Member Since: 27 Mar 2007
Location: Hampshire
Posts: 1072
Alternative route for aerial cable
This is a alternative route for the CB/PMR aerial cable running down from a roof rack or roof rail. Probably done by some already but may be of interest... This was done on the recent D4 support vehicles for the Scotland Launch and worked well. Looks a lot neater than the cable running down the pllar and in through the back light.
Remove the track end cap and drill a hole for the cable as usual. Feed cable through. (This is not done if rack fitted, cable(s) simply run into roof/tailgate slot).
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Fit aerial bracket to roof track and refit end cap and feed cable down roof/tailgate slot.
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Remove rear tailgate roof trim with light in. Pull down from tailgate side and it will come right out easily. Will be held by light wires. Make sure Yellow clips not lost. If bent straighten.
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With a phillips screwdriver make a small hole in the rubber grommet that the tailgate cables comes through. Do not use a drill or knife as a the screwdriver makes a hole that will seal around the cable. Be careful not to damage the existing cables. (there is a flat piece of rubber to the side of the tube where the cables come through).
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Pass cable through hole using screwdriver as a guide.
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Run cable along to the side trim and run down rear pillar buy pushing under side trim / tailgate sealing rubber. It is not necessary to remove this trim.
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Run cable down as far as the top of the black trim and pop the top of this trim out a bit with a trim tool or wide tip screwdriver. Push the end of the cable thorough and it should end up in the rear compartment.
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Refit top tailgate trim and run cable to front of vehicle in normal way or how ever takes your fancy.
Whole job takes less than 30 mins and is neater than running down rear pillar. Can be done both sides if several cables to be run. On ours we had the RF cables one side and power cables for lights the other.
Job done!! Cheers, Richard.
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Off Roading is OK.... But I'd rather be Boating!
11th Oct 2009 10:23 pm
DG Site Moderator
Member Since: 12 Dec 2005
Location: The Gaff
Posts: 50934
Richard ....you need to use some 'Atrixo' on your hands chap 21 year LR veteran > D2 GS 2003 > D3 S 2006 > D3 HSE 2009 > D4 HSE 2013 > D4 HSE 2015 > D5 HSE 2018 > DS HSE R-Dynamic P300e 2021
11th Oct 2009 10:25 pm
xtc
Member Since: 27 Mar 2007
Location: Hampshire
Posts: 1072
Sea, salt ,sun and age has done me no favours... I'll get some, cheers!Off Roading is OK.... But I'd rather be Boating!
11th Oct 2009 10:28 pm
DG Site Moderator
Member Since: 12 Dec 2005
Location: The Gaff
Posts: 50934
Nice mod 8) ...I'm currently using the "sling it up there" version 21 year LR veteran > D2 GS 2003 > D3 S 2006 > D3 HSE 2009 > D4 HSE 2013 > D4 HSE 2015 > D5 HSE 2018 > DS HSE R-Dynamic P300e 2021
11th Oct 2009 10:30 pm
xtc
Member Since: 27 Mar 2007
Location: Hampshire
Posts: 1072
Only 50 mins down the A3 if you ever want to upgrade! Off Roading is OK.... But I'd rather be Boating!
11th Oct 2009 10:34 pm
DG Site Moderator
Member Since: 12 Dec 2005
Location: The Gaff
Posts: 50934
Only 0 mins away from you at the next meet
I'll take you up on it 21 year LR veteran > D2 GS 2003 > D3 S 2006 > D3 HSE 2009 > D4 HSE 2013 > D4 HSE 2015 > D5 HSE 2018 > DS HSE R-Dynamic P300e 2021
11th Oct 2009 10:37 pm
xtc
Member Since: 27 Mar 2007
Location: Hampshire
Posts: 1072
Roger that.. (Or anything else for that matter!)Off Roading is OK.... But I'd rather be Boating!
