Firestik SS-204A Door Jam mount

[4LowLocked]

I will be picking one of these mounts up to do the rear mount on my 3rd gen along with the Wilson Flex 3 or 4 antenna.

I spoke with the dealer and they mentioned there is no quick disconnect that can be used with that mount. Is that true? What would my options be to easily remove the antenna when not needed.

Also, since I am still undecided as to the 3 or 4 foot antenna, which should I go with condsidering I have to park in underground parking at the moment. The parking structure is lower when driving through on the passenger side and clears my radio mast by 1"-2" so I can't go higher than that. How high above the truck will a 4' mast be if it is mounted at the bottom of the tail gate below the light as in the rear mount write up (i will be installing this on the drivers side of the truck)
http://www.ultimateyota.com/index.php?option=com_smf&Itemid=26&topic=408.0

http://firestik.com/images/ss-204a.jpg

[slosurfer]

I'm pretty sure that I have that same mount and a firestik quick disconnect. I think they are smoking crack. :smokin: I'm pretty sure that it replaces that top part where the antenna screws in. I'll go double check what mine looks like.

[4LowLocked]

This is the company I will probably be ordering from since my options locally are limited (this place is still a 90 min drive away)

Antenna Mounts and Accessories - there has to be something here that will work
http://www.durhamradio.com/mounts-and-accessories.html

[Seanz0rz]

when i was using that mount i used a quick disconnect with it. i ended up building my own because of the interference with the rear hatch.

as for height, my truck, with lift and rack with lights clears our 7" garage by 2 inches. my antenna does not, im guessing its around the 7.5 foot mark, maybe a bit higher. for me i just take the antenna off before i go into any limited clearance situations.

[cootees]

You can use the disconnect. Just gotta replace the stud with the disco.

[4LowLocked]

You can use the disconnect. Just gotta replace the stud with the disco.


What is the disco?

Forgive my beginner questions - this will be my first CB system

[Seanz0rz]

disco = disconnect.

[YotaFun]

BE CAREFUL WHERE YOU MOUNT THAT MOUNT!
Also choose your antenna wisely and get a spring.

I chose the wrong antenna and didn't ad a spring till later and this is what happen...
First time it was mounted to high and I didn't have a spring, the antenna was too heavy and it just tore in the wind...
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a2/Nighthief/4Runner/Cuase%20For%20Concern/DSC03841.jpg
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a2/Nighthief/4Runner/Cuase%20For%20Concern/DSC03842.jpg

Then the second time I mounted it lower and still had the same antenna but a spring, the antenna was just to big and heavy and messed that mount up too.

That little curve weld is actually broken.
I need to shave down that second and fix it up.
and maybe then weld the mount in place.

For now I just bolted the antenna right to the bumper right to the bumper.

Just food for thought and consideration.

[GSU 4Runner]

I have that same mount on my 2nd gen. It works really well. I don't have a quick disconnect but i don't really see the need as it only takes 15 secons to unscrew the antenna. And I haven't had a problem with it coming out at all. Just get some good screws and put it in!

[Seanz0rz]

screws that come with it are OK, not great. i would really prefer something with more threads.

when i built my custom one, i had it sit under the rubber pad for the rear hatch. i will make one for you for what they want for that firestick mount, and i think it is a much better option, puts the antenna out of the way of the rear hatch, and is much sturdier than that firestick mount. let me know.

