Need your knowledge RE: roof mount CB antenna

HaveBlue · 03-14-2005, 02:29 PM

Hey, all-

I posted this in the appropriate section 30 days ago and got one response, but not the one I'm looking for.

Currently, I am running a 5' Firestik II on the front bumper. I know this is not the ideal place for a CB antenna. I also know the roof is the best place. However, I don't want to mar the pretty skin of my truck with a 1" hole. So, here's my idea:

I have long since removed the factory cross bars for the roof rack. But, I have not removed the rails. I've been talking to a fabricator about a couple other ideas and came up with this one. He can cut and bend a 3/16" sheet of stainless 6-12" wide to span the distance from one rail to the other with a gap of about 1.5" in the center between the skin of the truck and the stainless. I have purchased 2 new antennas, a 2' Firestik II and a 3' Firestik II with quick releases. The stainless would bolt to the existing rails and the antenna would bolt to the stainless to avoid drilling into the skin of the truck. The stainless would be tapered to add to regidity and avoid torsional distortion when the antenna is caught on something. Here's a head-on pic:

My question is - would this be sufficient? Do I need to be concerned with ground or anything else?

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

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HaveBlue · 03-15-2005, 08:32 AM

Seems I've stumped everyone yet again.

jimbo74 · 03-15-2005, 09:46 AM

that would be fine, however since the rails are probably plastic you would want to ground the antenna itself properly.... one way to do that is using an eyelet and backing out one of the track's screws, putting it on the screw, a dab of silicon sealant, then screwing it back in....

HaveBlue · 03-15-2005, 09:51 AM

How would that work? The current setup uses a nylon grommet that isolates the antenna from any metal.

jimbo74 · 03-15-2005, 10:05 AM

exactly my point... the antenna needs a ground source... rather the mount needs to be grounded.... not the part that is insulated... the actual mount itself

seaflea · 03-15-2005, 10:25 AM

Why not run a short grounding strap from the stainless to the metal screw in the mount. That would ground the antenna and still not put a hole in youre roof.

HiLux_1990 · 03-15-2005, 01:05 PM

I know you've already bought those antenna whips but have you considered a ground place independent antenna?
You could just bolt it to one of your roof bars or roof gutters and still get the advantage of mounting your antenna that bit higher.

HaveBlue · 03-15-2005, 01:21 PM

I did consider that, actually. I also considered a magnetic base antenna. But I need something a little more rigid. A 2' foot Firestik with a spring will have a rigid enough base that it won't flop over but it will bend and move when it smack tree limbs, people, birds, low flying aircraft...

This option will allow me to mount it dead center of the roof for the greatest gain. I had my radio tweaked and peaked last summer. I just want to take full advantage of that.

rwmorrisonjr · 03-15-2005, 02:11 PM

Interesting concept: removable for washing but rigid enough for road & trail use. I think the idea of either grounding the mount or getting a NGP mount would work the best. Also, how are you going to run the wire into the truck? You might be able to run it down through one of the grommets under the front end-cap of the rails; that would make for a clean installation and use the tracks as a wire channel.

HaveBlue · 03-15-2005, 02:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rwmorrisonjr

You might be able to run it down through one of the grommets under the front end-cap of the rails; that would make for a clean installation and use the tracks as a wire channel.

That's the plan

I talked to the metal fabricator this afternoon. I'm going to take the 4Runner over there early tomorrw morning. He said it would be very simple and take less than 30 minutes. If all goes well, I should finish everything by tomorrow afternoon.

epic37311 · 03-15-2005, 03:30 PM

Let us know how it works out

***Corey*** · 03-15-2005, 03:49 PM

Ya know, a lot say that the front bumper is not ideal.
I call hogwash on that.

Mine is mounted up front on the ARB, and I have been told my CB rocks.

It comes in loud and clear, and I am talking to truckers & base stations daily coming home from work.

I have a good ground, 1.1 match or better on all 40 channels.
Granted the output has been boosted in the radio, but even before that I was told my radio put out real good.

If your radio is tuned good, and you have a good SWR match, the front bumper should be fine, or even a hood/fender mount like I use to run.

jimbo74 · 03-15-2005, 11:00 PM

as for the roof, run a spring on the 2' firestick that way it can basically lay flat if it snags on something than hoping the fiberglass doesnt flex so much that it snaps....

