3rd Gen Cb antenna placement?

[CLAYTON]

Where are you guys putting your CB antenna? I was thinking right behind the back window towards the center of the bed. Will the 5th wheel being behind the antenna effect the reception that much?

 

[Midnight]

I used Firestiks stake pocket mount. It doesn't interfere with the cover.

 

[SRadke]

Mine is on the side of the hood. Not in the way, good reception, and easy to see if you get in a spot where clearance is an issue. Here's a couple pics where you can see it.



-Scott



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[CLAYTON]

That's it!!

This looks like it would do just what I needed it to. Is the install nice and easy? Does it look weird if the antenna isn't on there all the time. I just want it when I travel with my 5th wheel.



Midnight. . Do you have any pics of it on your truck?

 

[Midnight]

That's is exactly what i have on mine. I have dual antennas and i don't leave my antennas up all the time(won't fit in garage). I use them when i travel with my fifth. I don't have any pics of them on the truck yet. I will get some up on the weekend. Looking at the pics again, my cables come up through the stake pockets. The cables are not seen.

 

[K5IP]

It won't hurt reception, but it is borderline close to having an effect on your SWR.

A high SWR (over 2. 0:1) will reduce your radiated power. The ammount of effect is a function of distance to the trailer (less than 1/4 wavelength becomes important), and the material in the skin of our trailer. Aluminum will have a greater effect than hardwall.

The only way to know for sure is to measure it with an SWR bridge and watch the indication as you back up to the trailer. If you can't find the insturment, look for a local radio amateur operator (HAM) most of us have the stuff and skill to give you a real loss number.

Rog (K5IP)

 

[MMeier]

I mounted my Wilson 1000 smack dab in the middle of the roof, just drilled the hole and ran the cable. Very effective ground plane and extremely low SWR !

 

[testraub]

Here's mine

Mounted on my "Back Rack" High up, well grounded, and low SWR's.

 

[LesStallings]

I took the easy way out and used a through the glass mount, as high as I could on the center of the rear window. The radio was around $100 and the antenna not very expensive, so I really did not have too great of expectations.



With the gooseneck trailer attached, rearward reception is extremely poor. My GN is 8 feet tall (bed to top) and there is an A/C unit on top of that. Everything to the rear is totally blocked.



I monitor conversations up ahead easily, but as someone goes by in the oncoming lane, the reception goes to zero as I lose sight of them over my sholder. I'm sure that is why the truckers mount their antennas as far out as they can on the mirrors, and on both sides.



I'm usually more concerned about what is up ahead so it does not bother me unless there is an interesting conversation going on and I lose it when I pass or they pass on the other side of the road.



I don't see a good way to mount antennas on the towing mirrors and I guess that an antenna on the trailer would be the best way to avoid the problem.

 

[CLAYTON]

Would two antennas make that big of a difference. I will use them when I travel in my 5th wheel to talk to the other people that are traveling with us. No more then two miles apart at any given time. We have some motorola hand held walkie talkies that say up to 5 miles line of sight (YEAH RIGHT!!). So are those firestiks a good antenna? I'll be using the stake mounts for sure. Anybody use a radio from Radio Shack or are they not worth it? TIA

 

[CCutshaw]

The only problem with two antennas is they need to be 8 feet apart to transmit forward and aft of your truck. Thats why they work on big rigs. Any closer then 8 feet your are transmitting outwards from the antennas.

Calvin

 

[DJamrose]

i would sugeest an export radio peak & tuned /cb many many more channels than the standard 40 also try to go with a steel antenna k40/wilson better reception out of the steel k40 makes a quik detach mount can also get a magnet mount

 

[CTD 600]

Do a search on CB mounts and Cobra 75WXST cb's. I did the same installation for the Cobra 75WXST that is shown. Very clean, easy install and match it with a good antenna location you will be set!

 

[CLAYTON]

So this is what I am thinking in regards to a cb radio. . just going with a cheaper one and it will most likely be out of these two choices. . . which one would you get out of these two? I know there are better choices out there but I am mainly concerned with these two. Thanks for the input

 

[Blufrog]

Seriously look into the Cobra 75WXST as they are great and they don't take up the room like a normal CB as everthing is in the handle itself. Very easy to find a spot. Heck your gonna put a mount for the handle somewhere so rather than having the box just have the handle style radio. I really like mine and just keep it in the cubby hole under the center front seat and pull it out when I want to use it so it is hidden all the time and while its out I can still close the center lid. I understand wanting to go cheap and if that is what you have to do stay away from radio shack as it looks like the top one is that. The Cobra 75WXST only runs about $100.

 

[DJamrose]

try and stay away from sound tracker technology from cobra as it cuts noise down your recption is also cut down

 

[dberry]

One antenna is better, with two they fight each other. In my big truck I have dual Wilsons (I have duals because one is for my tv and radio), Cobra 29 Ltd. peaked and tuned with Galaxy finals. In my Ram I have a single Firestick with Cobra 19 (perfect fit). I am very happy with each but they are used in different ways.