CB antenna grounding (round 2). AND IT WORKS!

[@kevinjohnsonfitness]

Just getting started with CB. Every time I have a question, you always have a video...lol. Thanks for sharing your knowledge

[@jrichtruckincbtips]

🤣🤣🤣 yeah, I have to share my links with commenters quite often, because they don't realize I have a video for that. However the grounding in this video helped a good bit. And, the 4ga cable will do, but it's better to use 1" flat braided ground strap (it just works better). And RF bonding the vehicle is way way better. Check out my RF bonding video if you haven't already. Thanks for watching.

[@edhammers571]

I've been driving for 36yrs and back in the day, we never had problems with grounding, but with the modern day trucks, it's very hard to get a good ground. Thanks for your video, and all the great information you're relaying. I did exactly like you explained and worked fantastic. Ed Hammers

[@jrichtruckincbtips]

I found this work 100% better, same truck.kzbin.info/www/bejne/gGeze6yta8-baK8

[@jrichtruckincbtips]

@Norm Mello Jr don't see what it would hurt, as your main antenna ground is in the coax.

[@hookahb8299]

Got my 7ft skip shooter for my 2012 Condo cab Cascadia..Running a 3/4 " 3 ft piece of pvc over it that you recommended..I got this now mounted with the "Extreme Cascadia" mirrior mount from Iowa 80, (not a bird perch).I used a pvc 3/4" to 1 1/4 adapter to slip it over the larger stud mount..And with some black electric tape got it looking right..I also used some 6 gauge i had, and put the end just above where the coax screws on between the big nut and flat base, and fished that down to the frame..Along with 2 braided ground straps from door to frame (sanded off the paint)...This is all from your ideas ,and it works like a champ..Thank you brother i was having a hell of a time..Now the SWR's are 1 on 1, and barely above that on 40..Now i want to ditch my Cobra 29 And get a beast of a radio, and run duals..lol...The quest never ends..Thanks for all the help..

[@jrichtruckincbtips]

Thanks and glad I could help, however I can't take all the credit as I learned about rf bonding from Mr.BBI and just applied it to big trucks.

[@boundndetermined225]

So you have the 7' skip shooter on your mirror mount?

[@doe9de995]

Hey I have a cheep CB radio with a mag mount antenna but I have it on my bicycle with a piece of sheet metal as the ground but I'm getting a lot of noise an poor reception so I tried connecting a ground wire directly to the bottom bolt of the mag mount which eliminates the static but I don't get any signal? My question Is it ok to put a ground wire on the bottom bolt holding the mag mount together?

[@bobby9623]

Holy smokes . I just saw three pedals, Thought those were extinct now days . I really have to get another job been in this auto Volvo way to long now . GREAT VIDEOS THANKS A BUNCH SIR.

[@jrichtruckincbtips]

This works way better than just grounding the antenna mount. kzbin.info/www/bejne/gGeze6yta8-baK8

[@MrRockydee07]

The automatic Volvo saved our lives after we jackknifed in a snowstorm in the Rockeys, It was amazing how fast the transformation performed and straightened out the truck. I guess we were real lucky.

[@curtishowell1516]

Looking your video of shorting fiberglass antenna

[@elmoncho153]

I have 8awg cable could that be sufficient for grounding or should I really look at 4awg cable. I got a 2016 freightliner cascadia with a procomm mount like the ones you see at truck stops where you got to remove 2 mirror bolts to install it. Im thinking adding 2 ground cables one to each bolt on the mount and ground to a door hinge bolt and at the bottom hinge bolt run a ground to the frame

[@chicagowsox212]

Stupid question: but is grounding the antenna a must? What happens if u don’t ground it?

[@jrichtruckincbtips]

Not a stupid question. Without grounding you're not going to get the most out of the system. You could have higher swr, lots of static, and not be able to hear others talking to you.

[@chicagowsox212]

@@jrichtruckincbtips gotcha! Thanks! Gonna have my son try to hook up mine on my Wrangler this week

[@daniellittley2826]

Is it possible for the cab to carry a positive charge due to an ungrounded antenna / big boy amp?

