CB Antenna for Fiberglass Westfalia Roof - No Ground Plane

[EZ Gruv]

I was tired of using a magnetic mount CB antenna on the tiny piece of steel on my Westy roof, so I decided to up my game with an antenna designed for fiberglass RVs/Boats. A 'No Ground Plane' antenna system made by Firestik.

For starters, I wanted to mount it to my Westy luggage rack, so for the first time ever, I took it off.

Could have been worse for 40 years. Thankfully the bus has always been in the desert climate.

After washing:

After a coat of wax:

Inverted the rack for more cleaning:

Here's the antenna:

My CB radio is mounted under my dash, so I wanted to route the cable UP the passenger side A pillar, so I pulled the headliner (also a first for me).
I had to drop a guide wire down the chute, tape the antenna cable to the wire and fish it up.

It then goes between the headliner and the ceiling:

From there it will exit the headliner at the pop-top opening and go out via the screen:

Now to install the antenna mount.

I marked off where I wanted the mount to live, and started drilling. Yes, drilling.

I drilled another hole in the rear for the cable to enter the space below the rack.

The mount itself:

Inside view:

Time to connect the antenna cable to the mount. Instructions say to solder, not crimp, as the length of the cable is imperative for the ground to function.

I then had to put the rack back on the roof, upside down, to connect the ring terminal to the inside mount. No pics of this, as it was pretty precarious.

I had to flip the rack and re-install the rack. Note the placement of the mount just forward of my awning:

Here is where the cable exits the space beneath the rack and goes into the pop-top screen:

I also installed a Firestik Quick Connect, so I can still garage the bus:

Here is the whole thing installed:

I tested while sitting in my driveway. I received from the truck stop 5.2 miles away. I was transmitting as well, but I don't know how far yet.
I still need to get the SWR tuned in, but so far so good.

Very pleased with the install.

Hopefully this helps anyone with a Westfalia, and a CB, with an idea for an antenna solution.

Thanks
_________________
Eric
1977 Deluxe Westfalia - 2.0L FI Type IV, Completely Original
Photographer for HotVWs, VolksWorld, AirMighty, VW Camper & Commercial, Hayburner, and more.
My Photography Page.

[SGKent]

FYI - the steel bus roof under the fiberglass is a perfect ground plane, you only needed a good solid grounding strap. Lots of folks used to use single mirror mounts or single gutter mounts but that gives the antenna a lobe when it transmits power so many folks went to dual antennas for better sending. A no ground plane antenna is more for a fiberglass boat which other than the motor (usually below the water line) has no true ground plane.
_________________
Canned Water - the new California approved parts cleaner (except in a drought in which case rub it with sand).

George Carlin:
"Most people don't know what they're doing, and a lot of them are really good at it."

Skills@EuroCarsPlus:
"never time to do it right but always time to do it twice"

[EZ Gruv]

I tried grounding a standard CB antenna to my bus roof (as much as there is on a Westy, which isn't much) and it barely performed at all. Basically useless.
_________________
Eric
1977 Deluxe Westfalia - 2.0L FI Type IV, Completely Original
Photographer for HotVWs, VolksWorld, AirMighty, VW Camper & Commercial, Hayburner, and more.
My Photography Page.

[Xevin]

Eric, I have little knowledge of the ins and outs of proper CB connections in a camper. But you did a real nice job with your installation. Looks fantastic. I may hit you up with some more questions in the future. Thanks for sharing.
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Keep on Busin'

[EZ Gruv]

[RevMoto]

I have installed one in the past by drilling through the roof and rack. It was in the center of the roof for the best non-directional transmission. It worked very well on the ham bands, and the antenna could be switched out easily with the roof up. My current set up uses a magmount in the center, but it only works with vhf and above frequencies because there is no grounding. I purchased another through roof mount and waiting for enough gumption to get the drill out, but it just performs best.

[SGKent]

[EZ Gruv]

[SGKent]

phunny you would say that. Get an SWR meter and tune the antenna. You could be losing a significant amount of your transmitting power in a detuned antenna.

phor example:


Link

_________________
Canned Water - the new California approved parts cleaner (except in a drought in which case rub it with sand).

George Carlin:
"Most people don't know what they're doing, and a lot of them are really good at it."

Skills@EuroCarsPlus:
"never time to do it right but always time to do it twice"

[EZ Gruv]

Having the new antenna tuned is next on the list. I'm sure once that is complete, it will work phantastically.
_________________
Eric
1977 Deluxe Westfalia - 2.0L FI Type IV, Completely Original
Photographer for HotVWs, VolksWorld, AirMighty, VW Camper & Commercial, Hayburner, and more.
My Photography Page.

[pioneer1]

just wondering...what do you use a cb radio for ?
_________________
"Always waiting for tomorrow ruined everything"

'85 Porsche 911 Targa

'76 Westfalia project

[EZ Gruv]

[SGKent]

[pioneer1]

I may just leave mine installed and meet interesting folks lol

[Xevin]

[EZ Gruv]

[WestyPop]

Interesting approach. Would have to side with SGKent on transmit/receive effectiveness and ready availability of metal for ground plane, using the Westy's roof. SWR tuning should be mandatory.

BTW (no one else stepped up to this!) the crimp/then solder connection on that ring terminal looks like suspiciously like a potential "cold solder joint", i.e, future static problems after a few hundred heating/cooling cycles & humidity changes. However, the crimped part may bail you out on that.

Bottom line: how well does it work?
_________________
Never underestimate the power of stupid people in large groups.
______________________________________
J.R.
68 Westy
(+ others)

[SGKent]

[Stuartzickefoose]