Community Forums

870mcmac · 03-25-2013, 05:46 PM

Alaska for 4 months. Need recommendation on where to install. Do I need an NGP antenna? 3',4', side mount, roof mount? Should I buy an SWR meter?

Ed S · 03-25-2013, 06:03 PM

unless you are willing to drill a hole in the side of your coach I ran coax all the way to the back ladder with my old holiday rambler. NGP antenna, as long of an antenna as you can with most up over roof, they say 2/3 of antenna over the roof. I would also give some thought to having a cb shop (at some truck stops) tune your radio or better yet have them do the complete install. Just my 2 cents.

870mcmac · 04-09-2013, 04:52 PM

I bit the bullet and installed a firestik 3' RGP and bought a Radio Shack SWR meter. I installed it according to the instructions and put the meter inline and got a reading in the red zone half way between 3 and infinity. Adjusting the antenna length didn't change it. Any suggestions?

Ed S · 04-09-2013, 06:22 PM

Tell us where and how you installed the antenna

DeWat · 04-09-2013, 06:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 870mcmac

I bit the bullet and installed a firestik 3' RGP and bought a Radio Shack SWR meter. I installed it according to the instructions and put the meter inline and got a reading in the red zone half way between 3 and infinity. Adjusting the antenna length didn't change it. Any suggestions?

The best way to ensure that your antenna is tuned across the dial is to do SWR readings on channels 1 and 40. If the SWR reading is higher on 40 than on 1, then the antenna radiator length needs to be shortened. If the SWR reading is higher on 1 than 40, then the antenna radiator needs to be lengthened. The best way to remember this is too high on the high, then lower, otherwise, lengthen. If everything is done right when you are finished (the same SWR on 1 & 40), the needle should barely move, if move at all on channel 20. On antennas with the metal radiator rod, the antenna is shortened/lengthened by loosening the set screw at the base, and lowering or raising. For antennas like the Firestik NGP, screwing the screw at the top of the antenna up/down is the way to shorten/lengthen.

tomrx1 · 04-09-2013, 07:48 PM

I purchased a 2ft. firestik NGP and attached it to the ladder on the back of the coach,I then ran coax underneath the rig and entered alonside the brake pedal,I had a few extra feet of coax,so I ran it lengthwise behind the instrument cluster! I used a MFJ 259B antenna anylyzer,SWR is 1.8 across all 40 channels!
A word of caution....the first 18 ft or so of coax FROM the antenna MUST be Firestik's NGP optimized coax (ground side not connected) after that you may use the needed length of RG 58 or RG8X along with a barrel connector to reach the front of the coach. I too am headed to Alaska for the summer with the S.M.A.R.T. Caravan,perhaps we'll run into each other!! (figure of speech!) Safe travels ..........Tom K3RX

Ray,IN · 04-11-2013, 11:38 PM

Some years ago, one guy described how to install a CB antenna inside the coach. He said it worked well, and was hidden behind a wood panel somewhere. I think the post is in this board somewhere but I don't have a clue how to find it.

870mcmac · 04-13-2013, 07:26 AM

Thanks for all the help. The antenna is installed and the SWR meter reading averages below 1.5. All it took was a lot of patients and climbing up on the roof to readjust the thing. I think I should be able to listen to all the rock haulers across Canada and Alaska. I'm also installing the M&G Eng. air brake and breakaway kit and installing a full bra (also cover the windshield) from Coastal Enterprises in Cal. Leaving May3rd, back in Sept.

DeWat · 04-13-2013, 06:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 870mcmac

Thanks for all the help. The antenna is installed and the SWR meter reading averages below 1.5. All it took was a lot of patients and climbing up on the roof to readjust the thing. I think I should be able to listen to all the rock haulers across Canada and Alaska. I'm also installing the M&G Eng. air brake and breakaway kit and installing a full bra (also cover the windshield) from Coastal Enterprises in Cal. Leaving May3rd, back in Sept.

I love good endings... glad your were able to your SWR down.

Brockx · 04-13-2013, 06:31 PM

Just a note to all, when you add std coax to the tuned coax provided with the Firestik kit, it shoild be added in multiples of 9 feet for best results (9 18 27 36 45).

Tugboat · 04-15-2013, 02:40 PM

Look in to getting a SIRIO antenna. I put one on my truck and a friend put one on his TT and they are working better then my Wilson 5000 was. not sure what he had on his TT. SIRIO has one that will work on a MH is is the SIRIO GL 27 Ground Less

CB 27 MHz Mobile Antenna, GL 27 Ground Less

If you are running power it is only rated at 15 watts 50 watts short time.