Finally coming around to a CB

[rsatmans]

Well I am starting to think it is time to get a CB. Any tips would be appreciated. I like the idea of mounting a NMO mount on my trunk lip. Then using a removable antenna that can easily be screwed on and off. Plan on keeping the antenna in the trunk most of the time except when i get on the highway. Not into these huge 62 inch whips at all, something shorter please. Any recommendations for something to fit this bill.

[Stealth Stalker]

Is Bradthemad's antenna set-up too much for you, or is that okay? That's about the ideal antenna size for a good balance of performance and aesthetics.

There are a lot of different kinds of NMO mounts. The problems with trunk lip mounts are:

1. taking it on and off affects your SWRs, meaning you need to re-test it every time you do so.

2. They're often kind of big and gaudy looking

3. They often induce more noise than other kinds of mounts.

Magnetic mounts have the same problems, but are less susceptible to SWR problems, so long as your placement is consistent. They're also a lot easier to move. The loose coax looks bad though.

Trunk groove mounts are a good in-between option that avoid SWR and noise problems, look a little better, and still allow for trouble free removal.

If you can bring yourself to do it, drilling a hole like Brad did is very much the best way to go, all around.

[FoolishOne]

SS, you took the time to type all that, but not give us a link to BTM's setup?

[Stealth Stalker]

SS, you took the time to type all that, but not give us a link to BTM's setup?

Sorry about that. I'm not sure if BTM has it posted anywhere, but it is an Antenex CB antenna drilled into the centre of his trunk lid. Blacked out and looks nice. It's a high quality antenna, in the same league as the Maxrad/Comtelco, and a lot nicer looking than the Wilsons. I'd go with one of those two antennae, either drilled into the trunk lid or utilising a high quality lip mount, like the Antenex.

[chriskohtc]

I bought a Uniden Pro 510 XL and a Wilson Lil Wil antenna. I've yet to install it, but I'm going to base mine off SpeedinLancer's install

can't post links yet, but paste this and you should see it. "42623-just-got-cb-installed.html"

From what I gathered, it doesn't matter so much what radio set you use. The antenna is the crucial part of the whole system

[FoolishOne]

Lancer's install is very nice. Imagine a drilled hole in that trunk? You wouldn't see a single wire; it would be so clean!

[bradthemad]

Actually, I didn't have to drill a hole, it was already there. Mercedes-Benz used to have a system called "Tele-Aid" which was basically like On-Star; your typical helpless beautician could use it to call for help or directions, or it would automatically send help if you were in a crash and the airbags deployed. It was based on an analog cellphone, so now it's completely obsolete, plus a GPS receiver. The antenna for the GPS was a little puck on the trunk lid, mounted in a 3/8" hole. That hole was just the right size for a thru-hole NMO base, so I ditched the Tele-Aid GPS puck for a CB rig.

I don't think rsatmans' CLK has that GPS antenna - it's a little newer than mine, and has the next generation of factory electronics/navigation. As I mentioned to him at the last test event, though - if he WERE to put a hole there, when it comes time to sell the car, a little GPS or cellular antenna could be just the thing to cover it up. It might never occur to the next owner that it wasn't stock. Otherwise, a trunk lip mount is probably the next best. They can be pretty small if you don't need one that adjusts for an angled trunklid. I think he occasionally drives a little too fast for a magnetic mount. The only other solution I've seen is a no-ground-plane antenna mounted on an extension of the rear tow hook. I have no idea what the disadvantages of that would be.

I picked up a Wilson Lil Wil recently, for a friend to install on his car. It may be a solid performer and the whip may only be 3 feet or so, but the base on that thing is not subtle at all.

My antenna is the Antennex AKA Laird Tech CB27 (black version of the C27). It, the Larsen NMO-27-BK, and Maxrad MLB-2700 all look pretty much the same - NMO-mounted, low-profile base coil with a 4' whip, in black. The whip unscrews from the coil, and the coil unscrews from the NMO mount, so it's no big deal at all to take most or all of it off the car when it's not needed. The only semi-permanent part is the NMO mount, about the size of a few stacked quarters on the outside. It will be 100% returnable to stock condition when the time comes.

Pics:

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NMO base on underside of trunk lid:
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[Stealth Stalker]

That is definitely the sweetest antenna install I have seen here, Brad. Awesome work. Thanks for the pics! It goes to show all the doubters here that you can have a top quality CB antenna set-up without screwing up the appearance of a fine car.

[rsatmans]

Thanks for all the information guys I guess I will need to rethink my plan of action.