[thinkwoods]

Installed a CB over the last couple days. Did a common install, but thought I'd post a few pics for those interested. Parts & Equipment: Uniden Pro520XL CB; Stainless Steel behind-taillight antenna mount from Quadratec; Firestik 3' black Firefly Antenna; Firestik K4R Stud Mount; Firestik MU8R18 Coax; Firestik SS3M Spring (which I ended up not using). Bought all the Firestik stuff from Walcott CB online.
I did drill for the extra hole in the antenna mount, for both grounding and making the mount more stable. Coax was routed up through the rubber plug behind rollbar and follows the wiring harness to the front. Excess coax is in the well behind taillight, also made a loop of excess and zip-tied to wiring harness.
The bracket for the CB is attached to dash top with nuts & bolts. Also needed spacers under the bracket. Used a tap at the fuse box (#14 w/radio) for power. No excess noise issue with that so far. SWR below 1.5 on 1-19-40. There is a perfect grounding screw behind pass. side speaker cover.
Perhaps not the most secure of set-ups, but I finally decided there is only so much worrying you can do about theft, etc. I did replace the thumbscrews on the CB bracket with hex-head screws, looks a little nicer plus most don't walk around carrying a set of hex keys.

[spife7980]

purrty slick!

[YJbecauseIcan]

I like the clean wiring behind the radio, I can't even tell that its there!
Great Work!!!

[kencaz]

That thing is going to melt into the dash in the AZ Sunshine.

KC

[thinkwoods]

Originally Posted by kencaz

That thing is going to melt into the dash in the AZ Sunshine.

KC

Nope, already thought of that. Got a little cover thingy to put over over it when parked 'neath Arizona skies.

[Scrambler82]

Nice install, everything looks clean.
All of your choices are good except the coax.

An SWR of < 1.5 across the band is good so there shouldn't be any problems.

If you find the SWR going south check two things, first the Firewire Connection on the bottom of the Antenna Mount and two, the grounding point, loop it to the frame too.

Why I said the coax could be in question isn't really the coax itself but the connection at the antenna mount, usually this type of connection is subject to dirt and water getting in and causing a bad connection that 's all.

Look goods and good equipment means good service.

ltr,

[jtice]

Nice install, but,
I would STRONGLY suggest you get a spring mount to add to the antenna.
Those stiff antennas have no give, and will but ALOT of stress on the mount,
it could end up pulling away from the tub or bending it, or breaking the antenna.

~John

[Crashnburn80]

Originally Posted by jtice

Nice install, but,
I would STRONGLY suggest you get a spring mount to add to the antenna.
Those stiff antennas have no give, and will but ALOT of stress on the mount,
it could end up pulling away from the tub or bending it, or breaking the antenna.

~John

The Firestick firefly antennas are much lighter and more flexible than the firestick II antennas. Firestick claims that the antenna also puts as much stress on the mount as a traditional antenna 1' shorter. So a 4' Firefly puts the same stress on the mount as a 3' Firestick II. I run it and have beaten my antenna pretty good without any issues.

[jtice]

Ahhh sorry, I misread that and thought he had a Firestik II like I have.
I know mine wouldnt last without its spring, guess you should be set then.

~John

[thinkwoods]

Appreciate all the comments guys
Scrambler82, will keep your advice in mind should I start having troubles.
As to the spring, I did originally put one on, but the added height made the antenna hit and drag along the garage door, so I elected to take it off and just rely on the flexibility of the lighter antenna. Plus, there isn't really that much issue around here with low-hanging branches and stuff.