Cb antenna installation instructions

A bad ground will result in an un-tunable antenna and sky-high SWR levels. Depending on the location of your mount, paint or powder coating can interfere with this connection.

You can also run a short grounding strap from the mount to a grounded part of the vehicle, but try to keep the strap as short as possible. Any other location with good electrical contact will also work. To complete your antenna installation, you need to do a CB radio setup, and the logical first step is to use an SWR meter. An SWR meter, whether built-in or in a separate unit, will also help you determine where to mount your antenna. If you have a separate SWR meter or other devices between your radio and antenna, you need to use a coaxial cable jumper.

Your goal is to bring the SWR ratio as close to as possible, and you can move your antenna around until you locate the best spot to install it on your vehicle.

Move your vehicle to a spot with no obstructions. Calibrate your meter according to the instructions, and test the SWR by pressing the key on channel 1 and then channel Note that a reading of over can damage your CB's health. Check out our video below on tuning a number of different types of antennas. This video also illustrates what to do if your antenna is too long or too short. You can save a lot of money by installing your own CB on your motorcycle using common tools you probably already have.

You'll need an inexpensive CB antenna such as the Midland that's designed for motorcycles, as well as a place to mount it on the rear end of your bike. Also, don't forget about the in-helmet headset. The customer is using the with the mobile adapter. The mount and antenna were installed on the passenger side front fender.

The customer reports, "Installing on the Hyundai Santa Fe required some bending of the bracket and even then it will result it some hood contact. If the mount was slightly thinner this would be avoided.

You could always ask a knowledgeable friend if one's available. If you don't have anyone available to you can look for additional information in our technical library. About Us. Store Links. Customer Service. Get advice, hear about specials, and much more when you follow us on social media! Read more From all of us here at CB World, we wish you the very best. Search CB World. Do you have questions? My Account.

Track My Order s Anti-bot validation. Sign in Register Email Address. Password Forgot your password? Register for a new account. Anti-bot validation. Choosing the appropriate antenna installation area is perhaps one of the essential aspects of the entire setup operation, if not the most critical. Although the list of adverse places might go on and on, there are also many preferable positioning areas. In most situations, mounting the CB antenna in the center of the rooftop is the ideal option, regardless of your vehicle model or variant.

Not only will you get the optimum signal level and the ideal position with the least amount of reconstructing work, but the antenna will also collect signals from all sources. Even better, you can utilize a basic magnetic mounting system to remove a lot of the guesswork out of the process. Four-wheel-drive vehicles and pickup trucks will benefit a lot from a toolbox setup, especially when the drivers have already installed and adequately fastened this mount type to the automobile.

In this case, a fiberglass aerial is the strongest because of its longevity. Signals will have enough freedom in this squared area, mainly if you utilize a custom installation. With its neat design and strong signaling, the hood position appeals to both pickups and 4WD enthusiasts.

A fiberglass attachment is an ideal solution since it is more robust, but whatever you select, remember that at least one-third of your transmitter should be over the rooftop. This arrangement features 2 antennas sitting on top of the automobile. When properly fitted, they will offer a considerable impact on the efficiency of your radio while also appearing stylish.

If you, unfortunately, end up with a damaged one, higher chances are that your radio will not be able to catch waves correctly. Before you can finish your antenna installation, you must first set up your CB radio.

Using the SWR meter, you could go about completing this step without difficulties as this assists in determining the best location to place antennas. To accomplish the task, ensure your car sits in an open space with no obstacles.

The SWR meter may be accessible in both pre-designed locations or stand independently. The thin wire is wrapped tighter towards the top placing most of the wire near the top.

Benefits of a top-loaded fiberglass antenna is that option to mount the antenna lower on the vehicle yet placing most of the antenna higher, hopefully above the roofline of the vehicle. Continuous-Loaded — Continuous loaded antennas are very similar to top-loaded antennas in their construction with the exception of the wire distribution over the shaft. With continuously loaded antennas, the wire is not concentrated towards the top or bottom, but rather distributed evenly over the entire length of the shaft.

There is very little benefit to continuous loading vs top loading. When installing a CB, you have a long coaxial cable that runs from the CB to the antenna. Typically this is about 18 foot of cable, which according to some theory, is the optimal length of cable to use regardless of how close the antenna is to the CB.

So if you have 18 foot, you probably have some or a lot of extra cable to deal with. This will cause performance issues. Instead spread out the wire loosely in broad lengths. Route the cable out of the way as good as possible.

If the antenna is in the rear of the vehicle, that can be a challenge. Under carpet, along the door jam, under the seats, along the roll cage are all common ways to route it. This can result in a damaged CB. CB Radio Articles Installations […]. Equipment needed: SWR meter, short jumper coax 3 foot.

Connect the antenna normally connected to the back of the […]. I am looking for a video on how to install mount CB radio into the ceiling of Toyota Tacoma truck or any kind of truck. Anybody got any HELP? I do not want to leave the CB in my car all the time.

I just want a plug and go install. If I tune this thing does it matter if I remove it and return it to the set up in the morning?

As long as you do not change the coaxial cable length and do not disturb how you routed the coaxial cable, your SWR should remain the same. If you adjust your SWR to optimal and later want to remove the radio, you may want to remove the antenna too. If you remove the antenna make sure you put it back in the same place you had it and route the wire exactly like you had it or the SWR may change from the original setting.

An open wire is very much like keying up without the antenna. Good summary and fun read of the CB radio.