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Old 02-23-2012, 12:04 AM   #1
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Question CB Radio Install

Hi I would like to install a CB Radio on my 2012 Georgetown 280
Where is a good place to place the Antenna??? and how to route it into the inside and hook up to the CB.
Thanks
George
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Old 02-23-2012, 12:53 AM   #2
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Can't help much, but the antenna must be mounted to metal, so as to be grounded. There are brackets that might let you mount it between the fender and the crack down the side of the hood opening. I'm not sure you have metal mirror arms, but they used to make brackets for there also. For maximum range and performance, you need the longest antenna mounted as high as possible. Trees become a problem when this is done. Also try to get a spring between the bracket and the antenna in case of tree limbs. Once you pick a mounting point, the you can figure a way to get the coax inside.
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Old 02-23-2012, 06:12 AM   #3
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When I had my MH, I got a "no ground" antena system. The antena is designed to work attached to and no ground plane thats found in fiberglass. I.e. MHs and boats.

I attached mine to the drivers side of the coach between the back of the drivers seat and the slide. The mounting bracket for the antena I bolted on instead of screws, I felt that would hold better. For the inside cover plate I went and got a 4" sq. post cover (white plastic) that covered the inside workings of the mount. I then put a white plastic wire channel cover over the cable running down the wall. End result looked good. check out this site for more items and info CB Radios, Stryker Radios, CB Radio Antennas and Accessories - Experienced CB Technicians
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Old 02-23-2012, 07:06 AM   #4
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Very hard to mount--------------

The comments are correct about the antenna that has to be mounted attached to a ground. 75% of you antenna system working properly is the grounding of the mount. The 90° aluminum bracket can mounted to any thing that will hold it but a 10 GA grounding wire of only 6". An antenna that creates its own ground plane such as a MARINE CB antenna. They may still be available, usually comes with it own mount for attachment to plastic or fiberglass. The only problem is you CAN NOT cut the fitting off the end of the coax to get it through a small hole. There is a 12"-16" matching "stub" along side the coax from the pl-259 (FITTING) that acts as a SWR matching false ground plane.

Every RV installation is a challenge to a good CB shop installer, I know after 28 years in the business. A good SWR (standing wave ratio) below 2.5 is very hard to achieve. A lot of installers will just simply drill your RV full of holes, mount the antenna, send you on your way with a very bad SWR match. A bad match will prevent you from transmitting even as far as you can throw the CB radio. At least 60% of the antenna has to be above the RV roof line to even start getting a good SWR match. The frame the drivers window is mounted in, usually will provide the ground for the antenna. A brand of antenna called "FIRESTICK" four feet in length with a tunable "STUB" in the top will work pretty good, using a 4" SS spring by Firestick at the bottom of the antenna. Use a good CB shop that knows what they are doing (TRUCK STOP) for your antenna installation. Even the incorrect length of COAX will SCREW up your antenna SWR match.

Good luck
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Old 02-23-2012, 10:20 AM   #5
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I don't know how to route the cable, but you might consider attaching the antenna to the top of your ladder. As windrider said, a spring (either separate or as part of the antenna) would help protect it against tree limbs.
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Old 02-25-2012, 03:10 PM   #6
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I installed ours EXACTLY as cardinal4fun menitoned. It's not rocket science, and covering the cable run with the plastic wire channel works out fine. I made sure the tip of the antennae was just slightly lower than my A/C units.
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