[@McGee4531]

I'm new to CB radios. Like brand new. I just got my first one for my pickup, a cobra 29 LTD Classic. I'm trying to figure out how to set everything up. I'm watching through your videos trying to figure it out. I might have just not got to videos that explain it yet, but I'm confused on a few things. 1) the power cable for the CB, where do I wire the red and black wires to in my dash? 2) the antenna mount, does it need to be in contact with bare metal or can I attach it to an area that's painted? I'm thinking I want to attach it to the greating on my headach board on the drivers side, but I don't really want to sand back the paint on it to do so. 3) does the ground need to be in contact with bare metal or can I attach the bolt to an area that's painted? I'm thinking of grounding it to the bed, between the bed and cab so it's not visible. 4) I've heard you say the coaxial cable needs to be in 3 ft lengths, but I don't think I heard an explanation as to why. Does the ground need to be a certain length too? As well as the AWR tuner? 5) I bought a 1500W steel whip antenna that's designed for a semi; what thickness do my wires need to be to not damage my system? I think I need a 2 Guage ground, but couldn't figure out what coax it'd need. I apologize that this is a lot of basic stuff. Any help you would be willing to provide would be greatly appreciated.

[@jrichtruckincbtips]

That's a lot to answer but let me point you to some videos. And forget this video using a cable. I use flat braid now. It's best to run your power directly to the battery using 8ga wire for that long of a run. So watch these 2 videos it will answer most or all of them. Then come back if you have more. kzbin.info/www/bejne/iH-8daBqf7yDZ7M&si=EnSIkaIECMiOmarE kzbin.info/www/bejne/pZnOgItqasl9pJI&si=EnSIkaIECMiOmarE

[@McGee4531]

@@jrichtruckincbtips thank you

[@treyfeeley2519]

My question is this. I have a 5' skip shooter and noticed how it constantly "bounces" and moves around in the wind. Does that affect my ability to talk or receive? Your videos have helped me a lot!

[@pavelbykov9731]

Would changing the antenna do anything to the grounding? Mine broke off and just replaced the antenna and now it’s acting like bad ground

[@BrockGordon-ml8bp]

I recently got my dads old cb radio. Ran a 3ft mirror mount fiberglass top load. Got power and coax ran, its mounted in the center of my toolbox. But when i turn the radio on, no station has any sound or anything. Is this because its not properly grounded?

[@jrichtruckincbtips]

Could be ground, and a 3' antenna is really short on a pickup.

[@BrockGordon-ml8bp]

@@jrichtruckincbtips it ended up being a bad radio just installed a cobra. What size antennna and brand would you recommend? Id like to keep fiberglass if possible

[@jrichtruckincbtips]

@Brock Gordon if you want to stay with fiberglass, I like Skip Shooters. You can get them from Antennapartsoutlet.com. I'd do at least 5' if possible. However steel whip antennas receive better than fiberglass.

[@BrockGordon-ml8bp]

@@jrichtruckincbtips i ordered a 5ft skip shottoer yesterday!!

[@Steve-Slacker-Philipson]

Man glad I found take 2 before I did all the work in part one. Thanks for doing all this mate

[@jrichtruckincbtips]

Take 2 really didn't work as hoped but is better. It get the most reception possible watch this one, it's a game changer. kzbin.info/www/bejne/gGeze6yta8-baK8

[@junior53329]

I got a 2000 dodge Dakota quad cab with a 102 whip mounted on the bed rail I don’t care for the location of it cause it’s not in the center was wondering if I could use a home made mounting system out of steel?

[@jrichtruckincbtips]

You can, but steel is not ideal due to rusting, and you don't want paint where you're trying to get ground.

[@junior53329]

@@jrichtruckincbtips thanks for the info hammer down and keep it between the lines

[@markwaters1868]

I have a cascadia p3 generation with a mirror mount that uses the bolt holes for grounding through the door. I run a Stryker 447 hpc2 and was getting excellent SWR readings without tilting the 5ft 9 inch firestik and at any speed (1.3 and under as it is displayed when the mic is keyed).. I added and extension for over all length... last three weeks or so that reading will float around 1.7.. occasionally dropping back to 1.3 on it's own ... would grounding the mirror mount directly to the frame potentially help??.. it gets weirder... while my readings are 1.7.. I can crack either window down 2 inches or so and my readings will drop back down lol.. have gone through the entire system and no water found... I have noticed as well on rough roads the swr with fluctuate as well

[@jrichtruckincbtips]

Possibly have a bad spot in the antenna or coax.

