Community Forums

Mr Mac · 08-26-2018, 06:51 AM

We have a 97 36S that I am going to add my CB radio to. The radio mounting is the easy part. The quandary I have is how and where to mount the Firestik antenna. Any suggestions are greatly appreciated.

Waiter21 · 08-26-2018, 07:30 AM

On my Southwind, its on the passenger side. there is a "L" bracket the antenna mounts on, then about 5 inches below that is a hole that the cable goes through.

This is the best picture I have of that area.. It was taken when I was painting my Southwind.

chuckbear · 08-26-2018, 09:29 AM

Mounted ours on the passenger side behind the edge of the windshield. Ran the coax down the side where the other wiring for the lights, etc. are and then under the dash to the radio. Chuck

House Husband · 08-26-2018, 01:50 PM

I made the mistake of mounting our CB antenna on the passengers side. It wacks every tree limb and other things close to the road.
I elected to run the coax down the A post and in a hole on the bottom side of the mirror arm. There should be a hole for the mirror wires that you can follow into the coach. No leaks!

Richard

ByeTheWay · 08-26-2018, 02:17 PM

For most antennas to work properly you need a good counterpoise (ground) in this case the chassis or the frame of the coach.

When there is overnight dew on the coach the frame of the coach will show as vertical lines of dew. These are good spots to mount an antenna because the frame members are connected which act as a counterpoise.

I have never found the NGP (No Ground Plane) firestik antennas to be as good as the ones that use a counterpoise. What ever you use, you should check the SWR (Standing Wave Ratio) of your antenna. The closer to 1:1 the better.

Mr Mac · 08-26-2018, 03:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ByeTheWay

I have never found the NGP (No Ground Plane) firestik antennas to be as good as the ones that use a counterpoise. What ever you use, you should check the SWR (Standing Wave Ratio) of your antenna. The closer to 1:1 the better.

When I had the system in the Wrangler we mounted it to the body behind the passenger tail lamp and was able to achieve a 1:1 SWR with that same antenna with an RM Italy amp running. My biggest concern is exactly what you describe in hitting steel for the mount. This is my first time with mounting to an RV body.

chuckbear · 08-26-2018, 08:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ByeTheWay

For most antennas to work properly you need a good counterpoise (ground) in this case the chassis or the frame of the coach.

When there is overnight dew on the coach the frame of the coach will show as vertical lines of dew. These are good spots to mount an antenna because the frame members are connected which act as a counterpoise.

I have never found the NGP (No Ground Plane) firestik antennas to be as good as the ones that use a counterpoise. What ever you use, you should check the SWR (Standing Wave Ratio) of your antenna. The closer to 1:1 the better.

Our firestick works great. In my past life I installed marine electronics for a living. That includes hundreds of VHF and HF radios on fiberglass boats. We have no issues with the Firestick and the SWR readings, using a good meter, are spot on. Chuck