Dual bed-mounted cb antenna for bed cover

[raff14]

I've searched the forums and cb websites, but have been able to locate a proper solution.. So, I'm hoping to punt to the knowledge base here.

I'm a proud new gladiator owner, I would like to run a dual cb antenna setup, but I have a solid fold bed cover and Jeep in its infinite wisdom did not put stake pockets on the bed caps.. Any ideas on where to find a bracket that would attach to the organizer threaded holes at the front of the bed and give me a flat bracket to push out the side to mount an antenna?

Respectfully,
-Ross

Sponsored

 

[WhatExit?]

<crickets> I just found this thread as I wonder what JT owners are doing to install CB antennas. Perhaps there are other threads on this subject

 

[raff14]

So, still haven’t found an answer, so i made one. Used the existing bed storage mounting holes on the head board. Bought a piece of drop stainless cut it to an L and bent it over. Measure twice, cut once

 

[mcolbyb]

Do you have a picture of it unmounted? Looking to do the same thing.

 

[FLUndertaker]

Does 2 antennas provide a better signal than just 1 ?

 

[raff14]

Do you have a picture of it unmounted? Looking to do the same thing.

I think this is the only shot of the bed w/o the cap on.. You can see how they bend and mount.. I used cardboard for the template to measure then cut the steel from there.

 

[HooliganActual]

Does 2 antennas provide a better signal than just 1 ?

Technically yes. What it actually does is helps prevent dead spots in your coverage area. It's really helpful on the "big rigs" where those long and tall trailers create a block of the signal from the rear.

 

[Mark Doiron]

Just a few random thoughts on this ...

The dual-antenna array reforms the radiation pattern for the antennas. Instead of it being circular, as it would be for a single antenna mounted on a perfect ground plane, it is ideally shaped to provide more power (and receive sensitivity) to the front and rear. This is great for driving down the highway, the trucker's typical use case. And is probably suitable for folks running off-road. The one thing it is absolutely not doing is giving you longer range without compromise. That compromise is a weaker signal in other directions than straight ahead and behind the antennas.

The antennas must be cabled with a special harness. It is best to buy one pre-built for dual-antennas. Cable lengths are critical (Despite what you may have heard or read for single antenna installs, for single antennas, always make the cable as short as practical). Short of a lot of cutting and testing to achieve desired improvement, it is a matter of luck whether an installed dual-antenna system will truly improve the signal in the desired way (up and down the road, sacrificing to the sides).

The distance between the antennas is critical. If that is ignored, then the radiation pattern will be changed, but not necessarily in the desired pattern (ahead and behind the vehicle). Bottom line is, cars, pickups, etc are not a suitable width for offering the ideal spacing at CB wavelengths unless the antennas are spaced well outboard of the vehicle.

They look cool. Well, kind of like dual-steering stabilizers look cool. But as for improving performance: Short of some decent engineering, it's a crap shoot.

My bonafides: Thirty years maintaining and flying on (Over 4,000 hours, including in Vietnam War, Desert Storm and Bosnia Conflict) and working with contractors to upgrade the EC-130E/Airborne Battlefield Command and Control Center avionics systems. This included six HF radios, ten UHF radios, four VHF-FM radios, six VHF-AM radios, three SATCOM radios, two data link systems (Joint Tactical Information Distribution System and Battlefield Intel System), and GPS and other nav-aids. It was also necessary for us to set up antenna systems for ground operation of the ABCCC capsule for local training missions.

https://docs.google.com/viewer?url=...ne%20Documents/1999/July%201999/0799abccc.pdf

 

[The Crusader]

I wish I'd learned more about radios in the military. I fixed instruments and flight controls on F-111s. The only com/nav things I did were help key Mode IV and hang ECM pods.

Good info.

 

[Mark Doiron]

I wish I'd learned more about radios in the military. I fixed instruments and flight controls on F-111s. The only com/nav things I did were help key Mode IV and hang ECM pods.

Good info.

I was a 301XX/328XX (avionics comm-nav), then later a 118XX (primary aircrew comm maintenance). My last fifteen years or so I worked the development, build and deployment of a replacement ABCCC capsule--the box that held 23 of those radios I mentioned in my prior post, as well as both data links and a whole bunch of computers and display hardware for the battlestaff. After I retired (27-1/2 years), I continued to work as an independent contractor advising on upgrades to the new capsules. For the several brief assignments I wasn't working with ABCCC, I worked F-4 Ds and Es and recees, C-47,s C-119s, HC-130s, all manner of USAF helicopters (we had every model USAF flew, including H-3s, H-53s, HH-43s and Hueys), KC-135s and B-52s.

 

[mcolbyb]

I think this is the only shot of the bed w/o the cap on.. You can see how they bend and mount.. I used cardboard for the template to measure then cut the steel from there.

thanks thats really helpful.

 

[2ligit]

How did you get the nut behind the bed . I cant reach it for anything

 

[RIJeeper]

https://quakeled.com/jeep-gladiator-jt-cb-bracket-kit.html

Here's one.

Sponsored