Stake Mount Ground

[BSmithNC]

Finally got enough parts in today to finish hooking up my CB radio in my 2016 Ram 3500.
I have a Uniden PC78LTX. 18’ cable with no coiled loops, that is attached to a Breedlove stake mount, with a firestik DM-4A dome mount, quick disconnect, and a 4’ firestik antenna.
I am using the built in SWR meter and seeing just under 3. Also, not sure if it’s normal but I don’t hear static or anything on any of the channels.
I have a ground strap on order that will go from the ground screw on the Breedlove mount to a spot on the frame of the truck. Also planning on bonding the doors, the hood, and the exhaust at some point.
Is the antenna actually grounded since I do not have a ground strap as of yet? Should I be hearing static or any noise at all?
Would like to make sure I am headed in the right direction.

 

[BSmithNC]

UPDATE:

After turning the squelch down almost all the way I am getting sound. Mostly static, but it’s a start.
Just under 2 on the SWR now.
Somewhere in the manual it mentioned turning the squelch all the way up. Not sure why.

 

[prcguy]

The only thing a length of braid from the antenna mount to the frame will do is become a short counterpoise wire. The mount should make direct contact with sheet metal right at the mount and a distant ground point connected with a length of wire is only a DC ground and will not usually affect or improve RF transmission or reception.

 

[BSmithNC]

The top of the mount sits on top of the plastic bed rails. The bottom clamps to the metal on the bottom side.
Most of my problem was having the squelch turned all the way up. Was going by something I read/misread in the manual. Actually picking up what little radio traffic there is.
1st time setting up a cb and using one. So a bit of a learning curve to contend with.

 

[prcguy]

It would be best if you could get the mount to make good contact with the sheet metal at the top of the stake hole so there is a good continuous flow from the mount to the exterior sheet metal. What is the SWR on ch 1 and 40? That can tell you if the whip needs to be shortened or if you went too far. A better match on ch 1 means the antenna is too long and a better match on 40 means its too short.

The top of the mount sits on top of the plastic bed rails. The bottom clamps to the metal on the bottom side.
Most of my problem was having the squelch turned all the way up. Was going by something I read/misread in the manual. Actually picking up what little radio traffic there is.
1st time setting up a cb and using one. So a bit of a learning curve to contend with.

 

[BSmithNC]

I will take a look and see how difficult it will be to cut the plastic on the bed rail. Hopefully just a good razor blade.
I need to measure the SWR on channel 1,19, and 40 tomorrow.

 

[prcguy]

You could probably run some braid from part of the mount that sticks out of the hole to a screw on the top bed rail but under the plastic trim. That would be a direct path for RF currents to the sheet metal body.

 

[BSmithNC]

UPDATE 2:

Down to a SWR of just over 1 on channel 1 and channel 40.
Ran a ground strap from the Breedlove mount to the frame of the truck as well.
My original issue was having the squelch turned all the way up.
So far with the SWR at a reasonable level everything seems to be coming in much clearer just parked on my street.
Next step is to decide how annoying it is not having the antenna straight up and down. I really need the 4 degree mount and not the flat mount.