cb antenna mounting

[punisher1130]

I have a 99 Dakota that I'm installing my CB into and the antenna fender mount for the ram will work but I don't really want to put the antenna there. I was looking to mount it on the head board of the bed so that the wire runs down between the bed and cab but the problem is my head board isn't flat like other trucks, there is a lip that has a angled support under it making the lip closed off. Also I have no bed post holes ( which is really retarded since there is space in the corners for them) so I cant even use those. Does anyone have any suggestions to make this work or am I out of luck?

 

[Kevin108]

How about making it really simple? A piece of flat steel could be shaped with basic hand tools and a bench vise. Drill a couple holes for bolts through the bulkhead and the mount, feed the bolts in with mechanical fingers...

 

[4x4junkie]

^^

That is exactly how I had an antenna mounted to the bed of my Ranger. Worked very well.

Do be advised though that only a full-length ¼-wave whip (96-102") will work well in that spot. This is due to the metal of the cab roof being right next to the antenna, which will block a greater percentage of a shorter antenna's length, messing up the SWR match on it. If you can't have a full ¼-wave antenna for whatever reason, then a roof mount (magnetic or thru-hole), or a rear bed corner mount are about the only other decent options besides the fender mount you mentioned (a toolbox mount can work fairly well too if the antenna is a couple feet from the cab and at least half the antenna's length extends above the cab).

 

[punisher1130]

How about making it really simple? A piece of flat steel could be shaped with basic hand tools and a bench vise. Drill a couple holes for bolts through the bulkhead and the mount, feed the bolts in with mechanical fingers...

That was my plan, but the top lip of the bed is closed off at a angle, in order to do it that way I would have to cut into the bed, dodge really made a weird bed. Even the corners aren't easy but I may have found a way of doing it by bolting a flat bracket to the top of the rail. If I could id post pictures to show what I am talking about but I am trying to explain it as best I can.

 

[punisher1130]

^^

That is exactly how I had an antenna mounted to the bed of my Ranger. Worked very well.

Do be advised though that only a full-length ¼-wave whip (96-102") will work well in that spot. This is due to the metal of the cab roof being right next to the antenna, which will block a greater percentage of a shorter antenna's length, messing up the SWR match on it. If you can't have a full ¼-wave antenna for whatever reason, then a roof mount (magnetic or thru-hole), or a rear bed corner mount are about the only other decent options besides the fender mount you mentioned (a toolbox mount can work fairly well too if the antenna is a couple feet from the cab and at least half the antenna's length extends above the cab).

I have a 4ft fire stick antenna, with what you said I'm guessing my desired location would be a bad idea and would be smarter to mount to the fender.

 

[anickode]

Some food for thought... I've seen some very nice mounts done by modifying a factory antenna mount or buying a purpise-made mount and installing it on the opposite side of the vehicle from the factory radio antenna. Gives it a nice symmetrical look, and it's out of the way and won't interfere with future upgrades. I had an antenna mounted on the front lip of my bed, then I put a cap on and had to change it all around.

Fender might just be the way to go.

From a radio performance standpoint, you can't beat a Wilson 1000 mag mount ********** dab in the middle of your roof. Nice symmetrical radiation pattern, low SWR, and the whip can be detached without taking the magnet off. Not great for offroading in places with low-hanging branches though.

 

[punisher1130]

Some food for thought... I've seen some very nice mounts done by modifying a factory antenna mount or buying a purpise-made mount and installing it on the opposite side of the vehicle from the factory radio antenna. Gives it a nice symmetrical look, and it's out of the way and won't interfere with future upgrades. I had an antenna mounted on the front lip of my bed, then I put a cap on and had to change it all around.

Fender might just be the way to go.

From a radio performance standpoint, you can't beat a Wilson 1000 mag mount ********** dab in the middle of your roof. Nice symmetrical radiation pattern, low SWR, and the whip can be detached without taking the magnet off. Not great for offroading in places with low-hanging branches though.

I thought about that when I got the truck but the problem with that on my truck is the factory antenna mount is on the passenger side, I wanna make a snorkel for the truck, guess what side the intake is on lol. Luckily the fender mount for dodge can give the allusion of it being factory mouth if set up right, me personally I just like the appearance of the antenna behind the cab. I got rid of my topper since it was just dead weight for me but I do plan on having something custom made for the truck to act as both cargo rails and over cab light rack like the old school bed bars.

 

[Stumpalump]

Half of the antenna is the ground plane. You can't hurt the value of a 1999 so drill right thru the center of the roof and put it in the best place. I drilled my 98XJ and that radio booms. Have it tuned and put on a Road King mike and you will even be able to get truckers to talk to you.

 

[anickode]

I thought about that when I got the truck but the problem with that on my truck is the factory antenna mount is on the passenger side, I wanna make a snorkel for the truck, guess what side the intake is on lol. Luckily the fender mount for dodge can give the allusion of it being factory mouth if set up right, me personally I just like the appearance of the antenna behind the cab. I got rid of my topper since it was just dead weight for me but I do plan on having something custom made for the truck to act as both cargo rails and over cab light rack like the old school bed bars.

