Custom antenna coil colors

craig_sez · Oct 12, 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.
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By the way....All this blah blah blah is no good to the rest of use here without pics..Tell me one thing though...Did you go super duper trucker with the 4ft stick shifter?
You know what i mean,when you have to stand up to reach the shift knob but still have a foot on the clutch peddle!! Lol

rabbiporkchop · Oct 13, 2016

craig_sez said: ↑

Here is another idea..plasti dip..
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Fortunately for mine, shrink tubing is available in many colors

rabbiporkchop · Oct 13, 2016

For certain vehicles the Thunderpole Orbitor antenna is available in many colors.

rabbiporkchop · Oct 13, 2016

handlebar said: ↑

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
Click to expand...

Here is my crimping tool. Many different crimping dies are available for it also for crimping different applications.

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