Good job, well done, very thorough, exercised good antenna theory however, that’s a lot of work to go through for a subpar antenna. A Wilson 1000 magnetic mount or similar would give you much better performance, and it’s plug-and-play. Rock on bro!
Very good Nate...I'm about to install a CB in my 2019 Ram and like your mount best over the other videos I've seen. Give us an update on your reception quality!
I have had no complaints on receptions. I don't use it very much, really only when there are accidents on the highway. I like to be able to hear which lanes are clear, how far ahead it is, etc. I've never done a test to see how many miles I can receive/transmit, but I have heard truckers talking about wrecks that are 5+ miles out still.
@@georgeorwell480 more metal on metal contact rather than the wire strap. CB radio waves are pretty long so you’re trying to make the metal of the body your ground plane rather than a little wire if at all possible, your range can be quite a bit better that way
Very informative video! Quick question, would I be able to mount my CB antenna on the passenger side in the very back of the bed through the stakehole? I know it’s not an ideal place to mount it but could I make it work? Thanks.
Very nice install, BUT : 1) your ground wire is way too thin to be that effective, you need to use large copper braid, as short as possible 2) the antenna location is IMO too close to the cabin, it will have an effect on its radiation pattern. Also, you don't need grounds using for example a tri-magnet, because you have capacitive coupling at frequencies like CB freqs. A magnet will provide you just as good performance ; however ground can be useful when running high power (especially over CB legal levels) and there's a potential to get RF feedback in the radio or the vehicle's electronics, or to get rid of some QRM. I have run during years a CB with a magnet mount without issues, but the power levels were no concern (30W) and the CB (a President Grant export) could easily get rid of the QRM having great NB. I could have grounded the radio itself with a short and large copper braid to get rid of QRM but had not to, engine was diesel and not gasoline. Just my experience. I plan to buy a pick-up truck, not sure yet where the antenna will be (it will be a screwdriver type for HAM radio HF frequencies), maybe on the bed itself because of the size of the antenna.
Yep! Not true. The Firestik is a top load antenna meaning the coil is at the top. The coil is above the roof. A Wilson 2k with a 10" shaft would have been a poor choice. I however would not use the spring.
I hook up a 108 wip to a cobra ltd 29 the wip is on a motorola ball mount bolted to my crome rear bumper i got a coax that i had to put the pl plup on i put the center part of the coax to the ant.and the shielding to the ground bolt when i plup it up nothing but static no weather will come in eather but if i take the plug out and just put the center of the coan in the radio no ground shielding touching and come in great what did i do wrong
It depends on what antenna you are running. I am not familiar with that particular mount, but if it clamps to a bare metal part of the frame, it should work fine. From a quick search online, it looks like some people simply scrape the paint off the frame under the mount so it is grounded.
The Nate Take I went ahead and grounded the clamp. Ohm meter showing it wasn’t a complete loop. My only problem now is when I start the machine static kicks in loud. I have to almost turn the squelch knob all the way up
i'm just learning about antenna mount - I'm confused - you grinded a spot underneath the truck for a ground, but in your explanation, you mentioned that you wired a ground to the battery - please explain
+J R Sorry for the confusion JR! So on modern vehicles, the frame is grounded to the battery already. You just need to run the ground from the antenna mount to the frame. If however your frame isnt grounded, you can either: Ground your frame from your battery (not that easy). Or: Run that ground wire from the antenna mount all the way to the negative post on your battery. I hope that clears up an confusion. Thanks for watching!
Lmfao wtf do you think the battery is grounded to. Some people I sware. Dumbest question I have EVER heard are u like 12? Cause if so u have an excuse to be an idiot
@@jackhagen3153 This coming from a person who can't spell "Swear" properly and doesn't know how to use punctuation to break up a sentence. Three words for you, Jack...Hooked On Phonics. If you're going to call someone an idiot, please try to not sound like one yourself.
Hooked On Phonics is garbage. Ever notice how less 'educated' people seem smarter than the more 'educated' ones lately? Like...Trump supporters are smarter than Dumbecrats...no matter how much education they have. The man's comment about batteries being grounded to the vehicle no doubt comes from his actual hand-on knowledge....not from a book.
