CB setup I'm considering

**slg** · 06-25-2009, 07:19 PM

I'm thinking of adding a CB system soon and wanted some input on the components I'm considering. Translation: I'm not even 100 percent certain if everything will work together.

CB: Uniden 520XL - I drive a VW GTI so there's not a lot of spare room for mounting. This seems to be a universally well-regarded product that's as compact as they come.

Mount: Diamond K 4 0 0 3/8" - I'm favoring this over a magnetic antenna because I'm just that anal about scratching up the roof. I figure w/ this mount there's no drilling involved I can leave it in place and unscrew the antenna when not needed. That said, the mount alone is double the price of a Little Wil, so I could be swayed.

Antenna: Looking at a 3' Wilson FGT. Seems like Wilson makes a good product. That's about my only rationale.

Any feedback/thoughts are appreciated from anyone with some knowledge in this area.

**Stealth Stalker** · 06-25-2009, 07:26 PM

What are you driving? Got a pic?

That mount is as likely to scratch your car as a mag mount is, just in a different place. Especially with a fibreglass antenna on it.

**trailtow** · 06-25-2009, 07:30 PM

or

**slg** · 06-25-2009, 08:35 PM

Thanks for posting the pics

I guess I don't have enough posts yet to do that.

Anyway, I've got the top model - the mk5 generation

Stealth Stalker - Is it your feeling that the mag mount is preferable over something more permanent? Is there an advantage one way or another on range, voice quality, etc.?

**Stealth Stalker** · 06-25-2009, 08:55 PM

No, it's not a performance thing. I just didn't want you thinking that there is no risk of scratching your finish with this thing, since that seemed to be your primary concern.

So long as you keep it tight -- meaning you check it and retighten it regularly -- that should work well for you. You definitely don't want to go any longer on the antenna. Those fibreglass whips are heavy, and they wobble a lot. That's why you have to keep checking the tightness of a clamp mount like that, or it will start scooting on you and scratching up the car.

**slg** · 06-25-2009, 09:24 PM

Originally Posted by Stealth Stalker

No, it's not a performance thing. I just didn't want you thinking that there is no risk of scratching your finish with this thing, since that seemed to be your primary concern.

So long as you keep it tight -- meaning you check it and retighten it regularly -- that should work well for you. You definitely don't want to go any longer on the antenna. Those fibreglass whips are heavy, and they wobble a lot. That's why you have to keep checking the tightness of a clamp mount like that, or it will start scooting on you and scratching up the car.

Good info on the antenna - thanks! I've done a bunch of reading but have yet to actually see/touch the equipment itself.

Any recommendations on a lighter antenna that wouldn't stress the mount as much? Would something like the FireStik Firefly maybe be a better option? Or would I be sacrificing a lot of performance w/ something like that?

**Stealth Stalker** · 06-25-2009, 09:37 PM

Is your hatchback metal? It seems like most of them are fibreglass these days. If that is the case, you can't mount an antenna to it using any kind of mount.

The Firefly sounds like a reasonable option to me. You really don't have a lot of options that work well and aren't complicated, lol.