How to Properly Install a CB Antenna
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- Опубліковано 24 лис 2024
- Thanks for watching and I hope you learned something today on how to properly mount a Fire Stick or other CB radio antennas that require a ground plane on your Jeep Wrangler. There are more mount options out their that may work better so do your research. I'm using the Rugged Ridge unit since it is pretty popular. Here's my CB radio install video as well • How to Install a CB Ra... Remember to make sure you have a solid ground, using a bonding strap type cable for your ground is best case, these are more expensive but it's an option. You can always just go to a larger gauge ground cable based off your antenna and CB radio needs and output. This video is intended for ground plane cb antenna systems using a tune-able tip Fire Stick 48" antenna.
Also note that once the antenna mount is properly grounded you will need an SWR meter so you can properly tune your antenna.
Equipment
Shocks - Rancho RS9000XL www.gorancho.com/
Off-Road Lighting - LightForce Venom and Striker LED’s www.lightforce...
Radios - Midland 1001LWX CB & X-Talker Extreme Handhelds midlandusa.com/
Recovery - Mile Marker SEC15 15,000lb Winch milemarker.com/
Jeep Accessories - Aries Automotive www.ariesautom...
Drive Shafts - Tom Woods 4xshaft.com/
Gearing - Yukon 4.56 w/master rebuild www.yukongear....
Lockers - Yukon Grizzly Front/Rear www.yukongear....
Soft Top - SunTop Cargo Top U4 www.thesuntop.com/
Steering - CAVFAB 1 Ton Kit www.cavfab.com/
#cbradio #Jeep #Jeepwrangler #offroad #offroad #4x4
Thank you for watching, please don't forget to subscribe and check me out on the web www.dirthammer...
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How and where did you mount your Jeep Wrangler antenna?
Finally a man that knows his stuff, And knows how to make an instructional video. Very helpful,
Thank you
Sir.
Thank you for watching
Out of all the cb antenna vids I’ve found this is only on that actually explains where the ground is suppose to be etc..in detail thank you I’ve been searching
Klam Slammer thank you!! I’m glad you found the video helpful and thanks for watching
@M K Ambient Music glad the video was able to help. Thanks for watching
Glad to help! Thanks
SWR is so much more stable and easier to do once the grounding is done..nice clear video.
Thank You!!
I mounted my cb antennae to my bumper to avoid brush damage. I found my swr reading way above 3!!! After 4 months of trying to figure out my issue, I found this very detailed video. TODAY I CALIBRATED MY SWR READING TO 1.5 on 1 and 40!!!! Thanks for putting SO much detail into this video.
That’s awesome to hear that the video helped!!! Thanks for the support!!
The hole through the bumper needs to be 1/2”.
No doubt and thank you!
Thanks for watching
Amazing!!!! I went back and remounted my antenna with that proper ground and dielectric grease!!!
I had no idea there was a distinct separation between the outer shoulder and inner post creating the ground for the lower portion of the mount ....and that plastic/silicone bushing separates the halves...excellent video, thanks a million!!!
Awesome to hear that the video helped!!! Thanks for watching
You saved me a butt load of bad words. Three days trouble shooting and then I found your video .👏🏼
Glad the video helped. Thanks for watching
Excellent! This video should be on all cb antenna buying pages! Never realised this was needed! Thanks
Thank you for the support and for watching
I watched your video because I'm having all sorts of difficulties hooking up my cb to my jeep wrangler. When going to use the meter, when I went to disconnect the coax cable, the entire connector sheared off and my cable is now junk but I also discovered my entire stud is an open line, so I've ordered a firestick stud and road pro 18ft cable to replace it all. Your video has just solved a massive headache!! Appreciate it!!
glad to help. thanks for watching
Truly excellent tutorial! I’m installing my Firestik II antenna on my ‘94 Jeep YJ today. This video tutorial got me through the whole process perfectly. God bless you, friend!
Thank you for the support and I’m so glad the video helped.
I use star washers on each connection to maintain the integrity of the grounds over time.
Great idea! Thanks for watching
I was so confused on how those washers went. thanks so much for making this video.
You’re welcome! Thanks for watching.
+1 thanks man!
