CB Base antenna for a Camper Trailer

[slowmover]

Possibly the largest catalog aimed at CB:

CB World Home - Huge Selection of Communication Equipment

Welcome to CB World! We have a huge selection of Radios, Antennas, Mounts, Scanners, and much more.

www.wearecb.com

Riser

I’ve had one of these mag mounts more than 20-years. Bombproof. Look for used examples, also.

IMO, be able to use what you have mobile, not just stationary.

Workman (#LPAD) - Superstar Launchpad Triple Magnet Mount, (3) 5in Magnets, Heavy Duty Aluminum Plate, Right Angle SO-239 Stud, Mobile Antenna Mounts

Workman (#LPAD) - Superstar Launchpad Triple Magnet Mount, (3) 5in Magnets, Heavy Duty Aluminum Plate, Right Angle SO-239 Stud, Mobile Antenna Mounts in Mobile Antenna Mounts

www.bobscb.com

Someone around here posted what’s likely the ultimate mag mount.


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[63Sprint]

Where does the copper plate fasten to?

 

[slowmover]

I’ve run either a mag or now a permanent on TV roof pulling a TT.

Not that hard to run coax from TT separately.

I use a wireless mic, otherwise, to monitor

 

[slowmover]

Where does the copper plate fasten to?

“Refrigerator magnet sheet” (Hobby Lobby).

 

[63Sprint]

Is the refrigerator magnet copper plated only on the top side?

 

[63Sprint]

Thought it through and I would think the copper is one side. I hope I don’t sound too ignorant. This is all new.

 

[wjm1129]

Wilson makes a 5 inch threaded riser available at most truck stops.

 

[lamarrsy]

Remember to add the 6” sprig to the 102” whip, as it is too short for CB use at 102” (at this length, it resonates on the 10m ham band).
You need 108” total, for it to be a 1/4 wave length at CB frequencies.

I’ve had success (flat swr) with a 102” whip +6” spring on top of tent-trailer, I just screwed a 108” length of #18 cable to the metal base, and put it in a drooping angle toward ground, but without touching ground (held in place with a 4” cord and the cord under a heavy rock).
It makes for a nice vertical dipole.
The biggest part of it is fighting the noise from Air Conditioning units and cheap solar panel systems on nearby campers…

 

[prcguy]

Possibly the largest catalog aimed at CB:

CB World Home - Huge Selection of Communication Equipment

Welcome to CB World! We have a huge selection of Radios, Antennas, Mounts, Scanners, and much more.

www.wearecb.com

Riser

I’ve had one of these mag mounts more than 20-years. Bombproof. Look for used examples, also.

IMO, be able to use what you have mobile, not just stationary.

Workman (#LPAD) - Superstar Launchpad Triple Magnet Mount, (3) 5in Magnets, Heavy Duty Aluminum Plate, Right Angle SO-239 Stud, Mobile Antenna Mounts

Workman (#LPAD) - Superstar Launchpad Triple Magnet Mount, (3) 5in Magnets, Heavy Duty Aluminum Plate, Right Angle SO-239 Stud, Mobile Antenna Mounts in Mobile Antenna Mounts

www.bobscb.com

Someone around here posted what’s likely the ultimate mag mount.

View attachment 159343
.

Hey, that’s my mag mount and the copper thing is an 8 1/2” X 11” refrigerator magnet with one side having a peel and stick backing, then I covered it with thin copper foil. Everything but the copper braid came from eBay. It has a huge amount of capacitance to ground and even with a 40m ham stick it matches and works the same as a hard grounded mount. This is a cheap and harmless to your vehicle way to get the best performance from a mag mount HF antenna.

 

[63Sprint]

I’m fabricating an antenna mount that will attach to the hitch load leveler assembly.

Been reading about antenna height. Below is the FCC’s write up.

§ 95.941 CBRS antenna height limits:

The operator of a CBRS station must ensure that the transmitting antenna for the station is not higher than 18.3 meters (60 feet) above the ground, or 6.1 meters (20 feet) higher than the highest point of the building or tree on which it is mounted, whichever is higher. CBRS station antennas must also meet the requirements in § 95.317 regarding menaces to air navigation. See § 95.317 and consult part 17 of the FCC's Rules for more information.

The question I have, does a camper trailer have to follow the same rules and guidelines when parked and set up?

I just purchased a Pro-Comm, Proton, PT99 antenna. It’s 18”-6” tall.

The camper is approximately 9 feet tall. If I have to stay within the 20 foot limit, this would mean that the base of the antenna will only be 1 foot- 6 inches above the roof. And, an antenna height of approximately 29 feet.

I am hoping that I’m able to go 36 feet.

Since the antenna mount is technically not part of the camper, but a load leveling aid for the tow vehicle, am I exempt from the height restriction? Or since the camper is a mobile trailer, am I exempt anyways?

 

[prcguy]

I’m fabricating an antenna mount that will attach to the hitch load leveler assembly.

Been reading about antenna height. Below is the FCC’s write up.

§ 95.941 CBRS antenna height limits:

The operator of a CBRS station must ensure that the transmitting antenna for the station is not higher than 18.3 meters (60 feet) above the ground, or 6.1 meters (20 feet) higher than the highest point of the building or tree on which it is mounted, whichever is higher. CBRS station antennas must also meet the requirements in § 95.317 regarding menaces to air navigation. See § 95.317 and consult part 17 of the FCC's Rules for more information.

The question I have, does a camper trailer have to follow the same rules and guidelines when parked and set up?

I just purchased a Pro-Comm, Proton, PT99 antenna. It’s 18”-6” tall.

The camper is approximately 9 feet tall. If I have to stay within the 20 foot limit, this would mean that the base of the antenna will only be 1 foot- 6 inches above the roof. And, an antenna height of approximately 29 feet.

