antenna location

EdgarNYU · **Posted:** Sun Sep 04, 2005 8:48 pm

Please give me the 411 on your fav antenna locations. I am so undecided from all the great ideas here.

I was wondering what options were the most used or most efficient.

I have glimpsed some of the setups on the spare tire nut and at the spare tire holder, I have a small bracket piece (custom-designed) that goes at the right rear where the rear door meets the KJ(requires 2 small screws) to the KJ to hold it.

Then there was the one that had the antenna where the existing FM antenna is(?don't know if you get FM/AM anymore?)

I have a Cobra 75wst and 4' Firestik so I could use some opinions, Thanks.

I don't get cell use alot of places when I go DEEP DEEP in PA so I want to have this in as back up. Please keep in mind that because of patrking in NYC, I will be taking my FireStik off every night.

corwyyn · **Posted:** Sun Sep 04, 2005 9:24 pm

In case you didn't see it, here is a pretty in-depth thread on mounting cb antennas - CB Antenna mounting
If you have any questions afterward I'm sure you'll get plenty of people ready to expound on *their* methods :wink:

As for the method that replaces the existing antenna, yes you can still get AM/FM reception, you just have to use a 'splitter' (technically a duplexer). Tokyojoe has a great write-up if you want to go that route...

EdgarNYU · **Posted:** Tue Sep 27, 2005 2:57 pm

Thanks corwyn

Tokyojoe · **Posted:** Tue Sep 27, 2005 7:42 pm

Edgar.....I get great reception with my stereo and CB. No loss and I still haven't tuned it yet. Can't wait until the day when I do tune it.

Sounds great. No problems except for a cheap antenna spring (made in a country known for lesser quality). Replaced it finally.

Edwin · **Posted:** Tue Sep 27, 2005 10:11 pm

Try this-http://www.claysradioshop.com

This is who I use. He's been doin it for 25 years.

Guest · **Posted:** Tue Sep 27, 2005 11:26 pm

Tokyo,

That sounds so reassuring.. Hate for something to short out. I still don't have the confidence to do this mod. I have everything and even a tuner but am stuck at using an add-a-fuse or putting a new one or direct from battery.

Maybe I'm looking at too many posts(nah!) b/c I'm starting to confuse myself.
:shock:

Tokyojoe · **Posted:** Wed Sep 28, 2005 12:02 am

AdamisAdam did the first mod on this, that I know of. He had an issue with his first mod and made a correction. From there, I upgraded further on his mod.

I have driven to Moab, did LOST Moab `05, and have had no problems.

Just don't buy a cheap medium antenna spring. I have driven the entire summer without the spring on it. I only put the bent spring on when I off-roaded. (I kept forgetting to get a new one and they are not easy to find closeby. Truck stops and Radio Shack sell heavy duty springs. The CB shops were 30 minutes away) So, with that bent spring on, I would tie the antenna down to my roof rack with "550 cord" and still got great reception.

If you decide to try a heavy duty spring, you will have to do more modding. The CB shop said a medium was good enough for the Wilson Silver antenna....again, just don't buy a cheap one.

AdamIsAdam · **Posted:** Thu Oct 20, 2005 6:14 am

Mine's been on for almost a year and works great. see my web site for write up. I have spring.

Guest · **Posted:** Thu Oct 20, 2005 2:41 pm

Thanks ADAM, I am still sleeping on this...but soon.

BTW... what is the range for a Cobra 75wxst with a 3or 4' antenna vs. just a temporary mag mount type?

Looking for hwy emergency capability.

EdgarNYU · **Posted:** Thu Oct 20, 2005 2:45 pm

Don't know how that happened but...

Thanks TOKYO for the input. I love the clean look for sure. I need a fire where the sun don't shine to get me moving on this soon. Thanks.

AdamIsAdam · **Posted:** Thu Oct 20, 2005 3:12 pm

Anonymous wrote:

Thanks ADAM, I am still sleeping on this...but soon.

BTW... what is the range for a Cobra 75wxst with a 3or 4' antenna vs. just a temporary mag mount type?

Looking for hwy emergency capability.

I have a 3' Wilson silver, the AM/FM/CB firestick splitter (AR-1). I get a VERY good range. I had the setup tuned - you need to do that.

I've had conversations in town (Long Island, NY) up to 15 miles away. Some trucker called out asking for directions. he gave his cross streets. I plugged them in to my Navigation system and it said he was 15 miles from me! Pretty cool, eh?

I never have a problem hearing people on the trail. I"m usually in mountains with long convoys (20-25 jeeps) so some are over the hill top before me. I am often the "relay" man repeating the info to those who can't hear what the trail guide is saying.

