antenna mount question

[FJ62sasquatch]

I want to add a CB radio to my rig for trails and what not and I was wondering if this antenna mount would work? It is a door jam mount that I intend to mount on the back hatch between the d pillar and the upper hatch.. Would this cause issues with ground plane? What if I used a firestik no ground plane antenna?

 

[retrofive]

That is what I use on the hatch of my 80. Does just fine for me.

Same setup as BlueTribal:
http://markkuz.com/PhotoAlbums/Cruiser-12/P1010180.JPG

 

[1911]

There is definitely less ground plane available there than on the roof or hood. You will have to test the SWR to find out for sure, but unless you want to risk having to buy and try more than one antenna, I would use a 1/2-wave antenna that does not need a ground plane such as the Firestik Firefly.

 

[Brake Weight]

I tried two different Firesticks on my Tacoma. I have a fiberglass camper and I made a mount that's right above the tail light. The first antannae was a 3' that was too short to clear the camper well. I could never get the SWR right. So I got a 5' that clears the camper and it was a matter of about 4 tries to get it right. 1.0 from channel 1-40. Its the no plane one with the screw tip adjuster. IIRC you need 2/3 of the antannae above the roof line to get it set up best. Mine is about 1/2 and it works good. I don't run it with a spring because I don't want it beating the side of the camper up all the time.

This is the one that I couldn't get the SWR down on:

And this is the one that worked out good:

 

[Tapage]

little hijack ..

I'm having some problems with my CB setup .. here is where I have my antena right now ..

but when I'm taliking other only listen kind of morse code ( intermitend sound ) that looks like it's asociated ( or produced ) each time that I try to talk ..

I can listen quite good ..

So I was wondering if should be good idea swap it to K30 or K40 magnetic antena over the hood with short fiber mast ..

 

[retrofive]

little hijack ..

I'm having some problems with my CB setup .. here is where I have my antena right now ..



but when I'm taliking other only listen kind of morse code ( intermitend sound ) that looks like it's asociated ( or produced ) each time that I try to talk ..

I can listen quite good ..

So I was wondering if should be good idea swap it to K30 or K40 magnetic antena over the hood with short fiber mast ..

I had my antenna in that location for a bit. Similar results, due to what others have said with the ground plane and height I believe.

Anyway like my first post here I am running a firestick and in that location I did have to tune it. I about 1.4 -1.6 across the range. Its not perfect, but works fine short distance on the trails.

(Oh and I've said it before, your 60 is hands down my favorite )

 

[Brake Weight]

little hijack ..

I'm having some problems with my CB setup .. here is where I have my antena right now ..

coolmudpic.jpg

but when I'm taliking other only listen kind of morse code ( intermitend sound ) that looks like it's asociated ( or produced ) each time that I try to talk ..

I can listen quite good ..

So I was wondering if should be good idea swap it to K30 or K40 magnetic antena over the hood with short fiber mast ..

I think it's because your antennae doesn't clear the cab by very much.

 

[Tapage]

Anyway like my first post here I am running a firestick and in that location I did have to tune it. I about 1.4 -1.6 across the range. Its not perfect, but works fine short distance on the trails.

(Oh and I've said it before, your 60 is hands down my favorite )

thanks Tencha appreciate that .. you have a link for your actual mount and antenna ?

I think it's because your antennae doesn't clear the cab by very much.

so running a magnet in the hood would work ? ( I guess so )

 

[Brake Weight]

IIRC, you need 2/3 of the antenna above the highest point of the truck for best send/receive.

 

[retrofive]

thanks Tencha appreciate that .. you have a link for your actual mount and antenna ?



so running a magnet in the hood would work ? ( I guess so )

This is what I used. Mounted it to driver side D piller. Using the firestik "firering" cable like in the link and 4' firefly antenna.

FireStik MK204R Adjustable SS Door Jamb Antenna Mount Mini-Kit

 

[Tapage]

This is what I used. Mounted it to driver side D piller.

ya the only issue .. it's I don't have D pillar

like this part ..

18' Fire-Flex Coaxial Cable with Exclusive Fire-Ring Connector

 

[retrofive]

ya the only issue .. it's I don't have D pillar

like this part ..

18' Fire-Flex Coaxial Cable with Exclusive Fire-Ring Connector

D'oh!, I suppose you could mount it lower by the tailgate and get a longer antenna?

Yes on the cable Makes a good connection and clean install IMO.

 

[Tapage]

D'oh!, I suppose you could mount it lower by the tailgate and get a longer antenna?.

ya sure .. wonder if that would work better than my actual setup since I don't have that much roof as Tencha used to have ..

 

[Bogo]

I think it's because your antennae doesn't clear the cab by very much.

Yep. It could be cured with a longer antenna, or using a mast to raise the bottom up higher. In all likelihood the bumper is providing a very good ground plane, it is just the rest of the truck is absorbing what is transmitted.

I'm using a 4' magnetic mount with bottom load coil that I stick on the roof. I hook it to a hand held CB and it seams to do fine for range. Note the range is allot less if I stick the antenna on the hood, and dismal if I stick it on the bumper.