Fabbing up an Interstate CB antenna

[Kingbee]

The cb's come up for sale occasionally, but the antenna isn't always included.  I haven't been able to find new antennas, or especially mounts.
Thanks to a tip from DFragn on the mount, and a little luck on the antenna, I've found a very acceptable solution.

The mount requires some sawing, Dremeling and drilling (screw hole) but then fits perfectly.  The antenna fits the mount just fine with no modification.

The mount puts the antenna in a backward lean, but not quite as much as the Valk.  A simple slight bend at the base of the antenna matches them up.  And, of course, the antenna folds just like the OEM.

All in all, it's a pretty good substitute



Here are the parts you need, plus an hour of time.  I got my parts at Wingstuff.com

[Bagger John - #3785]

And for the next neat trick...I've come up with a reversible mod which will let you utilize an SO239-mount screw-on ham/CB antenna on either the stock mounting arm -OR- the GL1200 arm. The feed from radio to antenna is accomplished with a run of LMR400 low-loss foam-dielectric coax and the antenna end is terminated in a PL-259 connector.

I'm using an Opek HVU-100 40M-440MHz foldover antenna on one of my I/S' mounts; the other holds a stock Hondaline CB antenna and is connected to both Clarion CB and AM/FM stereo by use of a splitter. There's no reason why the Opek unit couldn't be used as the bike's CB antenna with a little retuning, but I'm currently using it with my mobile ham rig:



As soon as I upload them to the 'Stash, I will post pix and details of my I/S' installation.

[HayHauler]

Kingbee, I broke my CB antenna off near the base the other day.  Do you think the antenna you purchased would fit the stock IS mount?   Maybe I would have to drill and dremel a bit, but I am up to that task.  I just can't find one on-line.

Bagger, I have a Yaesu FT-10m on my IS mounted in the right saddle bag, antenna on the trunk.  Just a dual band 2m/440, but is really good for bicycle race support that I do quite frequently.

Hay   
aka K5JTJ

[Kingbee]

I think that antenna should fit without alteration.  The coax is longer, that's all.

[HayHauler]

Thanks Kingbee.  I'll give it a shot!  Don't need it for a couple of weeks, but might take a while to replace it.  My spare time is pretty limited.

Hay