REALLY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! OMG Everyone and his brother is having great results with these antennas. Bad mounting position!!!!!!!!!!!!!! REALLY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Did you hear him say he may have like it on the roof but didnt want to rust it out???????? I swear some people.....
Good video but ive had CB's since early 70's and fire sticks are not that good a antena ive actualy had better performance from a cheap francise but they need a stiff spring or the fiberglass will crack after a few years
Question, if I don't ground my antenna will it not work right and my ant light comes on my ltd 29 cobra classic. Also I have an aluminum mount and its mounted to my aluminum tool mix
Most vehicles are going to be grounded. However, I wanted to make sure it was grounded which is why I put the ground wire there. I did a little research on the antenna light for your radio, and it sounds like your SWR is off. Have you tuned your anttena? Could be a bad ground. Here's an idea. Is your toolbox sitting on top of plastic bed rails? If so, it may not be connected very well if at all to the truck bed.
I'm slightly confused by your question. A magnet mount works via a magnet. Simply place it in the middle of your roof (assuming your roof is metal). If I had an install like that, I'd probably run the cord down the back and through the cab still, just so the cable doesn't get crushed and to reduce chances for water leaking in. Otherwise, a magnetic attachment is the same I believe .
if the cab blocks the signal, it won't make any difference which side the antenna is mounted on. A ground plane is under the antenna. The whole truck should be rounded to make it all the ground plane.
+J R If it's just a couple feet or less of cable, you can coil it. However if you have enough cable left over that you could switch your long cable for a shorter one, I would advise that. There is less resistance with a shorter cable so it would provide a better CB experience. Thanks for watching!!
Coil your extra coax you want to run it back and forth front to back ( under the carpet or back seat) sp you have a looser s pattern. Also you only want to run cable with multiples of 3 for instance 1.5' ,3', 6' ect. I don't remember the reason but the guy who taught me was a ham radio operator and that's what he told me
Yes you CAN coil the extra cable ; folks telling you can't are mixing up with electric cable you may not coil when using high power equipment as cable will withstand less amperage if coiled. This holds true with your RG58, but i am not sure you are using several hundreds of watts of power so that it could be a concern. If you are using less than say a 100W don't bother. Actually if you can find big diameter ferrites to clip on your coax coil, it can help get the radiation of your antenna away of your rig (less RF feedback) and less QRM potentially. So yes, you can coil your cable :)
You mounted the ground to the bottom of the bed which is fine but originally you said the frame. I just want to clarify that mounting a ground for the antenna to the frame would be ineffective to creating an RF ground or counterpoise to the antenna. You have to mount the ground to the body in which the antenna is attached to. The antenna cannot see the frame, mounting ground to frame is a general misconception of installing antennas. RF ground and DC ground are two different things, you need DC ground for the radio to have power but you need RF ground for the antenna. To give an example of this, take a magnetic mount, it uses the magnet to create continuity between the antenna and the piece of body its stuck to. You dont need to run an additional wire to the frame because the magnet grounding to center mass of the body is sufficient in creating RF ground. If one wishes to insure that body is grounded to the frame that is fine but ultimately the antenna has to be grounded to the body. I always use magnet mount antennas as I'm not really knowledgeable in these matters, the information provided is not sourced by me but by another youtuber who is very knowledgeable in mobile antennas. This is simply what I gathered from his video, maybe I misinterpreted some, to be certain of the information I advise watching his video not just taking my word for it. I don't wish to be rude and pushing viewers to another channel, I just want help validate what appears to be the correct way of mounting antennas. No one probably knows less about this stuff than me, I'm as simple minded as it gets lol. Dont hate the messenger unless I misinterpret something and if I did I apologize for that. His channels name is Smokin Joe's electronics 442 Built, video is Mobile antenna tuning/ RF grounding Basics.
I've recently talked to a guy who has many years of experience running radios in the Navy. I'm working on putting together a more thorough and complete video specifically on grounding CB antennas.
