Installing an antenna
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Post Fiend
Joined: Feb 2007
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From: Rural WV
Installing an antenna
Guys,
As is with most of us, I'm pretty VAIN (there, I've admitted it) about the appearance of my 250. I've got a King Ranch Crew and I need to install a CB (and later other antennas) antenna without using any of the normal Appalachian-American (read hillbilly) devices....2x4's, duct tape, safety wire.
I use my bed pretty regularly to haul so anything protruding would be bad.
I'm soliciting ideas....and I KNOW youse guys have them.
As is with most of us, I'm pretty VAIN (there, I've admitted it) about the appearance of my 250. I've got a King Ranch Crew and I need to install a CB (and later other antennas) antenna without using any of the normal Appalachian-American (read hillbilly) devices....2x4's, duct tape, safety wire.
I use my bed pretty regularly to haul so anything protruding would be bad.
I'm soliciting ideas....and I KNOW youse guys have them.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 1,313
Likes: 6
From: Rio Rancho NM
I clamped my CB antenna to the drivers side rear view mirror frame. Ran the cable in the door right in front of the vent window. But that might not work if you have the telescoping mirrors.
Elder User
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 594
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From: New Jersey
I have seen the antennas mounted to the telescoping mirrors on these trucks and if you have them that would probably be the best way to go. The worst thing you would have to do is probably drill a hole or maybe find a place to put a small notch in the mirror housing to run the cable inside the door. Then you could pass it through the rubber boot from the door into the kick plate and right under the dash to the cb. I myself am Vain with my truck and do not like making any holes in it. You could put a permanent mount on the roof, (theres the hole thing though) but it is probably going to smack things due to the height, especially if you garage it. Stay away from the magnet mount. My buddy put one on his roof and it constantly blows off on the highway for some reason. He is in the process of trying to find a mirror mount for his. I have been told that the glass mounts are not to good either.
Elder User
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 594
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From: New Jersey
2005 F550 6.0 PSD w/camper locate CB radio antenna?
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I have a rig like the above and manual warns on locating a radio transmitter antenna near driver side fender area because of interferrance with the engine computer control chip.
I have a overcab camper that I carry and would like to install antenna on passenger side fender near the front part, near headlight. Is this a sufficient distance from the Engine Control Computer chip?
Karl
Just grabbed this from a post in the 6.0 litre area. Not sure how this will affect you if you do the mirror install, so to play it safe you might want to mount the antenna on the passenger side.
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I have a rig like the above and manual warns on locating a radio transmitter antenna near driver side fender area because of interferrance with the engine computer control chip.
I have a overcab camper that I carry and would like to install antenna on passenger side fender near the front part, near headlight. Is this a sufficient distance from the Engine Control Computer chip?
Karl
Just grabbed this from a post in the 6.0 litre area. Not sure how this will affect you if you do the mirror install, so to play it safe you might want to mount the antenna on the passenger side.
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Post Fiend
Joined: Feb 2007
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From: Rural WV
I've got a magnetic mount on the roof of my 150 and it's never blown off but it does mess up the paint job over a long period so that's out too.
I've considered going to a pro shop and having roof mounts installed but again as johnnysF350 points out it'll be a pain when you garage it...and my work location has a 7' clearance in the garage...the radio antenna already hits overheads there now.
I love the idea of the mirror mounts but since they're plastic and extendable I've got concerns about mounting there. That's why I'm here asking questions!
I've considered going to a pro shop and having roof mounts installed but again as johnnysF350 points out it'll be a pain when you garage it...and my work location has a 7' clearance in the garage...the radio antenna already hits overheads there now.
I love the idea of the mirror mounts but since they're plastic and extendable I've got concerns about mounting there. That's why I'm here asking questions!
Elder User
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 853
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From: northern,california
I have a magnetic mount cell antenna on my roof. I ran the wire through the top rear light. It works fine for me. It has blown off from bumps on the freeway at high speeds but it is no big deal. There are a few places that I go that have low brush that knocks it off. The good thing is all I need to do is just stick it back on since it hangs down just behind the rear window. I was going to do the hard mount but if I did I would have broken the antenna by now. Also when I need to wash the truck I can just take off and let it hang. That way it will go through car washes.
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Senior User
Joined: Mar 2004
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From: s.f. bay area
Originally Posted by tazo
I was going to do the hard mount but if I did I would have broken the antenna by now.
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Senior User
Joined: Apr 2005
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Mount a nice headache rack behind the cab. Mount your antenna(s) to the top of the headache rack. This would cause a problem with a camper, but shouldn't be a problem with hauling items in the bed.
My headache rack has horizonal louvers, that block some of the sun light from coming thru the back window, plus keeps pets inside when the rear slider is open.
Just a suggestion.
My headache rack has horizonal louvers, that block some of the sun light from coming thru the back window, plus keeps pets inside when the rear slider is open.
Just a suggestion.
Elder User
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 529
Likes: 1
If you are in an geographic area where performance (range) is tough, the best signal is by hard mounting it through the cab roof (the roof provides an excellent and needed ground plane)- this is more important for VHF, UHF radios than CB.
If you are only talking car to car (in sight) then you don't have to worry about it, just use a handheld).
If you are only talking car to car (in sight) then you don't have to worry about it, just use a handheld).
Thread Starter
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Post Fiend
Joined: Feb 2007
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From: Rural WV
What I've been hoping to find is someone who has mounted theirs on the extendable mirrors.
I know that a roof mount would be best but I was looking at the Firestick antennas...about 36" or so and with the low garage I park in at work, (7' clearance) it would create an issue unless I spring mount them.
I know that a roof mount would be best but I was looking at the Firestick antennas...about 36" or so and with the low garage I park in at work, (7' clearance) it would create an issue unless I spring mount them.
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Joined: Sep 2006
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Cross-Country
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 80
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From: virginia
Originally Posted by tazo
I have a magnetic mount cell antenna on my roof. I ran the wire through the top rear light. It works fine for me. It has blown off from bumps on the freeway at high speeds but it is no big deal. There are a few places that I go that have low brush that knocks it off. The good thing is all I need to do is just stick it back on since it hangs down just behind the rear window. I was going to do the hard mount but if I did I would have broken the antenna by now. Also when I need to wash the truck I can just take off and let it hang. That way it will go through car washes.
same setup here with a little wil antenna. it has never come off accidentally. if i need to go somewhere with low clearance, it takes about a minute to remove the whip part.