[@thomaswarmouth2551]

Well j-rich I didn't realize we were backyard neighbors until I saw your federal annual inspection on your tractor realize we're both in Chattanooga watching about you running aground and changing antenna out

[@jrichtruckincbtips]

The company is based in Chattanooga, I'm in Atlanta, but get up there every once in awhile. I'll give you a holler next time I'm up there. I'm Ghost.

[@thomaswarmouth2551]

Well good to hear back from you ghost at least I know now I'm horseshoe and have been for 40 years so where do you actually live in Georgia

[@kevincarrico8834]

If I have a ground strap like the one you had for your T680 and I’ve got my antenna mounted on the passenger side spot mirror. I’m trying to figure out how and where to run that ground strap.

[@rodneyroberts8115]

So the only place I have on my 2014 KW T680 is the back grab handle on the center of the cab to mount an antenna. My mirror cb cable on both sides is broken and is worthless and I'm not Gonna run new cable for the mirrors So my only option is the center grab bar on the back of the cab How should I ground it to the frame

[@jrichtruckincbtips]

Why would you not want to go to the mirrors? It's super easy, great ground, and I have a video for that here. kzbin.info/www/bejne/d6OZnquPapyfsNU So, if you're dead set on the back of the cab, the best is to RF bond the cab. Here's that video.kzbin.info/www/bejne/gGeze6yta8-baK8

[@stevec2569]

Hey J, I have the factory cophase coax in my truck and i want to run a new single antenna, can I leave the old coax and install the new coax? Or would it be a problem?

[@Littlelewie151]

Beware of those stainless antenna studs. They are notorious for not making connection with the center pin of the coax connector. I have tried modding them and they still tend to fail.

[@jrichtruckincbtips]

True, you have to get the Allen bolt set just right.

[@rallypoint1]

Glad it all worked out!! Always nice to have low SWR and noise. You might want to wrap that Pl259 connector with some Temflex tape and 3M Super 88. You don’t want water getting in the thread and going down into the coax.

[@jrichtruckincbtips]

Thanks, I use dielectric grease.

[@craig_sez8534]

@@jrichtruckincbtips still use some coax tape or silicone or something to cover every connect point..Water n wind are magical and get into places you wouldnt think..Even up top of antenna to at your tuning nail..

[@jrichtruckincbtips]

@@craig_sez8534 will do.

[@MikeMMartinIII]

I have a pair,only going to use 1 on each mobile unit. There will be lots of base units listening I'm sure. Don't want to get our group separated too far to call us a group. Ham may be where I end up. I can go FM I suppose. We'll see. Great video, hope to hear from you out there. 👍

[@jackmccalljr6325]

Do you have alot of electrical noise in your radio I have sd114 freightliner and have a ton of it any light or anything it comes through radio

[@jrichtruckincbtips]

Yes, the antenna grounding helps. Also added a couple ferrite chokes on the coax, which help some. I got some new mix 31 chokes I'm going to try soon, and if it makes a difference I'll make a video on it.

[@cdlthelion6034]

Grounding it to the frame or chasse is the best way. It is the best source of ground on a truck or a vehicle. two thumbs up

[@ianhumphry1]

How do i ground from the top of a 2021 volvo vnr , running Wilson antenna

[@jrichtruckincbtips]

Not real familiar with those. But, just by looking at a pic of the truck. I'd be grounding the doors to the cab and the cab to the frame. Watch this video kzbin.info/www/bejne/gGeze6yta8-baK8

[@jonathanechols9985]

Is it necessary to ground a little will antana? And if so then how?

[@jrichtruckincbtips]

No, but RF bonding can really help reduce reflection, interference, improve SWRs, and tx/rx. I have a RF bonding video that will show you. I also have a video where I install a Lil will with good results and a 1.4 swr.

[@thebear6751]

Was the skipshooter a better antenna

[@jrichtruckincbtips]

I have done a basic SWR test with an analyzer on another truck. Comparing firestik, wilson 2k, Francis, and predator. The 6' Skip Shooter came in the lowest at 1.03 and I send and receive better. On this truck I'm going to swap to a 7' Skip Shooter and see what that does. Thanks for watching.

