Gents,
The use of C/B radios is not all that important to many of you. But, there are quite a few that still use them from time to time, for various reasons. I'm one of them. Our coach, an '04 Itasca Horizon, 36GD with the C-7 330HP CAT, came with a factory mounted C/B antenna. The coach was/is plumbed for the total wiring package for any C/B radio of your choice.
But, I don't know WHO, IN THEIR RIGHT MIND, designed the C/B antenna mount for that era Winne and Itasca. Without a doubt, it is the dumbest design and installation practice I've ever seen. To those of you that know it, you know what I'm talking about. To those that don't, It's simply ultra poor quality, based on Winnes and Itascas reputation for quality coaches, components and ideas.
Basically, I don't even know how it's mounted. You see, I can't really tell. When you look at the pictures below, you don't see any outside component for securing the antenna base, NOTHING!! And, based on its position which, is basically directly over the drivers head, in the roof, is nothing short of impossible to get and service, repair, alter and more.
So, when you try and install anything other than the factory antenna which, may or may not be there, depending on how the coach was optioned out or, it may have been there but, disappeared in the wind, on some trip someplace and the owner(s) never knew when it happened.
Anyway, enough blabbing about how bad it was designed. I decided to "enhance" it's mount, from the outside of the coach, so I could securely mount my short, 24" Firestick antenna, with a flex spring. I won't go into all the details but, suffice to say, it, (the original mounting) is 10 times stronger and more stabile, than the factory one ever was. Take a look and see what you think.
Scott
The use of C/B radios is not all that important to many of you. But, there are quite a few that still use them from time to time, for various reasons. I'm one of them. Our coach, an '04 Itasca Horizon, 36GD with the C-7 330HP CAT, came with a factory mounted C/B antenna. The coach was/is plumbed for the total wiring package for any C/B radio of your choice.
But, I don't know WHO, IN THEIR RIGHT MIND, designed the C/B antenna mount for that era Winne and Itasca. Without a doubt, it is the dumbest design and installation practice I've ever seen. To those of you that know it, you know what I'm talking about. To those that don't, It's simply ultra poor quality, based on Winnes and Itascas reputation for quality coaches, components and ideas.
Basically, I don't even know how it's mounted. You see, I can't really tell. When you look at the pictures below, you don't see any outside component for securing the antenna base, NOTHING!! And, based on its position which, is basically directly over the drivers head, in the roof, is nothing short of impossible to get and service, repair, alter and more.
So, when you try and install anything other than the factory antenna which, may or may not be there, depending on how the coach was optioned out or, it may have been there but, disappeared in the wind, on some trip someplace and the owner(s) never knew when it happened.
Anyway, enough blabbing about how bad it was designed. I decided to "enhance" it's mount, from the outside of the coach, so I could securely mount my short, 24" Firestick antenna, with a flex spring. I won't go into all the details but, suffice to say, it, (the original mounting) is 10 times stronger and more stabile, than the factory one ever was. Take a look and see what you think.
Scott
I surely appreciate the nice comments on my support/mount for the C/B antenna on our '04 Itasca. Whether or not any one "still" uses a C/B or not or, it's stored in the attic or basement or is a paper weight is not really relevant here. Those of us that still use them, however slightly, still need and want it to work, if and when we need it. There may be a few newer alternatives to them but, they're cheap and still work.
The fact is that my antenna mount was junk. I've observed other Itascas of the same era and, it appears that many are still solid and, are working fine. Who knows what the bone heads had the coach before us did. Maybe the factory C/B antenna fell off in travel and, that loosened the mount which, made things worse. In any case, based on what I had to work with, the style of support for it was the best I could come up with. The radio works 'cause we're presently on a trip here in AZ and, traveling with friends and, we've talked back and forth several times on the freeway.
I've used HAM radios which, are seriously better then C/Bs but, trying to get all fellow travelers that we do things with to get a license and even a small, hand held HAM radio is pretty tough. Anyway, again, thanks for the nice comments on my mount/support.
Scott
The fact is that my antenna mount was junk. I've observed other Itascas of the same era and, it appears that many are still solid and, are working fine. Who knows what the bone heads had the coach before us did. Maybe the factory C/B antenna fell off in travel and, that loosened the mount which, made things worse. In any case, based on what I had to work with, the style of support for it was the best I could come up with. The radio works 'cause we're presently on a trip here in AZ and, traveling with friends and, we've talked back and forth several times on the freeway.
I've used HAM radios which, are seriously better then C/Bs but, trying to get all fellow travelers that we do things with to get a license and even a small, hand held HAM radio is pretty tough. Anyway, again, thanks for the nice comments on my mount/support.
Scott
mrkoje wrote:
Looks good and no doubt a lot stronger. I would recommend to get some dicor lap sealant though and put a nice layer around the base if you haven't already.
If you don't mind me asking - what exactly do you use your CB for now?
mrkoje,
I appreciate the nice comment. On the Dicor lap sealant thing, yep, I've used it in the past and, it's pretty good stuff. There's quite a few on here and other RV forums that are not fans of Silicone for sealing anything on roofs. Well, I guess that's ok but, this rig is now 12 years old and, there's items up on that roof that were installed close to the day that coach was born and, they were sealed and caulked with Silicone. And, that Silicone is still as nice as when it was applied that long ago.
When I began the process of installing that antenna mount, I put a bead around the original fitting that was protruding out of the roof. Then I put a dab on each drilled hole. Then I put a bead all the way around the perimeter of the main plate. Then I put small bead around the inside of the welded collar, right at where the collar was welded to the plate.
Then I placed the plate down on the fiberglass. Then, another small dab was placed in each hole prior to the screws being inserted. And finally, as you can see, there were two more beads placed. One was around the base of the collar on the outside and then right at the entrance of the spring loaded part of the antenna, into the collar.
So, at this point, I'm pretty sure it's safe to say, it's sealed. Only time will tell.
Scott
