Rear CB Antenna Install

moose · **Posted:** Thu Nov 30, 2006 1:06 pm

OK, I just got my birthday present box from Walcott CB from Iowa (http://www.walcottcb.com) and got it hooked up. I went with their MK204R (http://www.walcottcb.com/firestik-mk204r-door-jamb-mini-kit-p-576.html kit to install where the rear window and door meet:

I placed the bracket in there to find the flattest location. I then drilled the upper left hole (1/8" bit) and installed the mounting screw. This allowed me to determine how much upward bend I had to put on the L
bracket.

I then reattached to mount with the single screw and drilled the rest of the holes. I would recommend drilling the upper right hole next, and installing that screw before doing the lower screws.

Next I attached the coax (already in the pictures above) and ran it down the door hinge and over to a breach in the rain seal.

Once through the seal, it is a simple matter to stuff the coax under the plastic molding and proceed up
the drivers side of the Jeep. Although not pictured, I used the kickplate molding to get through the back seat, and the door pillar molding to get to the front of the front seat. The 18' of cable they send is fine for a dash mount, but a 20' would be necessary to mount up above the rear view mirror. A picture is provided of the coax assembly - this seemed to be the hardest part of the entire installation, however the picture should help ease your pain. EDIT: I have now soldered the center wire into the housing, and it made all the difference. I strongly suggest 30 seconds with a soldering gun on this effort

Finally, I attached the 4 foot firestick II onto the mount. Now, for tuning and use!

OK - title fixed :oops:

swyszomirski · **Joined:** Sat Oct 01, 2005 2:59 am **Posts:** 286

Nice install guide, thanks for writing it up.

Jeger · **Posted:** Thu Nov 30, 2006 3:14 pm

And here I was thinking "why the heck would you want a CB in the back of your jeep?...maybe for the passengers?" :oops:

Nice write up. If I ever get that snorkel I will put my radio antenna back there.

Jeepjeepster · **Posted:** Thu Nov 30, 2006 8:02 pm

Looks awesome moose. Im sure it will do MUCH better than the setup we had at livingston.. :lol:

I probably will just keep the setup I have.. Seemed to work fine except for the time when Eddo couldnt hear me? Everyone else could though? Not to sure what was going on there?

Did you ever figure out what was going on with your CB? Bad mic or what?

How are you going to tune it? Ive always wondered how that works?

Edit: What would that be under that tarp? Wouldnt be a smoker would it..

moose · **Posted:** Thu Nov 30, 2006 8:15 pm

Jeepjeepster wrote:

Looks awesome moose. Im sure it will do MUCH better than the setup we had at livingston.. :lol:

I probably will just keep the setup I have.. Seemed to work fine except for the time when Eddo couldnt hear me? Everyone else could though? Not to sure what was going on there?

Did you ever figure out what was going on with your CB? Bad mic or what?

How are you going to tune it? Ive always wondered how that works?

The guys at Walcott are sending out a SRW meter and directions for tuning it. If I get down to Livingston early enough, we can try it out on your rig. I also bought the Firestick II and a better mic (what I think the problem was) from them too. If the mic doesn't fix it (I might need to drive over to Eddo's next week to have someone to talk to), they are having a big sale on their Uniden's, so I might upgrade and sell the Cobra. It seemed to work fine for Nickie as we were driving home. She was able to talk to the guys OK, just not me. So between the CB stuff, a GPS dash mount, a diff. collar, and a used set of MT/R's, I can't complain (and they should all be on by Livingston!). I think I'll keep her for a while longer... especially if she keeps buying me KJ parts!

Jeepjeepster · **Posted:** Thu Nov 30, 2006 8:35 pm

I wont be making it to the next run.. Remember..

Sounds like youve got the kj ready to go though! Im looking at getting some GPS software for my laptop.. I get lost WAY to much when driving..

moose · **Posted:** Thu Nov 30, 2006 8:45 pm

Jeepjeepster wrote:

I wont be making it to the next run.. Remember..

Sounds like youve got the kj ready to go though! Im looking at getting some GPS software for my laptop.. I get losted WAY to much when driving..

You're only 3 hours from Livingston man... Sad. Yes, I forgot. I wanted to see those rock rails too.

Eddo · **Joined:** Thu Jul 07, 2005 7:01 pm **Posts:** 1214

moose wrote:

Jeepjeepster wrote:

Looks awesome moose. Im sure it will do MUCH better than the setup we had at livingston.. :lol:

I probably will just keep the setup I have.. Seemed to work fine except for the time when Eddo couldnt hear me? Everyone else could though? Not to sure what was going on there?

Did you ever figure out what was going on with your CB? Bad mic or what?

How are you going to tune it? Ive always wondered how that works?

The guys at Walcott are sending out a SRW meter and directions for tuning it. If I get down to Livingston early enough, we can try it out on your rig. I also bought the Firestick II and a better mic (what I think the problem was) from them too. If the mic doesn't fix it (I might need to drive over to Eddo's next week to have someone to talk to), they are having a big sale on their Uniden's, so I might upgrade and sell the Cobra. It seemed to work fine for Nickie as we were driving home. She was able to talk to the guys OK, just not me. So between the CB stuff, a GPS dash mount, a diff. collar, and a used set of MT/R's, I can't complain (and they should all be on by Livingston!). I think I'll keep her for a while longer... especially if she keeps buying me KJ parts!

