dblosch
Full Member
So in another chapter to my build, I've fab'ed up a mount for my CB antenna. Since it's tax season, anything outside the office has basically been put on hold. It felt good to work on the truck for a few hours. These pictures tell me i need to do something about my nasty sail panels! When it warms up I plan on picking up some refinish restorer. Anyway, on to the important stuff...
I used some 1/8th inch aluminum strap for the mount. I think it's 1 1/2" wide... though I don't really remember. I went with aluminum to avoid rust/corrosion/flaking paint... we'll see how long it holds up. It does flex when the antenna, a 4' firestick, whips around, but not too much.
The pictures are pretty self explanatory. I really pulled the antenna in close to the sail panel. I didn't want to have it in the way when loading/unloading my bike. I should have drilled my hole 1/4" inward, as you can see, i had to flex the mount "open" a bit to keep the antenna from rubbing on the sail panel. now the antenna leans Also, I can't see it in any off my mirrors without sticking my head out the window. It could be seen easily in the rear view if it were on the passenger side. Not sure if i think that's a good thing, or a bad thing.
Other than that it's pretty simple. I did have to remove the sail panel to get it bolted down. Since i had already done once that for the sail panel LED's, no problem.
I haven't tuned the antenna yet, I am waiting on my new Cobra 75 handheld. I'm not sure what the SWR will be with the antenna mounted where it is in relation to the roof... Anybody got any insight for me?
Dan
I used some 1/8th inch aluminum strap for the mount. I think it's 1 1/2" wide... though I don't really remember. I went with aluminum to avoid rust/corrosion/flaking paint... we'll see how long it holds up. It does flex when the antenna, a 4' firestick, whips around, but not too much.
The pictures are pretty self explanatory. I really pulled the antenna in close to the sail panel. I didn't want to have it in the way when loading/unloading my bike. I should have drilled my hole 1/4" inward, as you can see, i had to flex the mount "open" a bit to keep the antenna from rubbing on the sail panel. now the antenna leans Also, I can't see it in any off my mirrors without sticking my head out the window. It could be seen easily in the rear view if it were on the passenger side. Not sure if i think that's a good thing, or a bad thing.
Other than that it's pretty simple. I did have to remove the sail panel to get it bolted down. Since i had already done once that for the sail panel LED's, no problem.
I haven't tuned the antenna yet, I am waiting on my new Cobra 75 handheld. I'm not sure what the SWR will be with the antenna mounted where it is in relation to the roof... Anybody got any insight for me?
Dan