Nothing wrong with fire sticks per say and there's allot of good information here but ... Where is your Ground plane ? Its true you grounded it well enough, however; It's a monopole being used as a dipole, it needs a ground plane. Usually a large flat surface is used for that purpose or some sort of counter poise to be electrically equal in resistance. You may have problems with swr causing other issues. The actual length of your antenna is equally important. I've been in radio for 50 years, I've made plenty of mistakes but I've learned a few things as well ... Good luck ! Also, SWR meters on most CBs aren't really all that accurate. I suggest asking local HAMs for assistance.
@@The-Keekinator I know. The background music is completely unnecessary and a distraction from the basis of this video. I couldn’t watch more than 3 minutes of this video before moving on.
The plastic washer must go on top of the mount. That way the outer coax grounds to the antenna and the plastic washer isolates the antenna from the ground.
+commando602 You are absolutely correct. I knew that not everyone would be mounting it to an F150 so o wanted to be certain to show it. Also, on older trucks like mine, the beds don't always have a good ground because of all the years of dirt that can usually be found under there. If your truck bed has a good ground, then you don't need to add a wire. I basically did it for insurance purposes. That way I know I will always have a good ground. Thanks for watching!
Good job, well done, very thorough, exercised good antenna theory however, that’s a lot of work to go through for a subpar antenna. A Wilson 1000 magnetic mount or similar would give you much better performance, and it’s plug-and-play. Rock on bro!
I love your thoroughness🥰🙌🏽🙌🏽
This video is great, only one i can find detailing an antenna setup! Thanks
Very good Nate...I'm about to install a CB in my 2019 Ram and like your mount best over the other videos I've seen. Give us an update on your reception quality!
I have had no complaints on receptions. I don't use it very much, really only when there are accidents on the highway. I like to be able to hear which lanes are clear, how far ahead it is, etc. I've never done a test to see how many miles I can receive/transmit, but I have heard truckers talking about wrecks that are 5+ miles out still.
You’ll get increased performance improving that ground
@@tsloth1390 How would you do that?
@@georgeorwell480 more metal on metal contact rather than the wire strap. CB radio waves are pretty long so you’re trying to make the metal of the body your ground plane rather than a little wire if at all possible, your range can be quite a bit better that way
Very informative video! Quick question, would I be able to mount my CB antenna on the passenger side in the very back of the bed through the stakehole? I know it’s not an ideal place to mount it but could I make it work? Thanks.
Yes. If you can mount it, and you are ok with not having the best signal, then yes that will work.
Very nice install, BUT : 1) your ground wire is way too thin to be that effective, you need to use large copper braid, as short as possible 2) the antenna location is IMO too close to the cabin, it will have an effect on its radiation pattern.
Also, you don't need grounds using for example a tri-magnet, because you have capacitive coupling at frequencies like CB freqs.
A magnet will provide you just as good performance ; however ground can be useful when running high power (especially over CB legal levels) and there's a potential to get RF feedback in the radio or the vehicle's electronics, or to get rid of some QRM.
I have run during years a CB with a magnet mount without issues, but the power levels were no concern (30W) and the CB (a President Grant export) could easily get rid of the QRM having great NB. I could have grounded the radio itself with a short and large copper braid to get rid of QRM but had not to, engine was diesel and not gasoline.
Just my experience.
I plan to buy a pick-up truck, not sure yet where the antenna will be (it will be a screwdriver type for HAM radio HF frequencies), maybe on the bed itself because of the size of the antenna.
Yep! Not true. The Firestik is a top load antenna meaning the coil is at the top. The coil is above the roof. A Wilson 2k with a 10" shaft would have been a poor choice. I however would not use the spring.
I hook up a 108 wip to a cobra ltd 29 the wip is on a motorola ball mount bolted to my crome rear bumper i got a coax that i had to put the pl plup on i put the center part of the coax to the ant.and the shielding to the ground bolt when i plup it up nothing but static no weather will come in eather but if i take the plug out and just put the center of the coan in the radio no ground shielding touching and come in great what did i do wrong
I think I am going to use a magnet mount antenna on the roof of my Chevy s10 Blazer !
Sounds like a grounding issue ? What type of antenna? Did you tune it ?
Thank you for the informative content sir!
I’m putting a CB on my sxs. I’ve got a aluminum antenna clamp mount. Should I run a ground wire from one of the mounts bolts to the frame somewhere?
