I talked to my fabricator connection again yesterday. Apparently there was a misunderstanding from my original visit because the price of my little project tripled no longer making it cost effective. So, I went a different route.
I've been rolling without my roof rails for the better part of 2 years. I decided to put one to use yesterday.


http://www.haveblueonline.com/interi...enna%20006.jpg - large

I haven't attached the cable to the back of the CB yet. I was going to, but then I noticed a pool of 80W-90 on the garage floor. Oh joy!

Originally, I was going to go with a 2' Firestik II, spring, and quick release. But, after mounting the Firestik, I wasn't happy with the look or "feel". It looked like it would come apart easy. So, I went back to the radio store, returned the 3' Firestik I had bought a couple weeks ago and bought this 2' base-loaded steel whip. I'll donate the 2' Firestik to my cousin.

Overall, I am very happy with the way it looks, now. I can quickly remove the antenna and park in the garage. The 5' Firestik on the front bumper had to be tucked under the side mirror to clear the garage. The repetative bending of the antenna did cause the fiberglass to crack and the cable in the spring to break. Oops! I removed the antenna from the bumper and I am very pleased. It's like night and day. No more bulky antenna on the front.

I anticipate the new antenna will yield 50 hp and 5 mpg.

My complete setup can be seen here:
http://www.haveblueonline.com/interior/cb.html

 

way to get crafty w/ what you already have

 

Be interesting to see what your SWR is. I get bad reflections with a Wilson 1000 mag mount if it's near the rail.

 

Yeah, I'm kind of anxious to see that, too. I would have had numbers yesterday, But I had to replace a seal.

 

I ran one of those antennas and got really good SWR, about 1.3 across the channel range. You adjust it by moving the silver bands up & down on the shaft. It come out really well, especially up high like that and properly grounded.

I'm guessing you picked up the equipment from the shop on Sheridan just north of Morrison, they're god guys and have a lot of neat stuff in their shop.

 

Keep us posted on how it works. I may go the same route.

 

I forgot to reply to this thread!

I got everything hooked up and adjusted Saturday after work before a trail run. SWRs come in at just under 1.2. I am very pleased with the reception and look.