cb antenna on roof?

[NManduke]

I have searched the archives, but I can't find what I need to know. My question: I would love to put the antenna on the roof. I saw a truck with that set up and it looked good, was a neat install and he said the radio "got out". Any comments or suggestions appreciated.

 

[EObermeyer]

I've been looking through some cb radio forums and discovered some good information on cb antennas at http://www.1stopelectronics.com/. You can access the cb radio forum from there and find all kinds of good information. Looks like the wilson antennas are highly recommended and come in either a magnetic mount or permanent mount for roof tops.

Good luck!

 

[Duluth Diesel]

Read over this link, then read it all again. This site has a TON of great CB infomation, and there are parts that refer to magnet mount antennas having poor grounding and therefore sacrifice range and performance. If you hook an (illegal) amp inline to a mag-mount antenna, you'll probably blister the paint between the antenna base and your roof.



Read and learn.

http://www.firestik.com/Tech_Docs.htm

 

[bighammer]

I put Wilson roof mounted antennae on both trucks. I hate the magnetic mount because of the coax always on the outside, and removal is more difficult. On mine, the wires are hidden, (well as soon as put the old truck back together ) and I can unscrew and stash the whip very quicly and easily.



Installation was pretty easy. I pulled out the dome light and was able to work thru the hole in the headliner for mounting. I then removed the passenger side A pillar and visor and snaked the wire over and down.



(I got mine from Valco Electronics)

 

[Charliep]

I ran a "Little Wilson" 36" magnet mount on my 2nd gen truck. Mounted on the rear edge - wire went straight down and held in place with a couple dabs of Goop. Entered the cab just at the turn of the sheet metal at the bottom through a grommet. Great performance and easy to lay in the bed for parking garages or car washes.

Search Google for cb antenna and you will spend a month reading the results. Several very technical sites pointed to the Wilson and away from the wrapped glass style - I can't for the life of me remember why, but it influenced my decision. Make sure you have someone who knows what he is doing tune the antenna - paid $5 at a local CB shop. As a result of the research, I also had the new radio "tuned" by a local shop for $25 which also got me a printout of the performance. For just "a few dollars more" they can also upgrade a few components for better output.

 

[BIG BOB]

I did as bighammer did and mounted a Wilson 5000, however instead of going down the A-piller, I went down the passenger side post between the doors and under the passenger seat to my CB. The hardest part was drilling the hole in my new truck! I am very pleased with the Wilson 5000 roof mount. Radio seem to get out very well.



Here are some pictures of my CB and Mount.



CB Mount and CB.



CB and Mount



Another one



Wilson is one of the better antennas. I have always run co-phased antennas. Many people say they don't work as good as a roof mount. I don't know, but I can tell you that the co-phased antennas I have run before have performed very well.



Remember, a great radio with a poor antenna will perform poorly. A poor radio with a great antenna will perform much better. Put your money into a good antenna. Wilson 1000 or 5000 roof mount would be my choice for the roof. Wilson 2000 truckers co-phased would be my choice for co-phased fender mounted antennas.

 

[NManduke]

Do you think Wilson is better than the K-40?

 

[Dean Upson]

I don't have my cb antenna on the roof, but my cell phone antenna is mounted through the roof and the cable runs through the roof and is only about 3" tall. Made a very neat installation.



Dean

 

[NSperduto]

I run a k-40 magnet mount on the roof and eventaully I will run the wire in alongside the 3rd brake light (like I've done in previous trucks)

I think the antenna works very well.



I also made a bracket to stand my cb on end in front of the cupholder.



My bracket is screwed to the floor with one sheetmetal screw. Took about 20 minutes to make.



Nick

 

[BIG BOB]

Originally posted by NManduke

Do you think Wilson is better than the K-40?

Yes I do!

 

[Bob Wagner]

Big Bob does a great job tuning swr's I really apprecited Big Bob's expertise.



Job well done

 

[Radshooter]

What kind of set up would you guys recommend for use while pulling a big, tall fiver? What kind of antenna mount would "work around" the trailer best?

 

[BIG BOB]

This is probably one of the most difficult applications!



The higher you get the antenna, the better it will work. If it were me, I would go with a Wilson 5000 Roof Mount. That will put the top of the antenna at about 11' tall.



I don't know if you could mount a Wilson SW-2000 Trucker to the center of your roof, but if you could, by raising the coil load it would perform better, and help you get over the 5th wheel.



I suppose if you were a fanatic, you could make the proper connections, including a GOOD ground and mount the antenna on top of your 5th wheel.



Thanks Bob for the kind words.

 

[bighammer]

I was also pleasantly surprised at how flexible the Wilson is. I drove into the garage a couple weeks ago with the old truck forgetting the antenna was on. I stopped when I realized what I had done and took a look before backing up. The rotating light on the roof *just* misses the door opening, so imagine taking that whip and bending it 90* to horizontal just 9" over the roof. I couldn't believe it flexes that much. I really should've taken a picture... .

 

[Big-D]

BigBob,



Does your floor mounted CB utilize a remote speaker? I would think your mounting would block the speaker due to it facing the seat.

Dave

 

[cannongeorge]

For those considering mag-mounts, remember that it'll probably have quite an impact on your overhead compass... ... .

 

[Charliep]

There are special antennas and/or mounts for aluminum and 'glass structures that you allow you to mount the antenna on the top of your fw. Search around some of the antenna sites.

 

[NSperduto]

Ok, I'll play the dumb guy.

What an "fw"?



Nick

Originally posted by Charliep

There are special antennas and/or mounts for aluminum and 'glass structures that you allow you to mount the antenna on the top of your fw. Search around some of the antenna sites.

 

[Gary - K7GLD]

Fifth wheel?

 

[Gary - K7GLD]

"What kind of set up would you guys recommend for use while pulling a big, tall fiver? What kind of antenna mount would "work around" the trailer best?"



Either the roof mounts discussed here, or a raised mount up off the front bumper to keep RF radiation as far from the obstructing 5er as possible...