AP_DubV

Looking into a permanent install of my CB antenna instead of using a magnetic mount on top of the jeep. I've considered the popular tail light mount, however getting into rocks could be a problem with that option.

Here is what I am considering and was looking for feedback to avoid having to do things twice. Plan is to mount a bracket on the tire swing of the rear bumper and then run the wiring into the rear hatch. A ground point will be installed in the rear hatch floor since I doubt the bumper will provide a solid ground (powder coated). Probably would go with a 3 ft antenna and about 1 - 1.5 ft would be above the roof.

Any thoughts or feedback is much appreciated. I don't need a perfect SWR rating by any means, but would like to do it right and have decent reception.



Yellow-wiring
White-antenna
Red-strap

XJmember

If it has good ground by all means do it, your never going to know unless you try it.

AP_DubV

Yea, just wasn't sure if anyone had done something similar. I've seen it on the tire carrier for the wranglers, but not much feedback on quality. Worried the base being covered by tire and body may affect signal quality. I found a clamp that will fit the bar so I won't have to drill. Guess I'll give it a go and post results.

Whiplash

JCR's new rear carrier is just like that. I get good ground on mine between the antenna to the jeeps body

Fred/N0AZZ

The best place for a shorter antenna like that is on the front fender using the lip between the fender and hood (mounts to the inter fender lip). There are a ton of mounts made for this. On the positive side you get 2 ground planes the top of the hood and the roof for much better signal send and receive.

AP_DubV

Yea I've considered that setup Fred and will likely go with that or a gutter mount system if this doesn't work out.

Fred/N0AZZ

I run a bumper mount on a powder coated bumper you have to grind down to bare metal between the antenna mount and bumper but if its mounted on a swing out that's a problem because of a constant ground. I fixed this issue by using a wire and running it from the swing out to the frame after grinding down to bare metal on both. You also need to take a grinder to where the bolts bolt to the frame and the bumper both and make sure that a good ground there also.





Mine is a different kind of antenna than your running, it is the best one you can buy as far as performance goes a 102" whip that I can fold down to an insulated clip and still use when clearance is an issue. Here it is folded down.

AP_DubV

Yea I like how you have that setup Fred. I like how you can fold down that whip antenna and honestly hadn't looked at anything other than firestiks. I plan to run a ground strap to the floor in the rear hatch, so hoping that will provide the ground I need.

I'll have to consider putting it down and away from the tire like you have it though. I like the look and the antenna base won't be enclosed on both sides like it would if I stick with my initial mounting location.

Whiplash

surprised you'd have to run a strap Fred... like i was saying, mine has continuity all the way thru from the chassis to the stud

Fred/N0AZZ

Didn't want to take a chance of it not being grounded and take out the finals in the radio the CB or HF. I have used this antenna with an external antenna tuner for HF 10-80m use with 200w several times as well. My HF mobile is a 200w output from the unit itself no amp required.

Whiplash

cool cool...good logic
i use a 120a (80 thru 6) on my front bumper and an 857d myself
have yet to try the 2 or 70 yet, not a big fan of vhf/uhf

73

Fred/N0AZZ

Excellent what is your call, mine is N0AZZ? My HF mobile is a Kenwood TS-480HX 10-160m 200w and my FM rig is a Yaesu FT-8900 10/6/2/440m with it I use a quad band antenna and a 12v motorized fold down mount mounted on my rack. I have this same mount on my GC on the factory rack for UHF/VHF and a Screwdriver same HF rig


I use 6m FM quite a bit and 2m mostly for a link to D-Star in my area both repeaters are mounted at over 450' on a Commercial tower (rented space).

Ianf406

How far are you guys reaching with your setup? Just curious... I get about 4 miles with my 3' firestick2/Uniden CB.. sometimes more if I am up on a mountain... plenty for my purposes- (talking to fellow wheelers)

My neighbor has a GIANT ham tower and he talks to people all over the country from sitting on top of the mountain. Not sure on specifics but his is 2.5-3 stories high + the antennas

Whiplash

@ Fred. Nice setup you have Have considered the high channels but i don't believe the repeaters are quite as common up here. There's a couple in the southern part of the province but once you head north....

my call is VA3MYB

Fred/N0AZZ

I can work other mobiles depending on terrain up to about 15 mi. on the CB and good conditions and in poor conditions or valleys a 1/2 mi. may be pushing it. The height and type of antenna does have something to do with that along with a good grounding setup, doors to door frames, hood to firewall, extra block to frame straps, and the antenna ground. This is the key to good antenna performance all the grounding and also the radio.


In the XJ I have 2 HF radios a QRO radio high power 200w and at times a QRP HF a low power 5w radio. With these radios I have worked 203 countries with the 200w one and 89 countries QRP mostly from mountain tops.


At home I maintain a DX station with 9 radios and 5 amps a 2500w(HF)/1000w HF/1700w(HF)/300w(2m)/165w 2m the 2m amps are for mostly EME (Earth Moon Earth). I have 4 towers all crank up ranging from 55'-102' with at least 3 yagi's on each, 6 verticals, a 4 sq. receive array, 4 dipoles. My total country count so far is 306 and they get harder by the day to work "New ones" but I try. I do have WAS (Worked All Stated) QRP and QRO on SSB/Digital and 5BDXCC (100 countries on 5 Different Bands).


A 50w 2m mobile has a working range of about 50 mi. or line of sight for UHF/VHF. For reliable comms and all terrains up to 100 mi. for local are HF only 40/80m when in the mountains.