CB antenna

[JimKellyfan]

I found that when traveling, rather than have an out of date police radar detector, or a new expensive one, I go with a CB instead. Truckers usually alert to incidents on the road, and the plain wrapper Dodge hiding in the brush.
There are others uses, but, that is what I would use it for.
It is not legal though, to take your police scanner in the car, even though they sell adapters at radio shack for your scanner there. But, in any case, the CB antennas are for specific frequencies anyway, and won't work as well with a CB antenna anyway. (haven't tried it yet)
Nowhere real good to put a CB antenna on, not a fan of magnet mounts.
So, I researched and found the Firestik II 4 footer to fit the need (wanted a 5' but hard to come by).
I put a hitch on, and one day I will get a small trailer to haul light loads, straw for the dogs, maybe some remodel project or lumber and whatnot.
But, for now, it is a CB mount. It looks like I could still haul a trailer if I wanted to, but not in the immediate plans anyway.
I snapped some shots of it. It does lay back some in the wind at 80 mph, but, I couldn't see the red tip, so not too much layin over.
I got the L brackets and nuts and bolts at Home Depot, I got the firewire, spring mount and firestik from Amazon, and they are all Firestik authentic stuff. I ran a ground from inside the trunk to the antenna base, and ran the firewire beside the ground, then under the rear seats to the right of the center console, where I have an old CB mounted. I have 2 old CB's, both Cobra's.

This would be maybe not a good starter thread, but maybe good inside of a sticky thread maybe someone can recreate if not done yet....
What did you do to your Yaris this weekend ?

[sex]

How's the SWR? Or is this setup for RX only?

[JimKellyfan]

I just bought an SWR meter from Radio Shack. It did not come with a cable. So, I am gonna order a cable from Amazon. So, the CB is not hooked at the moment, but will be by next week. (didn't want to hook it until I am zeroing my meter, then getting the best SWR possible. The meter is decent and will measure output as well. Too, I have to put the end on the firewire, but wanna refer the how to as well first. And lastly, the ground near my left rear tail light, I merely sanded the body, and stuck one of the two speaker wires in there for a quick simple ground. Gonna also solder an eye on the end of the 16 gauge speaker wires I am using for ground (2 together). So, mostly ready with a few tweaks. I gave notice here at Ford, and will not have a lift readily available for my use in December, that is why I did all the underneath stuff now. (I also ran a power wire in a conduit, front to back, for the trailer harness and otherwise) (Gonna have a power tap in the trunk for whatever) I will report back the SWR and the output.