Hi guys, I know this will be aimed at a very small number of Yeti drivers but im going to be purchasing a CB later this week for my five week trek around europe. My main concern is how to mount the aerial!

The site I intend to purchase from (www.4x4cb.com) has several options available. Having to drill a hole anywhere on the vehicle is not one of them! Hence, I believe I have the options down to just two; a magnetic roof mount or a roofbar clamp. Presumably the cable then has to enter the vehicle (to be connected to the CB unit in the dash area) via a window or the top of the tailgate and clamped between the seals/rubbers?? Im also unsure of how the clamp will work with our non farmyard style roofbars!! (If it dealt with the shape of ours then Id certainly put some rubber or tape round it first to protect the roofbar itself!

Any advice would be greatfully received specifically on the above and also the general use/installation of the CB unit as its all new to me!

Thanks in advance.

I could move this to gen car chat where you might get some advice from cb users/taxi driving members.

A quick response. Having used radio in practice for many years we preferred a magmount with the cable then run literally into the car through the tailgate, and we never found any problems with water running down the cable. It seems the water seals are sufficiently pliable so as to maintain a seal around the cable.

Also, having a magmount meant it was easily removed, or transferred onto another vehicle. We had our radios mounted on wooden plinths, powered from the cigar lighter socket, so they were not permanently fixed in the vehicle.

G

Freshacre - that sounds spot on and very much what I had in mind - thanks for the confirmation.

Gadgetman - many thanks, I'd appreciate that.

Go for the mag mount ...less damage and most are stable up to silly speeds ...as said run cable.in through door seals with no trouble .......and to fix the unit try sticky velcro .....it.will.stop it.sliing about

I personally use a mag mount for mine, but go for as large a base as you can get. I have a 7" base and a long aerial. I mount it in the centre of the roof for best reception/transmission.

I the run the cable back to the offside of the tailgate, tape the cable to the inside black bit and then run the cable forward to my radio.

I have made up a special 'mounting piece of wood' to which the radio bracket is fitted to which gits beside the front passenger seat

Pictures to follow.

Mike

I bought mine from them as well. Great company to deal with.

Here is my aerial & mag mount:

This is where I bring my aerial cable in:

I use gaffer tape to keep it in place:

Here is my mounting board:

And 'fitted' - slotted between the transmission tunnel and the front passenger seat:

And with the CB radio fitted. I just use the 12v power socket beside it without any problems.

I hope that give you some ideas.

MIke

Not a CB, but a Rally Safety Radio, and I have always used a mag mount with the lead through the top of the rear passenger door. I have never had a problem with water creeping in there.

The company mentioned have a very good reputation.

If yopu can, don't use a cigarlighter socket for your power supply. Firstly it can introduce spurious interferrence, and secondly they are easily overloaded.

This was last years WRGB:

That lot looks great when you are stationary, but at 60-70mph?

PS I haven't had any problems with interference on the Yeti using the 12V power socket yet.

Mike and Graham, that's cracking info. Thanks for taking the time to reply. I'll let you know which kit I go for but I'm thinking a mid range Midland model with an uprated aerial and magnetic roof mount now. :-)

Best Ground plane by far will be the Mag Mount.

Make sure you use something under it (As Well ass the rubber that comes with it) as it will leave a very hard to clean ring on your roof.

Also, give the cable that trails along the roof a wipe once or twice a week, otherwise you will get a horrible black mark off the cable as it moves in the wind and marks the top of your car (this does come off easier than the ring but stay on top of it).

I am going in for my foundation exam and will at some point have to put a mount on my L&K, would prefer a glass mount for local repeater work but it is not anywhere near as good as a mag mount for long distance.

Incidentally, have you considered taking some boots with you while going mobile across Europe?

Can always do with an extra "Kick" now and again "For Emergencies like".

Dont forget to VSWR your antenna away from any buildings or trees etc to try and get a 1:1.2-1.5 at best.

Another vote for mag mount (package from same company).

Ruuning the cable down the near side of the tailgate and through to under passenger seat. The radio I got has a separate display / mic so have the bulky part of the radio mounted on a piece of mdf under the seat. Powered from the 12v socket, though I do have occasional issues with this as the radio doesn't like the loss of power when starting the engine.

Another vote for mag mount (package from same company).

Ruuning the cable down the near side of the tailgate and through to under passenger seat. The radio I got has a separate display / mic so have the bulky part of the radio mounted on a piece of mdf under the seat. Powered from the 12v socket, though I do have occasional issues with this as the radio doesn't like the loss of power when starting the engine.

Thanks Scott. Out of interest, which radio did you go for? Would you recommend it? WHen you say it doesnt like the power loss when the engine starts is it a problem to sort it out each time or is it just a case of plugging it in after its started? thanks again.

Incidentally, have you considered taking some boots with you while going mobile across Europe?

Have to admit, I didnt follow this bit???

I went for an Intek M-490 plus for UK and Europe.

Remember we use a different band to the rest of Europe. So you have to change as you cross the Channel!

Thanks Scott. Out of interest, which radio did you go for? Would you recommend it? WHen you say it doesnt like the power loss when the engine starts is it a problem to sort it out each time or is it just a case of plugging it in after its started? thanks again.

I went with the Lafayette one. Simple (but clunky) interface that does the job. Would I get the same again, not sure - it would probably be this or one of the hand held ones with a vehicle kit.

With the engine start it has a tendancy to lock up, needing a power cycle (sometimes removing power rather than using the on/off button).

Interesting. After lots of deliberation I choose this package:

http://www.4x4cb.com/public/item.cfm?itemID=1908

And went for an uprated aerial:

http://www.4x4cb.com/public/show_faq_info_preview.cfm?FAQID=293

Mag mount and 12v lighter plug option ticked too. :-)

Cheers for all the advice. :-)

That aerial looks interesting.

The Springer aerial doesn't have a good reputation in the 4x4 world, so that looks a very interesting replacement.

My aerial was always hitting trees etc as it is so long. About 5' or so plus the coil. You can hear it on some of my offroad videos :lol:

do you still need a license for one?

do you still need a license for one?

No.

Have to admit, I didnt follow this bit???

A Burner!!!

Power Amplifier...

Increase from 4W ERP to 100W +

Take your amatuer exam and benfit from the large repeater network across the world and IRLP (Talking all over the world via a repeater---via the internet).

My aerial was always hitting trees etc as it is so long. About 5' or so plus the coil. You can hear it on some of my offroad videos :lol:

When off road you can move mag mount to centre of the bonnet at base of windscreen. The aerial is much less likely to get caught and damaged in trees etc in this position.

Cheers

Steve