Storing a Firestick II inside the Jeep while not in use.
JK Newbie
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 89
Likes: 0
From: Cotton Valley, St Croix, USVI
I think you have to balance security with reality. Removing the antenna makes it less easy to steal it. Putting it out of sight makes it even less easy. But nothing will totally prevent the theft.
That's not to say you shouldn't try. I don't try very hard, and I live on an island with a pretty high rate of things-getting-pinched-from-cars. But that's my choice. My VHF amateur radio is in my center console, which (along with the glove box) remains locked. Neither lock will stop a determined thief - it's not like they're Tuffy boxes - but out of sight = out of mind around here. The antenna must remain in place, because it's too long to remove and store inside the cabin. So a thief can simply look at my JK and determine there's something in it to steal.
With a soft top, using the velcro straps doesn't really put it out of sight. A thief could just use a pocket knife to cut through the top and steal the lot. But then if your radio is in plain view, that's a more tempting target; if the thief is going to steal anything, it'll be the high-value target, like CDs, the CB, etc.
If you've got a soft top and a radio in plain sight, the antenna is the least of your theft worries. Frankly, I suggest getting rid of the quick-release mount and just screwing the thing on tight, if you're in that situation. If your valuables (like the CB radio itself) are hidden, remove the antenna and hide it as well.
That's not to say you shouldn't try. I don't try very hard, and I live on an island with a pretty high rate of things-getting-pinched-from-cars. But that's my choice. My VHF amateur radio is in my center console, which (along with the glove box) remains locked. Neither lock will stop a determined thief - it's not like they're Tuffy boxes - but out of sight = out of mind around here. The antenna must remain in place, because it's too long to remove and store inside the cabin. So a thief can simply look at my JK and determine there's something in it to steal.
With a soft top, using the velcro straps doesn't really put it out of sight. A thief could just use a pocket knife to cut through the top and steal the lot. But then if your radio is in plain view, that's a more tempting target; if the thief is going to steal anything, it'll be the high-value target, like CDs, the CB, etc.
If you've got a soft top and a radio in plain sight, the antenna is the least of your theft worries. Frankly, I suggest getting rid of the quick-release mount and just screwing the thing on tight, if you're in that situation. If your valuables (like the CB radio itself) are hidden, remove the antenna and hide it as well.
JK Enthusiast
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 277
Likes: 0
From: Dublin, OH
I store mine under the roll bar padding. Same spot where it is velcro'd in the earlier post, but rather than have it sitting on the outside I just open the padding and put the Firestick under it (plus no need for extra velcro). Put the padding back in place and it is completely invisible.
JK Newbie
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 76
Likes: 0
From: D'ville, MD
I ordered a cluster of velcro straps off of ebay.
I used two to strap the antenna across the top of the rear roll bar.
Having some spares, I also velcro strapped a mini flashlight to the driver side down bar by the back door.
Cooler still, I have an LED shop light that is 12 volt powered (chargeable). I used 2 straps to mount it to the passenger side. Then I dressed the charge line in the subwoofer box, leaving the 12 volt plug about an inch or so from the rear 12 volt plug that can charge the drop light.
I am very pleased. Everything is out of the way, yet immediatly handy. And the drop light is way brighter and more practical than a flashlight.
I used two to strap the antenna across the top of the rear roll bar.
Having some spares, I also velcro strapped a mini flashlight to the driver side down bar by the back door.
Cooler still, I have an LED shop light that is 12 volt powered (chargeable). I used 2 straps to mount it to the passenger side. Then I dressed the charge line in the subwoofer box, leaving the 12 volt plug about an inch or so from the rear 12 volt plug that can charge the drop light.
I am very pleased. Everything is out of the way, yet immediatly handy. And the drop light is way brighter and more practical than a flashlight.
I keep mine in the same spot on the top of the rear roll bar. I actually use small bungee loop cords that have a ball on them. These can be found at your local PepBoys auto store. I started with a 3 foot Firestick and recently shifted to a 4 foot that has the quick disconnect. It fits perfect out of the way there.
I use the same bungee loops to strap my tow strap to the rollbar where it comes down onto the rear fender corner. That is kind of dead space and I stand the rolled strap up in between the rear window and the rollbar upright.
I use the same bungee loops when the soft top is flipped half back. I use them to hold the top frame strapped together where the factory says to use the Velcro straps.
I should buy stock in these bungee loops. LOL
Last edited by liveniceguy; Jan 15, 2013 at 07:33 PM.
put mine on the top of the back seat just under the headrests, using the safety belts to hold it in place
JK Newbie
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 52
Likes: 0
From: Albuquerque, NM
https://www.jk-forum.com/forums/jk-w...torage-204371/
Link to my thread from a while back. Hard top solution.
I have stored it in the rear roll bar cover with soft top on or topless. The only issue is when you have a bikini top on, the straps hold it in there pretty good. My solution, was to just drop it in the back behind the seat. Still mostly out of sight so I carry a false sence of security.
v/r
VT
Link to my thread from a while back. Hard top solution.
I have stored it in the rear roll bar cover with soft top on or topless. The only issue is when you have a bikini top on, the straps hold it in there pretty good. My solution, was to just drop it in the back behind the seat. Still mostly out of sight so I carry a false sence of security.
v/r
VT
Thread Starter
JK Enthusiast
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 367
Likes: 0
From: Pewaukee, WI
Originally Posted by vontox
https://www.jk-forum.com/forums/jk-w...torage-204371/
Link to my thread from a while back. Hard top solution.
I have stored it in the rear roll bar cover with soft top on or topless. The only issue is when you have a bikini top on, the straps hold it in there pretty good. My solution, was to just drop it in the back behind the seat. Still mostly out of sight so I carry a false sence of security.
v/r
VT
Link to my thread from a while back. Hard top solution.
I have stored it in the rear roll bar cover with soft top on or topless. The only issue is when you have a bikini top on, the straps hold it in there pretty good. My solution, was to just drop it in the back behind the seat. Still mostly out of sight so I carry a false sence of security.
v/r
VT
