CB Antenna Cable

[tllapointe]

We bought a 2006 TS 42 DS04. I want to install a Cobra handheld CB.

What antenna works best?

Where should I install the antenna?

How should I run the antenna cable to the driver's seat area?

Thanks,
Tom

[TXiceman]

For an antenna, a 2 or 3' long FireStix NGP (no ground plane) works best. Mount it on the drivers side even or slightly behind the driver. Use a side mount and mounting spring. You want at last 1/2 of the antenna above the top of the RV.

If you want a good radio, I would not get one of the hand held units or a all on the mic radios. Get a conventional one and mount it under the dash near the driver. Add an external communications speaker for better clarity. The all in the mic radios have a poor speaker and a poor mic.

If you are not familiar with installing an antenna and do not have an SWR meter, you need to get the work done by a tech. The antenna needs to be trimmed to get the SWR set for proper radio performance.

Ken

[tllapointe]

Thanks Ken.

Would you run the cable down the side of the RV and up into the drivers area from underneath or go though the exterior wall?

Tom

[tllapointe]

I have a short, maybe 12-15 inch, black antenna on the roof in the front, center area of the fiberglass roof. It tilts slightly backward.

Any idea if that's a CB antenna or my radio antenna?

Tom

[TXiceman]

You will need to bring the coaxial cable through the side of the RV.

The antenna may or may not be for CB. You will have to track it down and see if it terminates under the dash.

The antennas supplied on coach are usually pretty minimal.

Ken

[wa8yxm]

Generally (up to 9 feet) the longer the antenna the better the antenna

For an RV, unless you have aluminum siding, you will need a No Ground Plane.

I like to mount transmitting antennas away from the operator for health reasons (Radiation exposure) But that said my 50 watt VHF/UHF antenna is on the driver's rear view mirror (Velmac mirrors) arm

How to route the cable depends on where you mount the antenna

For example. If you mount it just outside the driver's side of the rig (I do not recommend mounting on the passanger side) you might just drill straight through just below the antenna.. Shove the cable in under the dash, seal the cable entrance (NOTE you will have to attach the cable end AFTER you push it in the hole) and make sure there is a short "Drip Loop" (The cable drops below the hole for about 1/2 inch)

If you mount on the rear cap you could drillinto the cap as above, drop the cable down to the ground and route along frame rails up to the front, where, if it's a front ending you pass the cable through an existing hole in the fire wall (Just push a rod the proper size through the foam sealant and then pull it out and push in the cable

And if like me you mount on the mirror arm.. In to the arm, follow the mirror wires to the engine compartment through the firewall as above.

It is that easy.

Oh, Why don't I suggest mounting on the passanger side?

Trees, of course