Dear Reader;
I have an ’02 Excursion with the trailer tow mirrors. I would like to install a CB radio for a long trip this summer.

Looking at the semis I pass it looks like they mount the antenna on the mirror and then drill a hole in the mirror mount and run the cable that way. The TT mirrors slide in when I'm not towing and it looks like I would loose that capibilty if I mounted the antenna that way.

Does anyone have any suggestions for how to mount the antenna and how to route the cable?
Thanks.
Michael

 

Diamond makes a very rugged lip mount that can handle almost any antenna.I attached it on the edge of the hood opposite the regualr radio antenna. If you purchase it with a UHF mount, it should handle most CB antennas.The factory mount comes with a thinner coax and special connector for easier routing. I brought it through the firewall under the brake booster, used a piece of hose as a grommet and sealed it with some strip caulk. Hope that helps.

Lou
NY4F

 

Lou;
Thanks! That is just what I was looking for. Can you post some pictures of you setup?
Michael

 

The CB transmission pattern is very sensitive to location of the antenna with respect to the groundplane. The best place to mount the antenna is right in the middle of the roof..... as it is a huge groundplane. Magnetic mounts are very strong. As long as you're not going through tunnels or parking garages, I would suggest that. I had a CB for 20 years.... and I recommend a Wilson mag mount antenna.

 

Rozett is absolutely correct about the radiation pattern of an antenna mounted anywhere but in the middle of the roof. Ideally, a permanently mounted antenna drilled through the roof will give the absolute best ground plane and omnidirectional signal. That setup won't work for me so I went with what I did. If you mount as I described there will be a signal lobe off the left front corner (stronger) and another off the right rear (weaker). Once you know that, you can use it to your advantage when you need to. I'll post or e-mail some pictures this weekend and provide the part number of the mount.

Lou
NY4F

 

Lou, Rozett;
Thanks for the follow ups. I'll usually be on I-15 in California when I use the radio so the distance to the next vehicle shouldn't be too great. I like the hood mount better because I don't want the cable to show.

I'm looking forward to the pictures and part number.
Michael

 

Lou, Rozett;
Thanks for the follow ups. I'll usually be on I-15 in California when I use the radio so the distance to the next vehicle shouldn't be too great. I like the hood mount better because I don't want the cable to show.

I'm looking forward to the pictures and part number.
Michael

 

Michael,

Check my gallery for an album titled "Antenna Mount."

The mount is a Diamond K400, with a UHF base installed it would be a K400C.

If you cannot find it try:
"aesham.com"
or
"hamradio.com"

Lou

 

Lou;
Looks GREAT! that is exactly what I was looking for. Do you sell the mount and antenna at aesham.com? Thanks.
Michael

 

Skip the mirrors they will howl like a banshee! We used to mount them on the rear bumper but like said if it was not a tall whip style they did not work well. I did see today a celular type hookup for CB radio, it was a class mount same as a cell, it was at Wal-mart that might work for you?

 

The glass-mount cellular look-alike CB antennas have very poor reception. I think you will be very dissapointed with them.

 

"Do you sell the mount and antenna at aesham.com?"

Micheal,

I'm not involved in sales at all, just suggested a couple of amateur radio outlets where you might find what you need. You might also try "gigaparts.com"

Lou