CB Radio Install
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 3,427
Likes: 2
From: Fountain Inn, South Carolina
CB Radio Install
.
I've just purchased a Cobra 29 CB and have temporary installed to see how things sounded and where I wanted to mount everything. I saw several setups at the Cruise In... Hopefully someone here can chime in.
1. Since there is no body metal to attach an antenna to... I have to frame mount a fiberglass antenna. I'm getting a very weak signal... and it seems to be intermittant...
Could this be because I still am not grounded properly ?? I did all the required tuning already.
2. I'm also picking up a lot of engine electrical interferance on the radio.
Could this also be a grounding problem ??
I've just purchased a Cobra 29 CB and have temporary installed to see how things sounded and where I wanted to mount everything. I saw several setups at the Cruise In... Hopefully someone here can chime in.
1. Since there is no body metal to attach an antenna to... I have to frame mount a fiberglass antenna. I'm getting a very weak signal... and it seems to be intermittant...
Could this be because I still am not grounded properly ?? I did all the required tuning already.
2. I'm also picking up a lot of engine electrical interferance on the radio.
Could this also be a grounding problem ??
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 1,737
Likes: 349
From: Layton Utah
I'm attaching a photo (not very good) of the back of my C5 and it may show you how the CB antenna is mounted on mine. It does neet to be grounded. Mine is mounted on a bracket that I bought from our local Corvette Club. Almost all members in the club uses CBs on our trips and runs to various parts of the state. Let me know if I can help in any way.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 3,427
Likes: 2
From: Fountain Inn, South Carolina
.
I set mine up like you have in your picture. I mounted the bracket using the stud that the exhaust support uses. I thought the metal bracket... mounted to that stud, which is attached to the frame, would create a good ground.
Do I need to run a ground wire from the stud, to a ground wire in the electrical system ??
I like your bracket & antenna. I have the thick roundish fiberglass antenna and it visually drawers too much attention to itself. What brand is the one you have ?? Also... how far does your radio reach ??
Thanks for the help
I set mine up like you have in your picture. I mounted the bracket using the stud that the exhaust support uses. I thought the metal bracket... mounted to that stud, which is attached to the frame, would create a good ground.
Do I need to run a ground wire from the stud, to a ground wire in the electrical system ??
I like your bracket & antenna. I have the thick roundish fiberglass antenna and it visually drawers too much attention to itself. What brand is the one you have ?? Also... how far does your radio reach ??
Thanks for the help
Pro
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 700
Likes: 2
From: Spring Hill Florida
SWR Bridge
Your problem is not a "ground" per se but what is called a "Standing Wave Ratio". With the Corvette being fiberglass there is not place for the signal to go but straight up from the antenna. CB signals need a "plane" to direct the signal back down the antenna to form a loop. A local CB shop should have an SWR meter. You should have a 1 to 1 ratio. Without a proper metal "ground" affect you probably have about a 25 to 1 ratio. The first time I installed a CB in my '67 I mounted copper screen under the convertible lid and ran a ground from it to the antenna and then to the frame. Somehow you need to get this effect. You will probably have to settle to just getting a good ground to the frame. A good CB will "get out" about 10 miles, you will have to settle for about 2. Sorry but that's the price we pay for a non-metal car.
Racer
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 416
Likes: 0
From: Philadelphia Pennsylvania
Originally Posted by Pres712
Your problem is not a "ground" per se but what is called a "Standing Wave Ratio". With the Corvette being fiberglass there is not place for the signal to go but straight up from the antenna. CB signals need a "plane" to direct the signal back down the antenna to form a loop. A local CB shop should have an SWR meter. You should have a 1 to 1 ratio. Without a proper metal "ground" affect you probably have about a 25 to 1 ratio. The first time I installed a CB in my '67 I mounted copper screen under the convertible lid and ran a ground from it to the antenna and then to the frame. Somehow you need to get this effect. You will probably have to settle to just getting a good ground to the frame. A good CB will "get out" about 10 miles, you will have to settle for about 2. Sorry but that's the price we pay for a non-metal car.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 3,427
Likes: 2
From: Fountain Inn, South Carolina
Originally Posted by MotownPaceCar
So you skipped Milan because you were monkeying around with a cb?
No, I was getting my paperwork together for a property sale that took place Wednesday am.
Getting ready to leave for Northern MN at about noon today... be back in a week. Still trying to work the bugs out the CB setup... I did the famous Ground Bolt Breaking Trick this morning... just bought a tap so I can thread a new hole in the frame.
Racer
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 301
Likes: 0
Don T Tell Me No No No No
Originally Posted by rrichar2591
I'm attaching a photo (not very good) of the back of my C5 and it may show you how the CB antenna is mounted on mine. It does neet to be grounded. Mine is mounted on a bracket that I bought from our local Corvette Club. Almost all members in the club uses CBs on our trips and runs to various parts of the state. Let me know if I can help in any way.
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 1,028
Likes: 0
From: Fort Worth Texas
Originally Posted by Pres712
Your problem is not a "ground" per se but what is called a "Standing Wave Ratio". With the Corvette being fiberglass there is not place for the signal to go but straight up from the antenna. CB signals need a "plane" to direct the signal back down the antenna to form a loop. A local CB shop should have an SWR meter. You should have a 1 to 1 ratio. Without a proper metal "ground" affect you probably have about a 25 to 1 ratio. The first time I installed a CB in my '67 I mounted copper screen under the convertible lid and ran a ground from it to the antenna and then to the frame. Somehow you need to get this effect. You will probably have to settle to just getting a good ground to the frame. A good CB will "get out" about 10 miles, you will have to settle for about 2. Sorry but that's the price we pay for a non-metal car.
Last edited by debmwb; Jun 2, 2006 at 11:38 AM.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 3,427
Likes: 2
From: Fountain Inn, South Carolina
Originally Posted by DRJJ1
CB RADIO? SHEESH,,AM I IN A TIME WARP?
It would be nice to have a little more info on road conditions, traffic, and the ticket hazzard areas
Detectors alone don't do the trick any more.... Just ask MowtownPaceCar (see his avatar).Unfortunately, as stated.. the range is pretty weak... and I'm getting lots of electrical interferance from the car... humm ... noise suppression.
