2 questions about new cascadia and antennas-swr tune

Removing the factory all-in-one antenna will effect everything that uses it. As far as your CB goes, it may, or may not have an effect on it if you leave in place. The factory antenna on the side of the sleeper would effect (raise the SWR reading) the antenna on the mirror mount if they were both on the same side. But, an antenna on the opposite side had no effect that I could tell, neither did an antenna mounted on the back of the sleeper. It only mattered if another antenna was in close proximity. You tune the antenna to the vehicle. You don't need a radio or an amp to do that. You will need an antenna analyzer, or you will need a radio if you are using a SWR meter. If you are using an amp, you should try and get your SWR at or below 1.5:1. When you tune/check your antenna, you want the coax to connect directly to the SWR meter from the antenna, then a jumper from the SWR meter to the radio. No amp in line. Once your SWR is set/checked, unless you damage the antenna or coax, it shouldn't change. You do need to do a little maintenance every six months or so, i.e. shiny up all connections, antenna mounts, bonding straps etc. to insure everything stays in good shape.

 

You don't have to remove the factory antenna if you use a stand alone(bird perch). Can't think of a truck I've been in that didn't have issues with factory CB cables and antennas. But there are loads of information on ways to set it up with cascadias around here.

 

Do you guys happen to know where the factory cb antenna is? The other post said it was on the side of the sleeper. Do you know what side? Thanks

 

The factory antenna is located in the windshield.

 

You SHOULD remove the factory antenna IF it is mounted on the side of the sleeper behind the door you mount the bird perch on IF you want the best possible SWR reading. I have no hands-on experience with the other type of antennas.

 

Our company has the new Cascadian, there are a few of us that still use the factory antenna, but you won't get out over one half mile. The rest of us use the bird perch on either side mirror or one of the handles on the back of the cab. These seem to work a lot better than the factory antenna.

 

I forgot to mention that our trucks do not come with the side spot mirror that is mounted high on the passenger door, so you can also use a modified bracket and the two bolts supplied to put them out there, most then bullhorn that antenna forward.

 

The factory antenna is actually a flat coil antenna that is glued to the inside of the roof of the truck removing it would be alot of unnecessary work