Very good video, straight and to the point. Thank you for taking the time to explain how to ground the bracket for the antenna. I’ll be doing the same but am using a hood bracket instead, so am glad I found this video.
Glad I could help and thanks for watching
I got a very similar antenna, but slightly different. Below the hole where the antenna goes through, the bottom is covered in a black plastic. So as an alternative, and maybe not the best, I checked the ground where it connects to the radio. I used the edge of the power point port as a ground and got a reading that way. FYI, make sure you aren't touching any part that you are using to put the probe on because just touching with your thumb will give you a false ground. Nice informative video! Thanks!!
Thanks for watching
This video saved me a bunch of frustration today as I found out my antenna wasn't properly grounded on the right side! Thank you for taking the time to make this vid.
Thank you for watching
This was SUPER HELPFUL! I got a mount for my land cruiser that was uncoated and I will be painting or powdercoating it. This helped me know where to let it ground out, awesome stuff!
Glad the video was of help. Thank you for watching
Just came across your videos. My CB is arriving next week and I was trying to figure this all out. And finally someone knowledgeable posted a video on it. Thank you so much! And greetings from Germany
I'm glad the video helped and that was the whole purpose was to help others. Thanks for watching
@@Georgia4Low it definitely helped a guy, half way around the world, to get his cb radio working on his beloved jeep jk unlimited 👍 I can't thank you enough and subscribed immediately
@@slightly_off_track awesome, thanks for the support.
Thanks a ton for this. Appreciate you being so specific and explaining everything in such a simple and clear way!
Thank You!!!! I appreciate you watching.
Excellent video! Thank you for direct, simple information. I haven't had a CB in a vehicle for 20 years. I just opened a box of radios and equipment I've had stashed away.. I was confused about how to mount the antenna. I'm going to install a radio in my truck
You’re welcome and thanks for watching
Thank you
Nice to learn something on CB radio after driving semi trucks for 20 years.
Thank you for watching
Thanks for the great video, super easy to follow and helped me get the grounding problem sorted for my CB antenna.
Awesome, glad the video was able to help.
Thanks man! best explanation out there. Now I need to find a video on how to route the antenna cable inside the cabin on my xterra and I'm ready to order a CB
Glad the video helped!!! Thanks for watching
Tuck it under the carpet. If you have protective nylon sleeve over wires to tailgate see if you can slip wire through it. Remove plastic cover on inside of gate, remove grommet on outside of door, punch hole in rubber, pass coax through. Solder new end onto coax.
Thank you for explaining how the grounding worked. I was about to hook mine up wrong. Thanks again
You're welcome!
Great video! I have seen so many do this wrong, especially on 1/4-wave whip antennas, and then wonder why their SWR is astronomical, and give up on it. And that little Midland 1001Z (I've got several extra laying around...and haven't bought a 1001LWX to speak on it), amazing little radio! If you don't want SSB and power mics (such as a Cobra 29LTD offers), you just can't beat it!
Thanks for watching!
Well done sir. So many videos of cub installed and the only one that really explains in the required detail.
thank you for the support, glad to help.
OK bro I fallowed what you said to the letter. SOLID! The grease and the ground I used 10 g and ran it through the bottom to the frame. I crimp, solder, insulate with grease and then heat shrink. I like things done right. Although It took me a long time to concede to where to put it into the frame because of the exhaust, locations where I could get my impact, and I mud bog so I can't have wire running everywhere.
Thanks for watching and I’m glad the video helped.
Best and easy to understand vid for grounding cb antenna. Thanks westga
Glad the video was able to help. Thanks for watching
You're my hero I was having troubles and your video showed me exactly where I messed up. Thank you!!
Glad to help.
Very very helpful, I looked really hard for an install video that is explained the right way to install cb antennas
Sean Luttrell I’m so glad the video helped, I was in the same boat trying to figure it. Thanks for watching
Great teaching, no BS just the facts, you're as good as Joe Friday. That's old school. Also that Midland is a small form factor, will fit into an area in my 2007 Rav4 just in front of the transmission.
Thanks for the kind words and support!!!
I've watched every one of your videos on CB installation. Thanks VERY much for taking the time to make these because, as others have said, they're just better and more understandable than anything else I could find online. My stuff should all be here in a day or two. I ordered the same radio and antenna as you (and it looks like possibly the same cable even lol). Feeling pretty confident about the install thanks to your videos man thanks a ton and keep it up! Subbed as well btw 👍
Thank you for the support and for watching. Glad you enjoy the videos, and have fun getting your new cb installed.
