Where did you mount your CB Radio?

[strokeZ]

I have the guy from right channel doing the research for me. Has anyone removed that overhead cubby assembly? is it tough to do? I have been a road warrior the past few weeks and have not had time to pull that apart. If it doesn't work I will end up reverting to the side cubby or just the Cobra all in one handheld unit.

[NeilSmith]

You could mount yours in the center console and use a wireless mic, I think someone has done this also.

[strokeZ]

Good idea...I should look into that as well. THX!

[LWM]

I use the Cobra CB in the handset, I had some trouble last summer in Colorado but I think it was due to antenna tuning (which I still have not fixed since I have not used the Commander since July).

[jcoulter]

That was mine mounted up above the mirror. It's not near as bad as some are making it out to be. I don't even notice it. Plus my brake controller is in the cubby so that location was out.

[Spigot]

That was mine mounted up above the mirror. It's not near as bad as some are making it out to be. I don't even notice it. Plus my brake controller is in the cubby so that location was out.

Didn't mean to bash on you at all. I hope it didnt come across like that. It just looks like it sticks out and down pretty far, but pictures dont always do proper justice. One question though, Do you have a sun roof? If so what did you do with the sun roof controls? I do like the functionality of that location.

[jcoulter]

No worries. If I want to get bashed I just go over to our local 4x4 club website and see who's complaining now. Kinda funny that when we were asked who wanted to be an officer they didn't stand up. But they are the first ones bitchin. lol

I do not have a sunroof or any of the homelink stuff. All that was there was an empty cubby. I'll try to post a better pic soon. And running the wires was easy. There are only two screws holding the pillar panel on and you can shove the wires behind the roof liner without removing it.

[kitkat]

Sorry, recently switched internet and am having issues...I don't know anything about grounding or SWR but, I did ground as soon as I had it installed. Also, because I have an aftermarket stereo with Bluetooth and stuff, I was getting some interferance using the CB. I got a 95% sheilded cable rather than the normal CB cable and seems good now.
The ground wire to the mount is actually part of the mount. I did it only so I could take the antenna off easier if I had to. 1 wire to the mount, 1 from the mount into my tail light ground

[superacerc]

The ground wire is essential unless you have a well grounded antenna bracket with no paint between the metal. All antennas require 2 parts to complete the wave radiation properly or you will have bad SWR. One side is the radiator and the other is the ground side. The ground side is essential to properly send out your radio wave. On a mag mount the cars roof metal becomes the ground through inductance(kind of like an electrical transformer's windings) therefore not needing a ground and the wider the magnet base the better it will ground. On a hard mount the either you must mount it bare metal to bare metal or add a ground wire going to something that's bare metal like under a bolt somewhere on the chassis.

SWR is standing wave ratio - basically if you don't have a "perfect antenna" you will have a reflected wave which means that instead of the radiation leaving the antenna it will come back down the ground side and back into your radio ( can even come out through your hand mic if you have a metal button on the back) and could possibly cause RF burns. Even worse than the unpleasant burning sensation your signal wont get out well!!!

There are varying degrees of SWR so you need a meter to read it. You want to see 1:1 match which means that for everything you sent out all of it left the antenna. if it's less it would read 2:1, 3:1 or worse. ANything under 2:1 is considered ok. i.e. 1.5:1

My antenna wouldn't read under 3:1 without the ground so I added it as my bracket didn't have a built in one.

[1USMC]

I wasn't exact ( purposely) with my question regarding the Wilson antenna ground wire.. ( that I noticed is grounded in the photo). Its really a " impedance matching transformer " connector used to help with SWR >2.0:1 , after tuning, perhaps to help with a poor ground/ mounting location ( helps to get back to 50 ohms). If the SWR is lower they recommend not using that wire. Other fiberglass CB antenna makers do not have this feature. I was wondering if Kitkat checked his SWR before grounding the Wilson wire ? I'm ( once again if I ever have time, ha..) going to also be mounting a Wilson antenna and was curious what results others may have had with locations that are not ideal ( like mine) and if the Wilson connector wire made a difference.

Kitkat good to hear your system is working well now, with the better cable !

Glad to have your expertise and help superacerc, Thanks..