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SPRINTERLIGHT
08-03-2014, 01:29 AM
Hello all,
I am new to this forum and cb's Purchased a Cobra wx nwst mainly because of the weather alert.
Is this a good model! Anywho I will be installing the radio in our fiberglass motorhome and have been told I need a ngp antenna. Also I do not want to mount it permanently just velcro it to the dash. Can I
just run the cig. lighter for power or do I need to ground the chassis etc. I want to mount it to the side mirror and they are plastic. Will I have a problem if I use the ngp antenna.
Any likes or dislikes about this radio , antenna model and basic setup to get me going. I sure can use the help , seems like nobody up here in Canada uses these radios. We want to use it for holidays down in the Black Hills and Badlands. Also I had to purchase the radio on the internet. I probaly will have to order an antenna as well.
Hello to all and hope top hear back from someone soon
Thanks Sprinterlight

JesseJamesDallas
08-03-2014, 05:13 PM
You can just velcro the radio to the dash, although I would use something stronger than velcro. They make some stuff similar to velcro only it uses interlocking plastic teeth (best way i can describe it) instead of the cloth, that's stronger...You can find it at Walmart where the velcro stuff is in the hardware section...(you'll know it when you see it)

As for the cigarette lighter plug, that's fine, no need to run a separate ground wire, unless your picking up static from the motor,then sometimes running a ground wire off the radios mounting bracket can help reduce the interference.

Your on your own as for as the antenna go's tho...Mounting a CB antenna on a motor home is limited because of the shape of the home...It's like trying to find a mounting spot on a cracker box...just not allot of options. The antenna "Needs" to be away from from anything metal (like your AM stereo antenna)

If you want to mount to the side mirrors, then if they are plastic, the ngp type antenna's maybe your only option...I wouldn't expect much range going that route tho...but like I said, that maybe your only option...

A picture of the motor home here might help so we could see if there's anymore options for mounting.

the caveman
08-13-2014, 02:42 PM
I agree with jesse^

Oldme
08-16-2014, 07:05 PM
Depending on the Motor Home the antenna may be a problem.

Industrial Velcro can be had from the Home Improvement stores
and is very strong.

On my Class C which is on an E450 chassis I used a Everhaedt 4 ft
fiberglass antenna on a front fender mount with spring.

http://www.wearecb.com/everhardt-stt-super-tiger-full-wave-cb-antenna.html
http://www.wearecb.com/hood-cb-antenna-mount-van.html

Even with the 24 ft fiberglass box behind it it works well.
SWR is 1:1.1 to 1:1.3

If you have an all fiberglass Class A then you have a different situation.
Some Class A's have antenna wiring run to the roof and a metal sheet
under the roof for a ground-plane already. The manufacturer can tell you.

Other people on the RV forms have even attached a metal
sheet to the roof for a ground-plane on their fiberglass or EDPM roof.
If you are all metal, then you are in great shape.

Many on a Class A end up with one of the "no ground-plane" antennas
mounted on the side near the top.

Running wiring can be very challenging on an RV.

Why all Rv manifactures have not prewired for a CB and added
metal under the roofing for a ground-plane is something I
can not understand. It must be one of their many $$ savings
things for them.

I had inquired on several RV forums about a regular CB antenna
over the fiberglass box, on the roof. I was told the chassis being 8ft
away and not being a solid metal surface, it would not give me a proper
ground plane. That is when several said they added a metal plate.

Maybe someone else has found another solution.

Tallman
08-17-2014, 07:34 AM
There are multiple antennas from H&Y that are rigged for "Marine Use" that will work.
http://www.hyelectronics.com/CB-MARINE-MOBILE-ANTENNA-WHITE/productinfo/CRUISRE-2000/

Oldme
08-17-2014, 09:13 AM
http://www.firestik.com/Catalog/NGP_M2.htm

Firestik no ground plane will also work.

There are a number of no ground plane antenna that work
and look good.

Another that I have herd talked about, on a ladder mount is:
http://www.wearecb.com/saturn-39-inch-low-profile-base-antenna.html

If I can avoid a no ground plane antenna I do.
Just because I had rather use the vehicle or another ground plane
and not a specified length of coax as the counterpoise.

Just a matter of personal choice, as many work fine.