Found this video the other day. Great info. I sent it to 2 guys who where just getting into cb radios for there jeeps. 👍👍
Thanks for the support!
One thing to note, powder coat is conductive oddly enough but metal is a better conductor. I learned this from restoring motorcycles and powder coating parts myself
nice video---I had never really thought to run a separate ground wire...I ended up just running a short wire down to frame--and voila---world of difference SWR finally below 1.5!
Thanks for watching!
We don't argue with what works. Grouund wires over two inches begin to act like antennas.
@@truckcity3608 yes they can. Best ground is a flat short bonding wire which is what I have went to since this video but performance is still great before and after.
I have been mulling over where I want my antenna to go seeing as I have a few options, but with a new bumper on the list I have been tempted to wait until thats here and fabricated, and doing an aussie mount. this does however help tremendously in prep for the install
Thanks for watching
Great video. Lots of other vids out there. None explain grounding the antanna! Good job have fun with it.
Thank you for watching
Thanks buddy 🎉
Got it fixed up.
Glad it helped
@@Georgia4Low 🎉🙏
Exellent information . thank you for the fast and clear information . I just finished installing my antenna on my 2014 JK WRANGLER . the cb and antenna work fine . once again thank you . 👍👍👍👍👍
Glad I was able to help, you’re welcome!!
Nice video, easy and very clear of instructions
Thanks for watching
Hey man, I appreciate you making this video. You answered so many questions I’ve always had about how to properly install a cab antenna. You explained it all so clearly. Thank you 💯👍
Glad to help. Thank You for watching
Very helpful thank you so much this is exactly what I was looking all over the internet for!😂
So glad the video was able to help. Thanks for watching
Excellent Video best one out there! if all your videos are this good you have a real talent and i will watch them all. thanks brother!
Thank for watching and the support.
Probably the worst place to mount a CB antenna on a Jeep since there is little to no ground plane in the back of the tub. What is the SWR reading of that mount location?
My SWR reading is below 1.5 and the ground wire runs down and attaches at a frame mount.
I just watched another video that stated that we should run multiple small ground wires from place to place prior to reaching the frame.
Sorry I’m unfamiliar with that practice. Thanks for watching
@@Georgia4Low I am too! A radio tech posted it. Kinda strange
You need to run a short ground wire. A long ground wire will act as a dipole and be hard to tune.
Do you mean bonding body panels together, this enables the antenna to radiate as it should
Ideally I believe the entire system should be grounded using bonding straps. Antenna grounded with bonding strap, antenna bracket grounded via bonding strap to frame, frame grounded using bonding strap etc. But I’ve added a bonding strap to the underside of the antenna an ground it to the bracket, works great.
Superb video, have what I was looking for to purchase my equipment and proceed to install 👍👍
Thanks for watching!
I wouldn’t put a cb there you get in a wreck now your at the hospital getting a cab removed from your head I would hid it under the set or somewhere out of sight so it less likely to be stolen thanks for the vid great job on showing how to mount antenna
Thanks for watching and for the support.
Excellent information. Clear and concise! Thanks for posting.
Thank you for the support.
I'm getting flashbacks to the 80s...my deely-boppers are tingling...so I'll have to get out my leg warmers.
Thanks for watching
Thanks, never knew about testing the ground.
Thanks for watching
I mounted mine with an ebay mount. It uses 3rd brake light screws (but dont use these). The bracket has a good design but you need to use the lower 2 screw holes with bigger screws and metal clips or nuts on the other side.
Sounds like it worked out great. Thanks for watching
Best explanation ive seen yet
Thank you for the support!
Great video. straight to the point. Thanks.
thanks for watching
Super helpful video. Thanks brother
Thanks for watching
Thank you! Great information and very clearly shown.
Thank You for watching and glad I could help.
Excellent instruction. Thank you
Thank you for watching.
What kind of antenna ground would be needed if I’m drilling a hole in the roof of the vehicle and doing an NMO mount? The radio itself is grounded to the floor of the vehicle.
