CB Antenna Idea

[GearedUp]

I'm very new to CB radios, and I'm interested in setting one up in my car. I like stealthy installs for the aesthetics and the challenge of finding the most inconspicuous setup. Since I do not use the radio in my car as I prefer to listen to my iPod, I was wondering if it is possible to install a CB whip in place of the factory radio antenna.

I realize in order to get the best performance, I'd be better off going to the tried and tested route, but I was hoping this way may also work. Thanks!

[Motor On]

I'm very new to CB radios, and I'm interested in setting one up in my car. I like stealthy installs for the aesthetics and the challenge of finding the most inconspicuous setup. Since I do not use the radio in my car as I prefer to listen to my iPod, I was wondering if it is possible to install a CB whip in place of the factory radio antenna.

I realize in order to get the best performance, I'd be better off going to the tried and tested route, but I was hoping this way may also work. Thanks!

You can certainly put a CB antenna where your Factory antenna is in most cars. I put an NMO mount where my factory AM antenna was. Instead of the CB I put my HAM radio there, but there's certainly CB band antennas you can put on the mount in that place.

[GearedUp]

So I would place the NMO mount on the outside mount for the AM/FM antenna, mount a CB whip to the NMO, and run the attached coax into the car to the actual CB?

Sorry if that sounds confusing, as I said, I'm new to this...and possibly confusing myself in the process. Thank you for the help, it's very much appreciated!

[Motor On]

Almost, I actually disconnected the AM antenna removed it, then put the NMO in the hole that was left, and ran the wire to the CB.


Then you can screw on a CB whip that has an NMO base and you'll be all set to go.

[GearedUp]

Just to clarify, I setup the NMO mount and then any whip with a 3/8" thread will screw right on? This sounds perfect!

I'm thinking about a 3' Wilson fiberglass antenna, but could I use a Little Wil by removing the magnet mount from the antenna? Or is there a different antenna you would recommend altogether?

Thanks so much for the advice, sorry to keep pestering

[dewby]

I suppose you could do that, but if you are going for a more stealth approach you shouldn't. You should get either a larsen, or antenex NMO style antenna. The one that I am getting is called a C27 and would be perfect for your install. Also the CB27 is the black version.

[bradthemad]

Just to clarify, I setup the NMO mount and then any whip with a 3/8" thread will screw right on? This sounds perfect!

An NMO mount accepts any NMO antenna, which is a 3/4" diameter fitting, not 3/8". It looks like this:



How about posting up a picture of the base of your factory FM antenna, or better still, the hole that is left once the antenna is removed?

[GearedUp]

Still sitting at work, so I'll actually take a look when I get home tonight. I'm thinking the hole from the AM/FM will be too small, and I'm hesitant to start drilling holes in the roof.

I went digging through my dad's radios and antennas and put together a magnet mounted whip, just gotta pick up which CB I wanna hook that up to. He's got a SWR meter so I can tune it up and test it out. Before spending any money and doing something permanent I'm going to give this a shot.

Then grab a few beers and the dremel and get to work!

[bradthemad]

Now that I'm home and have an NMO mount to look at, it's closer to 1 1/8" diameter where the antenna screws on. But if you're looking at an NMO mount that mounts through a hole, the threaded stud that goes through the body panel can be found in 3/8" size.

[GearedUp]

Thanks so much for help everyone! I checked out where my radio antenna is mounted, and unfortunately it doesn't look like I can make my idea work without drilling my room. Right now I'm not excited about that prospect, so I'm giving an old magnet mount a try. I have a bike rack on my roof, so I figure that can partially hide the mount, while the whip itself is black and tough to see. I'll see how that goes for a while and if the look continues to bug me, then I'll take a more invasive approach.