Still having CB troubles...
Thread Starter
CF Veteran
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 8,387
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From: The Florida State University
Year: 2001
Model: Cherokee
Engine: I-6 4.0 L
Originally Posted by ol'DixieJeep
ok. that sounds good. id switch it to the body. i did mine to the floor on the trans tunnel.
where is the coax wire grounded to? you need a really really good ground for these things. wire to bracket to paint isnt enough usually.
heres how i did mine. isolated power so you cant accidentally ground the antenna out and grounded to the body twice.
where is the coax wire grounded to? you need a really really good ground for these things. wire to bracket to paint isnt enough usually.
heres how i did mine. isolated power so you cant accidentally ground the antenna out and grounded to the body twice.
Thread Starter
CF Veteran
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 8,387
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From: The Florida State University
Year: 2001
Model: Cherokee
Engine: I-6 4.0 L
Originally Posted by ol'DixieJeep
right on. i just dont see where the ground from the wire meets the bracket. maybe i just cant see it in your pic.
CF Veteran
Joined: Dec 2011
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From: Pasadena, MD
Year: 1987
Model: Wagoneer
Engine: Renix 4.0
all you need for the antenna is the "ground plane", which by the pic is the rear fender (antenna mount is grounded to the fender). the CB radio needs to have its own wire ran to the negative battery mount for the ground from the radio itself. definitely do not put your radio to a common ground, you will get feedback and no one will hear you when other electrical devices that share that ground are on (for instance, i grounded my radio where my windshield wipers are ground, i cant use the radio in the rain cause the wipers cause interference every time they cycle).
i would check the wire to make sure the pin is straight, and there arent any breaks. what is your SWR?
i would check the wire to make sure the pin is straight, and there arent any breaks. what is your SWR?
CF Veteran
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 1,467
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From: Warrenton MO
Year: 2000
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.7L I6
you need to ground the coax cable. there is a copper wire braid inside the insulation. connect that to the bracket. then the center wire is the hot wire. without the ground your not gonna get anything. maybe a trucker with an amped up radio a mile away but thats it.
thats your problem.
CF Veteran
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 4,006
Likes: 1
From: Pasadena, MD
Year: 1987
Model: Wagoneer
Engine: Renix 4.0
you need to ground the coax cable. there is a copper wire braid inside the insulation. connect that to the bracket. then the center wire is the hot wire. without the ground your not gonna get anything. maybe a trucker with an amped up radio a mile away but thats it.
thats your problem.
thats your problem.
ill say it again OP, what is your SWR (standing wave ratio)?
Thread Starter
CF Veteran
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 8,387
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From: The Florida State University
Year: 2001
Model: Cherokee
Engine: I-6 4.0 L
Well, when the car wash ripped the bracket it broke the coax. So the Wilson antenna was broken too from just normal use. I got a new coax and the whip and spring swr is 1.4. The Wilson fiberglass antenna is 1.6. Problem solved.
CF Veteran
Joined: Dec 2011
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From: Pasadena, MD
Year: 1987
Model: Wagoneer
Engine: Renix 4.0
awesome. glad to hear you got it fixed.
CF Veteran
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 4,006
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From: Pasadena, MD
Year: 1987
Model: Wagoneer
Engine: Renix 4.0
just by chance do you have the Hustler SSM-2 Stainless Steel CB Antenna Ball Mount?
Originally Posted by ol'DixieJeep
where is your ground.
and yea 18ft is actually the most desirable length and dont coil it.
mines wired to my ingnition wire under the dash.
and yea 18ft is actually the most desirable length and dont coil it.
mines wired to my ingnition wire under the dash.
CF Veteran
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 4,006
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From: Pasadena, MD
Year: 1987
Model: Wagoneer
Engine: Renix 4.0
Threre is no certain length you need to run, just from the radio to the antenna. Only time it factors is if you running over 100ft. In a car there is hardly any loss unless your coax is faulty. If you have to cut your coax to change your swrs then you have bigger problems then just your swrs and coiling your coax isn't bad actually its recommended if your having noise problems.
CF Veteran
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 4,006
Likes: 1
From: Pasadena, MD
Year: 1987
Model: Wagoneer
Engine: Renix 4.0