I believe the NMO mount is relying on the component it's mounting to and passing through to be grounded already, but I'm not 100% sure. sorry.
The NMO mount requires a bare metal surface on the inside of the vehicle's roof for grounding. Just use a piece of 80 or 100 grit sandpaper to remove the paint this is coating the inside of the roof and you should be good to go. Just be sure to check for continuity before mounting the antenna.
Use a digital muliti-meter set to Ohms or continuity if it has that function or a digital volt meter and check to be sure that you see a dead short (means you have continuity) from the area you sanded down and a point like a screw or bole that you know is grounded to the chassis.
DO NOT use a dielectric grease as dielectrics are insulators, like the dielectric used to make the center insulator (either the clear plastic dielectric or the white foam dielectric) in your coax.
If you want to waterproof the antenna at the mount, use a grease made for the purpose such as Brundy's Penatrox "A" available at most marine supply centers or online at from many Amateur Radio shops (DX Engineering sells it). It water proofs, it is anti-seize and it increases electrical conductivity.
73,
John, N1WOM
@@jfrphoto01 great tips sir, thank you
I was told that if your ground wire/strap is more then a foot you have to break it up it to separate ground points any truth behind that
I’m not sure, wish I knew.
Thank you my friend!
It really helped.
Glad the video helped and thanks for watching
Very well done. Thank you.
You’re welcome!! Thank You
Friendly tip to anyone wanting to amplify their cb radio setup is don't skimp on the ground especially with too thin of a gauge or the wrong size flat grounding cable. Typically you would want to use an 8-gauge or larger like a 6-gauge etc. The reason is that the resistance will be in excess to what the ground cable can handle and it will begin to corrode (turn statue of liberty green) and cause noise, static, and possibly a fire from the overheating.
Good tip, I mentioned a good ground strap is best. I’ve since added a bonding ground strap which better suited for RF. Thanks for watching
My training said a bonding wire over 2 “ starts doing weird stuff and starts acting like an antenna. Don’t do it.
Great grounding video
thank you for the support
Hmmmmmm did not know that insulation to ground 👍
Thanks for watching
Great video and is better than no ground at all but,
the presenter runs a long length of relatively small gage wire several feet down through the tailgate and eventually bolts it to a frame rail.
This is an excellent low-resistance DC ground (as measured with a good multimeter), and would be great for grounding auxiliary lights, etc. However, it it almost useless as an effective RF ground. At high frequencies, RF energy flows only on the surface of a conductor (skin effect) so to get a low-impedance ground path you need a use a conductor with lots of surface area (e.g. thin, flat copper ground strap) and make all connections as short and direct as possible. That would mean one short strap from the antenna mount to the nearest metal on the tailgate, secured with at least two fasteners at each end, and another short strap somewhere near the tailgate hinge from tailgate to body shell. If a solid strap absolutely cannot be used, then a short piece of wide tinned-braided copper strap can be used, with slightly more impedance. If working on a body-on-frame vehicle, the antenna ground should be attached to the body shell, not the frame. The body shell is effectively the antenna's ground plane.
You are correct, I recall mentioning in the video that a bonding ground strap (wide flat ground) would be best. I’ve been meaning to replace my ground with a bonding ground strap soon. Thanks for watching and commenting
@@Georgia4Low Cool, I was pondering my ground wire setup while watching and I probably didn't catch you mentioning the ground strap. Anyway, if it wasn't for your video, I wouldn't have done more research into RF grounding and learn the things I learned in my post. Anyway, I have one of those flat weaved/mesh copper ground wires on order and going to replace my current thin gauge ground wire and cleanup all the ground contact points and add new dielectric grease as its been many years.
Same here, ordering my new bonding strap
Welp, time to start chasing a good ground. I have swr of 2.7 on 1 and 2.9 on 40 but 1.1 on 19.
thanks for watching and hope the video helped.
@Georgia4Low Yeah, got a good ground and checked with ohm meter. Have swr 2.5 on 1, 2.7 on 40, and 1.2 on 19. New coax, swr meter, cb, and Firestik Firefly. At a loss, going to try bottom coil. Any ideas?
