Page 2 of 2

Re: Mobile CB for long range?

Posted: Wed Sep 30, 2020 7:24 pm
by blue90
The frame is just a frame, no metal plates on it. The body is all aluminium so an earth fly lead to chassis would be better than earthing to the body.

I hade the spare wheel mount in mind but would have to remove the antenna to get to the spare, but I seldom get punctures anyway.

Modding the canvas and keeping it water tight will be a task, the present canvas is worn out and will be replaced with new soon so I dont really fancy putting a hole in a new canvas. I could put a gutter mount above the front door, or fabricate something there.

If I put it on the roof I dont really need a rigid antenna and a flexible one would be better for low trees ect.

Thanks for the EBay heads up , I will take a look.

Re: Mobile CB for long range?

Posted: Wed Sep 30, 2020 7:46 pm
by easy rider
Totally understand , yup door frame or a fabricated mount to slip under bonnet edge
Keep googling, look landy forums or cb radio antennas on off road or 4x4 for ideas.
Wheel mount on bonnet could be good too .Keep looking and it may even take a couple attempts to find best position.
Yup alloy can be a pain , earthing to chassis adding steel plate under panels if required isn't ideal.
Bullbar if earthed looking better as screen if mounted rear of bonnet area could also raise swr reflection .

Re: Mobile CB for long range?

Posted: Wed Sep 30, 2020 8:51 pm
by blue90
Would earthing directly to the vehicles battery be beneficial? Land Rovers have a terrible electrical system, especially the earths. I rewired a lot of my earths so they run directly to the battery.

Re: Mobile CB for long range?

Posted: Thu Oct 01, 2020 9:52 am
by easy rider
Earthing battery. Whilst I would earth the battery radio as well as a earth from radio shortest wire to chassis too.
I'm not sure to antenna would help much due to wire length

Re: Mobile CB for long range?

Posted: Thu Oct 01, 2020 10:21 pm
by blue90
easy rider wrote: Thu Oct 01, 2020 9:52 am Earthing battery. Whilst I would earth the battery radio as well as a earth from radio shortest wire to chassis too.
I'm not sure to antenna would help much due to wire length
I have a lot to learn and research, I would never have guessed the length of an earth wire from the antenna would have an effect on its performance.
The radio I can understand, the direct earth and live will stop any unwanted interference from other electrical systems, old alternators can be noisy etc.

Re: Mobile CB for long range?

Posted: Fri Oct 02, 2020 8:09 am
by easy rider
https://www.wearecb.com/testing-cb-antenna-ground.html have a quick look at this.unfortunately yes even a ground earth from a antenna can react and become a part of the antenna physical length.

Look don't over think it , get a radio or 2. A antenna and if required a amp a decent swr meter with power meter switch up to 100 watts about 16-20£ . Follow good install practice take time to install its simple.It will work.it's no voodoo magic .

Been faffing with radio since 70s ,I'm still learning experimenting looking for that extra db .
If your anything like me it won't be long before you start thinking will another antenna work better than the one I have.I need to buy them all lol.
Oh yes I have more radios mobile antennas base antennas you name it than most radio stores in stock ,slight exaggeration but you get the picture it's addictive and ever evolving if you let it

Once you get your 3/8 mount in situ your firestik in place you can look at the sirio 5000 trucker 6' 8" it's a stiffer whip base length to compare .I use the 4000 & 5000 whilst the stainless whips are very long 6'5 ish unless your going at speed their quite stiff and as tapered the flex is controlled more than a skinny whip.
The fs is far more rigid.not seen one break from mobile use but as it flex less will certainly put more strain on mount.so buy a solid quality 3/8 mount for the fs .
Less wallen modulators are good too.

When last I tested a 7' fs against a sirio 4000 6'5" the sirio edged in on a better receive with same tx signal. whilst the 5' fs was very close too but a hair less than both on tx rx.

Re: Mobile CB for long range?

Posted: Fri Oct 02, 2020 5:05 pm
by blue90
easy rider wrote: Fri Oct 02, 2020 8:09 am https://www.wearecb.com/testing-cb-antenna-ground.html have a quick look at this.unfortunately yes even a ground earth from a antenna can react and become a part of the antenna physical length.

Look don't over think it , get a radio or 2. A antenna and if required a amp a decent swr meter with power meter switch up to 100 watts about 16-20£ . Follow good install practice take time to install its simple.It will work.it's no voodoo magic .

Been faffing with radio since 70s ,I'm still learning experimenting looking for that extra db .
If your anything like me it won't be long before you start thinking will another antenna work better than the one I have.I need to buy them all lol.
Oh yes I have more radios mobile antennas base antennas you name it than most radio stores in stock ,slight exaggeration but you get the picture it's addictive and ever evolving if you let it

Once you get your 3/8 mount in situ your firestik in place you can look at the sirio 5000 trucker 6' 8" it's a stiffer whip base length to compare .I use the 4000 & 5000 whilst the stainless whips are very long 6'5 ish unless your going at speed their quite stiff and as tapered the flex is controlled more than a skinny whip.
The fs is far more rigid.not seen one break from mobile use but as it flex less will certainly put more strain on mount.so buy a solid quality 3/8 mount for the fs .
Less wallen modulators are good too.

When last I tested a 7' fs against a sirio 4000 6'5" the sirio edged in on a better receive with same tx signal. whilst the 5' fs was very close too but a hair less than both on tx rx.
Cool, thankyou, I am keeping my eyes on EBay and Gumtree for a radio, It shouldn't be too hard to find am/fm radio at a cheapish price, then once the mobile is set up I can look into a home base!
If you ever want to sell one from your collection drop me a line! :D

Re: Mobile CB for long range?

Posted: Fri Oct 02, 2020 5:25 pm
by easy rider
Yes keep eye on Facebook marketplace. Am fm 80 channel multi norm. Many modern multi norm radios are simple to expand however the freq will be dead quiet until propagation hits.
So are pretty useless unless both your radios have same then it buys you some privacy.

Locally me and couple mates use old pre 81 on a.m as we prefer the quiet freq mode audio background noise freq also we are off freq to others slightly.over distance you can't make out conversation at all.
What area are you ?.message me area and I will watch out on sales sites as I save all searches for same myself.

what ever you buy and when you still need coax ,pl 259 plugs to size of feeder.
Have fun,stay safe
Home base is as easy, car battery or leisure battery preferred, radio, coax amp :D antenna well as good as you can afford.5/8 wave vertical , antron 99 for longevity but is half wave however solid .to sirios ,imax, gainmasters and coax equivalents that require hanging up high.
Cheapest silver rod types venom 5/8 but need work prior to install for longevity