CB antenna on roof ?

Lyonel · **Posted:** Thu Dec 18, 2008 9:23 am

I'would like to fix a cb antenna on my kj instead of using a magnetic antenna and I'm wondering if the best location to fix it couldn't be the kj roof...?
Certainly for the range, but what about trees branches knocks (major issue in French offroading :wink:

) ?
Does somebody already did it and could kindly tell me (show me

)about the way he did for either a fine range and a good guard from branches ?
Thanks a lot. :mrgreen:

Fulltimer · **Posted:** Thu Dec 18, 2008 9:55 am

The center of the roof would be the best place. But it will take a beating. No way around that. If you just want to use it when on the trail any place will work because you don't need long range. As far as that goes you could hook it up to a light bulb and talk through that. Just put the light on the floor.

Terry

mrkake · **Posted:** Thu Dec 18, 2008 5:16 pm

I am fed up with my magnetic mount too. My plan is to mount it to a cross bar using a standard mirror mount with a spring mount base for the antenna (I have a 3 foot FireStik). This way I can just use U bolts and wing nuts to mount it quickly when I need it and stow it under the rear seat (I will remove the antenna from the mount for storage) and can just run the coax through the rear window. I am going to do this after the holidays and will post pics when I am done.

Lyonel · **Posted:** Fri Dec 19, 2008 6:01 am

Thanks Fulltimer and Mrkake (yes please, post pics of your next mount).

Did anybody fix this President make accessory on his hood ?

Guest · **Posted:** Fri Dec 19, 2008 3:06 pm

My grampa had one of those antenna mounts on the trunk of his Audi for the 7 years he owned it. My uncle has the car now...and it's got two nice little rust spots on an otherwise beautiful car

Lyonel · **Posted:** Fri Dec 19, 2008 3:16 pm

I see, what a shame. But, at least, was the range perfect or not ?

mrkake · **Posted:** Fri Dec 19, 2008 4:17 pm

Lyonel wrote:

I see, what a shame. But, at least, was the range perfect or not ?

My dad had a mount like that on the trunk of his car as well. At first he had about a 30 inch mast on it and the reception wasn't great (good, but not great). Then he put a 5 foot whip on it and got great reception. The guy that sold it to him said that to get the best reception the top of your mast should be above the car. He said that's why 18 wheelers use dual masts on their mirrors. So that radio waves and get past the vehicle (since it would be impractical for a big rig to try to get masts that were taller than their trailers). I don't know if this guy really knew what he was talking about or not but he made it sound convincing. I do know that when I was tuning my antenna, the best reading I got on my SWR meter was when the mast was right in the middle of the roof of the Liberty. That's why I want to rig up some kind of mount that is secure but still easily removable and stow-able in the vehicle (the only time I use my CB is when I am on the trail or traveling where I don't get cell reception). I believe that the next best mounting location would be towards the side of the vehicle (I like INC's setup using the original vehicle antenna location and a spring mounted base).

WoodysKJ · **Posted:** Mon Dec 22, 2008 1:48 pm

Lyonel wrote:

I'would like to fix a cb antenna on my kj instead of using a magnetic antenna and I'm wondering if the best location to fix it couldn't be the kj roof...?
Certainly for the range, but what about trees branches knocks (major issue in French offroading :wink:

) ?
Does somebody already did it and could kindly tell me (show me

)about the way he did for either a fine range and a good guard from branches ?
Thanks a lot. :mrgreen:

The roof mount is always the best, unless u have a convertable...
Something like this... drilled through the CENTER of the roof.
http://www.walcottcb.com/firestik-k4dd-stainless-steel-disc-mount-p-599.html?cPath=28_353_432

Get a GOOD solid roof stud mount. drill the hole and seal it good. Now use a GOOD high quality coax.
http://www.walcottcb.com/coax-single-coax-c-28_355_437.html
get a 3 foot antenna at least. the 2 footers are a PITA to tune.

3 foot firestick tunable with a spring mount. Helps take the shock from branches.
http://www.walcottcb.com/firestik-ss3m-stainless-steel-spring-p-584.html?cPath=28_354_445

http://www.walcottcb.com

Kugellager · **Posted:** Sun Dec 28, 2008 11:41 pm

You can add a spring mount between the base and the antenna. It helps greatly with the trees and low objects. I have a 48" antenna mounted on my light bar and can get about 12 miles range in relatively flat country.

See my Jeep mods in the link in my signature for picks of where my antenna is mounted.

The middle of the roof is the ideal location as the metal surface of the roof acts as a ground plane and allows for maximum signal transmission.

John
];')

MiniDevil · **Posted:** Mon Dec 29, 2008 7:12 am

If you dont use a roof basket, the easiest way to do it is this:

Get 6" x 60" x 3/8" of steel flat bar.

Measure your roof rack bars and cut the steel flat bar so it overhangs 1 inch on each side.

Drill 4 holes on each side so that you can U-bolt it onto your roof securely.

Grab a rfpower.us or fatboy puck mount for it

Center the puck on the flat bar and use several hole saw blades to cut through where the insulation goes all the way through

drill for the holes and mount accordingly, make sure you seal it properly. Aquarium glass seal works nicely

run the coax for it

Throw on antenna of choice... monkeymade... fatboy... etc... and tune it up

Grab a ground strap and drill and secure one end into the flatbar, and the other end into a discrete area (inside top of door area when door is open, etc) so it grounds properly

Then you should be good to go.

Otherwise you'll have to drill into your roof, mount a plate inside the jeep, screw with your headliner, etc etc.

MiniDevil · **Posted:** Mon Dec 29, 2008 7:15 am

Lyonel wrote:

I see, what a shame. But, at least, was the range perfect or not ?

I get great rx/dx with even my Wilson 5000 magnet mount. Plus since it's thin, it bends out of the way of pretty much everything. Even when it hits things it's cool, no damage. It sticks in one spot and doesnt move even at excessive speed, and I never get less than 15 miles out of it unless I am in god-awful terrain. Everyday use I hit 20-25 miles

CB antenna on roof ?

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