CB Antennae locations...

fredsub

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Dec 25, 2008
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49
I have a GME uhf, but no bull bar now....

I know of the bonnet bracket as shown here
finished.jpg


but i've always been put off by the ugliness of it and and not sure just how sturdy that L bracket is, afterall it only goes in ONE bolt hole...

I used to use a CD9000 antennae, it worked brilliantly......
not sure how good those antennae is in the pic above really are, but I guess there is little choice.......

maybe drilling a hole is a better option? anyone done it? ...it may as well be permanent ay?

I also hate the vast sloping dashes of newer cars....so hard to put something somewhere:confused: another reason why I haven't done anything on it yet......
 
OUCH! hard Q's dude. i haven't heard of anyone drilling holes but it can be done as i was thinking about it before i bought a front bar. if you do it? buy a tube of sikaflex (good grade silicon) and seal the hole after the primer job;):)
 
Im a CB installer by trade so i may be able to help.

The antenna in the pic is a good antenna when mounted correctly (that one is not).
That antenna in the pic needs a ground plan in order to function correctly... it is meant to be mounted in the center of a flat steal roof which is not an option for most people. It will work but not very well.

A CD9000 is the type of antenna best used on the mount on the photo above and on bull bars. This does not need to be earthed at the base nor does it need an earthling play (flat steal surface).

There are 2 grades of what we call "Z" Brackets shown in your photo. One is Stainless steal and one is not... the one that isn't is half a mm thicker. This makes a LOT of difference to the amount of flex in the bracket. The one that is not stainless steal (the thicker one) i have never seen rust so i have no idea what it's made out of... maybe it is zinc coated but i would recomend it if you are going to mount it like the one above.

I will upload a photo of what i have done on mine... i still might change it cos i am a little picky... but it has left no holes or marks on it what so ever and it attaches under the bonnet with grub screws.

Also as far as mounting of the unit goes... there are many units on the market that allow you to mount it almost any place you like. The GME tx3440 and GME tx3420 spring to mind.

Dave
 
I don't have any pics handy sorry (will try to remember to grab some).

I've mounted my antenna on the same type of bracket as pictured above. Used two coated self tapping sheet metal screws to mount it. (pre drilled pilot holes) I was pretty worried about how it would go but it's been surprisingly strong. I use a GPI antenna with a HD spring at it's base. it regularly gets a hammering and bent over at some extreme angles and have had no issues with the mounting bracket strength at all.

P.s. I'm using a GME TX4400 and been happy with it.
 
The 2 brackets i was on about were the GME brand MB407ss (Stainless steel) and the MB407 (Half a mm thicker). We use these on high gain phone antennas that are almost identicle to CD9000.

Dave
 
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^ Interesting stuff Dave. I have been wondering about the quality of my antenna (it's a DSE 5 or 9 extendable type) and I've been thinking of switching to a GME.


Before I had my bullbar I mounted the antenna on the rear of the bonnet bracket. The plastic end covers on either side of the air dam in front of the windscreen attach to the rear of the bonnet brackets. By removing the plastic plug and cover, you then drill the hole out just slightly larger so an antenna post can be attached. Attach the post which is fiddly because you have to lay the nut under the bracket and screw the post into it. Put the plactic trim piece back on then install the antenna base onto the post.
 
More cleaned:iconwink:! Will tidy up again tomorrow morning
 
back to topic...
Thanks Dave, thats certainly interesting mount,
so where did you get that style from ? or did you bend up a
MB407 ?

You would also have to be cautious opening the bonnet, no?
 
I'm still pretty chuffed with my antenna - it's mounted inside on the rear window (the opposite one to the standard FM aerial). It stops the nasties bending/breaking/stealing the antenna, and so far I've been happy with the performance. It may not reach as far as a 'proper' antenna, but suits me just fine!

Subarino, a question: I was listening to the Sydney scumbags on a repeater and heard them say that putting a CD at the bottom of the mount gives a better ground plane ad signal. Is that true?
 
Bumper said:
I was listening to the Sydney scumbags on a repeater and heard them say that putting a CD at the bottom of the mount gives a better ground plane ad signal. Is that true?
Click to expand...
Haven't heard that one before, but in theory, I can see where they are coming from, if that makes sense.

Regards
Mr Turbo
 
Bumper said:
Subarino, a question: I was listening to the Sydney scumbags on a repeater and heard them say that putting a CD at the bottom of the mount gives a better ground plane ad signal. Is that true?
Click to expand...


I seriously doubt it... and if it did anything at all it would be very very little. When they say a ground plan they are talking about a significant amount of area not a few inches.

There has been evidence that proves that non-ground plan independent antennas that a mounted to one side of a flat steal car roof has much much more range on the side that has the most ground plan and has very little range in the direction on the side the antenna is mounted.

I have also heard stories of people putting their front wheels of there car in the ocean and being able to talk to people in Japan... again, the therory is there cos they could be using the ocean as some sort of ground plan but i have never seen it myself.

Dave
 
Subarino said:
I have also heard stories of people putting their front wheels of there car in the ocean and being able to talk to people in Japan... again, the therory is there cos they could be using the ocean as some sort of ground plan but i have never seen it myself.

Dave
Click to expand...

Yeah, they used to say that with the old AM SSB units. Tried it once but just got wet wheels:p
 
Here's what I do:

Use a through-the-glass antenna. Stick one side to the outside of the glass, stick the other to the inside in the same location. Trim the end of the antenna so that it looks like a Chevy Onstar antenna, use this for short range.

Drill into either your hatch or your roof rack (I'm into my roof rack) and mount a k-4 antenna stud (I run 2). The studs aren't very noticeable when antennas aren't threaded into them. When you need more range than the through-the-glass, thread on any conventional CB antenna (I have two 4 foot Firestiks on hand, I never run both, one's just a backup). You'll be able to see the wires running from the bottom of your roof rack, but that's no big thing.

I might undo my roof rack studs and just get front fender mounted brackets and run the 4 footers on the front all the time. I personally like that look.
 
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