Is this ok? Also parts identification (Photos inside)

[lacofdfireman]

I am beginning the process of replacing the coax cable for my CB.

First Photo is of the antenna mount on the outside of the sleeper.

Here is a photo with the plastic cover off.

Close up photo of the mount.

Photo of the top of the mount.
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I have taken the interior apart inside to get to the mounts and this is what I am finding. The mounts seem to have some sort of grounding strap but it doesn't bolt onto any part of the frame or anything it just ends in a plastic clip. Is this how they are meant to work. I have no idea. Here is a photo or two. One of the mount and the other of the strap.


Here is where the strap ends. Sorry for the bad photo. The straps are separate on both side of the cab. Neither touches the other and they both run along the top of the cab and also terminate there. Also each strap is probably 5-8ft long.




Here is a photo of the mount where the coax enters the mount. This is inside the cab and the antenna mount is outside the cab. Not sure what type off cable end this is but doesn't appear to be the normal coax end I am use to seeing. Anyone know what this is called?


Here is the end screwed off.

[Phaze91460]

I dont profess to be an expert on cables or mounts but It looks like they were using a mesh wire as a ground plane and I dont know just what to make of the cable end. I would think that the ground would need to ground to chassis.

PM mx5falkon, He has done quite a bit of research into antenna theory.

[Falkon MX-5]

I have never seen an end like that. I'd forward this question to 231, thumper, or the rad man himself. Heck, I've only soldered 1 PL-259 connector onto coax before. The corrosion on the mount is not a big deal, but if you want, rough up the surface a bit with scotch brite and spray paint just the parts you see facing up in that picture [not the bottom where the electrical connection is made]

I have never seen a mesh of wires used as a ground plane, but I suppose if there's enough surface area it could work. Honestly, I'd just run a ground strap AS SHORT AS POSSIBLE right to the chassis. Keep those others just in case they actually are doing something, and run another short ground strap from the mount to bare metal. Bleh, fiberglass mounting!

Also, get you a 102" whip on that mount, if it'll hold it!