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Old 01-14-2011, 11:12 AM   #1
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CB Radio Addition Problems

I am trying to put a CB radio in my 73 airstream Overlander landyacht
I cant figure out what im doing wrong
is this possible ?
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Old 01-14-2011, 11:20 AM   #2
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It's possible. What are you stuck on? The CB needs 12v. The antenna needs to be outside, and set up properly so it has a SWR below 1.5, ideally below 1.2.

Without more info, it's hard to help.
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Old 01-14-2011, 04:25 PM   #3
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Airstreams need to use "No Ground Plane" antennas with the aluminum bodies...
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Old 01-14-2011, 07:16 PM   #4
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You're probably blocking the signal when you buried it.
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Old 01-14-2011, 09:53 PM   #5
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Dwight View Post
Airstreams need to use "No Ground Plane" antennas with the aluminum bodies...
I beg to differ, aluminum is a great conductor and the Airsteam body makes a great ground plane. Most base station antenna elements are made from aluminum.
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Old 01-14-2011, 10:19 PM   #6
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You're probably blocking the signal when you buried it.
I don't understand what you mean. As long as the antenna is connected with the proper coaxial cable to the radio and the antenna is adjusted for nominal swr, the signal won't be blocked. I use a thru line swr meter when I tune an antenna, cheap and easy to use. I measure the swr on channel 19. It's in the middle of the radio's fequency range and is the channel I use most often.
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Old 01-15-2011, 04:04 AM   #7
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Originally Posted by SteveH View Post
I beg to differ, aluminum is a great conductor and the Airsteam body makes a great ground plane. Most base station antenna elements are made from aluminum.
I thought the same thing several years ago and went with a NGP antenna and I can out talk most people from our trailer. The link below is a web site that has a whole host of interesting information.

Tech-Docs Index
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Old 01-15-2011, 08:00 AM   #8
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You don't see many these days because the popularity has declined, but go look at a base station antenna....they are mostly all aluminum. Not saying your antenna does not work, or even that it does not work better, but aluminum is a great conductor of RF energy.

No only on 27 MHz, but most all tower mounted business band antennas are also aluminum.

The main problem with a CB antenna on top of the Airstream is not the Airstream, but how people mount them, and the antennas they use. First, they are reluctant to mount the antenna to the real body of the trailer, which necessitates cutting a hole, so they typically mount them to something like the refrigirator vent cover, which may not be attached electrically well enough to the trailer body, and in and of itself, is too small for an adequate ground plane for 27 MHz.

Then, because of the already high trailer body, they use one of the shorty center loaded antennas which simply do not work well, even if you can get them tuned for good SWR.
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Old 01-17-2011, 11:24 AM   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Ken Cole View Post
I don't understand what you mean. As long as the antenna is connected with the proper coaxial cable to the radio and the antenna is adjusted for nominal swr, the signal won't be blocked. I use a thru line swr meter when I tune an antenna, cheap and easy to use. I measure the swr on channel 19. It's in the middle of the radio's fequency range and is the channel I use most often.
Hi Ken,

If you look at my post, the word "buried" is a link to another thread by the original poster (OP):"Airstream BOMB SHELTER?". This thread discusses his plans to bury the Airstream.

My point (not that there really is one) is no matter how you hook an antenna to an Airstream, it's not going to work right underground.

If the OP actually exists, actually has an Airstream, and actually gos through with his fantastical plans, nothing in this thread would matter.
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Old 01-17-2011, 02:25 PM   #10
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SteveH is right on all counts. The Airstream is an excellent ground plane however many of the roof vents are plastic. Have antennas all over my trailer and all work well.

There is probably another problem with the installation.

I am basing this on 10 years in the lab and running the test Range for the Antenna Specialists Co. in a past life.

Unfortunately trying to trouble shoot an installation with out being there is very difficult
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Old 01-17-2011, 02:46 PM   #11
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Quote:
Originally Posted by bunkerman View Post
I am trying to put a CB radio in my 73 airstream Overlander landyacht
I cant figure out what im doing wrong
is this possible ?
Yes, it IS possible that you can't figure out what you are doing wrong.
In fact I think its highly likely.

What is going wrong?

knowing that might help us to help you.
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Old 01-18-2011, 07:48 PM   #12
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My trailer had the original, cool looking , whip antenna for a CB along with the wiring , but no CB had ever been installed. Didn't want a CB but instead used everything for a stereo installation. I had to cut a hole in the interior wall to replace the cable on the antenna and make sure of the ground but it was worth it. Great reception.
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