I am hoping that I’m able to go 36 feet.

Since the antenna mount is technically not part of the camper, but a load leveling aid for the tow vehicle, am I exempt from the height restriction? Or since the camper is a mobile trailer, am I exempt anyways?

A camper or trailer is not a building or tree, so those heights would not apply. The 60ft rule above ground would.

 

[slowmover]

The visual:

I am considering a tilt-up 11M for the roof of my TT. Convenience of such means I’ll be in the ballpark of what you’re measuring. E-Z to get on/off air.

I feel the better question re height is, what’s the alternative?, as (in my case) it’s the roof of the pickup or something free-standing. Both of which aren’t strictly convenient.

That sort of settles the TTL Height question in my mind where convenience is primary. I know it would outperform a 102” on my pickup, and maybe an Alpha-Moto with 18’ whip on trailer roof (more expensive antenna system) not to mention how to store that whip.

In the meantime I’ve a SIRIO Boomerang can go on a painters pole up a fair ways (5-gal bucket with ballast). The alternative to it would be an inverted-V dipole arrangement into trees. The lengths of the SIRIO & pole mean it’s easy to store in the back of my pickup. That storage consideration + convenience = secondary + primary antenna system concerns, for me.

From the FWIW Department: I’ve had extended conversations with “transient base stations” at considerable distances (not Skip) while mobile in the big truck. West of IH55, mainly, and over to the Rockies.

As to TTL Height, well, experiment. Just because it does better, higher, doesn’t mean the next location hasn’t obstacles to occult performance.

The antenna type will have been the important factor, IMO. After convenience & storage.

The antenna comes in sections. Why not the pole upon which it mounts?

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[merlin]

A couple I have seen are using big stick, one even on a short push up mast.

 

[prcguy]

The visual:

I am considering a tilt-up 11M for the roof of my TT. Convenience of such means I’ll be in the ballpark of what you’re measuring. E-Z to get on/off air.

I feel the better question re height is, what’s the alternative?, as (in my case) it’s the roof of the pickup or something free-standing. Both of which aren’t strictly convenient.

That sort of settles the TTL Height question in my mind where convenience is primary. I know it would outperform a 102” on my pickup, and maybe an Alpha-Moto with 18’ whip on trailer roof (more expensive antenna system) not to mention how to store that whip.

In the meantime I’ve a SIRIO Boomerang can go on a painters pole up a fair ways (5-gal bucket with ballast). The alternative to it would be an inverted-V dipole arrangement into trees. The lengths of the SIRIO & pole mean it’s easy to store in the back of my pickup. That storage consideration + convenience = secondary + primary antenna system concerns, for me.

From the FWIW Department: I’ve had extended conversations with “transient base stations” at considerable distances (not Skip) while mobile in the big truck. West of IH55, mainly, and over to the Rockies.

As to TTL Height, well, experiment. Just because it does better, higher, doesn’t mean the next location hasn’t obstacles to occult performance.

The antenna type will have been the important factor, IMO. After convenience & storage.

The antenna comes in sections. Why not the pole upon which it mounts?

.

The Alpha-Moto is a great antenna if you need a dummy load. For putting out a good signal, not so much. A self contained resonant CB antenna is what you need and something like an A99 or IMAX 2000 that quickly comes apart, can stow in a trailer and has no ground radials will work very well.

 

[slowmover]

The Alpha-Moto is a great antenna if you need a dummy load. For putting out a good signal, not so much. A self contained resonant CB antenna is what you need and something like an A99 or IMAX 2000 that quickly comes apart, can stow in a trailer and has no ground radials will work very well.

Forgotten the details of my earlier discussion.

CB Antenna on aluminum travel trailer

Have been looking at using a lay-over mount (Tarheel Lift & Lay) for a CB half-wave vertical after a suggestion it’s a better choice than the 102” whip on a puck-mount with lay-over adapter I’d expressed I’d try. 35’ TT Leaving aside how much work goes into either, the best recommendation I’ve...

forums.radioreference.com

Keeps getting shoved behind more urgent projects.

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[63Sprint]

The Pro-Comm, Proton, PT99 antenna was temporarily installed and tested. For now, the base of the antenna is only 13-1/2 feet from the ground.

I like it. Tonight I’m finishing up the drawing on the load leveler hitch mount. Can’t wait to have the build completed.

 

[tvengr]

I used a 1/2 wave CB marine antenna on a popup camper trailer with a plastic top. A 1/2 wave antenna does not require a ground plane and it folded over when the camper was not in use.

 

[Backwoods40]

I realize this is an older thread, but the a99 (or similar) can be mounted on a telescoping flag pole.
For mobile applications, you can order a hitch receiver flagpole mount.

Harbor Freight and Amazon both carry the telescoping flag poles.

Flag pole:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0B7LX3QD2/

Mount:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07RT6G4Q9/

 

[707ways2Sunday]

I realize this is an older thread, but the a99 (or similar) can be mounted on a telescoping flag pole.
For mobile applications, you can order a hitch receiver flagpole mount.

Harbor Freight and Amazon both carry the telescoping flag poles.

Flag pole:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0B7LX3QD2/

Mount:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07RT6G4Q9/

I’ve been using service first 25’ telescopic flagpole for almost 2 years now to test multiple DIY antennas. 11guage aluminum and very well made. Had a harbor freight one which was half the price but wouldn’t stay locked even with only a flag on it. My Sirio 27-4 is up there now.

 

[rescuecomm]

Just remember the words used by rescue services when raising ladders:

CLEAR OVERHEAD!

Yeah, could be 14,400 or 7,200 volts in the immediate area.