CB antenna mount locations

[WNY964x4]

never got a chance to tune it , was gonna do it when i got back up to ny , but the truck crapped the bed , and now it is off the road for the time being , and i am a little lost on the co-phalse thing

 

[Scrambler82]

never got a chance to tune it , was gonna do it when i got back up to ny , but the truck crapped the bed , and now it is off the road for the time being , and i am a little lost on the co-phalse thing

Installing and Tuning the Co-Phasing Harness is easy BUT once setup will split up the power of your CB and effectively reduce the output AND the antenna spacing of 9 ft minimum is required between antenna mounting, really should have more, ½ wavelength or 18 ft.
By spacing the antennas less than the minimum effective distance (Ranger is approximately 6 ft wide) you create more of an overlap between the two antennas transmission patterns and that will reduce the distance of output not increase it of make it better.

First - Standard CB Antennas have a resistance of 50 ohms and the standard coax (RG-58U or RG-8X) is designed for this, when you have two 50 ohm antennas and try to connect them together it creates a difference resistance. So what is done to correct this, as far as can be, is to use a co-phased harness made out of 75 ohms coax.
Trucker's overcome the co-phased harness mismatch after tuning with more power and match boxes or CBs that have extra heavy duty finals to handle this situation. These CB are available but they cost big money, $300 - $500, to the trucker that is just another piece of equipment but to us it is too much money or maybe not and they are not type accepted by the FCC.

When tuning the dual antennas, you need to tune each one for low SWR separately, using a separate piece of 50 Ohms Coax (standard CB type coax) approximately the same length as one of the legs of the co-phased harness from CB to antenna; once each antennas has been tuned just plug in the 75 ohm co-phased harness in place.
If and when you want to check the SWR you will need to use a single piece of 50 ohm coax checking each side; the co-phased harness is made up of 2 pieces of 75 ohm coax, this coax is needed to help balance the "out of balance" of the two antenna setup, and will give you a false reading on standard SWR Meters.

As with all communications have a try at it, nothing ventured nothing gained, see how it works out, try your own twist to it and maybe you might come p with something. All antennas work is "theory only" you try what has been done and see how that works or does not work for you and you adjust that theory to fit your situation.

Luck and talk to the world man,
Sorry got carried away AGAIN...