Mounting CB radio antenna

    I am looking to install a firestick antennae on my YJ, and the research I have done tells me that my antennae needs to be tuned. I have to measure the SWR of different stations........etc. Anybody have experience with this topic? I have a cheap cobra CB. Do I need to run a ground wire to the antennae. I am using a firestick L mount.

    I have a meter. In Newark. Honestly, swr makes little difference for short range trail rides. No ground needed, .. Also cb joes will do it free.

    Nobody belongs anywhere, nobody exists on purpose, everybody's going to die. Have a beer.


    Jeeps Owned... 89YJ, 81CJ-8, 99XJ, 93XJ, 00WJ, 05LJ, 22Bronco Badlands !

    I borrowed a friends meter back in the summer and still have it... lol I'd be happy to check your antenna. Even for trail rides, SWR is important. If it's bad enough you'll damage your radio (long term) and not be heard more than 50 feet away (sadly, very common). It's not hard to get a good tune, while you might need to adjust the antenna to fine-tune it, the major problems come from not having a proper ground. This is mainly seen on tailgate installs where the hinges are a little rough. Then, a ground strap is needed. Where are you planning on mounting your antenna?

    Jerry / Whatevah

    2020 Gladiator Mojave - 33" Falken mud tires, LoD side steps, Zroadz bed rack, Quadratec QRC winch bumper, Superwinch EPi 9.0, Kleinn on-board air, Kleinn air horns, lots of lights, Yaesu ham radio with GPS tracker.

    Gone- 2012 JK Rubicon with stuff. Long gone- Long-arm 2001 Cherokee with stuff.

    One of these days I have to mount my 8 foot whip antennae again. Guess I need to paint the Jeep first.

    Member since 2000

    Jeeps Owned'79 CJ5:

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    - 258 I6

    - '93 Cherokee fuel injection and HO head,

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    I am planning to mount my antenna on the drivers side rear tub above my tail lights.


    Once I get the antenna installed, I may take one of you up on the SWR meter if CB joes or R&R don't work out. BTW....... What is R&R?

    Ok you shouldn't have any problems getting a good ground there since you're mounting to the body. Try searching for R&R Communications. It's a radio shop in the Claymont area.

    Jerry / Whatevah

    2020 Gladiator Mojave - 33" Falken mud tires, LoD side steps, Zroadz bed rack, Quadratec QRC winch bumper, Superwinch EPi 9.0, Kleinn on-board air, Kleinn air horns, lots of lights, Yaesu ham radio with GPS tracker.

    Gone- 2012 JK Rubicon with stuff. Long gone- Long-arm 2001 Cherokee with stuff.

    I went with a Firestik NGP antenna because I didn't want to worry about a ground issue with it mounted on my Bestop tire carrier.


    An antenna mounted to the back end of a Wrangler really doesn't get much ground plane benefit so the loss of performance is minimal.

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