radio antenna forvolvo big rig

[rider2002]

Hi , Looking for advice for a good antenna for a volvo truck. have a stryker cb,need to get antenna for truck that,s mostly fiberglass. any suggestions. Thanks

[MDYoungblood]

Hello rider2002,
Welcome to the forum. Choosing an antenna depends on how and where you want to mount it, also how much you want to spend. I think Volvo has antenna mounts already in the mirrors. For those mounts a fiberglass antenna will work well, a minimum of 4ft long, shorter will have SWR problems. If you are going to use "bird perches" than any of the open coil will work. Figure out the mount then we'll post some more suggestions.
As a new member could you write a small intro and post it in the "welcome to the Forum" topic, [Please login or register to view this link] , so others can say "Hello", thanks.

3's

Greg

[rider2002]

Going to use mirror mount aftermarket bracket to mount single antenna on drivers side of truck.

[jessejamesdallas]

Going to use mirror mount aftermarket bracket to mount single antenna on drivers side of truck.

12" or 17" lower shaft "SW" dual coil Predator 10K....
Here's what one look's like...
[ external image ]

[rider2002]

Thanks Jessiejames

[MDYoungblood]

Just remember that is a very heavy antenna, a good quality bird perch and mount is needed. Don't scrimp on the coax either.

3's

Greg

[craig_sez]

Unless you have your ant bought..Dont bother with a single coil type,I couldnt get mine to tune at all..I reattached my 2nd coil,had a 18" shaft made and all was good...

LOL your gonna gave grounding issues and maybe crap for reception...I usually dont get much more than 3 miles...Ticks me off actually..

I have thought about an ant out back of the cab,got better grounding but noooo distance....

Thought about a fairly thick yet flexable piece of ground wire from chassie to mount but now im learning that it will cause an rf choke(no clue yet what that is)....So now im thinking of a horizontial ant on top of the sleeper or running a cpl ground wires from mirror mount to door then to chassie...I gotta lose some static and gain some distance..
Now im seeing a horizontal ant will give frig all local chat but good for super long distance...


Just when i think im finally learning some of this stuff,i get a kick in the nads and realize i still know squat..

-- Mon Sep 08, 2014 12:46 pm --

OH yeah.....Dont get those k-40 external coiled ones from a trk stop..HEAVYYYY and only come short shafted and pressed together,unlike the predator which is a module type..

[TheCBDoctor]

Hi , Looking for advice for a good antenna for a volvo truck. have a stryker cb,need to get antenna for truck that,s mostly fiberglass. any suggestions. Thanks

Hi rider2002

For a Volvo you will need to buy a Bird-Perch mount. It is special mount that is placed where one of the mirror mounting bolts go. I have worked on plenty of Volvos and this is the cheapest method and works the best. You will remove one of the bolts that mounts your mirror bracket and place this threaded mount in its place. You may then mount any antenna you wish to that mount with good results.

The problem with the Volvo is the lack of a good ground-plane and running the coax into the Cab. There is no rubber molding on the Volvo, so running it through the door jam will not work. You may have to drill a hole and use a rubber grommet with silicon. This works best. The mount will be close to the cab; placing any mount away from the Cab will not work. I don't know why.

They make two types; one is for the Volvo and the other is for an International. The difference is the thread size; make sure you get the right one. They go for about $20. You other option is to use a Ground-Plane-less antenna, which is a full wave antenna. They are expensive and very rigid. They are used mainly on Boats and RVs where there is no metal. I recommend the Bird-Perch mount.

Good luck

[craig_sez]

Rick....He dont need to drill holes anywhere..Sheesh man.....Bird perches dont work very well or all the time..I had 2 different perches on my volvo and it wouldnt stay tight..Shaft on the perch was slightly smalled and wouldnt tighten...

As for routeing.....Run coax behind the mirror but between the front side caseing of mirror(carefull not to pinch with the knobbys on the front mirror caseing)..Run the coax along the mirror arm(use plastic wire ties to hold into place but dont tighten)then between the cab and the outer cover(the trim piece that has the d16 or d16 emblem on it)..Let the coax route itself infront of the door hinges down twards the filler nexK for window wash..
If you pop the hood and look just above the steer tire but on the fire wall you will see a rubber grommet that cab be sliced in the middle and route the cable inside the cab by your left foot...All that plastic triom down by your left foot will have to come off up as high as the top of the door..Now your coax is inside with no drilled holes..Now go back and snug up your plastic wire ties but just snug,not tight..