There's been a lot of discussion about CB radios & CB antennas. I've chosen the front fender (driver's side) location using the Merchants mount. BTW, thank all who submitted the great photos ... they really help.

However, try as I may, I can't seem to find out how you run the coax on that installation. Can I use an existing feed-through in the firewall? Do I drill a new hole?

Also, I plan to cut the coax (and remount a new coax connector) rather than "wind" the cable to get remove the excess. I know most of the antenna manufactures say to use an 18' length of coax but some say that's just folklore. Now I never specialized in antenna design (computers were my game) but I am a degreed EE and was a ham when I was quite young. I realize that was over 50-years ago but I sure don't remember anything about length of coax being critical in coupling an antenna to a R/T unit (waveguide length in radar, yes ... coax length in HF/VHF/UHF, nope). If I really shouldn't use coax shorter than 18' could somebody please let me know.

Thanks a bunch folks. I spend more time on this site than just about anywhere else (except maybe horses). :D

/Paco

I ran mine under the carpet, through the E-brake cable grommet in the drivers side floor, then up the inside of the firewall.

I drilled an hole in the open circle in the firewall insulation just to the left of the master cylinder. I also used that space to run the boost and pyrometer hoses/wiring.

I think 9' is the next # to cut it off at you want a low swr reading or your radio wont talk well and its hard on the radio if your radio doent have an swr meter built in try finding a cb shop in a truck stop they usually have a portable to check it with

to keep swr's down you need to keep your lenghts at 36" incriments or 12"
to keep a flat match or low swr's you need a good connector PL-259 solder connector. radio shack has them or you can go to a truck stop or cb-shop.

I always thought you wanted to keep the coax lead-in as short as possible and tune it by way of antenna length.
Mike

You want the coax to be as short as possible to reduce loss of power.

I didnt drill any new holes, fed the 18' coax from the engine compartment into the cab through an existing grommet, maybe the speedo cable? I tie wrapped the extra cable up in the engine compartment as I felt it was necessary to use the 18' of coax to keep the wavelengths as designed to be.

http://pic40.picturetrail.com/VOL359/2207724/14984016/235644183.jpg

It was a bit of a pain to get the cable to feed through, but it did.

-Bryan

I used the existing feedthrough in the firewall (thanks for the photo Bryan). It did require a little Exacto trimming to enlarge the grommet hole (to make room for the additional cable) but it looks/works great. I used a 9' coax cable which ends up with about 2' of service loop tucked under the carpet.

Thanks again to all those who offered suggestions.

/Bill

As long as it is in 3 ft increments it should be fine.
Cary