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fnl4rw29r · 10-23-2009, 03:09 PM

As I mentioned, I had been using a mag-mount on top of the cab. Works great but I was tired of knocking it off on low hanging trees (yes we do have trees out here). Surprisingly I only once had it fall off while bombing down a trail @ about 70 mph. I ordered a Wilson 4' antenna and a hood channel mounting bracket. I wasn't a big fan of mounting it on the hood and wanted to mount it out back in the tailgate channel (I realize the hood provides a better ground plane). The install, I think, looks pretty clean.

Antenna mount:

I ran the co-ax down the frame rail with the factory wiring loom and into the cab through the grommet behind the driver's side rear seat. I drilled a small hole and cut a slit in order to slide the cable up into the grommet. I ran the cable under the rear seat, behind the interior side panel, under the carpet, under the door entry guard thing, under the front floor mat, in front of the sticks and into the CB. I would have liked to run the cable under the dash and over to the CB but 20' of cable wasn't enough to reach.

Cable into cab:

I don't know a whole lot about tuning antenna other than you should have a decent ground plane and to adjust the antenna length until the SWR is low enough so that nothing burns up when transmitting. I did not expect this mounting solution to work nearly as well as the roof top mount, but I did expect it to work well enough to be used on trail rides and talking to truckers while making passes or being passed on the road. Well... I can't adjust the antenna enough. I have nearly 50% power reflected back into the CB! Not sure if this is because the ground plane sucks or if maybe my roof rack is too close (roof rack is not grounded however). It is still mounted there but I use the mag mount temporarily until I can figure out what to do. Any suggestions? I'll try anything.

10-23-2009, 03:09 PM	#12
fnl4rw29r Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Las Vegas Posts: 28	Antenna As I mentioned, I had been using a mag-mount on top of the cab. Works great but I was tired of knocking it off on low hanging trees (yes we do have trees out here). Surprisingly I only once had it fall off while bombing down a trail @ about 70 mph. I ordered a Wilson 4' antenna and a hood channel mounting bracket. I wasn't a big fan of mounting it on the hood and wanted to mount it out back in the tailgate channel (I realize the hood provides a better ground plane). The install, I think, looks pretty clean. Antenna mount: I ran the co-ax down the frame rail with the factory wiring loom and into the cab through the grommet behind the driver's side rear seat. I drilled a small hole and cut a slit in order to slide the cable up into the grommet. I ran the cable under the rear seat, behind the interior side panel, under the carpet, under the door entry guard thing, under the front floor mat, in front of the sticks and into the CB. I would have liked to run the cable under the dash and over to the CB but 20' of cable wasn't enough to reach. Cable into cab: I don't know a whole lot about tuning antenna other than you should have a decent ground plane and to adjust the antenna length until the SWR is low enough so that nothing burns up when transmitting. I did not expect this mounting solution to work nearly as well as the roof top mount, but I did expect it to work well enough to be used on trail rides and talking to truckers while making passes or being passed on the road. Well... I can't adjust the antenna enough. I have nearly 50% power reflected back into the CB! Not sure if this is because the ground plane sucks or if maybe my roof rack is too close (roof rack is not grounded however). It is still mounted there but I use the mag mount temporarily until I can figure out what to do. Any suggestions? I'll try anything.