Cool, come on over. I need to borrow the SWR meter anyways.

Your jeep is going to be decked out for the next run. I'm looking foward to it.

W3CSX · **Posted:** Fri Dec 01, 2006 12:05 am

Moose,

If you can what until we meet. I have all the necessary gear. I can tune up your radio for you.

Jason

Btw: Nice antenna install it looks a little familiar.

moose · **Posted:** Fri Dec 01, 2006 1:48 am

W3CSX wrote:

Moose,

If you can what until we meet. I have all the necessary gear. I can tune up your radio for you.

Jason

Btw: Nice antenna install it looks a little familiar.

I wonder where I got the placement idea...

I liked your's a bunch, but getting the stock aluminum and cutting and bending to fit, plus finding the rest of it... eh, I just spent the $30 and bought it. I still think your's looks nicer, but this will do.

2006KJSPORT4x4 · **Posted:** Fri Dec 01, 2006 2:03 am

What thicknes stock is that? My school has a bunch of scrap in our machine shop i frequent and I could probably fab one or some of those up quick, I need one anyway since I have a Firestik as well. Now i just need a CB and coax cable. Which Cobra you got Moose and do you really think you might sell it? I've been looking at the Cobra 75WX and the Cobra 19DX, just not sure which would be better, I know the 19 is cheaper but would it be worth it to get the 75? Any thoughts anyone on that?

moose · **Posted:** Fri Dec 01, 2006 9:42 am

When you can get a $120 Uniden with NOAA weather and a SWR meeter for $60 (http://www.walcottcb.com/3000-cash-back-uniden-pc68-ltw-cb-radio-weather-p-926.html) with their rebates, I don't know why you'd want to get the Cobra. I have the 19, and it seems to work fine for my wife, but my voice it too deep for the mic (or so we think). Also, people have complained about it being "staticy", so I don't know if it's the CB or the mic - I'll know by next weekend, and I'll keep you posted. If you get those AL brackets made, you could see if Walcott would distribute them... (I remember the poverty of college, and if they are easy to make, it could add to the jeep fund) Also, they sell the coax and stuff.

2006KJSPORT4x4 · **Posted:** Fri Dec 01, 2006 10:02 am

Well i'll have to check out that Walcott site if they have a deal like that on a good Uniden system and SWR meter...but class starts soon so maybe I might have time at work to look at them...thanks for the info and heads up moose...

moose · **Posted:** Fri Dec 01, 2006 11:25 am

2006KJSPORT4x4 wrote:

...thanks for the info and heads up moose...

hey, we're all in this together, and nobody gets out alive.

jelohead · **Posted:** Thu Dec 07, 2006 11:20 pm

moose, i got the same firestick mount, but put it between the left tail light assy, and the body.....in front of the light....it's more off to the side of the vehicle, obviously, but it will never interfere with the rear glass.

moose · **Posted:** Fri Dec 08, 2006 9:55 am

jelohead wrote:

moose, i got the same firestick mount, but put it between the left tail light assy, and the body.....in front of the light....it's more off to the side of the vehicle, obviously, but it will never interfere with the rear glass.

Post a picture, I'd love to see it. BTW, I don't have any interference with my mount either.

2006KJSPORT4x4 · **Posted:** Wed Jan 10, 2007 9:30 pm

Just curious for an update on how the antenna is holding up without a spring on this particular setup moose...looking at getting the stud mount with a quick disconnect and a 9ft cable instead of the 18ft. (would you recommend that to be a safe amount of coax cable???)

2006KJSPORT4x4 · **Posted:** Wed Jan 10, 2007 9:34 pm

By the way I did fab up my mount today, i'll get pics of it tomorrow, I still need to get the holes drilled in it and also the screws for it. How did your screws stay mounted to the Jeep...not really a way to get a nut on the back end of those screws...did you use some locktite on them??? some details would be great on that as i'm just wingin' it. Plus did you add any coatings to help prevent from rust since the holes are located in a water channelling area??? Thanks again moose...

moose · **Posted:** Wed Jan 10, 2007 10:06 pm

2006KJSPORT4x4 wrote:

Just curious for an update on how the antenna is holding up without a spring on this particular setup moose...looking at getting the stud mount with a quick disconnect and a 9ft cable instead of the 18ft. (would you recommend that to be a safe amount of coax cable???)

I'm using 16-17 of the 18 feet. I ended up with a quick disco too - no spring (I didn't like the spring on it). I'm happy with the whole thing. I pick up truckers at 5-20 miles, depending on hills, and have transmitted at least 5. All in all, very satisfied.

moose · **Posted:** Wed Jan 10, 2007 10:07 pm

2006KJSPORT4x4 wrote:

By the way I did fab up my mount today, i'll get pics of it tomorrow, I still need to get the holes drilled in it and also the screws for it. How did your screws stay mounted to the Jeep...not really a way to get a nut on the back end of those screws...did you use some locktite on them??? some details would be great on that as i'm just wingin' it. Plus did you add any coatings to help prevent from rust since the holes are located in a water channelling area??? Thanks again moose...

locktite? anti-rust? guess I was winging it too

Rear CB Antenna Install

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