Hey guys, I have an o6 s-cab that Im about to install a cb in. I am planning on placing a magnetic antenna on the roof and was looking for suggesions for routing the cable. my buddies is run through the door weatherstripping, but I was looking for something less likely to cause leaking. Does anyone have any experience routing it through the third brake light-I've heard of this done, but i'm not sure about it due to the large diameter cable. If this isn't a good idea, I am open to any other suggestions leading to a leak free asthetically clean installation (don't want cable running all over the place).

Thanks for any help,
Robert Studebaker

 

Do you mind if I ask where you are going to mount your CB Radio at in your cab? I am curious and looking for any suggestions. Thanks. Also, if you could post pics, I would appreciate it. Thanks!

 

I mounted my CB on the passenger side of the center console and my FM Radio on the driver side since it's smaller. It looks good I'll get pictures as soon as I get time.

 

Well, simply put, the coaxial cable HAS to go through somewhere. And since you are putting a mag mount of the roof...

The third brake light isn't a horrid idea, but not a great one either. You CAN if you know how to solder, remove the PL259 at the end of the coax, measure you coax with a dowel guage or similar device at your hardware store, and drill a hole barely large enough for the coax to feed through. Then give yourself just enough slack in the coax, and seal it with clear silicone sealant, then route the cable through, re-solder the PL-259, and call it good.

Of course this means putting holes in the truck, but you will only be drilling a plastic lens that is likely to crack and break over the years anyway...

Please be mounting a Wilson 1000, 5000, or Lil wil up there. Anything but a Radio Shack antenna!

 

I've got a Diamond SG7900A antenna for my HAM radio... I strongly suggest staying well away from magnetic antenna for a permanent install. They really mess the top of your cab up from junk getting underneath... and they look wayyyy to "fake"... lol

Just a suggestion:

Get a clipped antenna and attach it to your bed rail or even a bumper mounted one...

Also, you can run the wire through the cab itself without drilling holes... just look for rubber cabs and remove them... stick the wire in (you shouldn't even have to remove the PL-259 connectors either!) and get creative... I never had a problem wiring mine up... it was the EASIEST wire job in a vehicle.

 

I am planning on mounting it in the center console, since it is relatively small. I like things clean and out of the way. I am not sure what type of antenna it is right off hand, how much variability is there in quality? I have never had a cb before so am completely naive, going pretty inexpensive here, dropped all my $ on a new set of 35s (ordered today), and an xtra leaf (procomp 6 inch lift, been living with a squat for a year now, cannot take it anymore).
Don't want to sever/reconnect cable-worried about crappy connection. Was thinking I could cut a U shaped hole in the top edge of the lense (eliminating the need to cut cable), then just sealing with clear silicone. Any thoughts?

Thanks, Robert

 

I am going to try to lay this out straight up for you. And Manual F150 being an amateur operator (what class?) should be able to double check my thinking here.

Radio waves are measured in meters, and the Citizens Band spectrum slice is otherwise known as 11 meters. 11 meters = more or less 34 feet. 34/4 = 8.5 feet or 102". So a 102" whip is an even division of the full wave, or a quarter wave. MANY antenna manufacturers, and even DIY antennas, for mobile use build to the 1/4 wave as half wave would be TOO BIG to run on a mobile application.

So... For best performance you would want a 102" antenna such as a Radio Shack 102" Stainless Steel Whip http://www.radioshack.com/product/in...entPage=search

Other designs get the same amount of antenna, in a shorter profile by creating a coil, such as the Wilson 1000 http://www.wilsonantenna.com/w1000.htm or similar antenna. BTW, the Wilson has design features that make it a fantastic antenna compared to say the Radio Shack magnetic mount CB / Ham antenna http://www.radioshack.com/product/in...entPage=search which is not air suspended, so it has a good deal of impedence. The Wilson is air suspended so it has negligible impedence.

A lot of guys go with the Predator 10K, which is a thicker shaft, with a LARGE coil looking somewhat like a Steam punk ray gun. They work great, but look kind of funky.

Generally speaking, if you want excellent performance while keeping looks conservative, go with a Wilson. They have a fantastic reputation. I personally have owned one and wish I had one for my Saturn. If you want EXCELLENT performance, and can deal with a VERY tall shaft antenna, the 102" stainless steel whip is hard to beat. But you simply won't be able to mag mount it.

In that case, go with a clamp mount like the Boss-Hawg mount http://tmrce.stores.yahoo.net/bosansysforb.html which is a great mount, BUT it puts the antenna right up against the back of the cab, which will cause the signal to be reflected more behind the back of the truck (ground plane reflects the waves).

The IDEAL mounting point for an antenna is the roof. The IDEAL mount is a bolt through. HOWEVER, I am keenly aware you may not want to drill a 1/2" hole in the roof of your truck. So you are left with choices to make...

#1. Mag mount something like a Wilson 1000, or 5000. Main diff between these two is POWER handling capacity. Unless you are going to run VERY illegally, the 1000 is all you will ever need.

#2. Clamp mount a 102" to the front of the bed. You will want to drill a tennis ball to slide down the antenna to keep it from thumping the cab when you stop...

#3. Mirror clamp mount. (Half of the mount) to the inside of the bedrail. Preferably on the drivers side. This way you miss most of the trees with the 102". About midway down the bed.

#4. Corner mount the antenna to the bumper. This is what I plan on doing, and I am ONLY doing this because my bumper is damaged due to not knowing EXACTLY where the tongue of the trailer is...

Basically, steer clear of the Radio Shack mag mount, or the Kraco, or whatever other junk antennas are out there. Go with a good name brand. And yes Radio Shack DOES have some VERY good stuff, they also have a lot of junk...

I think your best bet is, since it sounds like you don't want an obvious CB installation, is to go with a Wilson mag mount, route the cable through the center brake light like I described in my prior post, and run it down the rear corner of the cab, along the kick plate, and then under the front seat to the console.
I hope this did more to help than confuse...

 

Thanks for the input, it has helped alot. I think I will be going through the 3rd brake light. Still not too keen on cutting/reattaching the cable end. I still may cut the "U" shaped hole, I will have to think about it a little more.

Robert Studebaker

 

I wouldn't go through the 3rd brake light for anything. That thing leaks at the drop of a hat. I went through the cabin pressure releif vents in the back wall of the cab.

 

Agreed, but with his installation restrictions, and an overly generous application of clear silicone, I would say that the third brake light lens is the only logical spot for it.

 

I have a K40 whip with a trunk mount.Its mounted on an L bracket I made and painted black.The bracket is mounted to the inside of the bed rail on the drivers side about a foot back from the cab.The wire runs into the stake pocket on the under side of the rail.Then thru a hole near the stake pocket to exit the bed and meet the cab.On my Scab when you open the back door there is a black rubber plug that has nothing run thru it.I went in thru there and down behind the trim on the inside into the door jamb.Once in the door jamb its a straight shot to the dash in the jamb.I did not have to cut off the connection as it was never a problem.

 

Can you post some pics? That sounds like a decent idea.