CB Causes Instrument Panel to Shut down
JK Junkie
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 2,811
Likes: 1
From: S. Texas
I had this exact same problem with mine after I installed it. I'd key the microphone and it looked like Christmas time. I re-grounded the power cable from the radio directly to the chassis and the problem went away. Check your grounds!!!
JK Super Freak
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 1,475
Likes: 4
From: Bella Vista, AR
Well, that looks like a decent mount. A body mount like that should have a good shot at being grounded well. Do the screws that attach it to the body have a good metal to metal connection between mount and Jeep body?
Does it use washers? I wonder if using some star washers here would help to bite in and connect.
Have you tried I see if the coax line runs near Can-Bus control lines?
Some well placed mix 31 ferrites on the coax may also help here.
Does it use washers? I wonder if using some star washers here would help to bite in and connect.
Have you tried I see if the coax line runs near Can-Bus control lines?
Some well placed mix 31 ferrites on the coax may also help here.
JK Junkie
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 2,811
Likes: 1
From: S. Texas
Well, that looks like a decent mount. A body mount like that should have a good shot at being grounded well. Do the screws that attach it to the body have a good metal to metal connection between mount and Jeep body?
Does it use washers? I wonder if using some star washers here would help to bite in and connect.
Have you tried I see if the coax line runs near Can-Bus control lines?
Some well placed mix 31 ferrites on the coax may also help here.
Does it use washers? I wonder if using some star washers here would help to bite in and connect.
Have you tried I see if the coax line runs near Can-Bus control lines?
Some well placed mix 31 ferrites on the coax may also help here.
FireStik M2 Molded Side Mount Installation Diagram
The ground is actually achieved by taking the coax shield from the lower terminal all the way back to the radio chassis and ultimately grounded through the negative power lead on the radio. You can go to FireStik's website and read all about it. Just click on the "Molded Side Mount" link on the left hand side.
The OP mounted his to the rear quarter-panel, but if you don't like the idea of drilling into your sheet metal, you can opt for securing it to the rear license plate bracket like I did (See images below). There are no holes in metal, no exposed wires or cables, and it is pretty inconspicuous when the antenna is removed.
FireStik Molded Side Mount Installed
FireStik Molded Side Mount Closeup.
For drilling purposes the rubber gasket makes a great template for locating the mount no matter where you install it. The mount is sold in a kit complete with Antenna, 18' cable, and the mount. I bought an LG3-M2-B, which has a black antenna that is 3 feet long. Different lengths and colors are available by changing the "3" to other available lengths and changing the "B" to the code for other available colors.
For locations near you, click the "Where to Buy" link on the FireStik website.
I hope this helps!
JK Super Freak
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 1,475
Likes: 4
From: Bella Vista, AR
Ahhh! Thanks for the insight. I'm not a fan of the no ground plane mounts myself and I wasn't familiar with this specific mount.
Well, darn. I hate to suggest it, but you might be better off getting an antenna mount that actually grounds at the mount.
Well, darn. I hate to suggest it, but you might be better off getting an antenna mount that actually grounds at the mount.
JK Junkie
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 2,811
Likes: 1
From: S. Texas
I haven't read all the posts by the OP on this thread, but I know my setup works great using this NGP mount. Except for the initial ground connection problem I mentioned in an earlier post, my setup has worked perfectly for a year without ever having used an SWR meter to tune it. I'm a huge fan!
JK Super Freak
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 1,475
Likes: 4
From: Bella Vista, AR
Ok. I'm thinking through this. On the "no ground" mounts, is it not using the coax itself as a radiating element of the antenna system rather than just a feedline? This is why many of these mounts specify specific coax lengths, so it will be a tuned element. (this is not an ideal antenna system design)
That said, perhaps since his radio is located in the dash, it's exposing his instrument panel or dash wiring to high levels of RF from the radiating coax.
Perhaps he wouldn't be having the problem if the radio was mounted away from the dash and the radiating coax did not wind trough the dash area?
Hook 'em, where is your radio located? Perhaps if it's away that's why you're not experiencing this problem?
That said, perhaps since his radio is located in the dash, it's exposing his instrument panel or dash wiring to high levels of RF from the radiating coax.
Perhaps he wouldn't be having the problem if the radio was mounted away from the dash and the radiating coax did not wind trough the dash area?
Hook 'em, where is your radio located? Perhaps if it's away that's why you're not experiencing this problem?
