CB Ground Plane

[Terry D]

Does anyone think that putting a steel strap in the trunk between the two antenna ground brackets would help increase the ground plane for the CB?

[AZgl1800]

Does anyone think that putting a steel strap in the trunk between the two antenna ground brackets would help increase the ground plane for the CB?

It will improve the situation, but it won't be near as effective as a properly mount CB antenna with proper grounding.

Do not use a steel strap, go to the Auto store, and get the wide brass wire grounding straps, made for the purpose.

[tfdeputydawg]

The best you can do for a CB on a motorcycle is fine tune the SWR.

[Terry D]

I've got good SWR. IT is grounded real good. I was just asking a question that might affect getting more distance. I've even thought of making a plate to fit under the trunk with same dimensions as the trunk to give more refective surface since the antennas are grounded to the same trunk brackets.

[AZgl1800]

I've got good SWR. IT is grounded real good. I was just asking a question that might affect getting more distance. I've even thought of making a plate to fit under the trunk with same dimensions as the trunk to give more reflective surface since the antennas are grounded to the same trunk brackets.

No,
you won't gain any more distance to be useful, maybe a few yards.
the signal decreases by an order of the square of the distance.
don't recall the formula, but it will not make any practical distance difference.

the length of the antenna "should be" 108 inches, and the ground plane should be the same radius.

the bike is a very compromised antenna situation.
my 1800 gets about 2 miles at best... beyond that, it is not strong enough to break the squelch on anyone's radio.

[GoldWingrGreg]

Since there is no complaint in the OPs question, let me offer this info.

If it helps, and if using an OEM cb antenna, if the antenna is tuned the RF meter will go from 3-4 down to a 1.1.

People who do tune their antenna can reach further than other riders in the same group with untuned antennas. Usually about 3/4-1" is removed. The only down side is that the cb antenna is noticeably shorter than the radio antenna.

As AZgl1800 stated, most at best will reach 2 miles; however, a tuned antenna will reach that distance far more often. While the other 1.0-1.5 miles.

[Terry D]

Yes, when I first installed my CB, I tuned my antenna from 3.6 down to 1.3 by taking off about like stated 3/4 to an inch.