CB antenna/mount local on THOR class A

[Adam1219]

I have read a lot with no good conclusions or great ideas of which CB radio no ground plane (NGP) antenna to buy and better yet no GOOD/EASY solution for the mount or for the mounting location.

I prefer the mirror but that's out. I have the large plastic mirrors. The through the glass antenna is worthless. I don't want to run a 50 foot cable from a mount on the rear ladder assembly. The thought of drilling through the side (which opens up potential delamination issues) is not favorable. Each of the mounts I have seen bolt either horizontal or vertically to something.

Does anyone have the BEST idea? Where did you mount the antenna and what brand/model did you use. Is your SWR setting the best?

It's something that has always been so easy with cars and trucks. Presenting a fiberglass RV front shell and it becomes rocket science.

[Longmire]

Watching this thread with interest- I have the same questions.

[wa8yxm]

The A Pillar on a motor vehicle is the one just behind the windshield. And on my Damon (A Thor Brand) lots of cables run inside it.. I moved them aside and drilled a small hole outwards. Notes follow as to where.

Then I took half a mirror mount (The half the antenna hooks to) This mount waw two pieces of metal, One was L-Shaped (Held antenna) the other almost Flat, save for the part not holding the antenna on the first had a "V" shaped spot, as did the other half, this was designed to clamp over the "Arm" of a West Coast Mirror.. I tossed the "Back" half into my spares box.

Replaced the 4 Bolts with 4 Lag bolts (Stainless is good if you can find 'em)

The "V" went over the hole and the RG-58 Comes out under the bracket (Which by the way was filled with sealant, GOOP to keep moisture and such at bay) Loops down and around and up to where it needs to connect. All sealed with Antenna Tape or Rescue Tape (Silicon Self-Fusing Tapes).

How high to drill?

I set it so the tip of the antenna, when mounted, is about 1" higher than the next highest point on the RV.. That way, if the antenna hits, BACK OFF.

[Adam1219]

Originally Posted by wa8yxm

The A Pillar on a motor vehicle is the one just behind the windshield. And on my Damon (A Thor Brand) lots of cables run inside it.. I moved them aside and drilled a small hole outwards. Notes follow as to where.

Then I took half a mirror mount (The half the antenna hooks to) This mount waw two pieces of metal, One was L-Shaped (Held antenna) the other almost Flat, save for the part not holding the antenna on the first had a "V" shaped spot, as did the other half, this was designed to clamp over the "Arm" of a West Coast Mirror.. I tossed the "Back" half into my spares box.

Replaced the 4 Bolts with 4 Lag bolts (Stainless is good if you can find 'em)

The "V" went over the hole and the RG-58 Comes out under the bracket (Which by the way was filled with sealant, GOOP to keep moisture and such at bay) Loops down and around and up to where it needs to connect. All sealed with Antenna Tape or Rescue Tape (Silicon Self-Fusing Tapes).

How high to drill?

I set it so the tip of the antenna, when mounted, is about 1" higher than the next highest point on the RV.. That way, if the antenna hits, BACK OFF.

Thank you,
Is there any way you could provide photos? If you don't mind please provide the brand and model of the antenna you used and the mount (if one that that did not come with the antenna) please.

[vsheetz]

I am not a fan of the performance of a NGP antenna. Instead one option is to use a magnetic mount antenna. Screw/tape a metal sheet about 2' square/round to the roof to hold it and act as a ground plane. Cable entry via Winegard wire entry plate.

[Unplanned Tourist]

I have the factory mounted antenna. It's mounted above the driver's window. Want a pic?

[wa8yxm]

I do not know how to post photos here. Sorry. Let me check dropbox.

https://db.tt/exaWIk1rLS

https://db.tt/sucULnaGeb

With luck, that will do it.

Well that is the link to the Photos. that checks, but I can't view them without log in .. Will work on that

[Adam1219]

Thanks for the photos. Do you have one that is from a short distance from the coach you could share?

Thanks.

[wa8yxm]

No just those two,, I thought #1 was a decent close up... If you need me to back off I can snap another later today when I go to store..

The antenna appears slanted in one of the photos, it is not that much.. Just so you know.

I have to go to the store in a bit, will try to remember to photo then.

[Adam1219]

I'm leaning more and more to a 2 square foot plate on the roof and use a magnetic mount. I can use some of the dicor and butyl tape I have left over and just go buy a steel plate. Hopefully Lowes would have something.

[wa8yxm]

Two thoughts on that 2 square foot or even 2 foot square plate (not the same thing)

You need an 18 foot square or at least 18 feet in the long direction by the width of your RV recatangle.

And if your RV is 12 foot tall there is a great chance of that antenna getting knocked over by things over the road.. IN theory (But I doubt in practice) you can be cited if the tip of the antenna is over 13'6".

NO, I would not go that route

I know many folks pho-pho NGP antennas. but I have been known to design some of my own for some bands I work. and there is NO disadvantage to a NGP other than length

A proper antenna is 1/2 wavelength (rounded that's 18 feet for cb or 5.5 meters) Anything less is a comprimise.

So when you put a full length 9' Whip on a car, well the frame of the car is the other 9'.. That is why the metal plate needs to be 18' (9 to the front, 9 to the back) for best results.

The shorter antennas are "Loaded" (electronically lengthened) by some means. but for an NGP your effect length, Is less than the total whip length, which is already shorter than a full quarter wave whip.

Still.. For other bands I design and use NGP antennas all the time. and they work very well.

[Adam1219]

All of this is TOO much work for a CB. I might just throw it in the garbage and forget about having one at this point.

1. I'm not going to drill holes in the side of my coach for fear of delamination.

2. Since the metal plate idea that has been used by some seems to be a bad idea. Not worried about the height thing, just want it to be worth my time and energy. I will not be putting a 18 foot by 9 foot plate.

3. I don't completely understand the mirror mount idea.

This is taking far more time than I expected with no results.

[Adam1219]

I bought this antenna today:

FireStik FG2648-B Two foot No-ground plane CB antenna kit (Black)

Amazon Prime

$47.91

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

[wa8yxm]

Finally got a couple shots from a distance...

https://db.tt/KBP092bvkb

https://db.tt/7CR3jrug97