2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission CB antena mount with fiberglass truck cap...

[SSolderitch]

I have a 5' firestik and was going to mount it to the inside corner of the bed, but now I bought a used cap. There is room to mount it between the cap & the truck. The mount would extend out from between the cap & the bed. The antena would be on the outside of the bed front wall. The cap & cab curve in and the antena will go up straight. I could add a 1/4" thick rubber washer 1/3 the way up for a bump stop. Any other mounting solutions?

 

[Gary - K7GLD]

If the antenna will be running close to the sheetmetal for a significant portion of it's length, there will be serious de-tuning and loss of radiated signal. Mobile antennas, especially ones shortened in overall length to be less obtrusive visually, are quite prone to sensitivity to surrounding metallic surfaces - and thus, really need to be as high in the air and clear of adjacent shielding as possible for maximum efficiency - they don't function well in hidden or stealth-type locations, whether intended or not...

 

[AABEN]

Your SWR will be high if you do that! Will cut down on transmit and receive

 

[CWeaver]

You could do a Big mag mount on the truck roof & be able to take it down if needed.

 

[Babyfat]

If you have flip up tow mirrors I have mounts to put antennas on the mirror


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[SSolderitch]

no, have standard mirrors. I think the cab height is 20" or so above the top of the bed. I have a 60" antena with a 1/4 quick disconect that adds another 4", so I should have the tip of the antena 44" above the flat roof of the cab. or 2/3 antena exposed as recomended on the firestik 's great web site. Am I still ok? I bought a 18' of cable - recomended by firestik and will dogbone the excess cable as also recomended (coils are bad). I do not pull an enclosed trailer so right side is prefered and I won't be closer than 12" to the stock fm radio antena, also recommended by firestik,

 

[ddechris]

I had the same problem trying to locate an Antenna mount with a cap (or camper for that matter). After looking for a while, I finally settled on a steel tab that sticks out from under the hood. On the driver's side, in about the same place as the radio antenna on the pass. side, there is a bolt just under the hood that attaches the top of the fender to the cab. I took a piece of 1/8 steel and bent a 1/8"-3/16" offset in it. One end of the tab is held by the fender bolt, the offset follows the fender bend closely enough to not rub the hood, but with enough space to not wear the paint on the fender either. So far, it has worked well. Funny, After I finished putting it all together, I noticed Radio Shack made a Dodge mount exactly the same. I could probably take a picture if it would help.



I like the mirror mount too, I didn't think of that one.



- Dave

 

[SSolderitch]

How did you run the cable? My hood/fender gap looks tight. bracket maybe, but the cable might be pinch.