Well if that's the plan, don't go drilling holes in your truck. Buy a 30 dollar Lil' Wil mag mount and ********** it on your roof for now. Or buy a generic universal magnetic mounting base and put your firestik on it. (Though I always felt that a firestik on a roof mag mount makes the vehicle look like a teletubby) Then when you get the bed rails/headache rack/light bar made, just include a spot to mount your firestik on that.

You'll still never be able to beat having the roof as a ground plane, but if you're wanting to talk between trucks on the trail (1/2 mile or less), most anything will suffice.

 

[punisher1130]

. (Though I always felt that a firestik on a roof mag mount makes the vehicle look like a teletubby)

Lol I agree it does look silly but you cant argue the performance benefit of the roof mount, I have had several people tell me that is the best spot but I just don't want a 4ft antenna in the middle of my roof especially since its a daily driver. I have had the suggestion stating that the fender mount makes it difficult for the signal to be sent or received, is that true?

 

[4x4junkie]

I have had the suggestion stating that the fender mount makes it difficult for the signal to be sent or received, is that true?

Not really... Certainly not as much as would be for a short little 4' Firestik on the front of the bed (where the cab would be blocking much of it).
Fender mounts (or any mount not close to center of the vehicle) will have slightly directional patterns in the direction of the most metal. So if your antenna is mounted on the driverside front fender for example, you will have a little less range off your driverside-front than off your passengerside-rear. For trail-running with a group, you may never notice this difference... You're more likely to notice it if you're talking to stations across town while driving around.

I agree a headache rack or roll bar makes a great place for an antenna.

 

[anickode]

Lol I agree it does look silly but you cant argue the performance benefit of the roof mount, I have had several people tell me that is the best spot but I just don't want a 4ft antenna in the middle of my roof especially since its a daily driver. I have had the suggestion stating that the fender mount makes it difficult for the signal to be sent or received, is that true?

Yes it's true. The higher up, closer to center, and larger and flatter the ground plane, the better.

I've rum a Wilson 1000 for quite some time in the middle of my roof. Steel whip is barely noticeable. Unless you drive into a parking garage with a 7'6" clearance limit. That makes a noise. But the stainless whip is bendy enough to remain undamaged, and can be popped off the roof in 3 seconds.

 

[punisher1130]

Not really... Certainly not as much as would be for a short little 4' Firestik on the front of the bed (where the cab would be blocking much of it).
Fender mounts (or any mount not close to center of the vehicle) will have slightly directional patterns in the direction of the most metal. So if your antenna is mounted on the driverside front fender for example, you will have a little less range off your driverside-front than off your passengerside-rear. For trail-running with a group, you may never notice this difference... You're more likely to notice it if you're talking to stations across town while driving around.

I agree a headache rack or roll bar makes a great place for an antenna.

http://www.arrigoni4x4.it/catalogo-prodotti/car66.asp?marca=DN003&vettura=DODGE Finally I found the pic of the bed bars I am looking to get, I know the truck in the link is a ram and I have a Dakota but that is the basic idea of what I am looking to have made for my truck ( plus expanded metal to protect the back window). I would love to have the antenna mounted to it but I got 2 upgrades that I need to take care of first and are not cheap so I have no idea when I can have it made so I figure for now I could just find a spot to mount it just so I can use it then deal with it after the bars are made. That's the idea anyway, how things would actually go is yet to be seen lol.

 

[punisher1130]

Yes it's true. The higher up, closer to center, and larger and flatter the ground plane, the better.

I've rum a Wilson 1000 for quite some time in the middle of my roof. Steel whip is barely noticeable. Unless you drive into a parking garage with a 7'6" clearance limit. That makes a noise. But the stainless whip is bendy enough to remain undamaged, and can be popped off the roof in 3 seconds.

Sounds like you got the quick disconnect, or are you referring to the magnate base?

 

[anickode]

Sounds like you got the quick disconnect, or are you referring to the magnate base?

Either/or. The Wilson 1000 and 5000 both have a quick disconnect where the coil and whip unscrews from the magnet base. The magnets on these are strong enough you don't want to have to pull it off the roof when you need the antenna off. Just a note on the Wilson 1000 and 5000... they're essentially the same antenna. They will perform equally in the same installation. The 5000 just has thicker gauge wire in the coil so you can run (I believe) up to a 5000 Watt linear amplifier. The 1000 is good for something like 3000 Watts. The legal limit is 4 Watts, and the "not a complete and utter ************ who likes to fry the receive circuit of nearby radios and/or bleed over 5 channels either direction" limit is around 200 Watts. So between the two, save your money and get the Wilson 1000.

The Wilson 500 has a fixed coil on a large magnet base... pain in the butt. the whip is a few inches shorter than the 1000 and 5000, but not enough shorter for any measure of convenience, especially given the fixed coil.

The Lil' Wil (and others like the k30) have fixed coils but a shorter whip and a smaller magnet, so they're pretty easy to just grab and toss it in the cab.

I ran a K30 for a while, and it was a fine little antenna. Could talk several miles on it with a stock cobra 29 radio when the DX wasn't real heavy. I went to the Wilson 1000 when I found one for 5 bucks at a garage sale. Then I got the itch for a 102" whip, which is what I now run, on a fold-down adapter mounted to my roof rack. It's a bit tall... hits bridges now and then when traffic is crawling and the antenna isn't bending back from the wind, but that thing will transmit like nobody's business, and I get a 1.1 or better SWR across the whole band.