newbie having serious issues with antenna install: HEEEELLLLPPPP!!!!!!!!!!

[Newb4AntHelp]

just joined so that I might get some assistance with my antenna install: several issues (I think) with the install & I've been told (by, I'm assuming) a reputable person that there are other issues....grab a cup of coffee or a beverage of choice & lets see if I can give you all the pertinent information in the first post

2020 jeep rubicon with Rugged ridge spare tire reinforcement (cast aluminum)
hooke road combination flag holder/antenna mount (also aluminum)
Firestik antenna with the k4r mounting stud and qd
will be using the firestik fire ring antenna.
Also have a couple tinned copper grounding straps (8" & 5')

I have the antenna hooked up wrong, and this has been verified by firestik (I know crapola about these things, there were no instructions & I like to verify if there's a chance I might be off BEFORE doing anything drastic.

I've got an email telling me, in what exact order, to install the parts, but I have a bit of confusion

Firestik is telling me I need to sand/grind remove the powder coating from the antenna mount in order to get a good ground for the antenna, BUT, isn't that what the ground strap is for? my intent WAS to run the short ground strap from the antenna to one of the upper hinge bolts on the outside of the tailgate & then run the longer strap from the inside of the same hinge bolt to the frame....I thought that would solve the ground portion of the install, but not according to firestik???

not sure it matters, but the hole in the antenna mount is fairly large: so much so that the QD connector actually can travel 100% THROUGH the hole...slightly snug, but all the way through.

can anyone, wiser than myself offer some insight as to how to deal with this in the most effective/efficient way?

[nosaj]

When possible metal to metal contact is always best.
You have not stated what the problem is.
Another common issue is the placement of the insulating washer on the antenna mount. In the wrong position and electrically you have no antenna.

nosaj
N1EBC

[Windwalker]

You didnt say what the problem is but I think you must have a high SWR.
What kind of meter do you use or are you using a meter built into the radio.??
Without knowing all the info I would reccomend that you use the bumper for the antenna with a 1/4 wave whip grounded a lot. Personally I dont prefer Firestick antennas

WW1

[Newb4AntHelp]

Haven’t even connected antenna to radio yet, wanting to make sure everything is 100% right so as not to mess anything up.

Main problem, I think is that I plan on using a ground strap to frame, yet being told by fire stick that I need to remove coating from antenna mount so it will be grounded????

Mount & tailgate reinforcement are aluminum, hence my thought of using a ground strap

[MDYoungblood]

As far as the powder coating on the mount it is electrically fine and the locking washers used will dig into the metal. The stud mount needs to be installed properly, here is a diagrams,



The FireRing coax you are using needs to be installed properly too, the third pic shows the best way for it.

You didn't say what FireStik you have but if it is not above the rollcage of the Jeep the SWR will never be right. The best place to mount a antenna on a JK is on the drivers side using the auxiliary light windshield frame bracket.



Never said which radio your running either.

3's

Greg

[Newb4AntHelp]

As far as the powder coating on the mount it is electrically fine and the locking washers used will dig into the metal. The stud mount needs to be installed properly, here is a diagrams,



The FireRing coax you are using needs to be installed properly too, the third pic shows the best way for it.

You didn't say what FireStik you have but if it is not above the rollcage of the Jeep the SWR will never be right. The best place to mount a antenna on a JK is on the drivers side using the auxiliary light windshield frame bracket.



Never said which radio your running either.