[@jamesjohnson4069]

Got a 2019 579. Want to install my Connex 4300hp. The only antenna mount is on the back of the sleeper. Any advice on how to run my custom coax and grounding my antenna once its installed?

[@jrichtruckincbtips]

I'm not familiar with those trucks. Look for a purch mount to mount the antenna on the driver's mirror or the grab bar mount that get the antenna away from the back of the sleeper. As for the grounding, keep ground straps as short as possible. And, grounding the whole cab has proved to be the best. Follow this video, it was my latest setup and worked better than anything previous. kzbin.info/www/bejne/gGeze6yta8-baK8

[@jamesjohnson4069]

@@jrichtruckincbtips Driver I really appreciate the help. Thanks again. I'll check out this link while I'm sitting in stopped traffic in Louisiana. Thanks again.

[@927JEL]

Are you running co phase? Any advantages or disadvantages on running co phase versus singe phase?

[@jrichtruckincbtips]

Just single, is the way to go in this area.

[@craig_sez8534]

1 ant gives a circle type radiation pattern and co phase is more directional goin front to back of your truck..

[@jackson4861]

It’s a rare situation when cophase is better. One good metal Antenna properly installed and grounded Will almost always outperform cophased antennas

[@Terry4413]

A related question, I guess! Haven't used CB in years and in the process of building an overlanding rig. The off road community has mostly moved to GMRS or HAM. Curious how much action there is on CB? Still a good source of road conditions?

[@jrichtruckincbtips]

It's definitely not what it used to be, but if you ask people will tell you what's ahead.

[@jeffreylucas3421]

OK how do you ground a day cab Cascade, that has the antenna mount up on the wall behind the drivers seat?

[@jrichtruckincbtips]

I believe most people move the antenna to the driver's side mirror.

[@Fox250R]

So should small pick up truck cb mounts be grounded as well?

[@Fox250R]

What i meant was should they have a ground strap?

[@jrichtruckincbtips]

If needed, grounds never hurt.

[@daviddoerksen9616]

How to get swr down?

[@kenmyers3052]

J. Rich , It's Called ( Daisy Chain Grounding ) Main Connection Point ( A ) to Point ( B ) Second Vehicle Ground To ( C ) Third Vehicle Ground To ( D ) Chassis Frame Ground to Metal . Like you Stated Before Running 8 Gauge straight to ( Chassis Frame ) . Is And Loop Antenna Connection Itself a No No .. NASA Standards Ground Support Equipment ... My Question is Does Freightliner Install From Antenna Mount Coax Cable and CB Power Cable When They Build their Trucks at Factory ? One Thing about Your Video's on CB's You Teach alot of Information on the Subject Matter worth Knowing now Days .. Their No Short-Cut in Installing new Coax a Power Connection in Cab at all , Not Easy to get Done Right ....I may have more Questions to ask You later-on for Help ..

[@jrichtruckincbtips]

Yes, they do, however it's all junk IMO. The antenna mount is ok, but coax is tiny, full of p-junctions, and runs to a box behind the dash that works the signal for the am/fm radio (I think it's called a multiplexer, maybe). The antennas are junk and the cb power wires are cheap 14-16 ga wire, not enough to power a good radio.

[@kenmyers3052]

@@jrichtruckincbtips Is This the Coax Cable You Normally Use for Installs ? K40 K4018FME 18' Super Mini-8 CB Antenna Cable w/ Removable FME Connector What is Your Experience on K40 ( 24" 2 Foot Antenna on K40 Mag-Mount on Roof of SUV Vehicle?Is This K40 Workable for my Needs ? I like it because it is Short Antenna , the Top SUV is High Enough ..And SWR Tune-able Tip ..K40 SF200K 24" Fiberglass Tunable Tip Antenna K40 ? I'm Missing Quick Disconnect Adapter For an Antenna .IF One Out-Their in ( CB-Land ) I will Find One Some-time? The last Part I need to ( Re-Build K40 System ..)THE MOUNT - Quick Disconnect Trunk Lip 3/8x24 Stud Fiberglass Antenna Mount CB Radio ( 38X24 Adapter Cone ) To Three prong Base . My CB Radio is a Midland Model 77-145 Min-Radio with K40 Mic.. 1986 Vintage still Mint Condition .. Thank You Rick for Your Answers to my Questions .. Your Video's are CB Truck Think-Tank on What Works ..

