CB antenna mounting

[jeepstrjohn]

Hello all,

Anybody mount the antenna on the drivers side fender in place of the "trail rated" badge? I have been all through posts and have not seen this done. Thought I thought I saw some aftermarket 90 degree mounts somewhere a while back but I can not seem to find anything specific for that location. I was thinking maybe somethong like this:

https://breedlovemounts.com/store/ols/products/cb-antenna-ballmount-with-so-239-cable

Expensive, but looks like what is needed. Just looking for some feedback on what has been done before I give this a try, thanks!

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[b-roc]

You could probably use the mount from the Rugged Ridge CB/AM/FM kit.

https://ruggedridge.com/p/rugged-ridge-cb-antenna-mount/rgr-17212-20/

I was considering an install in the same place as you but eventually decided on the following combo (I only did the nmo adapter so that I can quickly pull the antenna for car washes):

Cobra 75 WX ST (CB) with external jeep speaker and firestick II 2ft antenna through an NMO adapter plus spring, Rugged Ridge CB/AM/FM kit ... the firestick is tunable, but I did need to replace the bolt used for tuning with a longer stainless steel bolt to nail my tuning ... the firestick cover still covers this bolt so it doesn't show

 

[jav_eee]

Hello all,

Anybody mount the antenna on the drivers side fender in place of the "trail rated" badge? I have been all through posts and have not seen this done. Thought I thought I saw some aftermarket 90 degree mounts somewhere a while back but I can not seem to find anything specific for that location. I was thinking maybe somethong like this:

https://breedlovemounts.com/store/ols/products/cb-antenna-ballmount-with-so-239-cable

Expensive, but looks like what is needed. Just looking for some feedback on what has been done before I give this a try, thanks!

This is making me want to get one so I can mount my 8 foot whip...

That being said, I'll be mounting a firestick on the way a life bed mount with a QD because I don't want the antenna on there all the time...

 

[Dougstdig]

Hello all,

Anybody mount the antenna on the drivers side fender in place of the "trail rated" badge? I have been all through posts and have not seen this done. Thought I thought I saw some aftermarket 90 degree mounts somewhere a while back but I can not seem to find anything specific for that location. I was thinking maybe somethong like this:

https://breedlovemounts.com/store/ols/products/cb-antenna-ballmount-with-so-239-cable

Expensive, but looks like what is needed. Just looking for some feedback on what has been done before I give this a try, thanks!

I attempted to, but couldn't get the SWR's below 3.5-4.0. I ended up mounting mine on the front bumper and it works like a champ.

 

[Volt0]

I was thinking maybe somethong like this:

I make spelling mistakes too, but this one seems like a bit of a Freudian slip. ;-)

you say that you were trying to erect an antenna?

 

[jeepstrjohn]

Dougstdig,
I thought that SWR would definately be a concern, being so close to the A pillar.

B-roc,
I saw that AM/FM/CB mount, I will check to see if I can get just the mount without all the other stuff since I want a CB only antenna.

 

[Dougstdig]

I make spelling mistakes too, but this one seems like a bit of a Freudian slip. ;-)

you say that you were trying to erect an antenna?

Wasn't my thong...I promise

 

[Dougstdig]

Dougstdig,
I thought that SWR would definately be a concern, being so close to the A pillar.

B-roc,
I saw that AM/FM/CB mount, I will check to see if I can get just the mount without all the other stuff since I want a CB only antenna.

I spoke with several CB shops and they hinted that a contributing factor may be the lack of a good ground plain. Aluminum is not near as good as steel. Not to mention, the plastic / fiberglass roof material. After trying everything I wanted a mound as close to the frame as I could get it. This is pretty damn close.

I had the usual split ball mount on my XJ and it worked extremely well on the rear passenger quarter panel. 2 things to note...the roof was steel and so was the vertical part of the quarter panel. The issue I see using this on the JT is I believe all vertical panels are aluminum. If you for some reason get it to mount, I'm thinking having the sheet metal tear may be an issue...especially if you plan to use a 102" whip. Imagine holding the antenna thread with your fingers and waving the antenna back and forth.

