Anybody mounted a firestik, etc in the bed or behind cab?

[Dixie Dawg]

About to get a CB for the truck, and was thinking about where I want to mount the antenna. I would rather not mount on the from quarter panel as most folks are doing these days. Between the cab and bed would be ideal, anybody done this? And how much of the antenna should be sticking out above the cab? Couple inches or couple feet?

 

[vrwheeler]

yes I've mounted twin firestiks in the first stake holes in the bed of my truck. Rather then give you the wrong info. on the back of the cardboard packing for the antenna. Firestik gives you all the info you will need, such as location, lenth of cable, height above cab, etc.

 

[Dixie Dawg]

That location would be ideal, but my toolbox is using those. Is there any way to mount the stik in the bed while keeping the toolbox?



Thanks for any help.

 

[Gary - K7GLD]

I use similar Hamstick antennas using the antenna mounts sold at Radio Shack, they are mounted directly to my tool/fuel box at each side - then use standard disconnects to remove them when not in use.

 

[John - K5AWO]

Originally posted by Dixie Dawg

About to get a CB for the truck, and was thinking about where I want to mount the antenna. I would rather not mount on the from quarter panel as most folks are doing these days. Between the cab and bed would be ideal, anybody done this? And how much of the antenna should be sticking out above the cab? Couple inches or couple feet?

Ideally ALL of the antenna should be in the clear as high as possible. The cab will tend to block radiation in the forward direction. Mounting dual antennas (one on each side) with the splitter cable supplied will improve the signal towards the front. Co-phased antennas shape the radiation pattern of the antennas to enhance forward/rear signals to the detriment of side radiation. In CB terms, the front/back signals will be about 1-2 'S' units stronger than those on the sides of the vehicle. (Assuming identical power/distance to the test signal).



However, since you will be using the CB frequencies, you most likely are only interested in what's in front or behind you anyway.



If you mount the antennas on a tool box, be sure to use a lot of copper bonding straps (the wider the better, 1" will do) between the tool box and the bed of the truck. Then bond the bed of the truck to the chassis, bonding the cab to the chassis helps too. Running a ground strap between the base of the antenna mount to the grounding strap thru bolt for the outside bond helps a lot too. Aluminum will oxidize over time and those "perfect" grounds you had when you installed it will disappear in the future.



All of this improves the "ground" plane of the antenna and reduces static generated by "isolated" parts flowing thru the wind. BTW, a diesel engine vehicle is the best moving antenna platform you can have, no spark plugs to create hash noise.



Hope this has been useful and not too detailed.



John

 

[ToolManTimTaylor]

I run Cophased Firesticks With a tool Box. I used TWO fender mounts and have them installed at the corners closest to the cab. The flange sits between the tool box and the bed. Works MINT I will take pics for ya.

 

[Gary - K7GLD]

John - or others interested. here's some shots of my radio install, also including the dual antennas...



https://www.turbodieselregister.com/user_gallery/displayalbum.php?&userid=4587&albumid=569

 

[Philip]

When you get done mounting. Be sure to run a SWR test.



I couldn't get a fire stick to come down on SWR mounted off the front stake pocket on my 1st gen. If I moved it back 12" it would SWR in good Or move it out 6" away from the cab outward it would. I ended up going with a top load ant on the left mirror to get good SWR's. To bad I have feed back in my stero now if I have my kicker turned on.

 

[John - K5AWO]

Hi Gary,

Thanks for the pictures of your install. I have been looking for a good place to mount my control head without giving up the cup holders. I also occassionally have a 3rd passenger on sundays to/from church so I can't use the floor space on the hump.

Good install, I like it.



73,

John

 

[Dixie Dawg]

Thanks guys,



ToolMan... looking forward to your pics, sounds like what I am wanting to do.

 

[ToolManTimTaylor]

In fact I will try in click them off tonite. My cb is in the glove box and I extended the mic cable to a more natural place. I have a remote speaker tucked away on the hump of the floor up where the dash meets the floor so to speak. Crystal clear and can be LOUD as ya want. I dialed in a 1. 0 with my dual sticks and could not be happier.

 

[ToolManTimTaylor]

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Using theese fender mounts sandwiched between the rails and tool box and thru bolted for the best ground ever and security.



#ad

 

[John - K5AWO]

Anybody ever use Noxid Grease to protect the grounding straps. This stuff is used for battery posts and works like a champ there. Would preclude oxidation from forming when it rains.



Think I will try that when I mount my antennas on my truck. The report back might be a while though, Arizona is in its' 7th year of drought. )