Author Topic: Help me out- DIY antenna mount (Read 20564 times)

jrock · « **on:** Jun 26, 2009, 08:27:12 PM »

A VERY gracious friend has given me an antenna for my old CB. Now I need help putting it together.

I have a whip antenna with it's ball mount. I have no idea how to wire this. The Radio Shack RG-58 Coax Cable is throwing me off. The ends don't fit the whip. The 4th picture is the wire ends I thought I would use to attach the Coax Cable to the antenna.

Pictures: 1- CB, 2- Coax Cable end and ball mount end, 3- DIY mount, 4- Wire ends.

jrock · « **Reply #1 on:** Jun 26, 2009, 08:29:20 PM »

Pictures.

jrock · « **Reply #2 on:** Jun 26, 2009, 08:29:37 PM »

Last.

fordh8r · « **Reply #3 on:** Jun 26, 2009, 09:02:23 PM »

Where's the plastic base for the ball mount? If you're missing it, you'll need a new ball mount. That base is the insulator that keeps the antenna circuit (center wire in coax cable) from shorting out to the body. If you short the antenna circuit wire to ground it will damage the radio. The only part of the coax that gets grounded is the braded shielding wire.

Also the hole in your bracket will need to be a lot bigger so that no part of the antenna circuit contacts it except for the braided shield wire for ground.

jrock · « **Reply #4 on:** Jun 26, 2009, 09:25:14 PM »

Plastic was all busted up and missing pieces. Could I make one?

So the positive goes to the 3/8 center and the negative goes where? This is getting mounted behind the driver at the head of the bed.

jrock · « **Reply #5 on:** Jun 26, 2009, 09:36:50 PM »

Maybe this?

fordh8r · « **Reply #6 on:** Jun 26, 2009, 09:37:29 PM »

I suppose you could make one but if you don't know what it looks like, how would you know what to make? A new ball mount is not very expensive at Radio Shack or any other electronics place. Plus it will have instructions on hooking it up and probably how to set up the cable for match tuning the antenna.

Yes, the solid wire connects to the center of that stem at the bottom of the ball mount with a ring terminal on the wire and then screwed to the stem. The ground will usually go to one of the mounting screws from the base of the the ball mount where it attaches to the body or other grounded metal surface.

EDIT: your drawing looks like it will work.

jrock · « **Reply #7 on:** Jun 26, 2009, 09:46:18 PM »

Finally found the picture I was looking for. Ford8r, when your right your right. I will be going back to Radio Shack for the ball mount.

http://www.firestik.com/Instl-Art/k14bm-inst.jpg

fordh8r · « **Reply #8 on:** Jun 26, 2009, 09:47:57 PM »

Your radio will thank you for it.

jrock · « **Reply #9 on:** Jun 26, 2009, 09:54:58 PM »

Quote from: fordh8r on Jun 26, 2009, 09:47:57 PM

Your radio will thank you for it.

$Beer Chug\'n$

jrock · « **Reply #10 on:** Jun 26, 2009, 09:56:03 PM »

Oh, what is a good fuse size for a cb?

fordh8r · « **Reply #11 on:** Jun 26, 2009, 09:57:35 PM »

Most likely a 5a or 7.5a.

jimbo74 · « **Reply #12 on:** Jun 26, 2009, 09:58:03 PM »

have it tuned with an swr meter

also, you can get that stuff cheper at a truck stop, i know thye have higher quality stuff than radio shack, and its cheaper too, at the pilot gas stations near my other crib

jrock · « **Reply #13 on:** Jun 26, 2009, 10:01:39 PM »

Quote from: fordh8r on Jun 26, 2009, 09:57:35 PM

Most likely a 5a or 7.5a.

Wow, guy at Radio Shack was way off. I have 2amp. I'll change that.

Quote from: jimbo74 on Jun 26, 2009, 09:58:03 PM

have it tuned with an swr meter

also, you can get that stuff cheaper at a truck stop, i know thye have higher quality stuff than radio shack, and its cheaper too, at the pilot gas stations near my other crib

I will get better stuff when I get a better CB. Radio Shack is way closer than any truck or cb shop.

fordh8r · « **Reply #14 on:** Jun 26, 2009, 10:05:59 PM »

Quote from: jrock on Jun 26, 2009, 10:01:39 PM

Wow, guy at Radio Shack was way off. I have 2amp.