[4x4mike]

Keep in mind that a spring, although necessary, will add height to the system. Also, you want a good amount of antenna to extend past the roof line. Although not necessary it will increase your range and cut down on feedback. I went with a lil wil magnetic mount on my roof. The mount does not extend past the factory roof rack rails so clearance isn't a problem. I think the antenna is about 3 feet tall. It's a whip that can be taken out really easy. I just keep mine under my rear cargo mat. I used to use fiberglass antennas and never got any performance out of them. I had a tuned radio and tried 3 different models. They're heavy, swing around a lot and can break. I broke one and shattered the inside of another and they were both on mild trails. So mild I think I had hit the antenna harder on my garage before. I think that on a 4runner it's too much work to make that mount work, spring, bunge cord, tennis ball and a bunch of screws.

http://www.wilsonantenna.com/lilwil.htm

[4LowLocked]

Well - it looks like I may not go with the fiberglass antenna afterall. After speaking with a number of people locally, it appears the fiberglass has one major downfall due to my location. In winters, it gets quite cold here and can cause the fiberglass to shatter if hit with anything (internally so i wouldnt even know if it did happen until i realized there was no more performance).

Looks like its going to be a toss up now between the "lil wil" or the K40 with the M40 magnet mount...

[4runnerchevy]

Keep in mind that a spring, although necessary, will add height to the system. Also, you want a good amount of antenna to extend past the roof line. Although not necessary it will increase your range and cut down on feedback.


Adding height also adds to the wavelength of the antenna and may give a bad Standing Wave Ratio (SWR) which is bad for the finals on a radio. Tune it! with a meter. Also keep in mind that radio waves have a hard time going through metal panels (especially 26-27 mhz). Having a metal panel next to your antenna will send the waves in the opposite direction of the panel, thus making your radio more directional.

[4x4mike]

Also keep in mind that radio waves have a hard time going through metal panels (especially 26-27 mhz). Having a metal panel next to your antenna will send the waves in the opposite direction of the panel, thus making your radio more directional.

Hence the suggestion for the magnet mount roof top whip. Most guys I see with a fiberglass antenna on the rear hatch or bumper only have about a foot extending past the roof line. This might work well for close trail communication but I don't think that it would work worth beans for longer distances unless your talking to someone behind you. I could be wrong as I haven't run this set up but I have had great performance from a Wilson 1000 and a Lil Wil and neither have been tuned, I just stick it in and go. Both antennas had 98-100% of the whip above the roof line.

[4x4mike]

In winters, it gets quite cold here and can cause the fiberglass to shatter if hit with anything (internally so i wouldnt even know if it did happen until i realized there was no more performance).

This happened to me and it was in the middle of the summer. At about 5 miles and hour I hit a beam on the roof of a parking structure. It was the first time I had been in it so I was driving slow hanging my head out the window to watch the antenna. It cleared but was pushed back a bit. When it passed the beam it whipped back and hit it way harder than on the way under, snap. You could actually see where the vinyl had bulged where the fiberglass broke.

[DavidAlexander]

BE CAREFUL WHERE YOU MOUNT THAT MOUNT!
Also choose your antenna wisely and get a spring.

I chose the wrong antenna and didn't ad a spring till later and this is what happen...
First time it was mounted to high and I didn't have a spring, the antenna was too heavy and it just tore in the wind...

Then the second time I mounted it lower and still had the same antenna but a spring, the antenna was just to big and heavy and messed that mount up too.

That little curve weld is actually broken.
I need to shave down that second and fix it up.
and maybe then weld the mount in place.

For now I just bolted the antenna right to the bumper right to the bumper.

Just food for thought and consideration.



Hi Avy, do you have any more details on what antenna setup you used that messed up the mount? I want to error on the side of caution if I mount there. Thanks, D

[YotaFun]

First Antenna was a huge 5 Foot Wilson with no spring.
That was so stressful on it that it opened the holes i drilled wider.

The second antenna I had was a 4 foot Wilson with a spring.
That was alright until I hit the trails and started going down the highway faster.
The force of the antenna moving every where started to pull on the metal.
to the point that that little S Curve there broke.

I am actually going to be sticking with a magnetic mount for now till I get a real rear bumper built.

My friend with a second gen took a straight piece of steel and ran it off the rear bumper back
His seems to be doing just fine.
I can't do that cause I have to much of a curve on the rear bumper.

[Seanz0rz]

ill sell you a cb mount if you want. lol.

i really dislike those firestik mounts...

