CB radio antenna mounting

JDseller · Jul 30, 2011

I have a problem with a CB radio antenna that I mounted on a Fiberglass hood. The hood already had a hole there from a previous commercial radio mount. The CB antenna will not work correctly mounted on the hood. I can take the same antenna and mirror mount it an it works perfectly. Does the base mount of a CB antenna have to be grounded??? That is the only difference I can think of that would cause any problems.

I know that the low mounting height will limit the range of the radio but we only need them for field and granary communication. So one mile would be plenty far. 1/2 mile would work.

The hood mount works much better mechanically. So if I can get it to work electrically I would like to keep this mounting point.

Goose · Jul 30, 2011

Some (most?) CB antennae need to reflect off of a metal surface to work properly. I suspect that's your problem. The antenna is grounded back to the transceiver through the metal shield on the coax cable.

Bob · Jul 30, 2011

I sold CB's back in the day and at least one of the antenna companies sold a kit of self-stick heavy-duty aluminum to stick to the underside of fiberglass cabtops or hoods to provide a ground plane for the antenna.

I suspect you could do that yourself using same HD aluminum foil and some spray glue. May take a little ingenuity to get it AND the antenna base WELL grounded, though.

Sidekick · Jul 30, 2011

The antenna needs a large metal surface to reflect from. Where you mount it influences how it reflects. Mounting in the middle of the vehicle gives a fairly omnidirectional field. Mounting on either end of the vehicle places your field in the opposite direction. Dual antennas used to be popular but most people don't realize that to be truly effective they have to be farther apart than what is possible on most vehicles. So in short, yes your antenna has to be mounted on a large metal surface which will act as a ground plane.

IBorange in TX · Jul 30, 2011

You would be surprised how much reception you can get by just using the antenna mounted on a plain old metal garbage can lid..

Don"t ask how I know. BTDT
mb

36 Coupe · Jul 31, 2011

Most fiber glass hoods have chicken wire in them.Its connected to a contact on the firewall.Am and FM reception is impossible if the connection is lost.I used to put a braided copper strap, hood to cowl on noise problems.I found a lot of fiber glass hoods ungrounded.Do an SWR match and you will see why the hood location doesent work.

BCnT · Jul 31, 2011

get a marine antenna for a boat...they have a built in ground plane.

CB radio antenna mounting

JDseller

Well-known Member

Goose

Well-known Member

Bob

Well-known Member

Sidekick

Member

IBorange in TX

Member

36 Coupe

Well-known Member

BCnT

Well-known Member

Similar threads