CB antenna mounting

JeepKrawlr

JeepKrawlr

Member
Joined
Aug 30, 2010
Location
Winston-Salem, NC
Just need some suggestions on how to mount a 4ft whip on the back bumper behind the passenger-side fender on an 08 JK.
I'd prefer to drill some type of mount into the plastic bumper like I already have but I'm not able to find any mounts for a 4ft whip allowing me to do so.
Anyone have any suggestions or websites that might help me find a mounting bracket?
Any help appreciated.

Thanks,
Tim
 
You also need to consider that the antenna mount has to be grounded to the chassis of the Jeep. Mounting it to plastic would not work unless you purchase a grounding jumper to run to the Jeeps ground on the frame or body.

Example
awww.jkowners.com_forum_gallery_files_4_2_0_antenna_mount_and_ground.jpg


Once your done with your mount, Use a Volt Meter and read the OHMs between the Mount or base of the antenna and the frame of the Jeep (Be sure to get a good connection), It should read less than a few OHMs.
 
Ditto ^^^^^
 
hey Tim, i dunno if this place is still open, but CB Discount on Stratford road (between jonestown and clemmons) is a good place to go for advice.
 
08_Sahara16 said:
Looks like a good mount and a good place to mount it also.
Is that a 3' or 4' antenna in those pictures?
Click to expand...

No idea, it will look fine though. If you need any help just give me a call, though Stephen might be easier since you guys are closer.
 
08_Sahara16 said:
Looks like a good mount and a good place to mount it also.
Is that a 3' or 4' antenna in those pictures?
Click to expand...

I have that same mount on mine. I run a 4ft firestick on it. You can also flip it and run it on the drivers side lower part of the tire carrier if you dont like how high the antenna sits.

its cheaper at quadratec though
http://www.quadratec.com/products/16180_000.htm

not sure what you are looking to spend but cooltech has a couple cool setups for the Cobra 75 which is removable so you dont need to worry about your cb getting stolen.
http://www.cooltechllc.com/jeep/jk_CB_AllinOne_kit.shtml

it comes with the ultramount or gate mount
http://www.cooltechllc.com/jeep/jk_ultramount.htm

the jk plastic bumper weight is less then 25 lbs that thing will fold if you try and mount an antenna on it lol
 
tkob1060 said:
it comes with the ultramount or gate mount
http://www.cooltechllc.com/jeep/jk_ultramount.htm
Click to expand...

I love that mount, a bit pricey though.
Thanks for all the suggestions, I'm getting more ideas on what to do for this situation.

Question: Would I have any problems with this set-up if I hooked it up to a Cobra 19 radio? Is this made specifically for one model or is it a universal fit?
 
This is how I have it on my Factory TJ bumper...goes right into the OE Fog light hole:

40234_419224070355_530480355_5222798_2721847_n.jpg


Been that way for nearly 2 yrs and works great. Also helps tell me where the front bumper is.
 
08_Sahara16 said:
Question: Would I have any problems with this set-up if I hooked it up to a Cobra 19 radio? Is this made specifically for one model or is it a universal fit?
Click to expand...

All CBs should be tuned, There is no universal Antenna or Cable. You can get it close and it may work but not well.

It will work with a Cobra 19, I picked up a cheap Midland from a Truck Stop on Sale for $25, its as nice as my Cobra 19 was and it also has a weather radio built it. I used the Midland model that was out before this one and it was a great unit until I got it wet. Then I went to the Cobras but they never worked well (My fault, Never tuned them) Got the New Midland installed it and it wouldn't work well, Had a short in the antenna mount, which I found when I broke down and bought a meter to tune it with. Now it works better that ever.

I would tune it for ya if your willing to make the haul this way sometime, But I am sure there is someone in your area with a meter that can help you out. Tuning it is just a matter of trimming the antenna to work well with the CB and Cable your using. Look at the installation instructions from the CB you get and it will recommend a cable length, Most likely 18 ft.

