I have installed the Cobra 75 and Wilson Flex 4. I have a question on grounding the antenna. The base mount of the antenna is attached to the spare tire carrier on my 08 Jeep Wrangler. This tire carrier is an alloy and not solid metal. The Wilson antenna has a ground wire with ring that is attached to the antenna itself. I had intended to be able to remove the antenna from the mount when not in use. So, my question is - How can I permanently ground the antenna without having to undo the ground strap from the fiberglass part all the time? Can just run a ground from the antenna mounting base to the body of the jeep or do I need to ground off using the ground strap on the antenna itself? I have not tried anything as of yet and internet research gave me no ideas on this and neither did a search of the forum.

Any help greatly appreciated.

 

I haven't done this in a long time, but i believe that as long as the antenna mount is grounded you will be okay.

 

I have mine grounded to the spare tire carrier, I don't have any problems

 

There's a lot of info on spare tire carrier antenna mods on this forum. Try the seach function.

 

I HAD done a number of searches for what I was specifically looking at and came back with none. I did speak to a friend who handles all the radios and communications equipment for a local township police and fire department. And, I heard back from the dealer where I bought the antenna.

Apparantly that little ground strap on the antenna itself it NOT needed except for extreme grounding problems. Both my sources told be I would be fine with grounding off just the antenna mount.

Thanks all

 

I run wilson ultra flex antenna's on all the big trucks that I drive and have never once connected that ground wire as a matter of fact the shop that I use to pick and tune my radios told me not to hook that up.....there's my 2 cents....

 

I would say that is true.

The antenna is a circuit and has a + & - side. Just like a two prong plug on a light.

So then you ask, why is there a grounding strap? A grounding strap allows the negative to be the same ground voltage as the negative of the car. Same reason the battery has a grounding strap to the frame of the car from the negative terminal.

It would help in reducing noise, and preventing shock from static electricity. For best results, it should be connected to a very conductive non painted surface of the car, that is not isolated from the ground of the battery. (Frame etc.)

 

I understand were the ground needs to go but can anyone show me were they found a good place to ground on the tub using the spare tire antenna mount with the wires going through the tail gate to the body of the jeep?

 

The bolt that holds the mount on goes into the tailgate, as long as you remove the paint from the bolt so it makes good contact with the ground ring you should be fine......at least I was on mine. I had a problem, but when I removed the paint from the bolt my ground was good.

 

I had grounding problems with tailgate and finally ran a separate ground wire from the antenna mount to the bolt that secures the outboard passenger's side seat belt for the rear seat. I sanded the paint around the bolt on the tub and attached the ground wire. I used 12 gauge wire and crimp on connectors. I routed the new ground wire the same path that I routed the antenna lead, through the tailgate from left to right, zip tied to the vehicle's wiring harness, and then under the carpet. Works like a champ.