Windshield light mounts used as antenna mounts anyone?
JK Enthusiast
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 181
Likes: 0
From: Royse City, TX
I have thought about doing it... it sounds like a good idea to me.
I know someone who mounted a cb antenna to his side mirror that was relocated to that part of the hood (so he would have mirrors with his doors off). He went ahead and ran a ground wire to the engine bay thought I wouldn't have been too surprised if things were grounded good being mounted there. He was using a 2ft firestik but was still getting better sq and range than most other set ups I have seen.
I know someone who mounted a cb antenna to his side mirror that was relocated to that part of the hood (so he would have mirrors with his doors off). He went ahead and ran a ground wire to the engine bay thought I wouldn't have been too surprised if things were grounded good being mounted there. He was using a 2ft firestik but was still getting better sq and range than most other set ups I have seen.
Thread Starter
JK Super Freak
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 1,036
Likes: 4
From: Milton Mills, NH
Thanks for the info guys. Looks like I'll do it putting the CB on the passenger's side.
realjeep, thanks for the link and the write-up, excellent info there that makes the same conclusions I discovered. I like the cowl area as pictured, but the antenna would be in the way.
I'll do the install and see what happens.
73s
realjeep, thanks for the link and the write-up, excellent info there that makes the same conclusions I discovered. I like the cowl area as pictured, but the antenna would be in the way.
I'll do the install and see what happens.
73s
JK Super Freak
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 1,475
Likes: 4
From: Bella Vista, AR
Having the antenna higher is an advantage, but more important is getting the antenna above metal surfaces.
Perhaps more concerning here is that a metal surface is running in very close proximity and nearly parallel to the antenna. That will significantly affect the antenna tuning and performance in a negative way.
You may actually be better off with the antenna lower, but not running parallel to a metal surface.
73 de K5PO
Perhaps more concerning here is that a metal surface is running in very close proximity and nearly parallel to the antenna. That will significantly affect the antenna tuning and performance in a negative way.
You may actually be better off with the antenna lower, but not running parallel to a metal surface.
73 de K5PO
Thread Starter
JK Super Freak
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 1,036
Likes: 4
From: Milton Mills, NH
Well, I decided to not do windshield mounts due to the cost and complexity of making mu current antennas fit them.
I decided to make metal tabs to mount under the hood and stick out a couple inches, then mount the antennas to these. Great ground, no vertical metal, good ground plane.
WRONG. SWR skyrocketed on both VHF and CB. My old mag mount has 1.1:1 SWR on the cowl, 1.2:1 on the bumper. Now it is over 4:1. CB was similar.
I'll be switching back tomorrow.
I decided to make metal tabs to mount under the hood and stick out a couple inches, then mount the antennas to these. Great ground, no vertical metal, good ground plane.
WRONG. SWR skyrocketed on both VHF and CB. My old mag mount has 1.1:1 SWR on the cowl, 1.2:1 on the bumper. Now it is over 4:1. CB was similar.
I'll be switching back tomorrow.
JK Super Freak
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 1,320
Likes: 0
From: WI
Sounds like interaction with the metal surrounding the windshield. If you bend the bracket to put the antenna on an angle pointing away from the windshield and the SWR goes down you have interaction.
I had a similar problem with the 2m antenna and after wrecking a few by trimming I finally figured out this was the problem.
I had a similar problem with the 2m antenna and after wrecking a few by trimming I finally figured out this was the problem.