CB Antenna ?
- Thread starter hattrik21
- Start date
Pskhaat
2005 Expedition Trophy Champion
Get yourself an SWR meter, they run pretty reasonably priced, and measure the value both at the antenna and at the radio. If you're under about 1.5 or so, you may be okay and have decent performance, but it's no guarantee. If you're way above ~1.5 at either end, it may eventually damage your radio.
I might leave the `ground' strap as a last resort and possibly do a hood- or roof-mount if possible?
I might leave the `ground' strap as a last resort and possibly do a hood- or roof-mount if possible?
DaveInDenver
Middle Income Semi-Redneck
The mount would need to be grounded if it's not getting it through the roof rack. Doesn't matter if the rack is steel or aluminum as long as the rack itself is not isolated from the body of the truck. Is this what you mean? I have an antenna on my ARB bumper and the powdercoat effectively isolated the mount electrically, so I ran a ground strap for that and if your rack is painted or clear coated, that might be the case for you as well.
gary in ohio
Explorer
For a CB, the rack is find to mount to. Check the SWR but you shouldnt have an issue.
adventureduo
Dave Druck [KI6LBB]
I have my CB antenna up on my rack and it had really bad SWR. But still worked fine for trail to trail talk. I could get out a few miles in the city. I felt that was good enough for a CB. I ended up grounding the entire rack. This helped when i went to install lights on it also. I didn't have to run additional ground cable up.
frgtwn
Adventurer
Oops!
Aluminum is an excellent conductor. Better than copper. Most high voltage is aluminum. There are a lot of aluminum antennas. Don't stand under an aluminum street light in a thunderstorm.
For fun: http://www.answerbag.com/q_view/18570
Dale
Aluminum is an excellent conductor. Better than copper. Most high voltage is aluminum. There are a lot of aluminum antennas. Don't stand under an aluminum street light in a thunderstorm.
For fun: http://www.answerbag.com/q_view/18570
Dale
hattrik21
Adventurer
tdesanto said:
Yes I will need tune my antenna so maybe we can do lunch next weekend or something? This weekend I'm changing out my diff fluids and resealing the rear cover so I won't be able to drive it for 24 hrs so if next weekend works, let me know and we can figure out a time/place.
tdesanto
Expedition Leader
hattrik21 said:
Next weekend's out. I leave town next Thursday afternoon 8/10 for the whole weekend. Maybe we could meet after work one night next week? With two people, it's pretty quick to tune; however, tuning is only going to correct for minor SWR issues. If it turns out you have a ground issue, that's going to take some time.
If you suspect a grounding issue and have a DVM, check the continuity from the antenna mount to somewhere on the body/chasis (be sure to disconnect the antenna from the radio; otherwise, this test won't work). Also, make sure that your radio is grounded too.
Let me know what evening would work best for you. Or call me on my cell or email me tomorrow, I might be able to meet you this Sunday.
gary in ohio
Explorer
The mount not only physically hold the antenna on the vehicle but also acts as part of the antenna, the counterpoise, the second side of the antenna, the groundplane. IF the rack is large enough it will work regardless if its grounded or not. Grounding just increases the size of the counterpoise. Also depending on the antenna you get, some dont require a counterpoise/groundplane. SO give ita try, if the SWR and signals are good then your done.
BogusBlake
2006 Expedition Trophy Champion
You probably ought to ground that.
gary in ohio
Explorer
Three suggestions. Flip the mount over. Most of your stress will be down from a bending antenna. Second is usera right angle cable or adapter to get that sharp coax bend out of the picture. finally put some water proofing on the connector. coax seal is your best option. Otherwise nice little mount.