Working on my cheap CB setup, looking for antenna recommendations

Getting a cheap functional CB setup going here, only for communicating vehicle to vehicle while on trails so i dont need anything too extensive. Wanted something not too permanent as well, so no holes (well, 1 small one in my case) or anything too crazy. I know im not the only one who cringes when drilling into your truck, or splicing wires unless absolutely necessary. Or, maybe it is just me lol


So its powered by by the outlet (i know not ideal, but SHOULD be fine for my needs) and the plug is hidden under the shift boot so its not an eye sore until i need it. The CB it self is held to the useless door under the switch panel. One screw under the kickout where the "handle" is. If i remove it you would never see the hole, or the door is easily replaceable. The weight of the CB pulls the door down so i need to figure out a way to keep it held up, Just taped it up to see how everything looked. And the mic just has a little hook and ill keep it removed when not in use. The antenna is where im at now. Im not sure what to go with, but i want to mount it to the bed, on a homebrew bracket im making to bolt between the bedside and the tailgate. If somebody in CT has a spare antenna they would let go of cheap let me know! or if anyone can recommend a cheap but somewhat quality antenna to use that would be great.

Just figured id share my setup incase anyone is looking for ideas. Im aware its far from a great setup, but it should be good enough.

 

Sub'd for info.

 

There's an assortment of inexpensive CB antennas at the TA truck stop in Southington. On my old truck, I ran a 'diesel' brand 3' on a 23 channel pace and it worked very, very well. That thing could reach out a long way.

 

Went to Southington truck stop, its like 15 minutes from my house, knew it was there but completely forgot about it lol. Got a cheap antenna for like $20 and an 18' coax for $11 and made up my mount, was extremely easy with the tonneau, just kind of clamped it in there. It doesnt look solid, but i can grab it and shake the whole truck and it doesnt budge one bit. Pretty confident its not going anywhere. Also came up with a different mic mount (well, stole the idea off this site) since i have to move the radio from where it is because i hit my knee on it getting in and out of the truck. Which sucks because i liked that location. I think im going to make something that will use the bolt hole under the change holder on the front of the console, like a longer bolt with a spacer or something. Im not sure.

 

You should get an antenna spring so your fiberglass antenna doesn’t explode the minute it makes contact with something and isn’t unable to move out of the way.

 

Thanks for the tip, i thought about that after the fact. Definitely going to pick one up.

 

The easiest antenna to use is the one that sticks to the roof with a magnet. No messing with SWR

 

Decided not use use the ghetto mount with the Tonneau, looks like shit, it’s half assed and it needed to be bolted to something. So I came up with this thing. Just gotta throw come paint on it.

 

Definitely a spring. Did you wire an external speaker? The one in the radio was kinda bad in mine.