Must CB Antenna mount be grounded ?

Plan on installing antenna mount to bed or bed rail must the mount be grounded?
Thanks as always.
Craig

 

Yes, SWR will be through the roof and may damage your radio if you don't, not to mention you wont get out at all.

 

An antenna that needs a ground plane is going to be a pretty poor performer on a composite bed. You need more than just a DC ground for good antenna performance -- it needs to be over a decent counterpoise, generally a (horizontal/perpendicular) body panel. That's why center roof mount is almost always ideal.

 

If i understand correctly. I can mount in bed but I must wire the mount to ground. I also understabd that TX/RX will not be optimum. Does this kind of cover it?
Thank
Craig

 

If you're going to do that, I'd run BRAID down to the frame. Not ideal, but provides a better RF ground than solid or stranded wire. I really don't know how effective the antenna will be, but that's better than nothing.

I toyed with the idea of running braid under the bed in a grid pattern to provide an artificial counterpoise (to use a 5/8 wave VHF antenna back there) but decided it wasn't worth the trouble. I'll mount on a body seam up front, on the roof, or use a 1/2 wave.

 

Thanks for the quick reply !
Craig