CB inside the RV

[Bagger97]

I recently removed the large rock of a tv and installed a 32" LCD on a swivel mount up front. In the process I discovered that Winnie uses ALOT of steel in the frame so I bought a magmount CB antenna and plopped it inside the space near the front of the cap. It works ! but has anyone else tried it or think of why I shouldn't do it. I really don't care how far I can talk, it's mostly for listening for traffic issues. I didn't want to drill holes in the skin.

[GaryKD]

Hi Alan,
If what you have is what you need, you did the right thing. Enjoy. My guess would be that you can receive what is ahead of you. Receiving from what is behind you may be difficult. The same goes for transmitting. For me, I would not transmit with your setup. A lot of your transmission may be reflected back into the antenna/radio. That is not good.

If you have the opportunity, see if you can get an SWR check of the antenna system (antenna+wire). That will tell you, for sure, if transmitting will harm the radio.

[wa8yxm]

Well... My CB install is different.. Here is what I did.

I got a "No ground plane" type antenna from Radio Shack and then moved around a bit. Found that the big escape window behind the couch, well if I jam it behind the couch right at the center of the window (Where the lock is) I get a 1:1 VSWR on the meter on my Cobra. So there is sits

Total holes driled in the rig for the antenna: ZERO

Time to remove the antenna if I need to: Seconds

Total holes drilled in the rig for the installation of all my cockpit radios (Cobra CB, Relaistic CB, Kenwood dual band ham rig, plus antenna) I think 5

I mounted a tapered off and stained 2x4 on the wall (4 screws) bolted the radios to it, then ran coax through existing holes to assorted places, drilled one hole in a mirror arm for the Diamond dual band ham antenna.

(Of course I drilled a few more holes for the big rig in the back)

[Craig P.]

I have my CB installed and will be installing the Firestik antenna for it this weekend. Wish I could mount mine behind one of our sofas, but the opposing slide-outs eliminate that option for me.

[Ray,IN]

Transmitting on an antenna inside with humans exposes them to more than safe levels of radiated energy.

[Bagger97]

Well, my plan didn't work. Range was less than 1/2 mile so I ordered a 2' roof mount NGP firestik. What's the stuff called that Winnie uses to seal around the roof vents?

[wa8yxm]

Likely Dicor. that 2' antenna won't work well either I'd use a longer antenna and side mount it

[GaryKD]

Hi Alan,
To work well, a minimum of 2/3 of the antenna needs to be above the roof. I have found a top loaded antenna works best.

[Bagger97]

Gary, I'm mounting it on the roof so 100 % of the anrenna will be above the roof as compared to 100% inside the roof now. I'm hoping this will get me at least 1-2 miles range. Since I'm drilling a hole in the roof, my only option will be a longer stick if I need better range.

[Nonno]

Quote:

I got a "No ground plane" type antenna from Radio Shack

How do these compare to firestik or are they the same thing?

Quote:

I discovered that Winnie uses ALOT of steel in the frame

When I had my Adventurer that is where I mounted the sirius radio antenna. It worked great. Doesn't work with my Neptune.

[Ed S]

I just installed a cb in my 06 endeavor using the factory antenna and as expected no range at all. I am going to try a thru the window antenna like the old cell phone antenna. Hope it works cause I have not intention to drill any holes.

Ed

[Ed S]

alright, the window idea is not a good one, will take back cause after making phone calls they are junk. Going to order a Firestik antenna ngp and mount it to the rear ladder and run the coax under the coach and up thru in the front. Do not want to drill any holes in the side walls of the coach to mount an antenna. All this subject to change if I can find an easier way or better location.

Ed

[Craig P.]

After looking over all of my options, I decided I would try an interior install similar to wa8yxm's. First I called Firestik and told them what I planned on doing. The rep. chuckled but said it just might work since I am using a no-ground plane antenna. When I asked about safety, he said that CB antennas don't put out enough energy to pose any safety concerns.

Mounting the antenna behind one of my sofas was not an option for me, since I have opposing slide-outs. I did find a suitable location however on the street side wall, between the driver's seat and the street side slide. The antenna is not hidden by any means, but my son is a skill wood worker, and he assured me that he can make a handsome wooden enclosure for the antenna, so that it will blend in with the cabinetry.

I initially got high readings for channels 19 & 40 on my SWR meter. I went to Firestik's web site and found detailed information on achieving better signals. Following the directions, I slit open the vinyl sheathing on the antenna, and unraveled several feet of the copper antenna from the top. After three phases of removal & testing, I was finally able to get a meter reading of 2:1 on all channels. Not the best reading, but definitely in the ballpark. I taped the antenna sheathing back up with electrical tape. I then bundled the excess coax cable in a 12" loop as instructed and hid it under the driver's switch panel near the antenna.

Not your normal installation, but I'm happy with it....no holes in my exterior or my roof.


Thanks for the idea wa8yxm!

Craig

[Ray,IN]

My bad; I related what I had been told years ago, without checking my statement for accuracy. This article clears up any misconceptions: http://www.arrl.org/tis/info/pdf/7809031.pdf
FireStik even sells an indoor base station antenna: http://www.firestik.com/Tech_Docs/IBA5-INFO.htm
Now what I do not understand is why health experts say radiated energy from cell phones may be harmful???? But that's another topic.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ray,IN Transmitting on an antenna inside with humans exposes them to more than safe levels of radiated energy.