[@memedontcare1433]

I just used speaker wire to run a seperate ground for my antennas. But of course that was over 20 years ago, but it worked pretty dam good and the wires were easier to run. Tried bigger wires, made no difference

[@jrichtruckincbtips]

If you're going to use wire a 4ga is a minimum, otherwise bonding the vehicle with 1" flat braid is best. Look at my RF bonding video.

[@ron99693]

What can I ground to if I can't get to the truck frame

[@jrichtruckincbtips]

What truck is it.

[@ron99693]

@@jrichtruckincbtips freightliner 2019

[@jrichtruckincbtips]

@@ron99693 look see if there's a cable to come from the frame to the cab like mine.

[@lewisbrown7281]

Ok , regular wire is not a ground for RF signal. Go to auto parts store and get a small braided ground strap 1/4" wide and attach to antenna mount then go through door to a bolt on the inside of the door frame. Regular wire is not a good RF signal ground. Plus most ground isues are ware the mirror attaches to door. Also you never want your antenna blocked by the truck. High is might and forwards. Get an aluminum coil antenna and put it back up high and ground through the door with braided ground strap, also don't wrap braided ground strap around mirror braces , that will create a choke. Try to make the braided ground wire as short as possible to bolt on door frame. You don't want RF signal trying to go through you ground wire. Braided ground wire ,keep it short and don't wrap it. At most auto parts stores,they sell a 1/4" braided ground strap with bolt eyelets on each end.

[@TheRoadhammer379]

On the truck he has, and I have, the coronado freightliner, the factory already put ground strap from the mirror hoops to the metal doors.

[@kellyphillips4404]

Sounds good J

[@paulgrodkowski3412]

Hey there J rich Truckin I just like to say thank you for making this video. I have a quick question and if anyone sees the question I would be more than happy to get an answer. Does the science behind this grounding knowledge valis all across this continent, in other words is this scientifically sound in America, Canada and Mexico. Thank you

[@kenmyers3052]

Hi J Rich , I watch some New Truck Drivers Trying to Trouble-Shoot their Cobra 29 LX Model Antenna Warning Light on KZbin . And adjusted the V6 warning light inside the Unit to Turn-Off with Power-On . This New Truck Drivers Really Need Your HELP , A Learn from Your Channel ? You Are Olde School when it Comes CB Radios . What Correct and Wrong to Do. I did try the New K40 4 Ft Fiber-Glass Antenna With Tune-Able Tip with Hand-Held SWR Meter , my SWR Reading adjustment ( 1.1 ) on Channel 20 Those Tips Work . But I still like the K40 2 Ft. same Antenna , Like You Said Once Too Short , That Correct . Even on SUV Roof Mount Maga-Mount Base seems Can't Receive Signal Traffic Like the K40 4 Ft. Can..Do.. Question I Lost in a Move My First K40 4" Ft. Fiber-Glass I used for 35 years . I Miss That Antenna , SWR work great for Many Years . I found a Antron 4.6 54" White with SWR Sleeve Adjustment Made for K40 in 1980's to 1990's I guess . There Something How Equipment

[@mrkultra1655]

Thanks

[@ne2i]

The shorter and the larger the ground is the better. It's really all about experimentaion.

[@jrichtruckincbtips]

I agree 100%, but not much choice on this one. Thanks for watching

[@long-range-eliminator]

Does anyone still run a ground that drags off truck onto payment ? See alot of trucks doing this.

[@WPGinterceptor460Interceptor]

my 40+ years experiance id never ground to the chassis.. thats DC ground! RF ground is completly differant

[@jrichtruckincbtips]

Sooo.... in your 40 years you've need heard of RF Bonding?

[@WPGinterceptor460Interceptor]

@@jrichtruckincbtips if your truck is Fibreglass you need to do RF grounding, not DC grounding! what your doing is DC grounding..and if its not fibreglass then you still need to help with RF grounding!

[@jrichtruckincbtips]

@WPGinterceptor first off you're seeing an old video. I think I got it under control

[@WPGinterceptor460Interceptor]

@@jrichtruckincbtips here you go.. saved me making a video about this.. MOBILE ANTENNA TUNING/ RF GROUND BASICS, on youtube .... kzbin.info/www/bejne/hqW9hHlqjLtjsNE

[@dj5243]

Good video..thank you!