****
After looking at the mount in your link again, I'd say it's a no go. The unit I was referring to had several (3) mounting holes for through screws that would prevent the whole mount from spinning with the torque noted above. You may end up with a hole in the side of the truck needing one of those band-aid stickers for self inflicted damage...

 

[MCATDT]

I use a magnetic mount on my steel bumper. I pull the antenna and move the base to the under side of the bumper when not in use. Get a great SWR and everything is tucked away when not on the trails.

 

[Volt0]

I wanted a mound as close to the frame as I could get it.

Another Freudian slip by a different member? I like mounds close to the frame too. ;-)

sorry for derailing the thread here, my mind must be in the gutter this morning.

back to antennas and mounts for the JT, I thought a lot of the CB stuff was considered outdated and short range, compared to GMRS/FRS. Again, not trying to derail, but I am curious about the use case for a CB. Why not go with the GMRS/FRS?

edit: I think Midland makes a mount that can attach to the side of the hood, and/or cowel mount.

 

[Dougstdig]

Another Freudian slip by a different member? I like mounds close to the frame too. ;-)

sorry for derailing the thread here, my mind must be in the gutter this morning.

back to antennas and mounts for the JT, I thought a lot of the CB stuff was considered outdated and short range, compared to GMRS/FRS. Again, not trying to derail, but I am curious about the use case for a CB. Why not go with the GMRS/FRS?

New Mechanical keyboard. I had to disable the screen lock button. Every time I hit the - button I'd overreach thinking it was the top button over the top right numerical pad. ...at least that's what I'm blaming mine on...LOL

I have the Midland 50watt remote mounted in addition to my Ranger RCI X9 cb radio. ...slightly messaged...

View attachment 354670

 

[b-roc]

Dougstdig,
I thought that SWR would definately be a concern, being so close to the A pillar.

B-roc,
I saw that AM/FM/CB mount, I will check to see if I can get just the mount without all the other stuff since I want a CB only antenna.

Fair enough and good luck for your application ... as far as my application (in case any of it applies to you) - since my plan was to keep my cb antenna near roof level of the jeep this led me to the 2ft firestick, which in turn led me to the rugged ridge kit to let my cb antenna do double duty as cb transmit/receive plus fm receive ... for reference my CB SWR was less than 1.1 (can't remember the exact number) in the end ... I used the driver side cowl for a GMRS mount ... on the GMRS cowl, I added metallic tape on the underside of the cowl (did not do this on passenger/CB side ... GMRS SWR with jeep off was very near 1 and was just under 1.2 with jeep on (I declared good enough for my application and didn't troubleshoot this further)

(Edit: added pics ... wow is it cold outside)

 

[OHJeeper]

... on the GMRS cowl, I added metallic tape on the underside of the cowl (did not do this on passenger/CB side ... GMRS SWR with jeep off was very near 1 and was just under 1.2 with jeep on (I declared good enough for my application and didn't troubleshoot this further)

Are you saying you just put metallic tape on the back (inside) of the plastic cowl piece? Was this like HVAC tape, or something specialized? I have my GMRS in the same spot and need some help in the SWR department.

Thanks!

 

[b-roc]

Are you saying you just put metallic tape on the back (inside) of the plastic cowl piece? Was this like HVAC tape, or something specialized? I have my GMRS in the same spot and need some help in the SWR department.

Thanks!

It was/is HVAC tape ... that said - it is about twice as thick as what you normally would get from a big box store ... took this idea from another thread ... some of the people were able to get by with just using tape, others said that they needed to add a grounding strap between the cowl and the hood (I only added the tape) ... I did this preemptively during my install since I already had the cowl off and had the tape laying around ... so I can't speak to how much of an improvement it actually made

 

[OHJeeper]

It was/is HVAC tape ... that said - it is about twice as thick as what you normally would get from a big box store ... took this idea from another thread ... some of the people were able to get by with just using tape, others said that they needed to add a grounding strap between the cowl and the hood (I only added the tape) ... I did this preemptively during my install since I already had the cowl off and had the tape laying around ... so I can't speak to how much of an improvement it actually made

Thanks!

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