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Cb Radios

Discussion in 'Intermediate CJ-5/6/7/8' started by BLACKMGTD, Apr 28, 2007.

  1. Apr 28, 2007
    BLACKMGTD

    BLACKMGTD STEVE

    CANTON CT
    Joined:
    Aug 19, 2006
    Messages:
    110
    I have CB Radios in two of my other cars, but they have steel bodys. Does any one have any advice on putting a CB in a fiberglass bodied CJ? I guess my question is, what type of antenna should I use that doesn't need a steel body to act as a ground plane??
     
    BLACKMGTD, Apr 28, 2007
    #1
  2. Apr 28, 2007
    Boyink

    Boyink Super Moderator Staff Member

    Tulsa, OK
    Joined:
    Sep 20, 2002
    Messages:
    6,197
    Can't mount it to the bumper? That's where I have mine (end of rear bumper) and it works well enough.
     
    Boyink, Apr 28, 2007
    #2
  3. Apr 28, 2007
    BLACKMGTD

    BLACKMGTD STEVE

    CANTON CT
    Joined:
    Aug 19, 2006
    Messages:
    110
    I am questioning what kind of antenna would make up for the lack of a steel body to act as the antenna's ground plane... Mounting is not the problem.
     
    BLACKMGTD, Apr 28, 2007
    #3
  4. Apr 28, 2007
    timgr

    timgr We stand on the shoulders of giants. 2022 Sponsor

    Medford Mass USA
    Joined:
    Aug 10, 2003
    Messages:
    23,596
    Don't know that you need a ground plane under a 1/4-wave type antenna (ie just a whip of the right length). You do need to shield the lead so that it does not add to the length of the antenna. Braided coax is the standard, but it leaks say 10-20% through the holes in the braid. You can get coax with foil and braid and that should raise your antenna efficiency some. A steel body will also shield the antenna and lead from engine noise, but methods to deal with that are well known. I'd suggest you try it and see how the performance is.
     
    timgr, Apr 28, 2007
    #4
  5. Apr 28, 2007
    Dana

    Dana Think Pink

    Jamaica Beach, Texas
    Joined:
    Apr 3, 2006
    Messages:
    370
    I know they are hard to come by, but a real CB shop would know/have exactly what you needed, and be able to tune your antenna with their gizmo to make sure you're getting optimal performance. Houston has one real shop in Missiouri City.
     
    Dana, Apr 28, 2007
    #5
  6. Apr 28, 2007
    1960willyscj5

    1960willyscj5 Well-Known Member

    Mesa, Arizona
    Joined:
    Nov 27, 2006
    Messages:
    2,793
    Wander on over to Radio Shack.
    They have no-ground-plane antennas for marine and motorhomes. These will mount to your fiber body and don't need a ground plane. Any other type needs a ground plane to operate correctly. If you don't want to bolt throught the fiberglass body and have the heavy duty spare tire mount on the back, you can mount it to that. If you go with a body mount, remember to back it up with a plate, like you would use for the sport bar or cage, to keep the body from starting to crack. You could always weld a tab on the cage/roll bar for mounting , too. And check the swr on it, you want that as low as possible. :hurrican: :coffee:
     
    1960willyscj5, Apr 28, 2007
    #6
  7. Apr 28, 2007
    w3srl

    w3srl All-around swell dude Staff Member

    Port Orange, FL
    Joined:
    Nov 6, 2002
    Messages:
    4,275
    Any 1/4-wave antenna needs a ground plane to work effectively, most marine-type antennae are of the 1/2-wave variety for this reason. You can always run a piece of 1/2" or wider braid as a ground strap from the antenna mount down to the frame if you absolutely have to mount an antenna to the fiberglass body.

    Also, as mentioned ANY transmitting antenna needs to be tuned in order to work correctly and not damage the radio. Do you have any ham friends that could help you out?
     
    w3srl, Apr 28, 2007
    #7
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