Science_Guy · **Posted:** Sat Dec 31, 2005 4:44 pm

I am looking at mounting a CB as AdamISAdam and Tokyojoe did. I went to the CB store today to price out some of the parts. While at the store, we could not undersand one item on Adam's parts list ( http://www.cardomain.com/ride/325889/10 ).

Parts List:
- Firestik: AR-1A, Match-Maker, CB/AM/FM, CB Antenna Splitter (retail $16)
- Wilson Silver 3' antenna.
- Double female antenna wire connector
- 3' Jumper CB wire ($9)
- Double female 3/8" nut for bottom of antenna (free)
- CB wire to FM wire converter ($9)
- will add spring soon

Isnt the AR-1A a "CB wire to FM wire converter?" Tokyojoe does not list two as needed and we could not figure where this might be needed. Could some help enlighten me or was this just a typo.

THANK

AdamIsAdam · **Posted:** Sat Dec 31, 2005 5:47 pm

I think the source of confusion is that I used the stock antenna mount, which means I used the stock orange FM antenna wire running from the fender to the kick panel. To convert that back to the CB type wire that is required on the output of the splitter, I used that other converter/splitter which changes the connectors from CB (one) to FM (two, which is used for truckers running two antennas).

If I'm not understanding your question, please feel free to rephrase and ask again. Also, note that I used a bolt through the drilled out stock antenna mount in the fender, which requires that double female nut. Tjoe tapped his stock mount and just screwed the antenna in to the mount. I was going to do that but didn't have a tap n die set handy. Plus, I wasn't sure which was would be stronger.

That stock mount is strong. Over a year now and mine's still there. Joe's too. (knock wood). I have a spring on it too.

Tokyojoe · **Posted:** Sat Dec 31, 2005 9:46 pm

Science Guy.....don't forget that I did a change from Adam's mod and did not need the nut on the bottom. I tapped a bigger hole in the mount so the antenna or spring screws right into the mount itself.

My pictures and install:

http://www.cardomain.com/ride/718416

Science_Guy · **Posted:** Sat Dec 31, 2005 10:29 pm

The nut vs. tapped part and the mounting of the actual antenna I understand. I seem to be confused on how it all gets hooked up and what parts I need.

I think I got it now. I am just getting confused on converter vs. splitter. I plan on also using the stock orange FM wire from the antenna so I will need a FM to CB splitter that then connects to the Firestik AR-1A converter to share the antenna for CB and FM/AM radios.

Thanks

corwyyn · **Posted:** Sat Dec 31, 2005 11:54 pm

Science_Guy wrote:

I think I got it now. I am just getting confused on converter vs. splitter. I plan on also using the stock orange FM wire from the antenna so I will need a FM to CB splitter that then connects to the Firestik AR-1A converter to share the antenna for CB and FM/AM radios.

Thanks

That sounds right. You need the splitter to get from the Motorola plug on the end of the antenna wire to the PL-259 connector for the converter. Then the converter allows you to use the CB antenna for both AM/FM reception and CB transmission.

AdamIsAdam · **Posted:** Sun Jan 01, 2006 2:07 am

Science_Guy · **Posted:** Sun Jan 08, 2006 10:07 am

Installed everything yesterday. Thanks for all your help!! Your instructions listed on cardomain were very helpful. We did have to run to the auto store to get an "add a fuse" as I did not think about how to hook up the power until we got to the final step :roll:

.

I am alittle worried about the spring. The antenna bends over and moves around a lot more then I expected it too. I think it would even hit the Jeep when I off-road with it. Today I am going to search for a heavier spring. The CB shop I bought the materials did not have a "heavy duty" spring. Only two choices I had was chrome or stainless steel finish. I got the SS one and doubt the chrome one would be any stiffer.

Is it safe to use the antenna without the spring until I get a stiffer spring?

AdamIsAdam · **Posted:** Sun Jan 08, 2006 10:38 am

congrats! Glad my stuff can help.

I thought about getting a lighter duty spring, but my CB shop guy said that it would do what you're saying it does. Too flippy floppy.

You can run without the spring for a while. Just be wary of driving at highway speeds with snow/ice on it. I broke an aftermarket mount that I tried before coming up wiht this mod, so I've experienced that sinking feeling of seeing my antenna flop down 180* and nearly fall off at highway speeds (all this .5 miles into my test drive).

I've also considered running without a spring to make it lower. I hit my garage door header when I go in/out. Instead, I've ordered a new 17' x 8' garage door for $5k. Talk about an excuse to spend money! hehehe

Science_Guy · **Posted:** Sun Jan 08, 2006 1:41 pm

I drove it about 8 miles without a spring to the Flying J truck stop near my house. I drove up to 65 mph without any problems. I was able to buy a heavy antenna spring at the Flying J so no more saggin.

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