Mud-club

Vehicle & Technical => Defender => Topic started by: Jim-Willy on October 07, 2005, 18:32:10

Title: Groundplane
Post by: Jim-Willy on October 07, 2005, 18:32:10

I have been putting off fitting my CB but the time has come.  I have a aerial with guttermount but i have been told that wont work as my roof is aluminium and won't have a groundplane.  Any advice would be appreciated.

Title: Groundplane
Post by: Jake on October 07, 2005, 18:35:11

You could run a wire from it to earth.
Thats what i did.
 :D

Title: Groundplane
Post by: Landy90IOM on October 07, 2005, 18:38:10

im not up with all this aerial stuff but I can tell you I used to have mine on the gutter, and it worked fine, its now on the roof, but thats only because a tree got a bit too close to the side... but i cant tell any difference from etiher mount.  It should be ok, but either way I say try it, if it dont work, move it, its only a few quid for a new mount.

Title: Groundplane
Post by: pritch on October 07, 2005, 19:50:52

Any metallic surface should be able to act as a groundplane, whoever told you that an ally panel won't work is talking rot.

And besides, provided the SWR of the aerial isn't too bad, the only difference that groundplane is going to make is range.  And I don't really need my CB to go miles and miles, just as long as it reaches from one end of a convoy to the other!

Title: Groundplane
Post by: littlepow on October 07, 2005, 21:48:32

Ali makes a good conductor, so should work fine.
The higher the aerial the better the range, also get it above you so you don't transmit into yourself. That will be a lots worse than any mobile!

Title: Groundplane
Post by: hobbit on October 08, 2005, 08:30:12

Agreed aluminium is very good, if youhave the aerial at the back the signal will radiate a stronger signal forwards, its always strongest where most of the metal is, ie you will radiate if out futher if you  have the aerial on the rear left corner, the strongest signal point would be the front r/h.

If you are using a gutter mount, then ensure one of the screws or a piece of the plate is grounded to a good metal connection.

Or pop a hole in the middle of the roof :wink:

Title: Groundplane
Post by: landyman Ash on October 08, 2005, 10:54:31

Yep, mines on the gutter and works a treat.  The little screws that hold it will penetrate the paint and make a good earth

DOnt forget, your not earthing a starter here, just a very very low current from an aerial

Title: Groundplane
Post by: landraver on October 11, 2005, 20:29:01

Weight for weight, aluminium is a better conductor than copper!!