[@craig_sez8534]

Useing 4ga will help but the flat braided is better for rf travel...A tip on that stud,the tip of pl259 "may not" be makeing a good connection to the inside of the stud bolt divit..Try and see if you can ball up a really tiny bit of copper wire strand to fill the divit inside the head of the bolt that tightens both sides of ant stud...The center pin of the pl259 will if needed make better contact...Seeing wind affects the antenna and its whipping motion,try a cpl feet of that indoor flexable water pipe and it will help the base of the ant from breaking..Plus it will help ant tune to cause when ant bends in the wind your antenna gets electrically longer and your tune will come in and go out as it whips..... That same set up on the upper part of mirror arm with a 5ft would work just a lil better...Height is might..

[@jrichtruckincbtips]

It's a little tough to find a flat braid to go as far as I need it to, pl259 is making contact before it bottoms out. Looking to go to a 7' and I'll add the cpvc pipe.

[@craig_sez8534]

@@jrichtruckincbtips buy it in a roll..It can be had with ring holes already in or just the roll of strap..Not sure if i saw it on ebay or amazon..Maybe even ajto shops or audio shops should sell..

[@craig_sez8534]

@@jrichtruckincbtips in the 7' firestick the tuneing is done via wire snipping,6 ft has tuneable doesnt it?

[@jrichtruckincbtips]

@@craig_sez8534 I don't buy Firestik anymore, they break way too easy. I'll buy 7' Skip Shooter.

[@craig_sez8534]

@@jrichtruckincbtips right on..love the ss..Have you tried to see how well those mirror arms are connected to the door useing an ohm meter? If they are then a short braid on either side of door hinge will make a good bond point..keep your firewall to chassie and try a cpl more on rear cab shock mounts..

[@JuggaloJacksonville]

Man I wish my company would buy trucks with cb radio hookups. Im sitting here running wires all over the damn place

[@jrichtruckincbtips]

The factory wiring is usually junk anyway.

[@jamesmcgee2447]

👍🏻👍🏻

[@thomaswarmouth2551]

Would be nice to give you a shout on the radio I'm horseshoe

[@veggiepowered]

The Truckers Hardley Talk On The Cb Anymore

[@Ossie12pints]

Good job on the grounding but you need your antenna to be vertical. CB antennas should be vertically polarized so they are Omi directional, meaning they transmit and receive in all directions. If your antenna is at a 45 degree angle then your putting half your signal towards the ground. Not good

[@jrichtruckincbtips]

Understandable, but 90% of my talking is at highway speeds, which the top half of the antenna is straight up. The SS antennas are really flexible, on this truck the antenna would beat itself to death on the top mirror hoop, on a T680 the antenna would be pointing at the trailer at highway speed. Thanks for watching.

[@Ossie12pints]

@@jrichtruckincbtips No worries, stay safe out there!

[@DieselTrucker2018]

WOW Dude... don't you even CLEAN your truck??

[@jrichtruckincbtips]

WOW Dude... Bring your truck where that truck goes!

[@DieselTrucker2018]

@@jrichtruckincbtips But I do a thorough clean on my truck once a month no matter where I go.

[@jrichtruckincbtips]

@@DieselTrucker2018 and, mine is every 2 weeks. All that is only after a week. Some of us don't get to stay on highways, we have to get dirty in the mud.

[@DieselTrucker2018]

@@jrichtruckincbtips Ok... have a nice day! 8-)

[@jrichtruckincbtips]

@@DieselTrucker2018 you too.

[@homegr8997]

You dot know nothing about polarization Antena,

[@jrichtruckincbtips]

And, you don't know how to spell.🤷‍♂️

[@eugenejulson8742]

I got a magnetic mount for my van. Should or can this be grounded?

[@jrichtruckincbtips]

It's already grounded, but you could RF Bond the vehicle

[@RonaldTaylor-n3h]

How do I create two hot antennas on my suburban?

[@jrichtruckincbtips]

8+ feet apart and 75 ohm co-phased coax

[@RonaldTaylor-n3h]

@jrichtruckincbtips I don't think that you fully understand. I have a 99 suburban and I want 2 hot antennas for competition.