UltraMount installed, cable too short?

[mmccurdy]

Quick question for folks who have installed the Cooltech UltraMount -- I pulled the cable through and it seems like it's pretty short. It comes to around the shift boot. I think I pulled in the suggested way (basically along the top of the body tub in the back and under the drivers' side door sills in the front).

I've seen people with radios mounted on top of the center stack or overhead, and this cable is definitely not long enough to reach those locations. Did anyone else have this problem? If I make an extension, will that decrease my signal-to-noise ratio or something?

Incidentally, I was very impressed with the design and thoroughness of the mount otherwise...

[gtoneill]

Very interesting. I was just about ready to order one of those mounts. I am glad this came up. I would like to read more on this matter. :thinking: :confused:

[chris269]

I have mine ran all the way under the dash with al least a foot or two extra so I think you got jipped on your cable. As far as signal, I have used extensions before and have never had any problems.

[nota4re]

Hey mmccurdy,

First, thanks a lot for purchasing the UltraMount. Regarding the cable length, you will almost always find cable lengths for CB antennas to be at exactly 9' or 18' - both being a proper division of the CB wavelength. The UltraMount kit is shipped with the 18' section directly from FireStik. I wouldn't think that you got "jipped" on length unless the manufacturer made an error an neither FireStik or myself caught it. It also sounds like you routed the cable properly (per the instructions.) That should leave you at the bottom of the center console with a few inches to spare. I would recommend that you use a short extension length added to the 18' supplied cable to route to a location that you want to mount the CB. When you tune the antenna for SWR, just make sure you do it with this added piece installed and you should be fine.

[mmccurdy]

Yeah, bottom of the center console is where I would describe it -- I could probably squeeze another 6" out if I shortened the "drip/service loop" or pulled it a little tighter under the door sills. I don't mean this as a knock on the kit -- like I said, I think it's very well done overall.

I'm going to have to re-think my mounting location anyway, or opt for one of those "remote mount" Cobra units where the box is hidden (presumably behind the center stack in my case) and the controls are all on the remote mic. The more I think about it, I don't really want to have the thing sitting on top of the dash or hanging down from above, so I may not need to extend the cable after all.

[CanSteve]

I installed the Cooltech kit, ran it through the roll bars of my JK and it fit for an over rear view mirror install. My issue was the instructions and photos for the kit. Ended up having to buy a new licence plate bracket which was almost as much as the antenna kit. That was a disappointment and something to really watch for when if you purchase this kit. I wish that part of the instructions were explained better and better visuals, the pictures are about 1 inch square, a little hard to see my 2 cents worth

[RATM]

For best results I don't recommend an extension or CB cable in any length other than 18'.

[kwlinder]

I'm getting ready to pull the trigger and buy the ultramount kit, but I want to make sure that the 18' coax will work. I am going to use the Cobra 75 and mount the remote box behind the glovebox. Will the kit have enough length on the coax to run to this location? If not, would I be better of using the gatemount kit?

[mmccurdy]

I'm getting ready to pull the trigger and buy the ultramount kit, but I want to make sure that the 18' coax will work. I am going to use the Cobra 75 and mount the remote box behind the glovebox. Will the kit have enough length on the coax to run to this location? If not, would I be better of using the gatemount kit?

Weird timing on this reply to this ancient thread....

I actually relocated my license plate over the weekend and moved the CB antenna to my swing-out bumper (having lost two antennas to trees and rocks, and more recently pushing the Ultra Mount bracket into my panel on Rubicon). I have very recent experience with the length of this cable.

The 18' coax will not reach around to behind the glove box if you plan to use the UltraMount license plate location. You will need to add 2-3' of cable. This should not dissuade you from using the kit, since I have researched the "9' or 18' cable length" myth and found it to be false by several reputable sources, including one on here (http://jk-forum.com/showthread.php?t=103793).

I am fortunate enough to have a ham radio store within a couple miles of my home, so I picked up a barrel connector and a 3' piece of coax. If you don't, you can order online at hamradio.com (no affiliation).

[kwlinder]

Weird timing on this reply to this ancient thread....

I actually relocated my license plate over the weekend and moved the CB antenna to my swing-out bumper (having lost two antennas to trees and rocks, and more recently pushing the Ultra Mount bracket into my panel on Rubicon). I have very recent experience with the length of this cable.

The 18' coax will not reach around to behind the glove box if you plan to use the UltraMount license plate location. You will need to add 2-3' of cable. This should not dissuade you from using the kit, since I have researched the "9' or 18' cable length" myth and found it to be false by several reputable sources, including one on here (http://jk-forum.com/showthread.php?t=103793).

I am fortunate enough to have a ham radio store within a couple miles of my home, so I picked up a barrel connector and a 3' piece of coax. If you don't, you can order online at hamradio.com (no affiliation).

So you had to replace the antenna and actually damaged the mount? Is it that easy to snag on something? If this is the case, would I be better off with the gate mount option?

[mmccurdy]

So you had to replace the antenna and actually damaged the mount? Is it that easy to snag on something? If this is the case, would I be better off with the gate mount option?

I had gone through two antennas with them mounted in that location, yes. One of them snapped off at the base, seemingly just due to repeated heavy oscillation back and forth. One of them was due to obvious abuse on my part (basically pinching it between a big rock and a piece of my rear roof rack mount).

Everyone I wheel with has gone through at least one (several in some cases) license plate bracket, and while the Ultra Mount itself is not typically damaged in the process, I did manage to press mine into the body panel creating a pretty big dent which I have subsequently covered with some AEV corner armor.

If you (and your wheeling style) don't have issues with the factory license plate location, you'll probably be fine with the mount out there. In my case, even though I like it there aesthetically, I decided to relocate it rather than keep having to fork over for new plate mounts and have the continued risk of body damage.

To each his own...

[kwlinder]

I had gone through two antennas with them mounted in that location, yes. One of them snapped off at the base, seemingly just due to repeated heavy oscillation back and forth. One of them was due to obvious abuse on my part (basically pinching it between a big rock and a piece of my rear roof rack mount).

Everyone I wheel with has gone through at least one (several in some cases) license plate bracket, and while the Ultra Mount itself is not typically damaged in the process, I did manage to press mine into the body panel creating a pretty big dent which I have subsequently covered with some AEV corner armor.

If you (and your wheeling style) don't have issues with the factory license plate location, you'll probably be fine with the mount out there. In my case, even though I like it there aesthetically, I decided to relocate it rather than keep having to fork over for new plate mounts and have the continued risk of body damage.

To each his own...

Thats some good info... i'll have to think about my antenna location a little bit more...

[donnie]

FWIW, this is what I just installed in my 09.
Used the CoolTec mount and had about two feet left after connecting the radio.
IMHO, it works great.
Ran the coax as described in the instructions.
Hope this helps.
http://i163.photobucket.com/albums/t303/hapidonnie/th_RadInstall001.jpg (http://s163.photobucket.com/albums/t303/hapidonnie/?action=view&current=RadInstall001.jpg)

http://i163.photobucket.com/albums/t303/hapidonnie/th_RadInstall003-1.jpg (http://s163.photobucket.com/albums/t303/hapidonnie/?action=view&current=RadInstall003-1.jpg)