JK Junkie
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 2,811
Likes: 1
From: S. Texas
Ok. I'm thinking through this. On the "no ground" mounts, is it not using the coax itself as a radiating element of the antenna system rather than just a feedline? This is why many of these mounts specify specific coax lengths, so it will be a tuned element. (this is not an ideal antenna system design)
That said, perhaps since his radio is located in the dash, it's exposing his instrument panel or dash wiring to high levels of RF from the radiating coax.
Perhaps he wouldn't be having the problem if the radio was mounted away from the dash and the radiating coax did not wind trough the dash area?
Hook 'em, where is your radio located? Perhaps if it's away that's why you're not experiencing this problem?
That said, perhaps since his radio is located in the dash, it's exposing his instrument panel or dash wiring to high levels of RF from the radiating coax.
Perhaps he wouldn't be having the problem if the radio was mounted away from the dash and the radiating coax did not wind trough the dash area?
Hook 'em, where is your radio located? Perhaps if it's away that's why you're not experiencing this problem?
I have my radio mounted on top of the upper Dash Bezel. You can see my complete setup on my photo album dedicated to it (here). Like I said in my earlier post, I had this exact same problem with mine. Initially the negative wire to my CB was tied to the negative wire of the power outlet in the dash. The problem didn't start right away, but a few months after installing it, when I tapped the talk button o the microphone, the entire instrument console went berserk. I removed the radio negative wire and tied it directly to the chassis. Oh, there was one more change I made prior to relocation of the negative radio wire. It didn't help but I left them in figuring they couldn't hurt to be in there. That change was EMI suppression cores bought from Radio Shack. My system is golden now.
I just had another thought, although it's a long shot. To the OP, the molded side mount is made for NGP antennas only like the FireStik Firefly antenna. If the OP has a FireStik or a FireStik II antenna, there may be a compatibility issue between the antenna and the mount.
Here is what the FireStik web site has to say about the NGP antenna-based solution.
PURPOSE: The LGX-M2 (where X = antenna length in feet) series, 'No ground plane" (NGP) CB antenna kits were specifically designed to solve the problems associated with the lack of ground plane (counterpoise). This normally occurs on vehicles constructed of plastic, fiberglass, wood or aluminum. This includes, but is not limited to, motorhomes, boats, automobiles and 18-wheeler trucks. Ground plane problems typically show up in the form of high standing wave ratio (SWR) and poor performance. The isolated ground plane that is built into these kits can also eliminate problems on metal base vehicles that lack the sufficient ground plane for proper operation. This could be due to the size of available ground plane (ATV, bicycle, motorcycle, wheelchair, etc.), or because the operator chooses to mount the antenna in a location that is unable too properly take advantage of available ground plane. These kits utilize a stylish mount made specifically for mounting on the vertical side of a vehicle or structure. Aside from being a NGP kit, the main feature of these kits is that they utilize a lightweight antenna. The antennas are at least 40% lighter than the heavy-duty antenna used in the FGX-648 kits. This offers a more stylish look, while at the same time reducing mount stress that is caused by physical weight and wind load.
COMPONENT INFORMATION:
ANTENNA: The antennas used in these kits utilize the same 5/8 wave design as the patented tunable-tip FireFly antennas. The antenna's frequency is altered in order to maintain a desirable center band position when used with the tuned coaxial feedline. Accordingly, these antennas may only be used with the Firestik NGP cable. The core material is a 5/16-inch (0.313" or 8mm) diameter reinforced plastic (fiberglass) tube. Our custom blended formula offers a preferred balance of flexibility and strength. The chrome plated machine brass mounting base has standard 3/8"-24 threads. A high efficiency, voltage increasing helical wind is utilized. Heavy insulated, light-gauge copper wire is used to guard against shorted coils and corrosion induced resistance commonly found on non-Firestik brand antennas. The antenna used in these kits have our patented "no tools required" tunable tip for fast and easy SWR adjustments. The rated wattage for these kits is 100 watts. Each antenna is covered with a static reducing, heavy PVC shrink tubing with both pigment and UV stabilizers mixed in. Available colors are black, red or white with a black tip.
COAXIAL FEEDLINE: The seventeen-foot (5.2 M) coaxial cable used in these kits is of the highest quality. As a matter of fact ... our NGP cable assembly utilizes a custom manufactured coaxial cable that can only be found at Firestik. Unable to find the performance characteristics in any of the commercially available coaxial cable ... we designed our own. First we use a multi-wire stranded center conductor to the prevent breakage that can occur with solid center conductor cable. A condition known as "cold working" occurs where vibration is present and this action can cause solid conductors to become brittle and eventually break. Surrounding the center conductor is a long life, flexible, polyethelene insulation. Since shielding is extremely critical on NGP systems, we used a double shield around the center conductor. First, a 100% aluminum tape covers the center conductor insulator and then a copper wire braid (averages 95% coverage versus the industry standard of 70%) is applied over the aluminum tape. The coaxial feedline, besides being the conduit for the signal to reach the antenna, serves as a tuned circuit that creates the necessary counterpoise. If a longer cable length is required, the user may add standard RG-58 A/U cable between the radio and system cable, preferably in lengths that are multiples of nine feet. Because it is a tuned circuit, the length cannot be reduced without causing non-repairable damage. Should the cable become damaged, order replacement cable model K-8NGP.
