Quick CB ant. bracket

[Scuba]

Was bored today, the one I made a few months back decided to crack and fall apart probably between most of the high speed stuff at pismo and ocotillo. I repaired it last week so I could have it this week in the hammers. Now its time for a new one. I had some thin gauge plate lying around, I dont even know how thick it is but I think this will do it for the time being.
And yes, I know I need a spring for my antennae.

Drawing
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a168/Sycosurfer150/DSCN1469.jpg

Cut out
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a168/Sycosurfer150/DSCN1471.jpg

Notched and bent the sides
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a168/Sycosurfer150/DSCN1472.jpg

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a168/Sycosurfer150/DSCN1473.jpg

welded
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a168/Sycosurfer150/DSCN1474.jpg

smooth
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a168/Sycosurfer150/DSCN1476.jpg

what it is replacing
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a168/Sycosurfer150/DSCN1477.jpg

Tomorrow ill drill a few holes and paint it.

[L33T35T Tacoma]

And now I gotta retune it...

[troyboy162]

And now I gotta retune it...


haha

looks good scuba. you need a tube bender next....

[Scuba]

So since I finally got a spring for this biotch. Do I extend this ground wire (see pic 2) down to my tool box, the bracket or bed rail..?
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a168/Sycosurfer150/cbspring.jpg

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a168/Sycosurfer150/DSCN1477.jpg

[Seanz0rz]

yes, extend your wire.

actually, why do you have a wire? what antenna do you have?

[Scuba]

its a firestick.

And yeah, I've seen all these self grounding antennaes, but this is what I have to work with.

Im sure by the time my cb setup is complete ill have gone through 10 different mounting spots/brackets and antennaes.

so.

[Seanz0rz]

i know the feeling. the bracket i used to sell (lost my jig somewhere....) is the result of alot of testing, fitting, failed attempts, etc. i no longer run it because of my bumper, but even my initial alpha .001 design stood up to my punishment.

just lengthen the wire. personally i dont run a spring. all it does is allow the antenna to hit stuff. i went through some very low branches this past weekend. to the point of de-aiming my daylighters up top. and no ill effects to the antenna.

with the bracket i designed, it had some flex in it to prevent antenna breakage and eliminate the need for a spring. while i removed the spring, i recommend a quick disconnect. this way you can detach it for low awnings, branches, etc. this also adds just a little bit of slack and can help when a spring is not used.

[Scuba]

Kool, Ill lengthen it.
thanks for the input Sean.
Looks like I wont have time to finish it up till wednesday

You must not remember how huge my antennae is, I think with all the weight it needs a spring. Mine is a 5 footer.
I really wish I went with a 4

[corax]

just lengthen the wire. personally i dont run a spring. all it does is allow the antenna to hit stuff. i went through some very low branches this past weekend. to the point of de-aiming my daylighters up top. and no ill effects to the antenna.


agreed, the spring isn't really necessary - 2 years ago my wife took the truck to a job interview where she had to park in a parking garage. Because of the height of the truck, the 4 ft fiberglass antenna hit the "overheight" PVC thing they hang out front of those garages. Her fix? open the rear window, shove the antenna in there and close the window on it. from one end to the other it made 90 degrees - I still use that antenna today with no increase in SWR, so figure fiberglass antennas are pretty tough.

[4x4mike]

The ground wire is necessary for this antenna to work. If I were you I'd extend the wire to the bed rail because thetoolbox is aluminum and wonLt give you much of a ground. I could never get my firestick or wilson fiberglass antennas to work or last very long so I went with a whip. They are easier to tune, mount and are much lighter to you won't break mounts or have to build such a large mont.

[Scuba]

Okay so the other day after the welding was done I painted it and left it to dry.
This morning I actually had some time so I mounted it up. Im alot more confident in this thing then ever before.
The fender washer/ isolater actually seems like its going to work now..

Also, with the weight of this thing, the antennae would bounce around and work loose at the bottom. Leaving me to tighten it up after every hour or so while on the trail. Annoying to say the least. So hopefully the spring will solve this dilema.

Ill be damned if I can find some black paint. So I sprayed it white.
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a168/Sycosurfer150/photo1.jpg

Mike, You can see I took your advice on moving the ground wire. I never really gave much thought about the fact it wasnt grounding properly, This should do.
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a168/Sycosurfer150/photo2-2.jpg

With the antennae
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a168/Sycosurfer150/photo3-1.jpg

Thanks for the tips guys, Hopefully this thing will hold

[4x4mike]

Your setup looks beef from what it used to be.

[Robinhood4x4]

The spring isn't to protect the antenna, it's to protect the mount.

I don't have a spring either.

[CJM]

Nice..

You could go get some chrome paint and make it match the toolbox too :)

[Crinale]

looks like it should hold up well... good job! :thumbup:

[Scuba]

Marc, I hate chrome. Idk why I havent painted this pos box black yet..

But thanks everyone else, for the compliments :)

[CJM]

Black works then. Lollers your entire toolbox is chrome Scuba.

[Scuba]

After my bumper comes in the only chrome on the truck will be the "ToyotaTacoma" decals on each door.. I don't mind that chrome. The tool box isn't shiny man, it's more like a gun metal silver :P

[CJM]

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