Clean VHF/CB radio installs

That's the same mount I got, it's holding. I had to shim with it, otherwise it strikes. I used a case from a pack of shrink tubing, just cut up the top of it to fit. 2 pieces worked.

 

Well, we (I) shall see shortly. I'm hoping that a 6" spring will reduce the flex, primarily laterally.

Hey Vtallysx4, do you have any flex at all with your mount and the "102 whip with spring?

 

Here’s my setup.

 

It's solid, any movement is very slight and I don't think a problem. It takes the weight of the antenna, and I can pull it side to side or front to back without issue. Side to side, it gets a very slight flex, nothing I'm worried about. On another note, I'm printing a clip for it that will go on the OEM roof rail based on the issues I saw with the one I cobbled together.

 

First printed mount below, already have a change I will make- the initial opening is a bit too big, so on the final print in ASA I will make it smaller. I am also using my original mount and a little plastic trim clip to hold it into it by plugging the bigger hole, just in case. Have a long commute tomorrow and I'll be able to see how it does at highway speeds and NYC potholes. The cobbled mount did fine plugged like that before, it's just added security in case the printed one fails. I'll be looking for a little tie down strap or something I can use to better mount it against the rail.

 

There is a way to do this so that they are in phase with each other. If done right it greatly enhances your performance. If done wrong, they start to cancel each other out.

https://www.rightchannelradios.com/blogs/selection-guides/18542135-the-dual-cb-antenna-guide

Hope yours goes AWESOME!

 

I had a 14 channel equalizer / amplifier on mine too. 7 for the left and 7 for the right.
Then dropped in some high performance 6x9's into a speaker box behind the seat for some butt rumbling bass.

That was a clean install I wished I still had pics of - but they would have been from a Kodak 110 camera back then.

 

Phasing verticals is much more complex than that link implies. You must have the correct distance between antennas (multiples of wavelength). You also have to cut your coax to the right length to phase match the antenna separation difference. The easiest way to do that is with a network analyzer.

I.E.
http://w8ji.com/stacking_broadside_collinear.htm

 

I mounted the CB antenna mount today. Hopefully it will support the beefed up

$43 PL259 USA Made PL-259 Improved Double Shielded RG-58u for FireStik Antenna K-8A 18-Foot Single CB/Ham Coax Cable

PL259 antenna stud, heavy duty spring and the 102“ whip.

I DID NOT have to shim the left tailgate pivot point. Just bent the CB mount slightly to the left and she clears the edge of the tailgate with no rubbing.

I think I’m going to have to drill out the mounting hole for the oversized CB antenna stud to .75” though. Waiting to receive the rest of the parts before I make good on that determination.

 

Nice! Yeah, my tailgate had side to side play so I needed to shim, glad you made out.

 

The NX-5800 I use for work and other personal radio needs

deck is under the drivers seat.

 

Got the whip! My inner Redneck is excited!

Got it mounted. I have good ground from the bottom base of antenna to the frame (had to do a little powder coat removal and used star lock washers to get a good bite into the metals). The top and bottom isolator discs are positioned properly and working to keep it from shorting out. Tested all with multimeter. Just not too sure how much to tighten the antenna stud though; I don't want it pulling apart between the top and bottom. I've read that this can happen.

Will run the RG8 probably tomorrow, just too hot today to keep playing with it right now. I hope 18 feet is enough. I look forward to seeing the SWR.

Going to go down the road shortly and whack some branches with it. Maybe a couple of overhead light fixtures. Need proof of adequate installation.

 

18ft on my double cab short bed got me just right to the middle console above the wireless charger. Ran down the driver's side, up to a grommet below the seat, and across under the carpeting to the center console. It was just enough to get mounted there. Looking good! I like the spring you got, mine is rusted from age, will need to replace it.

 

Thanks!

Some measurements here:

From the ground to the mount is 49”
The antenna stud is about 1.5”
The spring is 4”
The whip is 102”

…so a grand total of 156.5” (13 feet). Just short of 13’6”.

One of my follow on post installation concerns is this thing rusting out during the winters here. I do plan on taping up the

$43 PL259 USA Made PL-259 Improved Double Shielded RG-58u for FireStik Antenna K-8A 18-Foot Single CB/Ham Coax Cable

PL259 connection tightly under the mount. Want to use dielectric grease but may just opt for a good shot of Fluid Film under the mount during the winter.

 

I wanted to get that bed cover and then drill a hole in the center section to be a 10M / 6M antenna.

 

That was my original plan for the whip. Decided to go for the rear side bed mount instead.

Today, I checked my SWR for the whip. Little disappointed. Channel 1 is almost 3 SWR and channel 40 is like 2.5 SWR. The current Wilson 1000 mag mount on top of the roof barely registers any SWR at all.

So I am a little miff'ed. I'm sure I have adequate ground. I am wondering if it is just the placement of the whip, reflecting slightly off the back of the cab?

I'm going to remove the spring next and see what the SWR is. Also, I have not permanently run the RG8 because it looks like I'm going to need 25 feet, not 18 feet; to run the cable from the left rear of the bed to the CB's location on the passenger side of the footwell.

 

Length. You need to shorten or lengthen it.

 

I wouldn't worry about it if it's less than 3:1. A dummy load is 1:1 SWR. Mag mount HF antennas are slightly more efficient than dummy loads

 

I run my Midland MX525 base in the glove box and have an ethernet connector on the passenger side of the center console for the mic. The mic attaches magnetically to the Expedition Essentials mount. I epoxied a steel fender washer to the back of the mic with a piece of loop side velcro aid in having just the right attachment strength to the mounting point.

 

I made another mount out of ASA, had some trouble because the bolt messed up the nut on one side, but it looks like it will work. I used a universal mount for the bottom of the mount and 3d printed the top.