11th Oct 2009 10:42 pm
DG Site Moderator
Member Since: 12 Dec 2005
Location: The Gaff
Posts: 50934
You are a starman ...in a "David Bowie" sense 21 year LR veteran > D2 GS 2003 > D3 S 2006 > D3 HSE 2009 > D4 HSE 2013 > D4 HSE 2015 > D5 HSE 2018 > DS HSE R-Dynamic P300e 2021
11th Oct 2009 10:45 pm
tanters
Member Since: 24 Oct 2007
Location: Oireland
Posts: 4284
Excellent idea thanks
very neat indeedA happy childhood ... is the worst possible preparation for life.
11th Oct 2009 10:56 pm
jimbo23
Member Since: 04 Jan 2009
Location: salisbury
Posts: 262
Nice neat idea xtc thanks Will be fitting cb at the weekend so great timing
11th Oct 2009 11:04 pm
tanters
Member Since: 24 Oct 2007
Location: Oireland
Posts: 4284
BTW, where did you get that aerial mount?A happy childhood ... is the worst possible preparation for life.
11th Oct 2009 11:16 pm
Wex
Member Since: 16 Apr 2007
Location: Knackeragua
Posts: 5173
Nice guide Richard
In your opinion where an expo rack is fitted what is a decent aerial and best method of fitment/mount.
Im currently using a President Harry II CB and a magmount stuck on the rearmost exposed portion of the roof.The reception is excellent, aerial still in one piece as it is but the roof is taking a hammering . The aerial constantly slaps against the rear crossbar of the rack , so with all this I'm keen on an alternative method.
11th Oct 2009 11:23 pm
xtc
Member Since: 27 Mar 2007
Location: Hampshire
Posts: 1072
tanters wrote:
BTW, where did you get that aerial mount?
Make them up ourselves. Just ali plate 3 & 5mm thick. Bought the strips from ebay, then just cutting and drilling. We made a load up to last a while for commercial jobs and had them black anodised at the local platers. Needed to keep it simple as no bending facilities! They are fairly light weight as only intended for VHF and UHF commercial PMR antennas. Would be OK with small CB ones, but would need to make the aerial plate with 5mm instead of the 3mm for the longer ones. May also need to adjust the spacer for other mounts depending on their depth, but the priciples the same and easily adapted. We use various plates and spacers for D3, RRS and FL2.
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DW, Simon (Slimer) is probably your best man for CB aerial choice as I think he has tried many! I have not actually fitted any .
It depends if you are looking for something small and tidy or maximum range. If just used for convoy and off road days then you can get away with someting not to big. For max range you need length as the low frequency of CB needs longer aerials. A 1.5ft aerial at 165 Mhz has the same gain as 9 ft aerial on CB. Pain in the Ar$e!
I came across this site http://www.thunderpole.co.uk/cbmobileantenna.htm when looking for prospective aerials for NoDosh's venture which seems to have a good selection of various sizes, but their are 100's of companies out their and I'm sure others will recomend their favorites.
For our commercial PMR fits we use a simple 90 deg bracket mounted on the top rail of the rack (as on G4 vehicles), fixed in with two captive bolts like the tiedown rings. I can do you some pic's of the bits tomorrow if you want.
Ray (RLD) makes various mounts for forum members which are very strong, so it's probably easier to give him a call than make them yourself, unless you enjoy making things, which I sadly do... (Better than Eastenders..)Off Roading is OK.... But I'd rather be Boating!
DW, Simon (Slimer) is probably your best man for CB aerial choice as I think he has tried many!
Hmmm, I have had a few over the years, when I get a bit of spare time I'll post a few thoughts and suggestions/recommendations (with appropriate disclaimers )
I'd second the recommendation for Rays mounts, dunno if any of you saw the post I put up a few weeks ago with my knackered CB antenna after a close encounter at speed with a overhanging branch, it was a complete write off but the RLD mount (heavy duty version he made up for me) didn't budge a mm The End
12th Oct 2009 11:06 pm
Wex
Member Since: 16 Apr 2007
Location: Knackeragua
Posts: 5173
Cheers Richard
The aerial I have is about 6 or 7 foot approx with an amp fitted so the range is pretty good.But for closed in driving (forestry) I think I'll go for a shorter one using the location on the rack you suggest.
Yep I enjoy making things or at least trying , thanks again .
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,sun and age has done me no favours... I'll get some, cheers!
(Or anything else for that matter!)
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