CB antenna mount question

Putting in a CB this summer and kicking around spots to mount the antenna. I've got a couple things in mind, was looking to get feedback from the more experienced people here.

The first option is a more traditional mount. It's for the Tundra (I have a 2023 Tacoma), but I'm guessing I could make it work. https://www.walcottradio.com/toyota-tundra-antenna-mount-cable-p-3907.html Here is a similar mount: https://www.rightchannelradios.com/products/toyota-cb-antenna-hood-mount-2007

The second option, and the one I like best is a ball mount. I'm thinking I can mount it on the back wall of the cab, between the back wall and the box, close enough to the driver side so the antenna isn't too visible from inside the cab. https://www.rightchannelradios.com/products/toyota-cb-antenna-hood-mount-2007

(I pulled this pic off the net, not my truck.)

The CB I have is the President Electronics Harrison. Going to mount that here:

 

Those mounting locations can work well, but do have a caveat: Whatever antenna you put there needs to be a top-loaded design (which is a majority of those having ⅜" - 24 stud mounts), and must have at least ⅔ of it's total length above the vehicle body (cab) to have good range and SWR. That means an antenna at least around 5' tall for your bedside location, and 6' tall for the ball mount (a full-length 102" whip being ideal). Shorter antennas mounted in those spots will greatly compromise the range of your unit (a 4' antenna can work decent mounted at the back of the bed).

What uses do you have in mind for your CB setup:
4-wheeling group runs? (and are long distances needed, say over 2 miles?)
Car-to-car caravan on the highway?
Talking long distance DX (skip)?

Asking because CB still has a place for some uses (DX for example), but for others there are number of other options that might work just as well, if not better... (FRS/GMRS, MURS, Race-Radios, HAM, etc.)
CB is a bit antiquated by comparison (27MHz CB typically uses AM modulation, and has a much longer radio signal wavelength than most others, which is why it needs the tall antenna if it is to work well).

Answers to these can help us make the best recommendations for you.

Make sure whatever radio unit you put there is out of the way of the passenger knee airbag, or it can potentially become a missile projectile (your owner manual should have diagrams of the areas the bags deploy into).

 

Hey thanks, great response. Honestly I just want a CB because I get sick of listening to the radio. And a couple buddies have them so it's a good communication tool for us. I chose the CB because it's tried and true, popular, and doesn't require a license. Plus, CB's are cool. I used to ride wrecker with my grandpa in the 80's, and still reminisce on those old trucker movies like Smokey and the Bandit, and Breaker, Breaker!

I appreciate the comment about watching out for that airbag. I hadn't thought of anything like that.

I think if it will work, I'll go with the ball mount. I wouldn't mind running a longer antenna, and I think it would look a bit less noticeable mounted in the location between the cab and bed. I'm the most humblest man in the cosmos, so I don't really want the truck to stick out too much haha!

 

Ah, a bit of nostalgia...
Yeah if you're not averse to the tall antenna, it should work fine... That is as long as your buddies' setups are also decent as well, in which case a range of 5 miles or even up to 10 miles should be possible (more if you have a so-called "heater" under the seat... Old-time CB'ers will know what that is).

I bring up the others (MURS, GMRS, etc) because a lot of guys have moved over to them and away from CB, mainly because of the cumbersome antenna requirements and the radio static that tends to be prevalent around populated areas nowadays (also the long-distance guys out there running high power that come barreling in during the day that interfere with trying to talk locally). The others use FM modulation (much clearer) and higher frequencies (shorter wavelengths) which means much smaller antennas will work well.

I keep all of them at my disposal... I'll listen to ch-19 if I'm traveling on the Interstate, but truck traffic on CB is pretty sparse now compared to, say, 20 years ago (I assume they're probably using trucker apps now). Unless you're into DX, there's not a lot left to listen to out there (occasionally you'll still find active local groups in some towns, so you might get lucky).

Also FWIW, MURS and FRS don't require a license as well. GMRS technically does, but I'd be curious how many people actually apply for them (same for Race-Radios), I'll bet many just take their radios out of the box and use them anyway lol.

 

I installed a GMRS earlier this year and used just what came in the box of the Midland MXT 500. Good range and clarity.

 

@4x4junkie brought up a good point about other type of communication. I have a buddy who loves cb and install one in his 4Runner. The funny thing is, the majority of our group uses gmrs. He just refuse to get gmrs. So when ever we go out, I have a few extra gmrs loaner.

But the most important thing is, use what ever your group uses.