03-15-2005, 08:32 AM	#2 (permalink)
HaveBlue Contributing Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Colorado Posts: 2,667	Seems I've stumped everyone yet again. __________________ Alan *1996 Supercharged 4Runner Limited* Hi Altitude 4Lo A 4WD club for Colorado and surrounding states

03-15-2005, 09:51 AM	#4 (permalink)
HaveBlue Contributing Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Colorado Posts: 2,667	How would that work? The current setup uses a nylon grommet that isolates the antenna from any metal. __________________ Alan *1996 Supercharged 4Runner Limited* Hi Altitude 4Lo A 4WD club for Colorado and surrounding states

03-15-2005, 10:25 AM	#6 (permalink)
seaflea Contributing Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: wilmington nc Posts: 1,602	Why not run a short grounding strap from the stainless to the metal screw in the mount. That would ground the antenna and still not put a hole in youre roof. __________________ Will WabFab Off-Road, LLC Toyota 4x4 Parts and Custom Fabrication updated website with lots of new products 87 runner with every bolt on available

03-15-2005, 01:05 PM	#7 (permalink)
HiLux_1990 Registered User Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Australia Posts: 147	I know you've already bought those antenna whips but have you considered a ground place independent antenna? You could just bolt it to one of your roof bars or roof gutters and still get the advantage of mounting your antenna that bit higher. __________________ 1990 HiLux Xtra-Cab SR5 4WD 4 cylinder (22R), manual trans 160,000kms/99,420miles

03-15-2005, 01:21 PM	#8 (permalink)
HaveBlue Contributing Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Colorado Posts: 2,667	I did consider that, actually. I also considered a magnetic base antenna. But I need something a little more rigid. A 2' foot Firestik with a spring will have a rigid enough base that it won't flop over but it will bend and move when it smack tree limbs, people, birds, low flying aircraft... This option will allow me to mount it dead center of the roof for the greatest gain. I had my radio tweaked and peaked last summer. I just want to take full advantage of that. __________________ Alan *1996 Supercharged 4Runner Limited* Hi Altitude 4Lo A 4WD club for Colorado and surrounding states Last edited by HaveBlue; 03-15-2005 at 01:24 PM.

03-15-2005, 09:46 AM	#3 (permalink)
jimbo74 Banned Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Nor*Cal Posts: 6,582	that would be fine, however since the rails are probably plastic you would want to ground the antenna itself properly.... one way to do that is using an eyelet and backing out one of the track's screws, putting it on the screw, a dab of silicon sealant, then screwing it back in....

03-15-2005, 10:05 AM	#5 (permalink)
jimbo74 Banned Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Nor*Cal Posts: 6,582	exactly my point... the antenna needs a ground source... rather the mount needs to be grounded.... not the part that is insulated... the actual mount itself

03-15-2005, 02:11 PM	#9 (permalink)
rwmorrisonjr Contributing Member Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Home: Aurora, CO; Work: The People's Republic of Denver Posts: 1,992	Interesting concept: removable for washing but rigid enough for road & trail use. I think the idea of either grounding the mount or getting a NGP mount would work the best. Also, how are you going to run the wire into the truck? You might be able to run it down through one of the grommets under the front end-cap of the rails; that would make for a clean installation and use the tracks as a wire channel. __________________ DD: 2006 Jeep Commander Sport 4.7l Trail rig: 1984 BII, 2.8, MSD 6A & Blaster 2 coil, Holley 2300, C5, OEM 1350, 7.5 & D28 with 4.56s, 33x12.50 BFG AT KOs on 15x8 black steelies, new "jeep" seats. Ugly but it runs and its paid for! ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- "An armed society is a polite society. Manners are good when one may have to back up his acts with his life."- Robert A. Heinlein

03-15-2005, 03:30 PM	#11 (permalink)
epic37311 Contributing Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Decatur TN Posts: 969	Let us know how it works out __________________ When I was younger I hated going to weddings. It seemed that all of my aunts and the grandmotherly types used to come up to me, poking me in the ribs and cackling, telling me, "You're next." They stopped that crap after I started doing the same thing to them at funerals.

03-15-2005, 03:49 PM	#12 (permalink)
*Corey* Co-Founder/Administrator Staff Join Date: May 2002 Location: Auburn, Washington Posts: 26,068	Ya know, a lot say that the front bumper is not ideal. I call hogwash on that. Mine is mounted up front on the ARB, and I have been told my CB rocks. It comes in loud and clear, and I am talking to truckers & base stations daily coming home from work. I have a good ground, 1.1 match or better on all 40 channels. Granted the output has been boosted in the radio, but even before that I was told my radio put out real good. If your radio is tuned good, and you have a good SWR match, the front bumper should be fine, or even a hood/fender mount like I use to run. __________________ Corey 2007 FJ Cruiser Built for 4wheelin', expedition, camping, and overlanding use PNW FJ Cruisers ☺ Detailing 101 ☺ Join Topsites ☺ Muffler Comparisons ☺ Maggiolinas In The Wild FJ Cruiser Buildup ☺ New Roof Top Tent ☺ Video Of My Penthouse Part II ☺ Rehinge Your ARB/Engel Fridge Blog About Roof Top Tents ☺ FJC Magazines Online Review Of My Tent ☺ 2009 Specialized Rockhopper Pro

03-15-2005, 11:00 PM	#13 (permalink)
jimbo74 Banned Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Nor*Cal Posts: 6,582	as for the roof, run a spring on the 2' firestick that way it can basically lay flat if it snags on something than hoping the fiberglass doesnt flex so much that it snaps....

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