[CJM]

FWIW I looekd at Avys personally more than once and that spot just isnt strong enough for a decent antenna and mount. We had some ideas like plating it with some mild steel to spread the load out more but in the end it was to much of a hassle.

The one Sean has I like, problem is again its in that spot and imho the steel there for the body is weak.

I mounted mine to my truckbox using a firestick no ground plane antenna and have been very happy with it. I have a 4ft firestick II and a nice spring and no issues. It gets loose sometimes if I wack it around on trees and junk if I dont crank it down when I first put it on tho.

When we went on a trip to rausch creek like a year ago I had such good reception I was picking up truckers miles and miles away even with trying to tune them all out. Does help I bought a nice SWR tuner..

I bought all my stuff at a place online called walcott cb, good prices and fast shipping and they answered my Q fast. Putting a CB on is cake really, tuning it is VERY easy if you read the book. Heck, just tune the tip (whole point of the tunable tips on the fiberglass ones) till you get a good reading on the channels.

As for the antenna shattering, it gets MIGHTY cold here too and mine never missed a beat. The proper spring is key.

[DavidAlexander]

Thanks Avy, Sean, and CJM. I don't want to drill into the body unless I really want it there and know it will last. Your info is much appreciated. D

[DavidAlexander]

ill sell you a cb mount if you want. lol.

i really dislike those firestik mounts...


Now if you want to sell me a custom one like yours I would be interested.

[CJM]

NP, i really like the magnet mounts on a 4runner, a small 3ft would do ya. Or a pc of steel bolted to the bumper would do too. Avys mount and antenna combo spring or no spring for some reason just had to much play. I watched his antenna whip all over the place driving 60 on the hwy and when I say whip it moved in 2ft circles and we couldnt believe it was still on there after the day.

Seans mount is killer, I really liked the idea and his is built well (so far as I can tell from the pics awhile back).

If you do drill into the body I would recommend self tapping screws and also EPOXYING it to the metal to help distribute the weight of an antenna bouncing about. Really recommend JB weld, you ever want to get it off it is possible and you can sand the stuff off too.

[DavidAlexander]

NP, i really like the magnet mounts on a 4runner, a small 3ft would do ya. Or a pc of steel bolted to the bumper would do too. Avys mount and antenna combo spring or no spring for some reason just had to much play. I watched his antenna whip all over the place driving 60 on the hwy and when I say whip it moved in 2ft circles and we couldnt believe it was still on there after the day.

Seans mount is killer, I really liked the idea and his is built well (so far as I can tell from the pics awhile back).

If you do drill into the body I would recommend self tapping screws and also EPOXYING it to the metal to help distribute the weight of an antenna bouncing about. Really recommend JB weld, you ever want to get it off it is possible and you can sand the stuff off too.

Thanks, Sean is sending me one of his so I'll take my time and make sure this gets done right. D

[Seanz0rz]

be in the mail in the morning!

[DavidAlexander]

Got it yesterday. Thanks! This will be really nice. Can't wait for it to warm up so I can paint it. Any more pics of yours installed or the process other than the couple I saw on some threads I've seen? David

[Seanz0rz]

i sent you an email with detailed instructions. let me know if you want me to send it again.

[DavidAlexander]

i sent you an email with detailed instructions. let me know if you want me to send it again.




Those instructions are good. Thanks again, I'll get some pics up when I finish the install. D

[Seanz0rz]

yeah, my mount is actually quite a bit different than the one i sent you (mine being my first attempt.

i have a new revision coming out, feedback from guys like you and others with failed firestik mounts really help me to make changes. i will be adopting the new mount maybe as soon as the end of this week and testing it in death valley(maybe not, got alot of other stuff to do!)

[Seanz0rz]

here is the .doc of the instructions.

[DavidAlexander]

Thanks, I'll let you know how it works. School can be a BIHA*** so Ill try to get it set up soon. First comes my aux fusebox and in dash cb install. Then the mount and antenna. Back to work, D