Make sure you get away from any structures or buildings when testing. Also adjust the tip on the fire stick
I have a fire stick FS on my SUV but the only thing is I have Megan him out that I could screw it in I’m gonna put the plastic washer on top the magnet mount with the screws in with the spring and disconnect and above above the plastic I think you said I could put the two washers in it tighten it down correct sir Thank you again
Thank you for watching!!
Awesome video!
Thanks for watching
I really appreciate your attention to detail! Thanks! Quick question though, if I get a 3’ and mount it on the rear with only about 8 inches over the roof is it gonna be useless? I’m trying to be as low-key as possible but I’d like to get what range I can and get the job done right.
Thanks for watching. I ride with other Jeeps here on the eastcoast that have 36” antennas and all seem to perform great but we rarely get over 1-2 miles apart so I’m not sure about effective range, sorry.
@@Georgia4Low No that’s exactly what I was looking for, thanks for the response!
Your range will be good once the antenna is tuned.
Question OK I’ve done that beautiful but when you put the cable check the cable and then the same thing perfect but once I screwed into that fitting to the radio, it did both sides head sites know I’m timeout wise at the radios grounded out somewhere someway inside the radio
Thanks for that great tip
Thank you for watching
Very informative. Thanks.
Thanks for watching
Great video. You taught me a lot. Can you teach us (me) about coax cable. Does it have to be 18 ft long or will I be good with 9ft? Maybe a video on the difference between fiberglass and steel whip antennas. Thanks again for your input
18ft cable is pretty standard length for a Jeep Wrangler if the antenna is rear mounted. Cable length is all about location of antenna and CB. Wish I had more knowledge regarding steel whip antennas.
Here’s a really good article www.wearecb.com/the-best-cb-antenna.html
Although some antennas call for using 18 feet of coax we have found that 9 feet, being half the length of 18 feet and a multiple of three, will work just fine. Keep in mind that all SWR testing must be done with the cap on the antenna.
@@Georgia4Low you may find that now and then you will have to remove your 102 stainless steel antenna and hammer it straight. Constant banging into stuff will cause the top 18 inches to gradually bend over.
An antenna that uses a fiberglass core is trying to do what the 102 stainless steel whip does which is broadcast well on the CB frequencies. A length of wire is wrapped around a fiberglass rod to do the job of the 102. Then wrapped in a protective coating.
Appreciate the video!
I appreciate you taking the time to watch. Thank You.
Wow, brother I found your video and it sure made sense the good details you provide. I had it all wrong😗thanks Now I will have JK RUNNING GOOD with a new President Richard.
Thank you for the support!!!
Out of all the cb antenna videos on UA-cam. This is one of the only ones that I've seen with someone actually grounding the mount. The rest just slap the antenna mount and antenna on and get around 1 to 1.5 swr readings on channel 1 and 40. Do you only do this if you have the spare tire delete kit? Great video btw and thanks.
Grounding the base of the antenna is all based on what type of antenna you have. There are ground plane antennas and non ground plane antennas, mine is a ground plane meaning the base of the antenna needs to be grounded. Tire delete or not. Thanks for watching
Great video sir, thank you
Thank You for the support.
Awesome video I just got myself a GME Radio and will be installing it in the next couple of days once I have the Antenna so would this help with installation of the antenna on the side panel (under the bonnet) as that is the only place I can place it due to the fact it's a Subaru that doesn't have a bullbar
Thanks for watching,
That will work. Hole size in bracket should be 1/2 inch for standard studs.
Excellent video and explanation, I know I did mine incorrectly. Thank you and I just subscribed to your channel.
Thank you and glad the video was a great help. Thanks for the support.
The plastic washer for insulating is necessary because otherwise the metal support become a part of antenna? Right?
Yes it's necessary, you are correct.
Great information thx
Thanks for watching
How do you know what the SWR is? Mounting close to other metal could raise the SWR and it can feedback into the radio and cause failure.
How To Tune Your CB Antenna | 48in Fire Stick Antenna
ua-cam.com/video/FjWZ_-Fneq8/v-deo.html
Ok so I'll try not to be too confussing, I just got the "Mopar CB Antenna Mount Kit with Coax Cable" it's the same as his but different by that I mean the end that goes into the antenna is completely different than his. with the cable unhooked from the CB, I get the readings just like his, but hooked to the CB I show resistance top and bottom if you look at the cable I don't think there is a way around this. I did run a ground wire and it dropped the resistance a lot. so unless someone has an idea how to get the upper part to 0 given how it hooks up might just have to work as is
Don’t worry what readings you have once the cable is connected. You want to ensure only the lower portion of the antenna mount is showing continuity to ground and infinity or open circuit on the top. Do this test with only the antenna mount it self, no cable connected, no antenna installed.
