OP
I bought one and returned it. Everyone keeps recommending them but i was uncomfortable with how much it wiggled being just on the taillight screws. Am I missing something?
CB Radio and Antenna Suggestion
- Thread starter Bargain Box
- Start date
What was the length of antenna you installed? I use a 2' tall Firestick FS-2 and it works great, nothing taller than 3' is needed.
OP
That's not too tall. Maybe the mount you were sold was just too thin and cheaply made, mine was stout and didn't allow wiggle with my previous 3' antenna.
The Arizona Rocky Road antenna mount (they have single and double) is excellent and sturdy. It would get the antenna up higher. The downside is that you'll probably only have about 30 inches of clearance until you hit the garage door, the upside is that a 2ft antenna would probably work well since you said it's only for trail use in close proximity. While you want the CB to work the best you possibly can, just about anything works in close proximity. You could also just take the antenna off when you're not wheeling too and use whatever size you want.
I once drilled a hole in the top of my rear bumper and stuck a CB antenna through it because I didn't have any brackets and the ride required a CB. It's the absolute worst place for an antenna but I could talk to people a few hundred yards in front of me just fine.
I once drilled a hole in the top of my rear bumper and stuck a CB antenna through it because I didn't have any brackets and the ride required a CB. It's the absolute worst place for an antenna but I could talk to people a few hundred yards in front of me just fine.
OP
Probably that the FL-3 is a lighter duty skinny whippy extra-flexible antenna. Now that I know that's what you're running, its thin fiberglass rod is why it is so whippy on the taillight mount. Going with the standard FS-2 or FS-3 will fix that.
OP
I can check what mount (terraflex driver side tail light mount) and antenna I have, but I don't use CB anymore and could part with both. However I am not sure getting them to NC is cost effective.
OP
I would be interested in what you've got if you want to pm me. I can take care of the shipping.
You can also flip the mount to the passenger side (and upside down) bolting a ground through the rear passenger tire well.
OP
I just have that antenna (firestik II) + mount (terraflex) and a Uniden 520xl with bare wires.
OP
I would be interested in all depending on what you want for it. Definitely the antenna and mount.
OP
Was not aware that's what that hole was for. Mine came with no hardware or instructions.
Or run a dedicated ground strap
Mine came with a 1/4 x 20 speed nut. Drilled a hole, Painted the edge and hit it a dab of silicone before installing the speed nut . Rock solid with a three foot Fire Stick.
Even with a dedicated ground strap you still need to grind the powder coating off in at least two locations. Where the ground strap connects to it and where the bottom half of the antenna mount, labeled 'SO-239 Coax Connector' below, touches the bottom of the mount.
Yep. Plus, as already mentioned by others above, that extra bolt can act as your ground path.
True, if done correctly. A simple wire will not work well enough to ground it adequately for an antenna, an oversized braided ground strap is needed for RF applications.