CB Antennae

[ichn2go]

My cb did not seem to get out. Took it to a radio shop and the SWR's were outta sight. Tried to adjust and different antennae no luck.
The tech concluded that it was either the cable or the mount. How do you get to the mount or has anyone used a different mount in a different location and how did you run the cable? Tried searching and no satisfactory answers Thanks

[RKL2]

on my previous Vectra I finally gave up on the factory mount for the same reasons you are having and installed a side mount above the driver's side window..I led the coax down the window pillar and connected it...The antenna was a Firestik fiberglass antenna...It worked great and grounded out thru the metal above the window....Camping World used to sell an antenna just for boats and rvs that didn't need a ground plane...They work well also, I put one on my Wrangler choosing not to drill into the body...SWR was always on target with both antennas .RKL

[Latitude]

Get a FyrestiK No Ground Plane antennae and a Cobra Full Size Radio and you are Good To Go!!!!

Rick

[RayandPamT]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Latitude Get a FyrestiK No Ground Plane antennae and a Cobra Full Size Radio and you are Good To Go!!!! Rick

Rick, I picked up a Firestik 2' that I will be installing on my class C. What model Cobra do you recommend.

[Ray,IN]

Usually high SWR as you have, can be caused by a faulty terminal crimp. When inserting the coax into the terminal, just one tiny shield wire touching the center conductor causes very high SWR that cannot be adjusted away. Strict attention to this must be observed when crimping on a terminal.

[Ray,IN]

I must have been partially asleep during my first reply. What I called a "terminal" is wrong, it is a PL259 connector. Most people do not solder the the connector onto the cable. This allows for shorts between the shield and center wire. Here is an excellent reference for this subject: http://www.signalengineering.com/ult...ax_basics.html

[ctcamper]

Quote:

Originally Posted by RayandPamT Rick, I picked up a Firestik 2' that I will be installing on my class C. What model Cobra do you recommend.

Take a look at the radios offered by the two vendors on this thread:
Which CB Radio/Antenna Setup?

[GaryKD]

Hi ichn2go,
This is another vote for a Firestik antenna AND antenna wire kit. Go to http://www.firestik.com/CatalogFrame.htm and determine which kit is best for you. One may not be able to change just the antenna. Coach manufacturers usually install a ground plane antenna and antenna wire. The ground plane is usually inadequate. This leads to poor performance. I installed the Firestik top loaded, no-ground plane antenna and antenna wire kit. The antenna and antenna wire must be both for a no-ground plane install or a ground plane install. They can not be mixed. Go to http://www.irv2.com/photopost/showphoto.php?photo=4180 to see the antenna installed. Go to http://www.irv2.com/photopost/showphoto.php?photo=4181 to see the radio. I use the all in one hand held Cobra. After helping many RVers with their CB radio, I have never seen a bad radio. For me, CB radios are a commodity. Buy the radio that has the whistles and bells you need/want. Every time I have assisted an RVer, the problem has been the antenna and or the wire.

There will, most likely, be extra wire. Do not coil up the extra wire. Lay the wire out flat taking as much room (under the dash?) as needed to use up the extra wire but not coil it. Do not change the length of the wire that came with the kit.

[TXiceman]

I personally do not like the radios with the controls integral in the mike. You have a mediocre mic and a poor speaker. You are much better off getting a conventional radio and a good external speaker.

One problem the integral mic/control have is the bulky cord is prone to damage.

Ken