I've noticed several threads on people having trouble with high SWRs due to improper antenna mounting. Since I am going to soon be installing a CB myself, I found this, and thought I would share.

hxxp://www.bellscb.com/products/antennas/Firestik/new/Firestik_QD-4A.htm

Notice it's a proper PL259 plug, mount nut AND quick disconnect ALL in ONE. I thought that was pretty cool. Also for those still in question about how to mount the antenna, check this picture out:



Notice the "shoulder"washer. It is made from an insulating material. I thought the picture was very informative.

 

Don't forget to put a huge flippin ground on the mount somewhere. coolest mount I've seen so-far (besides mine ) is to take the window mount style and drill four holes in the third light tower and use the back section as a big nut. Don't have a pic of it, but it looks sweet and costs about 4.50. good luck.

 

I have one of those insulating washers on my setup...its not plastic but similar...the material is escaping me at the moment. Anyway I installed my mount and wire and had a CB guru pretty much rebuild an older cheap radio and beef it up. I have no ground in place and am using one of the tire carrier mounts and it works great. The guy I had help me does this for a living and asked if I had a ground once but after checking continuity he never mentioned it again.

I did have one issue I didn't post about in thread about my install...The cable I got from a non-sponsor but frequently mentioned online reseller of CB products caused me to toast some components of my radio and I had to have it gone through again! In our looking we found one of the nipples at the end connecting to the antenna was not making good contact with the coax. This was one of those E-Z ends or whatever that you screw the end on to after you have it run through those tight places. I had it installed correctly...can't mess up screwing an end on! He tapped the nipple in a little ways and problem solved (other than me having to pay to have my radio gone through again).

I don't know if the insulating washer is the "big fix" here or not but I have not needed a ground.

 

I was takin the ground thing for granted. I thought everyone knew to run a good ground. For those who don't have a grounded antenna mount, that means that you are grounding THROUGH the CB, which ain't good.

 

I used this exact mount https://www.jk-forum.com/forums/show...irestik&page=6 minus the ground. I used a piece of 10 guage wire and ran it from the inside of the tailgate back to the body. Should I have some oher type of ground being that the brake light tower is plastic?

 

This is where I have my antenna too, But I don't have it grounded. I tested it with a voltmeter and those four screws are grounded but the mount plate isn't....


Is that light thing not grounded? It is metal. I thought that would be enough to ground it. And btw, if someone is also planning on doing this step up you wont be able to fit the other side of the mirror bracket inside the light holder. I just put 4 big washers instead. I actually had to carve out a little plastic inside to even get the screws to fit.

 

Great post Redneck..good find!