CB & Antenna Set-Up

[700 sportsman]

Hey guys, I got a Cobra HH38 a while back and it came with a roof mount magnetic antenna but it was too tall and I didn't want it on my paint. So I wanted to go with a different set-up with antenna's on the tool box/bed. I did some research and looking and I decided to go with a set of 3' firestik FS II whips, they have hand tuneable ends. I pulled the trigger on them yesterday and I'm thinking of a way to mount them now as well as do the wiring and ground.
I'm thinking either on the front of the bed between the bed and cab. Sliding the tool box back about an inch or so and making a mount to clamp onto the bed rail with a set screw. Or make a stake pocket mount similar to these made by firestik and run them either straight foward and have the studs between the bed and cab or making them an L shape and have them in the bed.

Any other ideas or input on mounting options, are certainly welcome.
Once I get them I'll be sure to post pics along the way and my final set-up

 

[agjake11]

Put it onthe side of the tool box (driver side) with a mirror mount and id suggest a 4ft

 

[700 sportsman]

I'd like to keep them inside the bed rails and with the box I have, the lid covers the whole end of the box, so that wouldn't work. And I know 4' would be better for reception, but I don't want them to look goofy

 

[agjake11]

So does my tool box (lid wise) and the mount I mentioned will work just fine. And the 3ft will probably not be tall enough to get the signal out over the cab.

 

[700 sportsman]

Ok well, it's a little late but I got pics. and a write up.

Well I ended up getting a new Cobra 29 NW WX ST full size CB, this is what I wanted, but I wasn't sure of a good place to mount it.
Here's a pic of the radio itself:

So I got to looking and decided to put it on the back wall between the seats. I removed the back plastic panel (what a PITA that was) and there was a boxed in part that I could screw into with no problem. So I got some thinner gauge metal and made a mount bracket.
Attached to to this:

Then I moved on to the wiring, I had to run a power wire and speaker wire up to the front, and coax to the antenna's through the floor and back. So I took out the plastic tray and sill plate and fished the 2 wires foward. Then I found a nice grommet for cable and drilled the floor under the carpet and installed and siliconed up the grommet good.

Wiring 1:

Then I went to installing the PA horn, I had a roll of speaker wire which I had to solder a mono 3.5 audio plug onto one end to plug into the CB. And the other end simple soldered on to the leads on the PA horn itself. I didn't want the horn to stick out in the elements, or be visible in the engine bay, so I placed it in the "tool box" that is under the hood and ran the wires in through an existing hole in the bottom. It's plenty loud even with the lid on.

PA speaker(just like this one just newer):

Then I went to installing the antenna's. I chose some decent quality Firestik FSII's 3' long. I did some measuring and 2' was too short and 3' at the top of the bed rail would hit the garage, so I knew I was going to have to lower them some how about 5"-6". My original plan was to try to squeeze them between the bend and the cab, but that was really tight, and the whips would have probably hit the cab and I definately didn't want that.
Here's some pics of the first design:

Then I knew I had to go inside the bed which ment I had to move my tool box back ever so slightly for clearance when the lid opened. I didn't want any visible screws on the top of the bed rail or side, so since it angles back I decided to make up totally new brackets and screw them on the angle and then bend them out.
Here's the best shot I had, since I forgot to take them when I was installing them:

Just to play it save and to try to lower my SWR (Standing wave ratio) I placed a ground strap on the bracket to the frame.

Some final pics. and then some more after a wash and wax.

Both mounted:

Rear 1:

Rear 2:

Any comments or questions are welcome

 

[bigredstx]

That truck is spotless!

 

[Carolinaboy]

Looks great!

 

[OldCracker29]

I know nothing about your CB and what not, but Tyler, that truck of yours is awesome. You've taken care of it, that's for sure.

 

[700 sportsman]

Thanks guys, you might get to see it in person if we go out to Pittsburgh again

 

[agjake11]

looks good man