My CB Install almost complete

I haven't ran the coax yet as I ordered a better one than what came with the kit I bought but we tested it last night and I got it down to 1.5:1 SWR through channel 23. After that it starts to rise but never over 2:1. I figure it may get a little better once I run the good coax and get out in a good open spot to test it. I bought the Midland 1001Z and a 3ft top loaded antenna. I made the mount out of some stock aluminum and bolted it to the metal under the bed rail. I may end up going with a 4' after all though if it doesn't look too tall. Let me know what you think!

 

Yeah I had to shorten it a little to get it there. It was less than 1.5:1 right off the bat on channel 1 but 2.5:1 at channel 23. If I go any shorter I think the SWR will be higher than I want in the lower channels. I was thinking of going with the 4ft firestik for two reasons; one foot longer antenna and the adjustable tip. The one I have isn't adjustable. I had to saw it off.

 

Why is it that everyone here just fabs their own brackets. I need one soon and want to mount the antenna behind the cab but I dont have scrap metal laying around. </rant>

Good looking setup. Well done.

 

I had originally used a pre made bracket and had it mounted right behind the cab. I know that alot of members have that setup and have good swr readings but I was advised it would throw off the "direction" of the antenna having it that close to the metal cab. That's why I moved mine. Don't know if that's true or not.

 

If memory serves me right an antenna transmits through its tip (as a beacon, unless you have a directional antenna), and receives through its entire length.
If that is correct all you would need is to ensure the tip of the antenna clears your roof.
At any rate, if I ever find a good bracket I will put mine there for convenience and aesthetics. I'll reconsider it if I can't get a proper SWR.

 

Yeah mine is a top loaded antenna so I believe that is right. I don't think it necessarily effects SWR as that is just the efficiency to my knowledge. I think it is more of which direction your signal will be strongest. I don't want to spread false info so take that for what it's worth haha. Alot of guys are using the pre made brackets and using a square nut or any other hardware you can find and mounting it to the bed rail system. I prefer screwing the mount into metal rather than having to run a ground wire to the frame. You could always get a non ground plane antenna setup though.

 

Search the user W8N4MUD, I just bought 2 brackets from him for $20. They mount to the bed rails.

 

How did you route the coax into the cab?

 

I drilled a hole right under the bracket into the tail light cavity; went all the way to the front and went through front firewall on the passenger side. There is a little drain tube coming out of the firewall through a grommet. I just pulled it out;ran the coax through and pushed the hose back in. I did have to cut the end off and use one of the non solder type ends radio shack has. I used almost all of a 20ft cable. I think right at 19ft.

 

how did you ground the bracket? did you sand down to bare metal this could be causing a HIGHER not BAD swr reading. I have mine mounted on my front bumper, with 1:1:1 on 1 and 1:3:1 on 40. Im running a Galaxy dx44v with 30 watts. High SWR readings are more commonly cause by a shorted antenna/bad ground plane/improper isolator ring installment. Also, make sure the AT LEAST 1/3 the antenna is above the cab for best results.

 

I did ground it down to bare metal. I have since got it down to lower numbers which I can't remember. Thanks for the tip though! When I took these pictures I had not sanded it though.

 

yeah, i had the same problem on my old jeep, it drove me nuts, then after learning more about CB's i figured out the grounding issue, and realized my antenna had an internal short even though it was only a month old. (last time i wil ever buy a wilson antenna)