CB Radio antenna

[offshore]

We have a 08 38P Pace Arrow comming in about a week. I am looking to install a CB. Looking for information on installing the antenna, what type and any proublems. Any help will be appreciated.
Lloyd.

[offshore]

We have a 08 38P Pace Arrow comming in about a week. I am looking to install a CB. Looking for information on installing the antenna, what type and any proublems. Any help will be appreciated.
Lloyd.

[wilanddij]

A couple of things I've heard, but don't know first hand; 1) Older Fleetwood MH's have an antenna that can be used for both radio and CB, and the CB can be plugged into a supplied splitter, 2) New Fleetwood MH's no longer supply this antenna or a CB hookup capability.
Like I said, this is not gospel. You should probably call FW customer service to get the real scoop.

[Gary RVRoamer]

It is easiest to install a "no ground plane" type of antenna, such is often used on boats. And I would plan on drilling a hole for the cable, cause I haven't had much luck with the through-glass type of connection either (tho some swear they work fine).

An alternative to the "no ground" type is to bond a metal plate to the roof and mount the antenna to that, either a magnetic mount or bolt on. A 12x12 piece of metal is plenty for a CB ground plane - it actually needs less than 6x6.

Note that a ground plane is merely a reflector for the radio transmission signal and does not function as an electrical ground.

[Bob (WA0MQE)]

I installed a "no ground plane" Radio Shack (the short one) on the drivers side right on the aluminum rail just behind the gutter drain. I used the L-shaped bracket and used stainless steel metal screws into the aluminum rail. I drilled a 1/4" hole at a slight downward angle (for the cable) so it would come out on the inside of the interior wall. On the inside of the moho this placed the hole in the pocket behind the covered area where the overhead map lights (at least on my '04 Pace Arrow) are. by removing the map light and using a long metal shaft with a hook on the end I was able to fish the cable down along the gap in the back and followed the inside window channel down all the way to the dash and then routed the cable under the dash to the CB.

[offshore]

Thanks for the information, I'll check out Radioshack and look cloosely at my unit when it come in. I know for sure my wife will NOT go for me drilling a hole in her wall to pass the wire through.

[Pusherman]

I just installed a no-ground plane cell look-alike CB antenna on the fiberglass roof of my coach. It's 12.5" tall and can be set at an angle or laid down flat.

Nice look and compact.

Here's the website. Click on Cell look-alike.

[Dr Bill]

Check out Firestik. Look for the No Ground Plane (NGP) setups. They even have some great installation ideas. Oops its the same website that Pusherman suggested. Check it out they seem to have the most info I've found from any maufacturer.

Bill

[ronboc]

I had a thru-glass CB antenna (not wanting to drill holes, either) on a previous coach, and swore that I could throw the stupid CB radio farther than the antenna allowed reception.

Made a big difference when I went to a NGP-type mount on the next coach, using the same CB radio.

HTH,
Ron

[K6TBC]

I have 07 Bounder and it came with a combo Ant. you find a connector under the dash, but it does not work very good.

[mowmunny]

In our o4 Bounder, I purchased a firestick No Ground Plane. I installed it on the drivers side, where the overhead compartment is. Wires are in the compartment and routed them down by the back of the window. Can't see them at all. Firestick is the best and you can purchase on line. Had two through the glass and threw one away and lost the other. Good Luck, mine has worked great for 3 years now.

[alvinc]

Using a FireStik direct wired antenna is predictable. We know it is going to work.

It is rare to hear someone with a successful glass mount antenna. This include both CB and Ham Radio. I'm sure that some people are able to get them to work, but the variables in making them work are many.

The effectiveness of a glass mount, depends on the thickness of the glass, the make up of the glass (any metal in it), and the coatings (UV or otherwise) that the glass has. They do not work on curved glass or multiple pane windows. The exterior antenna is held on by super glue, which has the same problems as a glued on rear view mirror. In addition the antenna mount has to survive wind movement and water that the rear view mirror does not. In any case a glass mount will always have less gain that an equivalent direct wired antenna.

For the above reasons and the experiences of others I would never use a glass mount antenna.

[TXiceman]

I got one glass mount to work and 2 that never would. have a couple of friends with the Larsen 2M UHF through the glass mounts and they do fine. But look at how much more you pay for a Larsen over the cheapie sold by Camping World.

[K6TBC]

I have a 07 Bounder and it came with an AM,FM,CB combo ant there is a CB connector under the dash and also a Splitter Box and an adjustment for the Radio and one for the CB. This is not the best but it works. I'm going to put one on my ladder and run the coax under the RV and up to the Dash.