CB Antenna

[RedRamAndy]

Howdy Group,

I know this may not be the forum to post this, but I wanted input from the First Gen crowd on their suggestions and experience. I recently obtained a NIB Realistic TRC 452 radio that has never been powered up, and a 48" Hustler center-loaded antenna that was bought in 1977 to go with it. I have read a lot about SWR and antenna theory already, and wanted experienced input from the group.

I am planning to mount the antenna on the back of the roof. I want build a bracket to mount under the back cab light to avoid drilling holes in the roof.

The only place I see that I can mount the radio is to twist it sideways and mount it to the right of my floorshift, with the radio's left edge toward the dash. I like that placement.

Any other tips and ideas you have???

 

[cojhl2]

CB Mount

Howdy Group,



Any other tips and ideas you have???

Hi RRA,, I mounted mine up in the middle of the inside roof. Ran the wires in clamps screwed to the inside roof and down the inside of the plastic on the drivers A-pillar.



I have twin antennas mounted on the headache rack, drilled two holes between the bed and seat, grometts and sealer... Then the wires run under the sill plate to the drivers A-pillar.



Looks good and functional

 

[HHhuntitall]

Grounding is critical. Placing the antenna in a central location in the truck gives you a wider transmit plane to send the signal over, both forwards and to each side. Make sure you have a good ground, either in the mounting bracket or by running a ground wire from the mounting bracket to the chassis. I like the floorboard mounting to the left of the shifter, myself. Overhead in a console is my favorite, but not always the best option with a large radio... ...

 

[DBF]

My CB is under the driver's seat. A switch on mine allows selection of 9, 19, or the rotary switch, and I can manipulate that switch without looking at it, same with power switch. The mike lays in the console's coffee cup holder.

Antenna cable out the sliding back window to a magnetic mount center-loaded antenna in the cab roof center.

Works ok.

DBF

 

[RedRamAndy]

Almost done

Howdy folks,

I appreciate all the input. After much deliberation, I decided to mount my antenna in the center rear of the cab. I built a bracket to mount it with the cab light so I wouldn't have to drill any holes in the roof. The CB, I rotated 90 degrees and mounted to the right of the gearshift. For anyone who's interested, click on my 'photo gallery' and you'll see some pics. They are a little mixed up, but mostly all there. Just like me. Next is wiring! The antenna ground checks out OK with no shorts. I'll be borrowing a SWR meter from my Uncle.

 

[HSpiering]

I had an antenna on the roof of my Bronco. Every time I went into a parking garage I wished I didn’t. On my truck I mounted first off back bumper then. Wind made it cartwheel. Gave up and mounted it on hood with a bracket from Radio Shack . Also with so little room in the cab, on both 94 and 06 I mounted the radio behind the driver seat. That depends on the cab type.