Hi all! I'm new here, and just had a question. I'm currently in a 2016 Freightliner Cascadia (company owned, just assigned). I originally had two open coil antennas cophased on the Wilson mirror mounts. I had no problems until recently. I couldn't get my SWR below 3 all the sudden, so I switched the antenna mounts, coax, and even tried running a single Wilson 4' fiberglass antenna drivers side. Currently I'm using the built in antenna, and now I'm starting to get large static spikes and I'm watching my rf needle rise almost all the way and then come back down (Cobra 29ltd classic). So I'm not sure if it's an antenna issue, a radio issue, or if the mirror mount isn't truly grounded (as I'm currently looking for a multi-meter to check that). I'm seeing that basically a 7' Firestik is going to be the best bet in a Cascadia. And if my mirror mount isn't truly grounded, where and how would I run grounding straps?
Sorry if something like this has already been answered. So far searches turn up nothing.
CB antenna on FL Cascadia '16?
Discussion in 'CB Radio Forum' started by Galactic Express, Aug 9, 2018.
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Door hinges are generally a good spot to run grounding straps.
Galactic Express Thanks this. -
Try two braided straps on each door hinge...Be sure to clean any paint off the bolts where bolt and strap connect..Try to keep them 8" or less....
DO NOT USE BIRD PERCHES..If possible use a stainless steel 2 bolt mirror mount like the wilson style you see at the trk stops...
Pay attention to the ant mount itself,some have an anti corrosion finish that will not ground(discovered that with an ohm meter).....
I suggest a 7ft skip shooter vs a fs,ss have a tuneable tip while fs doesnt..
Finally use the puddy like tape to water proof all your connect pointsLast edited: Aug 10, 2018
Galactic Express Thanks this. -
Thanks for the answers guys! The straps go door hinge to door hinge, or mount to door hinge? I do have the 2 bolt mirror mounts, but I do believe the antenna mounts themselves are non corrosive. It doesn't say it has a finish, but that it's "Stainless steel for a non-corrosive mount." Is that the same thing? If so would I be looking for aluminum? Will definitely pick up a ss opposed to a fs, I forgot they didn't have tuneable tips.
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Test the ant mount with an ohm meter..Had mine all mounted and results on my analyser were wonky as heck..
Make sure both parts of ant mount are bolted together(not mounted up)and touch probes on both side and see..
As for straps..1 side of strap connects to hinge on door side then cab side but do 2 per hinge..So you will have 8 points of connect..
Straps are basically bridgeing the gap between door to cab..Last edited: Aug 11, 2018
Meteorgray and Galactic Express Thank this. -
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Get yourself an ohm meter..Had 2 of them and never used it on cb related..
After talkin to someone who said to try something,i now keep it with me and learn as i go to use it in conjunction with my analyzer.Galactic Express Thanks this. -
Definitely going to pick one up. Used to have one, not sure what happened to it. Thank you again!
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No prob..
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Dont forget to clean any painted surfaces..
Galactic Express Thanks this.
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