2017+ Cascadia Evolution Antenna Mount

Finally found a mount for the new model Cascadia

PRO-COMM PC-A55-02

MY 2017 and up

 

Got it installed while stopped in Fort Worth.

No surprise, an immediate huge improvement over the OEM Hirschmann “Thin Film Antenna” which I suspect is buried just above the windshield. It’s possible (tending towards likely) the worst OEM antenna I’ve encountered in 21-years.

Noise dropped dramatically. Reception range in a familiar area seemed very good.

Truck was brand-new when I got into it in January, and no dumb butt drivers to screw things up.

Am running a known good Galaxy 979 (bought at Walcott, but had owner of Clays Radio in San Antonio check for QC issues and do alignment). Same one as in recent posts to the International LT I was in before that.

The antenna mount is exterior to the Freightliner mirror mount. Follow directions. One at a time. Top bolt first. Slide spacer behind new bolt (shorter of the two provided).

Lower bolt second. Same.

Asked a CB tech where I bought it how he’s routing coax. Thru door seal was answer. This latest truck has an armored plate, so to speak, over the engine side of the firewall. The days of the FLD really are long gone.

As this is a company leased truck I won’t be drilling holes.

Ran some Wilson Mini-8 and draped along dash. A mess to look at, but also a work in progress.

Power is run from main circuit board at studs. Same as a Qualcomm or similar install. A HD fused pre-made power cord I picked up at Bobs CB in PA.

Have the 5511-Mike 7’ Skipshooter and pvc reinforcement on the antenna mount. I angled it forward slightly but may change that.

Nothing remarkable about SWR. 1.5 or so on two meters separate from radio (which also showed same).

I’ll try to get a load out of New Mexico this week that will take me to (or past) San Antonio, so that I can have The High Priest of CB Antenna techs (Robert, at Clay’s Radio Shop) wave his antenna analyzer around and mumble incantations while directing his apprentice.

Some pics after I finish dinner.

 

The Loctite sits in the toolbox until I’m sure of things.

For whatever reason, this rig is better in the 2018 than in the 2015

Drivers side mounting as it’s easier for me to avoid overhead obstacles

I’m not pleased about running coax across door seal, but can’t tell there’s pinch enough to be concerned.

Open hood and fit coax through body back to door from mount. Zip tie coax to grab bar. Run up A-pillar.

I first ran antenna with some tilt. Then changed so that fourth bolt fits hole that prevents that. Still a slight forward angle. At 70-mph antenna is steady enough. Again, better than on 2015.

 

Did that a few days ago. New Mini 8.

Power down to battery via A-pillar.

Lift entry plate and access just under floor mat to the BATT box. A premade fused harness.

Everything now back in overhead. A tight fit needing a fishtape.

Replaced the s500 Cobra external speaker with a Uniden BC20.