cant say about the boztec mount. if it fits i guess it should work.

i use this for the coax. HS818TNKT 18 ft Coax Cable w. Removable PL259 and Terminator Stud

yeah you probably have to solder the end with that coax setup.

to tune you need to get a SWR meter and follow the directions to tune.

there is not a lot of cb chatter. i wouldnt worry about not hearing chatter. first get it tuned then find someone with a cb to check it out.

 

Several things that can go wrong here. First, look at the mount and be sure your hardware is stacked like this:

This is a Bandi with the Firering, but the stud should work the same. That is one reason I am not a fan of the Boztec is that you can't use the fire ring. (take a pic of how you got the Fire ring on the Boztec without grinding a slot in it, if you would) I'd like to see that.

My bet is that you have the stud grounded to the mount and that will kill the reception and pretty much prevent the radio from working as it should. Start there and then check your coax connections on both ends. Yes, they should be soldered on.

 

Vegas_Nick knows his stuff for sure, so do that first. I had to take my antenna mount (Bandi) back off and do a better job of sanding to get a really good ground. Also, you can get PL259 connectors that use a set screw rather than having to solder it if you'd rather. As long as you don't pierce it too far it will work fine, but soldering it is better.

Also, pick up a cheap SWR meter and then just search YouTube for how to tune the antenna. It isn't difficult, just a little time consuming as you have to put the end back on the antenna each time you test it. Finally, use your scan feature to try to get some reception. I live in a huge logistics city and live a couple miles from major interstates in both directions, and I still don't get much chatter sometimes, so you may have to be a little patient with checking it.


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Thanks guys I think im going to run down the list Vegas nick gave me... I did contact boztez and they are sending me out a new cb mount and I have to send them in my ham mount which I think is awesome of them since I didn't buy it from them. Secondly My hardware is not mounted that way. Since I currently have the ham mount it didn't allow my stack to sit that way so I omitted the plastic spacer and I think that is a huge difference. Regarding the soldering I use to be an ex-electric rx racer and I I'm pretty good at soldering so I'm just going to solder it on. Thanks again guys ill report back

 

Since I currently have the ham mount it didn't allow my stack to sit that way so I omitted the plastic spacer and I think that is a huge difference.

If you did not install the plastic insulator you have shorted the coax center conductor to the shield and aren't going to get any received signal. Also if you key up and transmit with that configuration you may damage your radio. DO NOT transmit until you have it installed like Nick's photo.

 

Here is an additional illustration that may help as well:

 

Nick, great graphic. That should be a sticky graphic.

 

Thanks Layton. That is about the most common mistake in assembling these things. Wished we could make the install help like that a sticky for sure.

 

I just purchased pretty much the same setup you have. I'm glad I saw this thread first before installing everything.

 

I like your photo and graphic Nick.. Don't make too much of this antenna mount stuff. An antenna is an antenna. It is the heart of your radio system, HAM or CB. Just because it says HAM on it or CB on it doesn't mean that it won't work for the other. It holds the antenna. You have to make sure that the mount will support the antenna that you choose. Many HAM antennas are larger and heavier than CB. Then there is type of connector you choose. There are antennas that require an NMO type mount, a SO239 type mount and a 3/8 x 24 mount.

The antenna has to be insulated from the mount. That's the piece of plastic between the stud and the mount itself. If the antenna is in contact with the mount you have an electrical short. If you transmit with the antenna in that condition you may damage the transmitter. Reception, except for the very strongest signals, will be nil.

Like it has been suggested, obtain a SWR meter and learn to tune your antenna. If you have very high SWR likely you have something shorted out. Don't go the cheapest route with coax and connectors. The Radio Shack crimp on connectors might work, for a while, but if you get good coax and take the time to install the PL259s properly the system will last a long time and give good service.

Do some homework. Use your favorite search engine and search out information about antennas, how they work and how you can make them. You may decide that you want a CB to supplement your HAM rig!

 

Guys,
I just purchased this full set up from Nick and followed his exact instruction on his website and had no issues. My SWR reading is 1.5 or below. Vegas Nick is the CB guru!

 

Thanks for the props! :cheers:

 

Nvm...