Finally decided to get a CB setup

**BreakfastPirate** · 03-25-2009, 07:54 AM

So I finally bit the bullet and bought a CB. I do a lot of commuting on the interstate and I figured it would at least offer some good entertainment and be a decent countermeasure. I bought a FireStik II FS3-B that I plan on mounting in the center of the trunk on my '02 Monte Carlo. Went with the Uniden PRO510XL, hoping it fits nicely in the car somewhere but I'll have to fool around with that more once it comes via UPS today. I'll be sure to post pictures of the completed install! (hopefully this weekend or tomorrow if I have time)

I'm looking for some advice though on drilling the hole in my trunk for the antenna. What's the best way to go about this? Also I'm not sure if I should invest in just buying my own SWR meter or trying to locate one somewhere. Speaking of which, any Illinois members that would let me borrow one?

**Stealth Stalker** · 03-25-2009, 08:55 AM

Originally Posted by BreakfastPirate

I bought a FireStik II FS3-B that I plan on mounting in the center of the trunk on my '02 Monte Carlo.

Bad choice of antenna for that purpose. Those fiberglass whips are top-heavy and narrow based. They're not for hole mounting. They need a stable, reinforced mount, like a bumper or truck mirror mount.

I'd get a new antenna. The Wilson's are about the best thing going, and ideal for trunk mounting.

**srtga** · 03-25-2009, 09:36 AM

Originally Posted by Stealth Stalker

Bad choice of antenna for that purpose. Those fiberglass whips are top-heavy and narrow based. They're not for hole mounting. They need a stable, reinforced mount, like a bumper or truck mirror mount.

I'd get a new antenna. The Wilson's are about the best thing going, and ideal for trunk mounting.

I agree but I have a fs3 on my trunk and it hasn't given me any problems. Once you have the antenna mount fastened you can always swap antennas easily.

I believe my mount required a 3/8 hole. Just look @ the underside and make sure you have a flat surface on the inside of the trunk for the washer. Drill a pilot hole first and then step up to larger sizes. A dremel is handy for cleaning up the edges and making sure you have a good ground.

Most truck stops have SWR meters pretty cheap.

I wouldn't sweat the antenna deal too much unless you want to transmit a lot. Truckers have their antennas mounted much higher than you can and they run pretty powerful radios. I get bear reports from miles away with about the same rig you have. I picked up a guy on a base station for about 20 miles the other night! He was p!ssin' off everyone on the interstate...

Good Luck and welcome to the fold!

**Stealth Stalker** · 03-25-2009, 10:12 AM

Oh, it will work. No doubt about that. It's just a very poor choice for a hole mount. All the weight of that antenna -- and the wind load pushing against it -- are concentrated on a VERY small base and hole. This results in the antenna coming loose occasionally and bending up the sheet metal of your trunk like a pry bar. You have to constantly check and re-check the thing to tighten it down.

**BreakfastPirate** · 04-01-2009, 02:58 PM

So I got the antenna mounted yesterday. The radio got stolen in the mail so I have to wait until my new one gets here tomorrow (hopefully) before I have a working setup. Preliminary observation of the antenna leads me to believe the mount should be fine as far as stability. Today was a hell of a windy day in Chicago, and the antenna still didn't sway too much even doing 80+ mph on the interstate.

I'll post some pictures of everything once I get the radio mounted inside the car. The whole thing actually looks pretty sharp. The only thing I don't like is the bright red plastic cap for the FSII, but I plan on painting that black to match the antenna.