If the 2 amp works without blowing from normal use then use it. If it blows everytime you use the radio then put the larger fuse in it. I wouldn't go bigger than 10a since the power wires probably aren't big enough to handle much more if it should short out.

jrock · « **Reply #15 on:** Jun 26, 2009, 10:09:19 PM »

Will do.

jimbo74 · « **Reply #16 on:** Jun 26, 2009, 10:10:20 PM »

thought you wre out in stockton? tons of truck stops out there, its all good though, radio shack works, i have an swr meter, but have no idea how to use it, lol -- but you are welcomed to it, i know you it will require a small interconnct wire as well..... also, check out fry's electronics if you re out this way

jrock · « **Reply #17 on:** Jun 27, 2009, 10:46:30 PM »

Well all in.

Radio Shack ball mounts suck! Plastic base and it turns when it's all tightened up

. So a new question, my signal meter says strong but I hear nothing. On ch9, with the volume at max, and my ear to the speaker I can BARELY make out voices. What's wrong?

fordh8r · « **Reply #18 on:** Jun 27, 2009, 11:07:28 PM »

What sorta settings/functions do you have on that radio? The large nut on the antenna base...is it touching any grounded metal? Pictures of install?

jrock · « **Reply #19 on:** Jun 27, 2009, 11:34:57 PM »

Quote from: fordh8r on Jun 27, 2009, 11:07:28 PM

What sorta settings/functions do you have on that radio? The large nut on the antenna base...is it touching any grounded metal? Pictures of install?

I can get pictures tomorrow but as far as I can tell it is not touching. The radio has a Squelch, Ch and Volume.

jrock · « **Reply #20 on:** Jun 28, 2009, 01:24:33 PM »

I think my ground screw might not be touching the beds bare metal.

jrock · « **Reply #21 on:** Jun 28, 2009, 01:25:16 PM »

I was stupid when I measured. Temp fix.

fordh8r · « **Reply #22 on:** Jun 28, 2009, 02:27:56 PM »

First things first, ...is that tape on the bed rail with the spring up against it? You'll have to move that mount because that spring will wear through that tape in no time and allow the spring to short out.

Next, if you have an Ohm Meter, check across the terminals in the coax connector that connects to the back of the radio. The center terminal should not be grounded but the outer terminal should. If the center terminal shows to be grounded you have a problem to fix. If the outer terminal doesn't show to be grounded you have a problem.

Just hope the radio isn't damaged already from a previous installation.

jrock · « **Reply #23 on:** Jun 28, 2009, 03:26:30 PM »

I'll have to find an Ohm meter and I'll get back to ya

. I know the duck tape is retarded but this setup is temp. until I can afford a real setup.

jrock · « **Reply #24 on:** Jun 28, 2009, 03:27:22 PM »

PS. What is the closest Cb shop that will carry a mic? What should it cost?

fordh8r · « **Reply #25 on:** Jun 28, 2009, 03:53:26 PM »

You don't have a mic?

jrock · « **Reply #26 on:** Jun 28, 2009, 08:15:34 PM »

Quote from: fordh8r on Jun 28, 2009, 03:53:26 PM

You don't have a mic?

No.

Not yet.

unclejpl4x4 · « **Reply #27 on:** Jun 28, 2009, 08:29:59 PM »

have you decided on what kind of mic you want ? if your trucks noisy like mine i would get a noise cancellation mic

jrock · « **Reply #28 on:** Jun 28, 2009, 08:59:02 PM »

I was looking at those. I had no idea there were mics like that. So far I have only looked on Sears.com.

http://www.kmart.com/shc/s/p_10151_10104_2500000000HG-M77P?keyword=cb&sid=K-on-Sx20k061224x0000002

fordh8r · « **Reply #29 on:** Jun 28, 2009, 09:01:48 PM »

Quote from: jrock on Jun 28, 2009, 08:15:34 PM

No. Not yet.

That's probably why you don't hear anything.

Most radios won't even make noise of any kind unless the mic is connected.

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