It depends on what antenna you are running. I am not familiar with that particular mount, but if it clamps to a bare metal part of the frame, it should work fine. From a quick search online, it looks like some people simply scrape the paint off the frame under the mount so it is grounded.
The Nate Take
I went ahead and grounded the clamp. Ohm meter showing it wasn’t a complete loop. My only problem now is when I start the machine static kicks in loud. I have to almost turn the squelch knob all the way up
Nate I like your homemade mount...how did you bed the 90° ?
I put it in a vice and beat it with a hammer. Actually it bent quite easily compared to what I expected
i'm just learning about antenna mount - I'm confused - you grinded a spot underneath the truck for a ground, but in your explanation, you mentioned that you wired a ground to the battery - please explain
+J R Sorry for the confusion JR! So on modern vehicles, the frame is grounded to the battery already. You just need to run the ground from the antenna mount to the frame. If however your frame isnt grounded, you can either: Ground your frame from your battery (not that easy). Or: Run that ground wire from the antenna mount all the way to the negative post on your battery. I hope that clears up an confusion. Thanks for watching!
I have a 2015 Ford F-250 crew cab - I would think its grounded. You are so detailed oriented - Bravo!!!
Lmfao wtf do you think the battery is grounded to. Some people I sware. Dumbest question I have EVER heard are u like 12? Cause if so u have an excuse to be an idiot
@@jackhagen3153 This coming from a person who can't spell "Swear" properly and doesn't know how to use punctuation to break up a sentence. Three words for you, Jack...Hooked On Phonics. If you're going to call someone an idiot, please try to not sound like one yourself.
Hooked On Phonics is garbage. Ever notice how less 'educated' people seem smarter than the more 'educated' ones lately? Like...Trump supporters are smarter than Dumbecrats...no matter how much education they have. The man's comment about batteries being grounded to the vehicle no doubt comes from his actual hand-on knowledge....not from a book.
Bad antenna choice, bad mounting position choice, it will work, but it will not work well. Rock on bro
REALLY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! OMG Everyone and his brother is having great results with these antennas. Bad mounting position!!!!!!!!!!!!!! REALLY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Did you hear him say he may have like it on the roof but didnt want to rust it out???????? I swear some people.....
Good video but ive had CB's since early 70's and fire sticks are not that good a antena ive actualy had better performance from a cheap francise but they need a stiff spring or the fiberglass will crack after a few years
Very nice job. Thank you.
Well Done!
Windows radio antenna going on a Volvo 2014 semi tractor trailer
Question, if I don't ground my antenna will it not work right and my ant light comes on my ltd 29 cobra classic. Also I have an aluminum mount and its mounted to my aluminum tool mix
Most vehicles are going to be grounded. However, I wanted to make sure it was grounded which is why I put the ground wire there. I did a little research on the antenna light for your radio, and it sounds like your SWR is off. Have you tuned your anttena? Could be a bad ground. Here's an idea. Is your toolbox sitting on top of plastic bed rails? If so, it may not be connected very well if at all to the truck bed.
Stop using your radio in transmit mode if the light comes on ! You will kill your CB...
@18 Wheels And what does excessive heat do to pa finals?
How would that mount work for a magnet mount antenna?
I'm slightly confused by your question. A magnet mount works via a magnet. Simply place it in the middle of your roof (assuming your roof is metal). If I had an install like that, I'd probably run the cord down the back and through the cab still, just so the cable doesn't get crushed and to reduce chances for water leaking in. Otherwise, a magnetic attachment is the same I believe .
if the cab blocks the signal, it won't make any difference which side the antenna is mounted on. A ground plane is under the antenna. The whole truck should be rounded to make it all the ground plane.
Well done video.
As a newbie, if I have too much cable after install in cab, do I just coil it? please advise
+J R If it's just a couple feet or less of cable, you can coil it. However if you have enough cable left over that you could switch your long cable for a shorter one, I would advise that. There is less resistance with a shorter cable so it would provide a better CB experience. Thanks for watching!!
