Custom antenna coil colors

brian991219 · Feb 26, 2016

I am doing my first custom truck, I have done many basic installs over the years, but now I am building what will likely be my last truck before retiring. One of the things I have always wanted to do is put my cb antenna on the back wall of my sleeper, which is easy enough, especially since I will have all the interior panels out of my bunk for the build anyway.

What I want to know, can I have the coil on my Wilson 2000 painted to match my accent color perfectly, or will the paint interfere with the performance of the antenna? As I understand a base loaded coil, the whip is the only thing that radiates the signal, but I want to be sure before paying the body shop to paint it. If I can't paint it I will pick a close color from the shelf, but would prefer an exact match.

Also, what preference does everyone have for coax that will not be readily accessible to swap out? It is easy for me to change out my coax in the door, but I want to get a few years out of the cable I run through my headliner for the back wall mount. I used to use Belden brand, but my local electric supply shop no longer carries Belden, they have some no name China made cable, and I don't have a cb shop near me. I am looking for bulk cable since I install my own ends, using gold plated crimp on the inside and either screw terminals on the antenna end, or if I use a SO-259 feed through then I cover the crimp on PL-259 in dielectric grease and silicone tape to seal out the weather. I will consider a pre-made cable if it is highly recommended, but will have to remove one end to feed it through the grommet in the back wall.

By the way, anyone have a good lead on a cb shop in either Scranton, Pa, Albany, Ny, or Newburgh, Ny? I used to deal with the cb doctor in Maybrook for parts (never let him open a set), and Phil Sr. out in Fonda, Ny (now that his son is running the place I will never go back again).

Thanks for the help.

Ougigoug · Feb 26, 2016

DTB in Carlisle has been good to me.

I had a wilson 2K painted once and painted or not that antenna was working the same...

As coax i use commscope product.

Good luck with the project keep us posted.

Ridgeline · Feb 26, 2016

Belden on the coax isn't hard to get, there are a lot of places that handle it.

That said, the entire antenna including the loading coil is an active RF radiator. The problem with paint is many paints have metal in them so I would not paint it but an alternative is depending on the color just get a vinyl from a sign company and stick it on there. with some careful shaping and cutting, no one will know the difference.

Straight Stacks · Feb 26, 2016

brian991219 said: ↑

I am doing my first custom truck, I have done many basic installs over the years, but now I am building what will likely be my last truck before retiring. One of the things I have always wanted to do is put my cb antenna on the back wall of my sleeper, which is easy enough, especially since I will have all the interior panels out of my bunk for the build anyway.

What I want to know, can I have the coil on my Wilson 2000 painted to match my accent color perfectly, or will the paint interfere with the performance of the antenna? As I understand a base loaded coil, the whip is the only thing that radiates the signal, but I want to be sure before paying the body shop to paint it. If I can't paint it I will pick a close color from the shelf, but would prefer an exact match.

Also, what preference does everyone have for coax that will not be readily accessible to swap out? It is easy for me to change out my coax in the door, but I want to get a few years out of the cable I run through my headliner for the back wall mount. I used to use Belden brand, but my local electric supply shop no longer carries Belden, they have some no name China made cable, and I don't have a cb shop near me. I am looking for bulk cable since I install my own ends, using gold plated crimp on the inside and either screw terminals on the antenna end, or if I use a SO-259 feed through then I cover the crimp on PL-259 in dielectric grease and silicone tape to seal out the weather. I will consider a pre-made cable if it is highly recommended, but will have to remove one end to feed it through the grommet in the back wall.

By the way, anyone have a good lead on a cb shop in either Scranton, Pa, Albany, Ny, or Newburgh, Ny? I used to deal with the cb doctor in Maybrook for parts (never let him open a set), and Phil Sr. out in Fonda, Ny (now that his son is running the place I will never go back again).

Thanks for the help.
Click to expand...

There are organic and polymer powder coats...may be a viable option.

Ridgeline · Feb 26, 2016

Straight Stacks said: ↑

There are organic and polymer powder coats...may be a viable option.
Click to expand...

I never thought of powder coating that's a good way to go.

handlebar · Feb 26, 2016

For coax that's easy to thread, you can order cut lengths with "FME" connectors pre-installed on both ends. They're a sort of universal female connector that's no thicker than RG-58. You then buy the connectors for each end as needed, and screw them on after routing the coax.

I used to install my own, but for a one-off installation a decent crimper can be cost prohibitive. Were I in your situation, I'd visit a commercial two-way shop and have them make you up a nice piece of coax with the connectors you're going to want.

73

rabbiporkchop · Feb 29, 2016

brian991219 said: ↑

I am doing my first custom truck, I have done many basic installs over the years, but now I am building what will likely be my last truck before retiring. One of the things I have always wanted to do is put my cb antenna on the back wall of my sleeper, which is easy enough, especially since I will have all the interior panels out of my bunk for the build anyway.

What I want to know, can I have the coil on my Wilson 2000 painted to match my accent color perfectly, or will the paint interfere with the performance of the antenna? As I understand a base loaded coil, the whip is the only thing that radiates the signal, but I want to be sure before paying the body shop to paint it. If I can't paint it I will pick a close color from the shelf, but would prefer an exact match.

Also, what preference does everyone have for coax that will not be readily accessible to swap out? It is easy for me to change out my coax in the door, but I want to get a few years out of the cable I run through my headliner for the back wall mount. I used to use Belden brand, but my local electric supply shop no longer carries Belden, they have some no name China made cable, and I don't have a cb shop near me. I am looking for bulk cable since I install my own ends, using gold plated crimp on the inside and either screw terminals on the antenna end, or if I use a SO-259 feed through then I cover the crimp on PL-259 in dielectric grease and silicone tape to seal out the weather. I will consider a pre-made cable if it is highly recommended, but will have to remove one end to feed it through the grommet in the back wall.

By the way, anyone have a good lead on a cb shop in either Scranton, Pa, Albany, Ny, or Newburgh, Ny? I used to deal with the cb doctor in Maybrook for parts (never let him open a set), and Phil Sr. out in Fonda, Ny (now that his son is running the place I will never go back again).

Thanks for the help.
Click to expand...

Check out the Thunderpole Orbitor antenna. They come in lots of different colors and don't collect rainwater like the Wilson's sometimes do.

craig_sez · Oct 12, 2016

Here is another idea..plasti dip..

brian991219 · Oct 12, 2016

I never did custom color the coil, right now it is still stock but I hope to fjnish the whole project soon.

craig_sez · Oct 12, 2016

I aay try a can of plasti dip just to see and if you dont lime it,it peels off..Used it on my older pock up wheels to get away from the chrome look..Did my hrill to but it comes in basic colors..Tons of vids on u tube of it..

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