Here is the one I have,

Midland 1001LWX CB Radio with Automatic Weather Scan Technology
awww.directdepot.net_images_images_big_1001LWX.JPG


You can google it and find it for a decent price, But check your local truck stops, I paid $25 plus tax and haven't seen it close to that anywhere else, Its nice compact unit.
 
Wanted to revive this thread because I'm having antenna mounting problems. I have a Firestik 3' and a standard mount where the cable screws into the bottom. No additional ground wire. Also on the antenna is one of the heavy duty springs. My cable is 20' long. My radio is wired to a cigarette lighter adapter. (Easier to remove) I have an SWR meter inline.

I want to mount the stud directly to the bumper without using any type of adapter. I drilled a 3/8" hole into my WARN bumper and "wallered" it out. Couldn't find my unibit and it was the biggest bit I had. I made do. :D The plastic washer slides into the hole to keep the copper part of the antenna mount off of the bumper. That part seems to work fine. However, when key up the mic the PWR doesn't go above 1 watt. Barely moves at all. Also, when attempting to set SWR it will not get to the "set" point on my meter.

From my understanding this could mean one of two things. Either my radio doesn't have enough power, meaning my wiring is shotty. Or my antenna isn't grounded properly. I did not grind the under side of the bumper. It's too difficult to get to without pulling the bumper. Can anyone shed some light? I thought about buying a screw on style mount just to make sure I'm getting a good ground, but I don't want that sitting off of my bumper.

edit: Also, I pulled the antenna off completely and tested it and the readings are the same, which leads me to think it's a ground issue. Input appreciated!



SWR METER

* "To Transmitter" and "To Antenna" coax leads reversed
* Failure to recalibrate SWR meter after every channel change
* Calibrating meter when in SWR/Ref mode instead of Cal/Fwd mode
* Innaccurate, defective or uncalibrated SWR meter
* Unable to calibrate meter to set line (radio output power issue)
* Improper testing procedure
* Faulty coaxial jumper between radio and SWR meter


So confused, lol. Insufficient power, ground?? No smoke in the radio? who knows
 
I can tell you that if its the radio I gave you, it worked perfect when I pullled it out. I never had it tuned and still got pretty good range. A whole lot better than the cobra that I put in. I need to get my new radio tuned, it sucks as of right now.
 
burrellsjeep said:
Chris it does sound like a ground issue.
If you have a scrap piece of wire ground to the outside of the antenna to the ground of the Jeep and see if it gets you a better reading. You can do this with out it mounted for testing purposes.
Click to expand...
I concur, I'll be at URE next weekend if you want to try my SWR meter on it.
 
amajeepman said:
I can tell you that if its the radio I gave you, it worked perfect when I pullled it out. I never had it tuned and still got pretty good range. A whole lot better than the cobra that I put in. I need to get my new radio tuned, it sucks as of right now.
Click to expand...

Yep, it's the radio you gave me. I'm positive the radio is fine. It's more likely I did something wrong.

burrellsjeep said:
Chris it does sound like a ground issue.

If you have a scrap piece of wire ground to the outside of the antenna to the ground of the Jeep and see if it gets you a better reading. You can do this with out it mounted for testing purposes.
Click to expand...

I'll give it a try. I'm betting the mount isn't making good contact with the underside of the bumper. Even though I drilled and wallowed the hole I don't doubt the mount is sitting on powder coat. Either that or the copper part of the mount is grounding out. Not sure what result that would produce in the SWR meter.

Your Hot Dog Guy! said:
I concur, I'll be at URE next weekend if you want to try my SWR meter on it.
Click to expand...

I'll see you at the DPL sometime this coming weekend. We'll give yours a go if I haven't gotten it fixed by then. :)
 
Pulled the antenna off the bumper and grabbed a test wire with two alligator clips. Clipped to the spring hanger and to the stud. No change on the SWR meter. Also tried grounding to various other places on the body and held the clip onto the outside of the cable where it attached to the mount. Nothing made a difference. Albeit, the wire I was using isn't very thick. Probably around 18 awg.

Should I try wiring the radio into the fuse panel now? Perhaps the cigarette lighter isn't allowing enough amps? Thicker ground wire?
 
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