CB antenna coax install
 

wondering if anyone has tried putting a CB and antenna in. I'm going to be putting a setup in, as I'm going on a west coast trip in a week. I have a 2022 chevy high country 2500 4x4 diesel crew cab standard bed. Hoping someone could tell me a good access hole to run the cable through. I'll be using a 4' firestick antenna with a roof magnet mount. I'm comfortable hooking the radio power, but don't want to cut a hole for the coax.

Re: CB antenna coax install
 

I've been a ham radio operator for 25 years and have installed numerous antennas. I'm not a big fan of magnet mount antennas, especially on the roof. On a tall vehicle such as your truck, the antenna will contact overhanging objects - tree limbs, garage door openings, parking garages, etc..

Here's how I do most of the installations.. fabricate an angle bracket with appropriate mounting holes. mount the bracket to the inside lip of the front fender where it meets the hood.. About a foot or so in front of the rear edge of the hood is a good place. Run the coax down the back side of the hood to the flexible conduit that contains all the wiring for the door.. Pierce the bottom of that conduit with a sharp knife, run the coax through that hole and route it into the kick panel and to the radio. Cut the coax to a proper length and attach the PL-259.. This method allows a much studier mount and also allows the antenna to be removed without removing the coax...

I'll offer this follow-up advice.. After the installation is complete, check and adjust the SWR, and do so periodically afterwards.