3's

Greg

1) because the mount is aluminum, I'd probably get a better ground using a ground strap between the antenna and frame: in your diagram, using the fire ring portion, where would it be best to put the terminal for the ground strap?
ASSuming the information I've received is correct, it would go between the mount and the fire ring? without removing the anodizing or powder coating (whichever it is), will the use of a ground strap, attached at other end to the frame be a sufficient ground?
2) FL4
3) Uniden cmx760

[MDYoungblood]

Since the mount is bolted to the tire rack assembly and that is a secure firmly mounted unit I don't see a need for the ground strap there. Now with that being said the tailgate itself may not be grounded, the hinges have a Teflon sleeve as does the locking mechanism and the is a weather gasket around the perimeter, the only light is the third brake light and that has it's own negative or ground.
I would add a nice short braided strap between the gate and the body, if you can find a bolt or stud to use in either place or use SS self tapping sheet metal screws. Adding a strap on the hood for the same reason as above will increase the antenna's counterpoise, vertical surfaces can be done also but not a necessity.
After getting the install done, you probably don't have a good SWR/Watt meter, find a friend with an antenna analyzer, (truck stops usually have some kind of CB guru in them) to adjust the antenna. The FireStik FL4 model is usually "long" but I'm not sure on a Jeep. Never seen that radio before, might want an external speaker for this setup.

3's

Greg

[Newb4AntHelp]

Since the mount is bolted to the tire rack assembly and that is a secure firmly mounted unit I don't see a need for the ground strap there. Now with that being said the tailgate itself may not be grounded, the hinges have a Teflon sleeve as does the locking mechanism and the is a weather gasket around the perimeter, the only light is the third brake light and that has it's own negative or ground.
I would add a nice short braided strap between the gate and the body, if you can find a bolt or stud to use in either place or use SS self tapping sheet metal screws. Adding a strap on the hood for the same reason as above will increase the antenna's counterpoise, vertical surfaces can be done also but not a necessity.
After getting the install done, you probably don't have a good SWR/Watt meter, find a friend with an antenna analyzer, (truck stops usually have some kind of CB guru in them) to adjust the antenna. The FireStik FL4 model is usually "long" but I'm not sure on a Jeep. Never seen that radio before, might want an external speaker for this setup.

3's

Greg

the mount, being aluminum won't be a poor conductor? I figure it would just be "insurance" to run a short ground strap from the antenna to the outer tailgate bolt and then a longer strap from the inner bolt to the frame: just not 100% sure where, exactly the terminal for the ground strap goes in relation to the mount, fire ring, stud, etc. and if, indeed, it would cause more problems than it would solve.

I have a friend that has an swr meter & will tune the antenna once everything is installed

the radio is one of those "ultra-compact" units with all the controls in the mic. I'll probably only use the radio when out on the trails with others & with the amount of limited space in the jeep, figured this would save space.

[MDYoungblood]

The mount is the start of the counterpoise. The coax is the conductor, everything on the shield side of the coax is the ground plane, everything on the center is the radiator. Aluminum is not a bad conductor, most large base station antenna are aluminum, it make an effective radiating surface.

3's

Greg

[jessejamesdallas]

...pictures are worth a thousand words...

[MDYoungblood]

...pictures are worth a thousand words...

Hi Jesse, he has a insufficient post count for pictures yet but the antenna setup is very common among Jeep owners. Here is a pic of hat the mount looks like,

Might even be a equivalent antenna.

3's

Greg

[jessejamesdallas]

My first guess, would be the antenna being to close to the back of the Jeep....also common problem with Jeep owners.

[MDYoungblood]

There isn't much metal except the window frame in that pic, my Jeep rear window doesn't have that, only a seal lip on the bottom. The real closest metal would be the rollbar. Bonding the gate might help with SWR, all the signal would be toward the front with the antenna in that location.

3's

Greg

[starscream]

I have the same question... now can i use fiber glass antenna or get a mag mount for my 2008 dodge ram pickup
when i went to west carrollton dam i saw a ford F-150 with a mag mount

[MDYoungblood]

I have the same question... now can i use fiber glass antenna or get a mag mount for my 2008 dodge ram pickup
when i went to west carrollton dam i saw a ford F-150 with a mag mount

Magnet mounts are fine but my preference is a permanent type of installation, I have an 04 Ram and the antenna is mounted on the left rear corner of the bed.



3's

Greg