How should I mount my CB antenna?

How to Mount a CB Base Antenna

• Answer:

  The Citizens Band radio (CB) is a two-way communication device that allows users to communicate with others who have CB radios in vehicles or their homes. Although each radio will have a different range in distance, the home base antenna height will help pick up the signal and give the user a better chance of communicating at distances well over 20 miles away. To operate a home base CB, you need an antenna, but you don't need anything fancy to go the distance. Difficulty: Moderate Things You'll Need 20 foot mast (steel pipe) Tripod (roof mounting) 2 small U bolts 2 large U bolts (porch mounting) 2 clamps (porch mounting) Grounding wire 12-inch grounding rod CB antenna (Ugly Stick) Coaxial cable Hammer Screwdriver Instructions Purchase a home base CB antenna. Although there are many types and styles of CB antennas, if you want a reliable, easy-to-mount antenna with no tuning, the Ugly Stick is the ideal antenna. Purchase enough coaxial cable to run from the bottom of the antenna to the point of entry into the house and to the home base CB. Use RG-8/U Type 11 AWG coax with foam polyethylene insulation and PVC covering. This is the best coax for linking the antenna to the transmitter because the coax can handle the higher power needs without losing the signal. Assemble the antenna by screwing the two sections together. Attach the coax to cable connection at the bottom of the antenna. Attach the ground wire to the bottom of the antenna by wrapping the wire around the base just above the coax cable connection. The grounding wire needs to be long enough to go from the bottom of the antenna to the ground. Mount the antenna to the 20-foot steel mast pipe using two U bolts. The antenna has a mounting area at the bottom of the antenna that can be placed against the steel pipe. The U bolts fit around the antenna and steel pipe. Tighten down so that there is no movement from the antenna. Mount the steel mast pipe to a second-story back porch post or place the mast in a tripod on the roof on the house. Secure the antenna on the back porch with large U bolts to hold the mast to the post or use the screws in the tripod to secure the mast in the tripod. Use a hammer to pound the grounding rod into the ground at least six inches. Wrap the grounding wire around the rod at least six times. Run the coax cable into the house to the home base CB. The best place is through a window or in an area where the cable wire comes into the house.