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Post by defcon4 on Aug 3, 2008 23:23:38 GMT -5
I'ts been a while since I was last able to browse the forum I hope everyone is well... I purchased a 32' Fleetwood Southwind motorhome several months ago and have since used it for several trips.
I would like to add a CB radio but I am having trouble figuring out the best way to go about the installation i.e. routing the antennna without having to drill holes in the rubber roof...
anyone have any experience with RV's and CB installation? what antenna should I be looking for?
you have all been helpful in the past and I look forward to any advice and suggestions you can give me
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**GRUMPY**
Administrator/The Boss 
Classic Radio Operator Olde Timer 8220 [/color][/center]
"The King of Ping"
Posts: 4,342
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Post by **GRUMPY** on Aug 4, 2008 0:12:56 GMT -5
Try this link... www.firestik.com/Tech_Docs.htm
There is some information on RV installs. Scroll down a little and the info is to the right of the page!
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Sandbagger
Administrator/The Boss
Posts: 6,247 
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Post by Sandbagger on Aug 4, 2008 8:03:45 GMT -5
I'ts been a while since I was last able to browse the forum I hope everyone is well... I purchased a 32' Fleetwood Southwind motorhome several months ago and have since used it for several trips. I would like to add a CB radio but I am having trouble figuring out the best way to go about the installation i.e. routing the antennna without having to drill holes in the rubber roof... anyone have any experience with RV's and CB installation? what antenna should I be looking for? you have all been helpful in the past and I look forward to any advice and suggestions you can give me On my last RV, I just clamped a 3' fiberglass whip (with a spring) to the luggage rails on the roof using a mirror-mount. You might be able to do similar to the ladder in the rear. |
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Post by 2IR473 on Aug 5, 2008 7:28:02 GMT -5
A few questions...
What sort of material is your motorhome covered with?
Aluminum? fiberglass?
Is there a steel roof under the rubber roof? or is it wood?
These materials with make a difference in how your antenna performs. Motorhomes can be difficult to get a good ground and counterpoise, so you might look at some of the no-ground antennas made by Firestick and Everhardt. Not necessarily the best choice for antenna, but it might be a good option for your situation.
If you are just interested in monitoring local traffic conditions, then these no ground antennas will probably work ok, but you will be limited in your transmit power.
Routing your coax through door jambs can cause damage to the coax, which could damage your radio. You might look at one of the permanant ball mounts or side body mounts. Most people with motorhomes seem to have CB radios anyhow, so this wouldn't decrease the value of the rv.
However you mount it, try to run some braided & tinned ground strapping from the mount to the frame of the rv. This will help with getting a good solid ground and can help reduce noise in your receive.
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Post by swamp40 on Aug 5, 2008 13:55:44 GMT -5
Some years ago, I did an antenna for a fellow with a slide-in camper which had a "LUGGAGE RACK" on top.
I used 1/2 inch Alu conduit bent the same as the rack, added a 1:1 balun in the center over the cab and stood the whole thing 8 inches above the rack with 1/2 " x 2" pieces of Plexiglases and black zip-ties .
Used the old standard 468/freq. formula and wound up cutting a little off each side to get a good match on Ch 19.
Radiation pattern seemed to be equal all the way around and take off angle as best as I could measure at the time seemed to be at about 30 degrees.
May not be something you can do , but worked out well for him (was using it untill he died a couple of years ago.
73, John W9WLS
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Post by defcon4 on Sept 4, 2008 12:57:31 GMT -5
thanks for your responses, the RV is fiberglass over a steel and aluminum frame with a rubber roof,as far as what is under the rubber roof I dont know. There is no luggage rack on the roof ,I'm assuming to prevent people from damaging the AC units and TV antenna while loading and unloading but I do have a ladder on the back that I am going to mount a Wilson Slider no-ground antenna to for now to see what kind of reception I can get. My Girlfriend bought me a Galaxy 959 for my birthday to put in the RV and I purchased the antenna and cabling from Poppa Bear and as soon as I can fabricate a few brackets I will try to get it all installed this is the RV its all going in... wish me luck and I'll keep you all posted on my progress  sorry about the huge pic |
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Post by dgtr43 on Sept 8, 2008 3:46:22 GMT -5
Does anyone know where I can purchase output finals for an Royce CB Radio Model I-621(40 Channels)? Need some help?
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Post by Tombstone (R.I.P.) on Sept 8, 2008 8:27:04 GMT -5
Radio Shack might have the replacement finals but I've never had any luck with their transistors. You might try R&R Electronics, just do an internet search for them and you can contact them through their web site.
Tombstone
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Post by dgtr43 on Sept 8, 2008 15:49:37 GMT -5
Thanks, I will try that.
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