Wow, yeah that's expensive. Im using this cheap workman meter

$21 Workman SWR Meter for CB Radio Antennas SWR2T

https://www.amazon.com/SWR-METER-CB...ctronics&sprefix=swr+m,electronics,162&sr=1-4

In my search I found someone on this forum, same antenna, same location, same problem.

While they had some washers in the wrong places that grounded out their antenna, they also had a 2 foot ground cable like me. When they moved it all and got a 8 inch ground it got better than the long ground.

So I'm going to try to run 3 more ground cables in the morning. I think my 14 gauge is just too thin and long. If my readings are better then I will cut off some of my 8 gauge amp wire and make another strap.

If it's still pegging in the red, there is a company down the road that does police radios and the such... Might bribe one of the old guys with a 6 pack to fix it.

 

Could you post some photos of your set up. Mounting location, bracket, connections, etc.

From what I understand, when your antenna cable is unplugged from the radio and antenna removed (but cable still plugged into the mount) , the cable isn't shorted out, right?

 

That's cool. I have a similar set up as well!

 

It's never shorted anytime. Let me find pictures

https://i.imgur.com/9Xj9F04.mp4

 

Heyyy me too.

 

Got my SWR solved this morning. Yeah, it was the thin ground strap. I ran 2 more cables for the ground (3 14 gauge wires total) and now my swr is at 2. So its better, but I think it can be improved more. Going to swing by northern tool and get some 6 or 8 gauge welding wire and eyelets to make a nice ground strap. I do wish there was a better way to ground that rail though, maybe this summer I will figure something out.... right now its too cold and snowy

 

Grounding is exactly like: good looking women, beer, and a quality single malt scotch...

More = better

 

This is a very cool mount, but seems that it was designed for ham antennas not requiring grounding and for that matter a ground plain. So no wonder you have issues with it (at least from what I could gather from that clip).
Out of curiosity, does the mount manufacturer recommend any specific antennas?

I'm glad you were able to bring your swr down more . You could also look into flat braided ground strap. From what I understand they are preffered in ham radio applications, so maybe that would help you as well. BTW, where do you connect your ground? I can't make it out from video.

 

they do sell a antenna wire for it that grounds at the base of the ring just like the firering does. Their version though is a little thinner and fits better into the mount. The mount is for anything really, CB, ham, they even say you can use it for sand dune flags....

It does have a ground, I had to figure it out my self though. There are 4 small screws on the bottom of it, they hold the mount to the motor assembly. These screws go into a metal casing that holds the rotating bolt. So by grounding those screws it grounds the antenna. They are small screws, so I have now used 4 ground wires, one for each screw, to go to the frame.

When I make my new ground, Im going to try to use those 4 screws again, but make all 4 wires terminate into the single 8 gauge wire, then I wont have 4 wires, plus power/ground for the antenna (power/ground switches polarity to raise and lower the antenna) and the coax. Right now it looks weird with 6 wires running from it.

 

Anyone have experience with the LIDO mount - sound like it may work well with belt clips on handhelds.

LM-801EXP Lido Mounts Cup Holder Mount w/LM-EXP-01 and LM-2T AMPS Plate

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00THH1P2Y/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00__o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

 

In my old 2000 Tacoma I used a Pro 510

$60 Uniden PRO510XL Pro Series 40-Channel CB Radio. Compact Design. Backlit LCD Display. Public Address. ANL Switch and 7 Watts of Audio Output. Unique PLL Circuit. S/RF LED Meter. , Black

https://www.amazon.com/Uniden-PRO51...618125&sr=1-5-spons&keywords=520+uniden&psc=1

Now that I have the new SR5- went a different direction. Got the Midland 75-822 and will be connecting to the midland glass mount 18-258. Dont require miles of range, a good mile or mile and half will work for me. Both are low impact, no drilling. Seems that 3rd gen is tough to find 'easy' locations for mounting inside and outside vehicle.

Midland Hanheld
https://www.amazon.com/d/Cb-Citizen...e=UTF8&qid=1548617741&sr=1-6&keywords=midland

Midland Antenna

Midland 18-258 40-Channel Glass-Mount CB Antenna

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00000K2YV/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o02__o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Lido
Considering a Lido cup holder mount for the 75-822 for an option when traveling.

LM-801EXP Lido Mounts Cup Holder Mount w/LM-EXP-01 and LM-2T AMPS Plate

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00THH1P2Y/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00__o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Couldnt find my old SWR, ordered an inexpensive unit-

$21 Workman SWR Meter for CB Radio Antennas SWR2T

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07DBTFKD9/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o03__o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

will post pics when it all comes together next weekend.

 

For some reason this thread fell off my "Watched" list and I kinda forgot about it, been mostly paying attention to the Ham BS thread. Anyway, finally got my Kenwood TM-V71a installed this weekend. Radio body went under the driver's seat, faceplate went on a cup holder cell phone mag mount, external speaker mounted near my right leg, and the antenna on my SOS ditch light bracket. Really happy with how it all turned out.

 

Forgot one pic and the editing is weird

 

Good looking install! Did you physically attach the radio body to the underside of the seat or is it just resting on the floor? Also, is your mic attached or just resting there?

 

Radio body is mounted in the mounting bracket and zip tied to the metal supports (if that's what you call them) that run under the padding of the seat. I thought about just letting it sit in there, but figured if I'm going through all this other trouble (and spend all the money) I might as well zip tie it.

Mic is just resting near the E-brake. It it plugged directly into the radio body, no separation cable.

 

So I installed this from the Hondo Garage: http://www.hondogarage.com/index.php/product/landing/cb-mic-hanger

Don't waste your money; it's a bad design. The screw is just long enough that you can't make the piece tight. It feels like it seats properly but one bump and it's all over the place. I could grind off the back of the piece at the end so the screw would go all the way through and tighten it up, but it would just loosen over time. It was a neat idea but their execution was bad.

BTW, I tried to call them and at 4:25 EST no one is answering the phone and the answering service is so quiet you can barely hear the announcement and it's covered in static. I don't get the feeling they really want to be contacted. I'll try an email.

 

Mine was the same way, seems they didn't machine the threads all the way. Just hold the cam and tighten the screw till it goes all the way. I had to do it to all my screw holes. It's only a tiny amount that you have to force through, like 1-2 threads.


Edit: remove the whole thing first, then force it when it's not installed. Then reinstall it.

 

I'll try that. Thanks!

 

Do you have a better picture of how your ran your power wires?