MOUNT AND HARDWARE: These kits use our molded "teardrop" side mount. The black plastic shell has a textured finish to keep it looking nice. All hardware and coax connections are hidden in the inner wall of the vehicle to maintain visual integrity and prevent weather exposure. For a closer view of the M-2 mount, click on the following: Show me the mount. For additional contact protection, a spring may be added between the antenna and the mount. If you choose to add a spring, a split-lock washer should be added between the spring and the mount for proper seating.
ADDITIONAL FEATURES: Each kit includes a FREE microphone hanger and comes complete with user installation documentation. Review important NGP Install Document.
COMPONENT INFORMATION:
ANTENNA: The antennas used in these kits utilize the same 5/8 wave design as the patented tunable-tip FireFly antennas. The antenna's frequency is altered in order to maintain a desirable center band position when used with the tuned coaxial feedline. Accordingly, these antennas may only be used with the Firestik NGP cable. The core material is a 5/16-inch (0.313" or 8mm) diameter reinforced plastic (fiberglass) tube. Our custom blended formula offers a preferred balance of flexibility and strength. The chrome plated machine brass mounting base has standard 3/8"-24 threads. A high efficiency, voltage increasing helical wind is utilized. Heavy insulated, light-gauge copper wire is used to guard against shorted coils and corrosion induced resistance commonly found on non-Firestik brand antennas. The antenna used in these kits have our patented "no tools required" tunable tip for fast and easy SWR adjustments. The rated wattage for these kits is 100 watts. Each antenna is covered with a static reducing, heavy PVC shrink tubing with both pigment and UV stabilizers mixed in. Available colors are black, red or white with a black tip.
COAXIAL FEEDLINE: The seventeen-foot (5.2 M) coaxial cable used in these kits is of the highest quality. As a matter of fact ... our NGP cable assembly utilizes a custom manufactured coaxial cable that can only be found at Firestik. Unable to find the performance characteristics in any of the commercially available coaxial cable ... we designed our own. First we use a multi-wire stranded center conductor to the prevent breakage that can occur with solid center conductor cable. A condition known as "cold working" occurs where vibration is present and this action can cause solid conductors to become brittle and eventually break. Surrounding the center conductor is a long life, flexible, polyethelene insulation. Since shielding is extremely critical on NGP systems, we used a double shield around the center conductor. First, a 100% aluminum tape covers the center conductor insulator and then a copper wire braid (averages 95% coverage versus the industry standard of 70%) is applied over the aluminum tape. The coaxial feedline, besides being the conduit for the signal to reach the antenna, serves as a tuned circuit that creates the necessary counterpoise. If a longer cable length is required, the user may add standard RG-58 A/U cable between the radio and system cable, preferably in lengths that are multiples of nine feet. Because it is a tuned circuit, the length cannot be reduced without causing non-repairable damage. Should the cable become damaged, order replacement cable model K-8NGP.
MOUNT AND HARDWARE: These kits use our molded "teardrop" side mount. The black plastic shell has a textured finish to keep it looking nice. All hardware and coax connections are hidden in the inner wall of the vehicle to maintain visual integrity and prevent weather exposure. For a closer view of the M-2 mount, click on the following: Show me the mount. For additional contact protection, a spring may be added between the antenna and the mount. If you choose to add a spring, a split-lock washer should be added between the spring and the mount for proper seating.
ADDITIONAL FEATURES: Each kit includes a FREE microphone hanger and comes complete with user installation documentation. Review important NGP Install Document.
JK Junkie
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 2,811
Likes: 1
From: S. Texas
I just confirmed that only NGP compliant antennas can be used with the NGP mount. Copy, paste and adjust the address below for the write up from FireStik
h ttp://firestik.com/Tech_Docs/NGP_Install.htm
Oh, yeah. If the OP grounded the antenna mount, that's a no-no too.
h ttp://firestik.com/Tech_Docs/NGP_Install.htm
Oh, yeah. If the OP grounded the antenna mount, that's a no-no too.
Last edited by Hook-Em; May 25, 2012 at 12:57 PM.
