CB Installation

[Toby]

We just brought home our new 2006 HR 38PDQ Ambassador yesterday. ( Our 3rd HR motorhome). Does anyone have a suggestion on how/where to mount the CB radio. Also, which side of the wheel is the antenna located on. I found the electrical wires on the right side facing the front of the MH, but could not find the antenna.

We're heading to Jacksonville in the morning for our grandson's 4 birthday party and we'll be back on Monday. Thanks for any suggestions
s/Toby

[Toby]

We just brought home our new 2006 HR 38PDQ Ambassador yesterday. ( Our 3rd HR motorhome). Does anyone have a suggestion on how/where to mount the CB radio. Also, which side of the wheel is the antenna located on. I found the electrical wires on the right side facing the front of the MH, but could not find the antenna.

We're heading to Jacksonville in the morning for our grandson's 4 birthday party and we'll be back on Monday. Thanks for any suggestions
s/Toby

["007"]

Toby, I mounted the all in one CB just to the left of dash board easy access for wife also.

Many MFG's place coax and 12v wiring in a plastic bag up under dash. You may find it there.
Congrats on your new coach many safe and happy miles.

[ronboc]

Hi Toby -

Welcome to irv2 And congrats on the new coach! We're really glad to have you here as a new member and are looking forward to reading your posts about your RVing experiences and adventures. You'll find a great bunch of folks on this site who are very knowledgeable of RVing, the rigs we use, and the places we go in them. Enjoy the forums and post often, and when you want to be a official member of the forum, just let me know.

You asked about the CB wire and a location for the radio. I found my antenna-cable bundled up above my left-foot and under the dash, but I understand it's a bit of a guess as to where exactly it'll end up when it comes off the assembly line. It's easy to spot, since it's the typical SO-259 connector. Don't get me started on range if using the installed antenna - I think i could throw the radio farther than its reception range! (a separate antenna would probably work wonders)

As far as where to mount the radio itself, obviously it's a bit of a personal decision and where it can be seen the best. Mine is currently on the left side but down low, which is a bit inconvenient to look at except that I seldom use it unless I'm stopped in traffic, etc.

Goods luck, and let us know how things go
Ron

[Diplomat Don]

ronboc....Did you find an antenna that replaced the stock one and fit in the old hole?

[RVwheels]

Couldn't agree more with the lousy performance using the OEM antenna installation. Would be interested in anyone's response to the above question.

[Lug_Nut]

Add me to the list of needing suggestions on antenna replacement that actually works.

[ronboc]

Hi -

About separate antennas ... On a previous coach, I put on one of those thru-glass ones that just stick to a flat piece of the front or side window. I knew I wouldn't get much range with it, but figured it was better than to go poking any more holes in the skin than were already there. However, I think range with it was/is just about the same as the pig-tail one that I have on this coach. Which is to say almost non-existent.

So that means I'll have to poke a hole now for this coach. I've been hearing good things about the no-metal Firestik ones, and that's probably what I'll go with when I get around to it. One of my requirements is to get the actual antenna away from the cab-area to keep any induced wind-noise down, and I've looked at possible ways to mount the antenna to the mirror-arms, but can't seem to come up with anything viable. It would be nice to use one of the dual-antenna kind since that should help a bit with signal, but even one hole in the skin is going to be traumatic enough.

Darn it, where's Ron-N-Bama and his trusty Saw-Z-All when I need him???

[Toby]

Thanks for the replies. I still cannot find the antenna. I'm familiar with antennas since I was a Coast Guard radioman 2nd class many years ago. The new coach has the same antenna set-up as our 04 Vacationer and the sig only went about 100 yards in a straight line. We only use the CB to listen to traffic when its backed-up and to comm with our friends when they travel with us. So its nice to have. The hand-helds hardly work outside the MH so they are useless.
I think I will mount somewhere on the left side of the wheel, but will have to wait until I take it back to the dealer for some minor warranty work. I'll get them to find it. If the antenna was mounted on a metal ground plan, like our 99 Vacationer, the sig would be much greater. (The 99 had an aluminum roof.) I'll let you'll know what I find. s/Toby

[digNbubbs]

I have an '06 Knight and found the antenna cable to the left of center of the dash. I was able to open the access panel on the top of the dash in front of the instruments and find it with a flashlight. Linked picture is the connector that you will need to locate - click for image


--kevin

[RVRon]

I installed my CB under the dash on the right side of the steering wheel. The mount is fastened to the wide lip on the bottom of the dash. The microphone clip works out under the top left screw of the center panel in the dash (the radio section on my Ambassador).

As far as the antenna, the one on the roof is terrible and I have recently pulled the interior trim of the front A-pillar and have a 4' NGP (no ground-plane) firestik antenna with a side mount and spring ready to install as soon as I get a minute. I have heard that if you can only put 12" over the top of the roof, you're better off with a 3' antenna, but alas, I already paid for this one, oh well. I'll post later and let the board know how I made out.

[montanaB]

I did not install a CB because like other I found the range on my previous coach to be about 10 car lengths! Now I just carry a portible CB walkie talkie with 5 watts power in case I need it where there is no cell phone coverage or I use it to listen to the truckers filthy language when I am in deperate need of amusement.

[TXiceman]

I had a CB in the previous motorhomes and they worked OK. The trick is to have a good antenna system. Putting an antenna on a motor home is a problem, but it can be done, but not with cheap antennas.

Ken

[Toby]

Thanks all for the comments. I took Kevins advice and took off the panel on top of my dash. And right on top was the antenna wire. I ended up mounting it on the bottom left side of my dash. It fits good there and I can see the dials and etc. I have one of those darn mikes that has a button changer on top and just about everytime I use the mike I change the channel. Got to figure out something to put on top of the mike. s/Toby