Say, I'm trying to figure out how to mount a CB antenna on my '82 F150. I'm not real excited about drilling a hole in the cab and I haven't seen a through the window that works. Any suggestions on a good looking setup?

Thanks

 

I've seen a lot of trucks in my area mount the antenna to the front of the bed,with an L-bracket,and route the coax into the cab via a body plug which is usually located under the seat,then under the carpet,and finally the CB.You can find antenna kits complete with brackets,different colors,and even dual kits at all truck stops,NAPA stores and some Wal-Marts.The dual kits really look nice.
Phillip

 

Check out a K40. The antenna is pretty hard to beat money-wise in performance and the magnetic mount is tested for over 120 MPH. (its hard to pull off by hand) On top of the cab is the best for transmit/receive. With the magnet you can stick it on the corner of the bed behind the cab or on the rear step bumper corner. I have even seen them out on the front hood drivers side across from the am/fm antenna. A good antenna is worth the investment. Chris

 

My '89 F250 had a hole in the corner of the rear bumper. I mounted a fiberglass whip (3') on it. I had a lot of problems with loosing the ground on it and poor performance after a few months... gave up on it.


Roof mount is the best place. (Center of the highest horizontal surface). And yes, like someone else said.. the K40 is nice.

My current setup is, believe it or not, a passive (through the glass) mini fiberglass whip from Radio Shack. (can't believe I'm admitting to this!) This is their latest model and it works very well. It was all of $30 and took 10 minutes to install.

Be sure to check the SWR.. very important for performance. Mine needed no adjustment and it's mounted in the left rear corner of the sliding glass.

 

I run a Uniden Grant XL on my F-150 that puts out 3-25 watts (swing) and powers a 400watt cobra competition amp...all of this runs through a Wilson 1000 antenna magnet mounted to my toolbox...SWR is around 1.4, but if I stick the antenna on the roof, the SWR drops even more. I would reccomend Wilson over a K40. There is the Little Wil, the Wilson 500, 1000, and 5000. I would get at least the 1000, if not the 5000. They work great. Good luck. If you have any problems tuning, drop me a line. What's your CB?

 

I decided to try another through-the-glass. This one from Solorcan. It comes highly recommended. I checked the SWR and the meter went through the roof, but it sounds like I'm picking up and transmitting. It did not seem to make any difference with the antenna adjustment. However, once I got a reading of about 2.1, tried to adjust from there and could not get the darn thing to read below infinity. I wonder if my SWR meter is faulty. I bought a new Cobra (WX29, I think, or something like that). Anyway, any suggestions on my meter?

Steve

Oh, I almost bought the Wilson. I liked the testimonials and their specs. If this doesn't work, I'll probably go with the Wilson 5000.

 

Just a few words.....

WHIP IT! WHIP IT GOOD!

Nothing beats a 102" Stainless Steel whip. If you're serious about radio, want to get out, hear and be heard, run sideband or freeband (That's not an admission!), you've got to run 102 inch SS Whip. Mount the balljoint in the upper left rear corner of the cab, or off the side of the bed, upper forward left corner, and you'll be LOUD AND PROUD for all to hear.

 

I mounted a 5' firestick to the front right of my bed running 9' of coax under the cab, thru the plug to my Cobra 148. I got it down to a 1 flat SWR and they call me Ma Bell cause I reach out and touch everyone. 15 miles in the Smokies, and it looks better than a 102 whip

 

Hey, I'm excited!! My window mount lasted about 2 months (give or take) before melting off in the heat!!! I just ordered a 5' Firestik w/stake mount that fits under my hard tonneau lid and I'm anxious to try it out. Thanks for the info.

Say, are you in NC?

Slik

 

I just purchased a setup from Valco Electronics Store off the net (www.valcoelectronics.com). They were very helpful and sold me Firestik components. Firestik (www.firestik.com) has some great looking antennas and just about every conceivable mount you could think of with pictures of everything.

Thanks for your help and I'll let you know how it's talkin'.

Slik

 

I use Wilsons with great results. On my F250 I exited the cab through the axcess hole on the passenger side floor board.I ran an 18' coathat is considered the optimum length for propper impedance and wave proppegation),(my Navy ET training did finaly pay off),all other attatchments should be made in 3' lengths. I then mounted the antenna(wilson 5000 Trucker) to the rear left inside of my truck bed,(run a designated ground from the frame to the ground on the antenna). I am using a Cobra 29 Nighthawk and a palomar 225 watt Linear(no FCC inquiries please),It is a very adequate system,but I cant get down to the flat SWRs mantioned in earlier posts. On the Jeep I use the same 18' coax with 9' between the radio and amp.Using a Galaxy DX55 10 meter,coverted to CB,and a Texas Star 500 amp,antenna is a Wilson 2000 to the upper rear of the roll cage,almost no vehichle interferrence.SWR 1 or less.This unit really gets out there. the Wilsons are great but the 5000 is almost to much antenna in anything but optimum conditions,it will pick up engine noise or any other flaws in your electrical system,like no other.I have swithed the 5000 and 2000 between the two vehichles a few times and the 2000 works just as well but isnt so overly sensitive. This weekend I camped on a mountain overlooking San juaquin Valley,Ca. on a trail known as Swamp Route.Iwas talking to base stations 5 x 5 in Barstow Ca.65 miles away.
FCC License(to follow),Doggy Daddy... Out

 

E-mail me at super@sierratel.com for an Amature Radio Site that will truly impress for quality radio prices,accesories, Technical info and tips. This site has great!! prices and the units arrive tweaked and tuned. They do not advocate anything outside of FCC regs,but it is a club where high tech Ideas,products and tips can be exchanged amongst Radiophiles wanting to blow blue smoke a little farther than a couple of miles.
Doggy daddy...Out

 

hey i am running a wilson 5000 magnet mount with about 1000 watts going throught it. i would get a wilson antenna. i promise the magnet will NOT let go of any metal object, even at 150 mph. have fun looking.

 

i am running a wilson 1000 magnetic mount with a cobra 148 gtl, static power mike. my swr is 1.25.
i have been running a "beefed" up cb for years and the wilson 1000 i have had for 4 years. the wilson 1000 handles the power and is very durable. see ya

 

I'm running a set of twin , 48 inch, vinyl covered whips I bought From a Navistar Dealership (where I work) they're mounted on the front of my tool box. I get very good reception, and can really get out. using my signal meter, I noticed that I do put out a little less signal towards the front of the cab. I'm using a Cobra 40X, with a 100 watt power amp.