OR Fab CB Mount

[JDS123]

Hi all,
So I'm trying to get my CB mount to work on my OR Fab tire carrier but keep running into trouble. Every time I try to tighten the stud mount, the stud breaks free from the part that clicks into the coax cable. I think this is due to how thick the cb mount on the tire carrier is. Firstly, is there any mount that would work with how thick metal is where I'm trying to mount the antenna? Secondly, am I using the right mount on the carrier for the antenna. There seems to be two places where the antenna could go and I'm using the thicker one. Is that a flag mount and not meant for antennas? I've attached photos of both areas.

Thanks

 

[Jerry Bransford]

I have two antennas mounted on my ORF carrier. What type of antenna mount are you using that you're breaking? Could you simply be overtightening it?

 

[JDS123]

I have two antennas mounted on my ORF carrier. What type of antenna mount are you using that you're breaking? Could you simply be overtightening it?

I'm trying to use a 4 foot firestik and a firestik stud mount. I'll attach pictures of how it is coming apart. I can never get it fully tight before it breaks. I've broken two the same way while tightening them down. I'm wondering if there is a different mounting method that is a bit stronger. I don't really like how one piece is just jammed into another on the stud mount. I guess is has to be that way to isolate the signal. Are you using the thicker mount left of the latch?

Tightening down the stud mount just pulls the two pieces apart. Once you put a wrench on the bottom part that screws into the coax, the jammed part just spins and you can't get it tight.

 

[Jerry Bransford]

Post a photo of your assembled mount on the ORF mounting tab. You didn't say which antenna mount you're using.

And if you're using the below type of antenna mount, make sure it is assembled EXACTLY as shown. Especially critical is the placement of the white nylon insulated shoulder washer. And if you're breaking the stud off by cranking down on the 3/8"x24 adapter, you're overtightening it. The threaded stud is only held in by a ring of insulating plastic so you can't overtighten it.

Look closely at the base of the stud the 3/8x24 threaded adapter screws onto, you'll see the ring of plastic holding the stud and insulating it from the bottom SO-239 Coax Connector. That's why you can't overtighten things, that's not a solid steel assembly as it appears.

You can see the insulating ring in this photo... that is all that is holding the stud on top to bottom half of the mount. Not all antenna mounts have as much of an insulating ring as this one does but all have some form of insulation here. Some have such a small insulating ring that you wouldn't even notice it. That's why you can't overtighten the top adapter to the bottom... that insulation isn't up to two wrenches pulling it apart.

 

[JDS123]

Post a photo of your assembled mount on the ORF mounting tab. You didn't say which antenna mount you're using.

And if you're using the below type of antenna mount, make sure it is assembled EXACTLY as shown. Especially critical is the placement of the white nylon insulated shoulder washer. And if you're breaking the stud off by cranking down on the 3/8"x24 adapter, you're overtightening it. The threaded stud is only held in by a ring of insulating plastic so you can't overtighten it.

Look closely at the base of the stud the 3/8x24 threaded adapter screws onto, you'll see the ring of plastic holding the stud and insulating it from the bottom SO-239 Coax Connector. That's why you can't overtighten things, that's not a solid steel assembly as it appears.

View attachment 16479

You can see the insulating ring in this photo... that is all that is holding the stud on top to bottom half of the mount. Not all antenna mounts have as much of an insulating ring as this one does but all have some form of insulation here. Some have such a small insulating ring that you wouldn't even notice it. That's why you can't overtighten the top adapter to the bottom... that insulation isn't up to two wrenches pulling it apart.

View attachment 16480

I keep breaking them where the insulating ring is holding them on. So I just shouldn't tighten them as much then I guess. I'll grab another one of the mounts and not tighten it as much. Of all the mounting brackets I've used, the one on the OR fab tire carrier seems much thicker, so I hope that doesn't cause a problem.

In terms of antennas, I saw on other threads that you like firestiks. Mine is very heavy and needs a spring, which causes it to flop around. Is there anyway to stop the antenna from moving around so much? I'm leaning towards getting a lighter, more flexible antenna that doesn't need a spring. How is your antenna mounted?

 

[Jerry Bransford]

Exactly what antenna and height are you running? I currently run a FS-2 2' Firestik (13+ yeats) but ran a 3' previously. Never felt the need for a spring.

I just tighten my antenna mount snug. It's only holding a small whip antenna, not a wheel or winch.

 

[JDS123]

Exactly what antenna and height are you running? I currently run a FS-2 2' Firestik (13+ yeats) but ran a 3' previously. Never felt the need for a spring.

I just tighten my antenna mount snug. It's only holding a small whip antenna, not a wheel or winch.

I'm using a 4 foot firestik. It really whips around. When the shop installed my tire carrier, they actually moved my existing mount to sheet metal (even though I told them the carrier came with a mount). The 4 foot antenna ended up bending the body outwards, which is why I moved it to the tire carrier. Changing to a three foot does seem like it would lower the amount of whip (inertia might be the technical term) from the antenna.

 

[Jerry Bransford]

A 2' would work fine too. After many years of running taller antennas, I'm 100% happy with the performance of my 2'. That's with leading some rather large spread out 4x4 groups around too. I consistently get 'loud and clear' signal reports from those at the rear. I still have a taller antenna or two in my garage which I'm not tempted to switch back to.

 

[JDS123]

A 2' would work fine too. After many years of running taller antennas, I'm 100% happy with the performance of my 2'. That's with leading some rather large spread out 4x4 groups around too. I consistently get 'loud and clear' signal reports from those at the rear. I still have a taller antenna or two in my garage which I'm not tempted to switch back to.

A 2 foot sounds perfect for me then. The four foot has always been way to big for me. You've been really helpful once again. Thanks Jerry!