Great vid bro.
Thanks for the support, if you like the video please share with your friends
@@Georgia4Low Will do.
Thanks!!!
Couldn't you put the grounding wire on the inside of tailgate and have a longer bolt so you can ad a nut to backside and ad grounding wire ?
As long as it's a solid grounding point, I just preferred the frame.
@@Georgia4Low yeah I ment attached to back inside of tailgate and ran to the frame
understood, I wanted to have fewer connection points so a single ground lead going straight the frame I felt was best.
I’m in a semi truck does making multiple grounding points, like the frame and the exhaust make any difference?
Ideally in my own opinion I think it makes sense to ensure to grounding (bonding straps) ground to components inline with the system, like from antenna mount to frame, from frame to engine, from engine to battery. But for a simple install in a Jeep like we have here it works good with just a simple ground down to the frame.
Man ! Good information! Thank you !
Thank you for watching
Outstanding
Thanks for watching
You could use a bell and battery or simple continuity tester with a beeper to demonstrate this and it would be clearer to those that don’t understand electric’s I think? Most wouldn’t have the meter you used. Just a suggestion? The video was a bit longwinded I thought but, thanks for making it anyway.👍
Thanks for watching
How do you test ground on a NMO mount antenna that is through the middle of the roof?
Maybe the same way kind of. Not 100% sure but the piece (antenna threads onto) that threads onto the NMO mount should have a rubber/fiber washer on the bottom side that isolates it, similar to how I showed in the video. Not completely sure though.
Exelente video
Thank you
Hi there!! Excuse me, but the screw for mounting antenna is not one piece? Right? If you measure continuity from top of the screw and bottom of it (not screwed on the car) you will see open circuit, right?
The antenna mount is one piece made up of two piece. @ about 3:57 in the video you can see the upper thread shaft is isolated with a plastic collar (the piece I'm holding in my right hand), this isolates the two pieces. I would think yes with it unmounted you should have an open circuit between the top and lower half.
@@Georgia4Low Thanks was a my big doubt
Thank you
Hi, new to CB here in UK.. I have a Sirio 5000 antenna on a 7" mag mount and a President Barry radio.. after watching your video regarding correct earthing of the antenna, I checked my set up and there is no facility to ground the antenna mag mount base, and it has a thin rubber base to protect the roof of the Defender from scratches, so it must be isolated from the framework of the vehicle???? so I am confused as to how my rig is supposed to work.. do I need to connect a ground wire to the mag mount and vehicle.....
Thanks for watching. My video was intended for “ground plane antennas” like the Fire Stick. I’m no expert on CB’s that’s for sure. Your antenna style doesn’t require a ground base, there are non ground plane type antennas on the market and likely is what you have.
I have the option to hook up to the battery (-) post. Would that be better?
I believe a good ground is a good ground whether it’s to the frame or battery.
Great video, hopefully this will fix my sky high SWR Readings, where exactly did you mount that ground wire to?
Jerad Santos thanks for watching. If I recall the ground cable is connected to a body mount bolt in the rear right corner.
How do magnetic mounts work on the grounding side?
Not 100% sure but those are non ground plane type antennas. Different than ground plane antennas.
I like the video
Thank you for watching
How to properly split an infinitive.
So when is a SWR meter needed? Only the first time to set up the antenna, or is it used periodically?
I heard grounding the mount of the cb antenna helps lower the swr, so grounding the mount is a must regardless of antenna length?
An SWR meter is good to have for periodically testing your set up. They are very cheap to purchase. Yes grounding the antenna mount is a must
@@Georgia4Low thank you for the reply! I will get a meter asap
I would like to suggest my installation option (watch video in four parts)
ua-cam.com/video/YztSy4FjnXA/v-deo.html
Thanks for the video link.
when i check the bottom part a negative value show up is that ok? the top no movement at all
Bottom should have continuity to ground and the top side should have NO continuity to ground.