This is a long subject. I have a CB and a HAM radio in my garage waiting. Meanwhile, I have been reading several threads in the CB / HAM section discussing this topic. Opinions and advice seem to be all over the place. However, some stuff that I would look first are:

1) where you mount the antenna and the base you use to mount it. If on the gate, make sure to bond the gate and Jeep's body to the Jeep's frame using wire, not mesh. Also make sure to check the diagrams on those threads on how to mount and ground the antenna.

2) antenna height. Make sure that it goes above your rooftop at least 1ft

3) coax routing in the Jeep. Choose paths where it will not be kinked

4) radio power. Try to connect directly to the battery, using fuses, of course. Do not use the cigarette lighter.

5) when checking SWR do so outside and far from structures and buildings


I'll probably install my radios sometime in July. Will have more experience by then. Work schedule and other stuff simply do not let me tackle this right now. :-(

 

The antenna isnt over by a foot, more like half a foot. And I just connected the radio straight to the battery through the firewall, but Im pretty sure theres a fuse or whatever on the power cord.

 

Honestly man, the size of a grounding wire for ur purpose isn't a huge deal, just try to get a good ground, sand off some paint take a self tapping screw and go for it boss. If u need more help I could drive up there next Sunday or Monday and we could take a look, I need to wire mine up either way so maybe we could make a group project out of it

 

I have some 14-16 guage in the garage right now, if that doesnt do it then Im all in for a CB tuning party. Its too confusing to try to figure out at this point.

 

Did some quick wiring from the mount, through the rear window, and then to the frame. I'll test it tomorrow afternoon.

 

Errr...that grounding is leaving a lot to be desired. Do you have crimp terminals and those washers that "bite" the screw and the part they attach to? Those are the best.

I cannot see in your first photo. The upper part of the antenna base is insulated from that metal bracket using that special plastic washer that comes with the kit, right?

 

Not sure what terminals and washers youre talking about. As for the plastic washer, yes. I have the plastic washer touching the mount, then the metal washer, then locking washer, then antenna.

 

Lock washer
They are very good because they "bite" both the frame and the terminal, thus ensuring very good contact. Just spray some protective film over it after installation to minimize rust.

Crimp terminal
Use these to terminate your cables and wires.

Take a look here:
https://www.jk-forum.com/forums/jk-c...etooth-232246/


There are a couple posts with very good advice and photos.

 

Thanks for the link. I'll pick some of that stuff up later today. I just wanna get this all straight before I put a ton of work into it later.
1. Put crimp terminals on the wire
2. Attach one end of the wire on the mount for the antenna
3. Attach the other side of the wire to the frame
(and for both screws, put a lock washer between the frame and crimp terminal thats on the screw)

And to mount the ground to the antenna, do I connect the ground wire to the mount itself or to the stud?

 

As long as the antenna base has a good bond to the bracket either option is fine.

I agree with you. This whole radio + antenna stuff has several pitfalls. Better have all the ducks in a row before starting. I've been reading this stuff for a while. In my case is a bit more critical because I want to install a HAM radio that also operates on HF thus more sensitive to all this stuff. So, I've been reading several threads about it. There's some excellent stuff in that part of the forum. ;-)