Firestik CB and Radio Antenna Cowl Set Up

[bubbatrucklover]

So I'm kicking around getting a CB for the truck "just because". I'm most likely going with this:

http://www.walcottcb.com/cobra-29-lx-multicolor-faceplate-radio-p-2074.html.

I will be mounting it in place of the factory aux tape deck after modifying the opening. Giving it a "factory installed" look.

Rather then running a splitter and one antenna I was thinking of a pair of these:

http://www.firestik.com/CatalogFrame.htm

One mounted where the factory radio antenna is and the other symmetrically opposite with a set of these (probably the Model K-154A) :

http://www.firestik.com/CatalogFrame.htm

and running grounding straps to the frame.

Is anyone running this set up the same way? Would Ya'll go with a pair of 36"s or would 24"s be sufficent? Are theses antennas flexible enough they can with stand getting smacked around by a car wash, branches etc. mounting them on the cowl?

Thanks in advance for Ya'lls input.

 

[Boilerup15]

Looks good to me, but I have no clue when it comes to this type of stuff. I'm sure Bernie will chime in soon.

 

[bubbatrucklover]

When it comes to communications Bernie DEFINITELY knows his shit.

 

[Texas Jim]

So I'm kicking around getting a CB for the truck "just because". I'm most likely going with this:

http://www.walcottcb.com/cobra-29-lx-multicolor-faceplate-radio-p-2074.html.

I will be mounting it in place of the factory aux tape deck after modifying the opening. Giving it a "factory installed" look.

Rather then running a splitter and one antenna I was thinking of a pair of these:

http://www.firestik.com/CatalogFrame.htm

One mounted where the factory radio antenna is and the other symmetrically opposite with a set of these (probably the Model K-154A) :

http://www.firestik.com/CatalogFrame.htm

and running grounding straps to the frame.

Is anyone running this set up the same way? Would Ya'll go with a pair of 36"s or would 24"s be sufficent? Are theses antennas flexible enough they can with stand getting smacked around by a car wash, branches etc. mounting them on the cowl?

Thanks in advance for Ya'lls input.

Firesticks are good antennas...
Use the longest one you can get and still be practical.

The firestick "SCREWS" into the mount.
Carry a little open end or a small Cresent wrench in your console.

When going to the carwash... it takes about 10 seconds to unscrew them and lay them in the floorboard.

About 12 seconds to put them back on...
That way nothing gets broke and you don't get gray hairs worrying about them...

 

[bubbatrucklover]

Firesticks are good antennas...
Use the longest one you can get and still be practical.

The firestick "SCREWS" into the mount.
Carry a little open end or a small Cresent wrench in your console.

When going to the carwash... it takes about 10 seconds to unscrew them and lay them in the floorboard.

About 12 seconds to put them back on...
That way nothing gets broke and you don't get gray hairs worrying about them...

Good advice T.J. thanks. Yeah the carwash thing is only untill I do my SAS. Then I won't be able to fit in the car wash I use now and yeah I don't need the grey hairs over them.

 

[Texas Jim]

Firesticks are good antennas...
Use the longest one you can get and still be practical.

The firestick "SCREWS" into the mount.
Carry a little open end or a small Cresent wrench in your console.

When going to the carwash... it takes about 10 seconds to unscrew them and lay them in the floorboard.

About 12 seconds to put them back on...
That way nothing gets broke and you don't get gray hairs worrying about them...

Good advice T.J. thanks. Yeah the carwash thing is only untill I do my SAS. Then I won't be able to fit in the car wash I use now and yeah I don't need the grey hairs over them.

You may want to look at this...
Maybe save a buck or three..

http://www.amazon.com/Cobra-29-LX-4...3RBE/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1317936928&sr=8-1

 

[Longshot270]

Antenna, go for the longer ones. If you were to try the two you'd notice the difference. I only run my stubby one part of the year when I expect to be going through parking garages. Other than that I have a 4 foot bullwhip that I've been liking.

Wiring, I'll see what Bernie has to say about it as I'm not 100% positive on this, but I think when you have two antennas close together both hooked up they will interfere with each other's signals if they are relatively close together. Everyone I've known to wire two antennas had trouble transmitting clearly and an echo on receiving. They still mounted two but only powered one.

Radio, I have a cobra 19 IIII (<not sure about the numerals part) but I liked the cheap midland radio model more unless you go for one with full controls. It is just a nice little plug and play that I adapted for a cig lighter.

 

[bubbatrucklover]

You may want to look at this...
Maybe save a buck or three..

http://www.amazon.com/Cobra-29-LX-4...3RBE/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1317936928&sr=8-1

Nice. Thanks Jim. The "extra" $30 can go towards an antenna or a better mic.

 

[dirtyoldman]

That's a nice CB

 

[bubbatrucklover]

Antenna, go for the longer ones. If you were to try the two you'd notice the difference. I only run my stubby one part of the year when I expect to be going through parking garages. Other than that I have a 4 foot bullwhip that I've been liking.

Wiring, I'll see what Bernie has to say about it as I'm not 100% positive on this, but I think when you have two antennas close together both hooked up they will interfere with each other's signals if they are relatively close together. Everyone I've known to wire two antennas had trouble transmitting clearly and an echo on receiving. They still mounted two but only powered one.

Radio, I have a cobra 19 IIII (<not sure about the numerals part) but I liked the cheap midland radio model more unless you go for one with full controls. It is just a nice little plug and play that I adapted for a cig lighter.

As for height,I was hoping to have decent range with a 3'. I'm trying to avoid having to much height wise. I will be going up another 5"(ish) with my SAS soo....

As for dual antennas and the short distance between. I thought having one for CB and one for am/fm would allow for minimal interference.

My other option (one I would RATHER go with) is using one antenna and this splitter:

http://www.firestik.com/CatalogFrame.htm

I'm just not sure how well an "all in one" would function.

Having one firestik replacing the factory radio antenna rather then having two would be my choice "IF" both CB and radio could perform without either or both sounding like shit.

And I'm pretty set on that CB if for no other reason then the 4 color options.