CB question
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 1,739
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From: Vale, NC
CB question
I posted this in the audio area but got no responses so I thought I might see if anyone on here had some CB experience. I wanted to mount my antenna on the back of my toolbox as pictured below. My doors for the box open from the sides so that middle plate seems like the perfect place to mount a bracket and add my 8' whip antenna. Do you think that remaining 18' or so of back window will totally screw up the SWRs? Any real disadvantages on mounting here you can see? Any advice appreciated.
Senior User
Joined: Sep 2011
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From: Nederland, TX
I used to run a CB in a 96 f150 I had. Mine was mounted on the side of the box and a 5' fire stick and never had any issues, and my buddy had a 97 f150 (I believe) that had his mounted right in the middle where your talking but straight to the bed as he didn't have a tool box. 5' fire stick as well and never had any issues either. I'd say mount it and run with it.
Lead Driver
Joined: Sep 2010
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My dad has a 102" whip mounted there on his 2500 GMC and has no issue's except he has padding under his tool box so he had to ground his antenna.
I have my 102" whip mounted on my bed rail's on my F150 just behind the tool box (there bolted directly to the bed so i did not have to ground the antenna.) so mount it there should work fine! Im about to wire up a CB in my 95 DRW but ill be using a wilson roof mount antenna
I have my 102" whip mounted on my bed rail's on my F150 just behind the tool box (there bolted directly to the bed so i did not have to ground the antenna.) so mount it there should work fine! Im about to wire up a CB in my 95 DRW but ill be using a wilson roof mount antenna
Senior User
Joined: Sep 2011
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From: Nederland, TX
I've never had much luck with the roof mount antennas. I actually still need to finish taking mine back out of my truck. Its sitting in the back seat right now as I haven't felt like taking all the trim back out to get the wire out.
Where are yall mounting yalls CB at on these trucks.
Where are yall mounting yalls CB at on these trucks.
Lead Driver
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 7,005
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I had good luck with this one, gonna give it ago. if it dont work ill put one dual 5' ones off the mirror's.
In the 96 F150 i had my CB was mounted just below the air/heat controls in the center, but this one im most likely going to mount under the front seat on the 95psd, mainly because i wont be flipping threw channel's with it as much, just really be used to talk back and forth with people when we are making a haul to a race or something so we dont gotta keep making a cell call back and forth.
In the 96 F150 i had my CB was mounted just below the air/heat controls in the center, but this one im most likely going to mount under the front seat on the 95psd, mainly because i wont be flipping threw channel's with it as much, just really be used to talk back and forth with people when we are making a haul to a race or something so we dont gotta keep making a cell call back and forth.
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 1,739
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From: Vale, NC
I figured I'd have to run a ground strap to the frame so that is no big deal. I love the big whip antennas 'cause it makes my Connecticut born wife crazy! She's says there isn't anything more redneck than that big ole antenna on the back of the truck. So I do it in part just to rattle her cage.
I'm thinking I'll put the CB under the air controls but it will be a long stretch for the mic cord. Might be better to put it under the 20 seat or if I get really ambitious to mount it above the rear view mirror. That would be cool but take some doing.
Thanks for the advice on the mount.
I'm thinking I'll put the CB under the air controls but it will be a long stretch for the mic cord. Might be better to put it under the 20 seat or if I get really ambitious to mount it above the rear view mirror. That would be cool but take some doing.
Thanks for the advice on the mount.
Lead Driver
Joined: Sep 2010
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I have the one mounted in my 97 F150 under the air controls now and the mic cord isnt to bad of a stretch. i actually keep it drapped over the steering wheel, and i can use it threw either window standing outside the truck
I may have to mount mine up near the roof too, mine has a little shelf type deal that bolted to wear the sun visors were and bout 3" down off the ceiling
I may have to mount mine up near the roof too, mine has a little shelf type deal that bolted to wear the sun visors were and bout 3" down off the ceiling
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Senior User
Joined: Sep 2011
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From: Nederland, TX
I looked into mounting mine back under the AC controls on my 350. I liked the location on my 150. But found there to be something behind the dash that I want to say is part of the AC system in the 350 that I didn't want to screw into. So I never did. Plus I never liked the Magna mount so I just pulled it all out.
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Joined: Dec 2005
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From: evansville in
this is where I sound like the moron I am....the antenna has to be grounded? I have a magnetic base...is that it is laying in the bed why it does not broadcast? I know..dumb..my fiberglass shell and plastic bed liner make it a bit of a challenge to magnetically mount inside...options???
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 1,386
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From: Spokane, WA
This is where I put my Wilson mag mount, I think they recommend the center of a large flat horizontal surface works best for a good ground plane. The whip is a great antenna but the height is the problem. I had one on another truck and mounted it on the front bumper on the bumper guard drivers side. I had a 11 1/2 ft camper at the time and that was the best option for me, transmitting forward was great to the rear not so good.
This is where I mounted the radio after I removed the ashtray.
I mounted my kicker to the counsel.
My power mic stores nicely in this dash hole, I think that's what it was made for
The break controller fit in there too.
This is where I mounted the radio after I removed the ashtray.
I mounted my kicker to the counsel.
My power mic stores nicely in this dash hole, I think that's what it was made for
The break controller fit in there too.
Senior User
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 173
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From: Lakewood, Washington
Having the bottom 18" below the roof surface will not have any affect on the SWR, but you will have better range to the rear than to the front as the metal roof is part of the ground plane. You also need to ensure the tool box is grounded to the frame. An antenna that has no ground plane will still transmit, but not nearly as far as one with. Tune it with an SWR meter, so your reflective is as low as possible. Your CB transmitter will live much longer and you'll have much better range.
Thread Starter
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 1,739
Likes: 14
From: Vale, NC
this is where I sound like the moron I am....the antenna has to be grounded? I have a magnetic base...is that it is laying in the bed why it does not broadcast? I know..dumb..my fiberglass shell and plastic bed liner make it a bit of a challenge to magnetically mount inside...options???
Thread Starter
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 1,739
Likes: 14
From: Vale, NC
I hav a Cobra 148 GLT - one of the old ones made in thailand. It's had some mods done to it but I'm not really sure what. The closest CB shop is a long haul away. Sometimes you can catch guys that hang out at the truck stops but you have to be in the right place at the right time. Mine needs a little work so I will probably load up once I get it together and take the 50 mile ride up to the shop and get a little tune up.
I love having it on the highway though. People really don't know what they are missing. When you can get info on why you are sitting still on an interstate in the middle of nowhere it is worth every penny to have it.
what do you have?
I love having it on the highway though. People really don't know what they are missing. When you can get info on why you are sitting still on an interstate in the middle of nowhere it is worth every penny to have it.
what do you have?