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CB Antenna Location Opinions

Old Apr 27, 2013 | 10:25 PM
  #16  
Slim357's Avatar
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Year: 1989
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You should be find with it mounted there. Buddy of mine has an ARB bumper with the pre runner hoop. He just mounted it the the light mounting tab and ran the coax thru the grill.
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Old Apr 28, 2013 | 08:20 AM
  #17  
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Year: 2002
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It's not a CB antenna per se, but it does work on the band..

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Old Apr 28, 2013 | 11:47 AM
  #18  
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I've been working on this for a while now. Currently, I'm using a RoadPro magnetic mount on the roof of the vehicle. I guess that gives me 100% of the antenna above the car, which is apparently good. I get pretty good range with it, and have no complaints except that it's a magnetic mount.



Don't ask me why I don't like the magnetic mount. It's taken a few hits from some trees and stuff and has never fallen off. In fact, it's been one of the more solid antennas I've had, and if it DOES break (as happened once whilst on a lift in a garage), a replacement is like $20. I keep trying to get a more, er, "permanent" mount, though.

I tried mounting it by the tail light, like everyone else does, and had no luck. Tried a thousand and five different antennas, could never get SWR readings that weren't preposterous. Here's attempt #38, involving a 102" whip:



I even took it to a CB shop, where they'll tune the thing for you. The guy spent an afternoon trying every antenna he had, and eventually shrugged and said: "Jeeps are weeiiird, Man."

Eventually, I ended up going back to the magnet mount.

Currently, I'm toying with the idea of the mounting one on the driver's side front fender. Got a few top-loaded antennas -- left over from my previous campaign -- to test there. I have a feeling, though, that I'll be putting the magnetic back on.

I like your idea of mounting it to the front bumper, and am curious as to what kind of range you get out of it.
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Old Apr 28, 2013 | 04:52 PM
  #19  
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From: Wilmington,NC
Year: 1989
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What year is yours I can make you a set of tail light guards you can mount the antenna to. I got my swrs down below 2 on every channel with a 102" whip and spring so it measures about 9'5" total. Does good I can talk 15-25 miles with it not being peaked and tuned yet.
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Old Apr 28, 2013 | 05:20 PM
  #20  
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From: Bentonville, AR
Year: 1990
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Originally Posted by Slim357
What year is yours I can make you a set of tail light guards you can mount the antenna to. I got my swrs down below 2 on every channel with a 102" whip and spring so it measures about 9'5" total. Does good I can talk 15-25 miles with it not being peaked and tuned yet.
pics of this tail light guard/ mount? is it for 84-96 or 97-01?
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Old Apr 28, 2013 | 06:14 PM
  #21  
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From: Wilmington,NC
Year: 1989
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Originally Posted by rmoore1031

pics of this tail light guard/ mount? is it for 84-96 or 97-01?
Currently 96 and down (I have and 89) will be building some for 97 and up cheokees tho. Also plan on full light replacements but havent got that far yet lol
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Old Apr 28, 2013 | 06:18 PM
  #22  
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From: Wilmington,NC
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CB Antenna Location Opinions-image-3687507018.jpg
Heres the prototype havent cut out the holes for the lights yet in the pic but should give you the general Idea. Its made out of some pretty thick metal so should take a beating pretty well.
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Old Apr 28, 2013 | 07:36 PM
  #23  
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The way you have it mounted it will be more directional off the back. The antenna uses the metal of the vehicle to form a ground plane which completes the antenna system and has tendency to receive and transmit better in the direction of the larger chunk of ground plane...

For example if you mounted it dead center on the roof and had a 20 mile range. where you have it you may get 5 miles in front of you but 15 out the back.

If distance isnt an issue get it atleast 60% above the roof or you will get too much of what is called reflection which will fry your radio.
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Old Apr 28, 2013 | 07:39 PM
  #24  
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From: Bentonville, AR
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Originally Posted by Slim357
Heres the prototype havent cut out the holes for the lights yet in the pic but should give you the general Idea. Its made out of some pretty thick metal so should take a beating pretty well.
I like it so far. Especially since you are using thick metal. I'm interesting in it. Keep me updated and I might be your first buyer. It'll also look great in black.
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Old Apr 29, 2013 | 12:49 AM
  #25  
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From: Wilmington,NC
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Originally Posted by rmoore1031

I like it so far. Especially since you are using thick metal. I'm interesting in it. Keep me updated and I might be your first buyer. It'll also look great in black.
Awesome what year is yours? Black is what mine will be painted but they can be painted any color you want. Ill even paint them before shipping them to you if you would like
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Old Apr 29, 2013 | 12:52 AM
  #26  
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From: Wilmington,NC
Year: 1989
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Originally Posted by jeepmojo
The way you have it mounted it will be more directional off the back. The antenna uses the metal of the vehicle to form a ground plane which completes the antenna system and has tendency to receive and transmit better in the direction of the larger chunk of ground plane...

For example if you mounted it dead center on the roof and had a 20 mile range. where you have it you may get 5 miles in front of you but 15 out the back.

If distance isnt an issue get it atleast 60% above the roof or you will get too much of what is called reflection which will fry your radio.
I was sending and receiving 15-20 miles off the front of the Jeep with it mounted there iirc
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Old Apr 29, 2013 | 06:24 AM
  #27  
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Originally Posted by Slim357

Awesome what year is yours? Black is what mine will be painted but they can be painted any color you want. Ill even paint them before shipping them to you if you would like
My XJ is a 90 with Wagoneer tail lights. Same housing size and bolts, but solid red instead of red and yellow. I also got an 88 MJ but the tail lights are very different and are mounted with screws instead of bolts.
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Old Apr 29, 2013 | 03:30 PM
  #28  
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From: Wilmington,NC
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Originally Posted by rmoore1031

My XJ is a 90 with Wagoneer tail lights. Same housing size and bolts, but solid red instead of red and yellow. I also got an 88 MJ but the tail lights are very different and are mounted with screws instead of bolts.
Gotcha I can make the waggy lights work easily but the mj I mite be able to use a longer screw
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