Please take a look at my previous email regarding a ground question
Coil your extra coax you want to run it back and forth front to back ( under the carpet or back seat) sp you have a looser s pattern. Also you only want to run cable with multiples of 3 for instance 1.5' ,3', 6' ect. I don't remember the reason but the guy who taught me was a ham radio operator and that's what he told me
Yes you CAN coil the extra cable ; folks telling you can't are mixing up with electric cable you may not coil when using high power equipment as cable will withstand less amperage if coiled.
This holds true with your RG58, but i am not sure you are using several hundreds of watts of power so that it could be a concern.
If you are using less than say a 100W don't bother. Actually if you can find big diameter ferrites to clip on your coax coil, it can help get the radiation of your antenna away of your rig (less RF feedback) and less QRM potentially.
So yes, you can coil your cable :)
@FoxRcng708 not true !
You mounted the ground to the bottom of the bed which is fine but originally you said the frame. I just want to clarify that mounting a ground for the antenna to the frame would be ineffective to creating an RF ground or counterpoise to the antenna. You have to mount the ground to the body in which the antenna is attached to. The antenna cannot see the frame, mounting ground to frame is a general misconception of installing antennas. RF ground and DC ground are two different things, you need DC ground for the radio to have power but you need RF ground for the antenna. To give an example of this, take a magnetic mount, it uses the magnet to create continuity between the antenna and the piece of body its stuck to. You dont need to run an additional wire to the frame because the magnet grounding to center mass of the body is sufficient in creating RF ground. If one wishes to insure that body is grounded to the frame that is fine but ultimately the antenna has to be grounded to the body. I always use magnet mount antennas as I'm not really knowledgeable in these matters, the information provided is not sourced by me but by another youtuber who is very knowledgeable in mobile antennas. This is simply what I gathered from his video, maybe I misinterpreted some, to be certain of the information I advise watching his video not just taking my word for it. I don't wish to be rude and pushing viewers to another channel, I just want help validate what appears to be the correct way of mounting antennas. No one probably knows less about this stuff than me, I'm as simple minded as it gets lol. Dont hate the messenger unless I misinterpret something and if I did I apologize for that. His channels name is Smokin Joe's electronics 442 Built, video is Mobile antenna tuning/ RF grounding Basics.
Good video, this guy should be an instructor.
So many people overlook the importance of a good ground.
I've recently talked to a guy who has many years of experience running radios in the Navy. I'm working on putting together a more thorough and complete video specifically on grounding CB antennas.
What length antenna did you use?
5' Firestik if I am remembering correctly.
Nothing wrong with fire sticks per say and there's allot of good information here but ... Where is your Ground plane ? Its true you grounded it well enough, however; It's a monopole being used as a dipole, it needs a ground plane. Usually a large flat surface is used for that purpose or some sort of counter poise to be electrically equal in resistance. You may have problems with swr causing other issues. The actual length of your antenna is equally important. I've been in radio for 50 years, I've made plenty of mistakes but I've learned a few things as well ... Good luck ! Also, SWR meters on most CBs aren't really all that accurate. I suggest asking local HAMs for assistance.
I appreciate the advice. I've learned alot since I've made this series through the helpful comments of folks like you. Thanks!
What background music song is playing ?
rickey5353 a really gay one
@@The-Keekinator 🤣😂
@@The-Keekinator I know. The background music is completely unnecessary and a distraction from the basis of this video. I couldn’t watch more than 3 minutes of this video before moving on.
Great video but that plastic washer is supposed to be below the mount not on top. Thought you would like to know.
The plastic washer must go on top of the mount. That way the outer coax grounds to the antenna and the plastic washer isolates the antenna from the ground.
RHankD RHankD yep my bad sorry bout the missinfo my apologies
I don't understand the ground wire. Isn't the bed bolted to the frame?
+commando602 You are absolutely correct. I knew that not everyone would be mounting it to an F150 so o wanted to be certain to show it. Also, on older trucks like mine, the beds don't always have a good ground because of all the years of dirt that can usually be found under there. If your truck bed has a good ground, then you don't need to add a wire. I basically did it for insurance purposes. That way I know I will always have a good ground.
Thanks for watching!
but you still ended up grounding it to the body... not the frame... so it would be the same as if you just bolted it to the bed.
Good luck finding a 10 mm socket. Good video though.
Not a GOOD way of mounting your antenna
What's a better way?