The DS14-FG 'No ground plane" (NGP) CB antenna kit was specifically designed to solve the lack of ground plane (counterpoise) problems found on vehicles constructed of plastic, fiberglass, wood or aluminum. This includes, but is not limited to, motorhomes, boats, automobiles and 18-wheeler trucks. Ground plane problems typically show up in the form of high standing wave ratio (SWR) and poor performance. The isolated ground plane that is built into this kit will also eliminate problems on metal base vehicles that lack the sufficient ground plane for proper operation. This could be due to the size of available ground plane (ATV, bicycle, motorcycle, wheelchair, etc.), or because the operator chooses to mount the antenna in a location that is unable too properly take advantage of available ground plane. The DS14-FG kit has an adjustable base so you can mount it on the roof, trunk, top of fender or on side of a vehicle with up to 70 degrees of tilt from vertical. This is the perfect kit for motorhome roofs, the roof of a pick-up camper or cap, the trunk deck of a Corvette, or the roof of a fiberglass or aluminum 18-wheeler tractor. The installed height above roofline is a mere 13.5" (343mm).

    ANTENNA: The antenna used in this kit is similar to that which is used on Firestik's regular Designer Series DS14 antenna kit. The antenna's frequency was altered in order to maintain a desirable center band position when used with the included tuned coaxial feedline. Accordingly, the antennas may only be used with the Firestik NGP cable. The radiating element on this antenna has a series of spring-like coils similar to most cellular phone antennas. The base coil has a built-in ball and socket that allows the user to hand loosen the loading coil and either adjust the antennas angle or lay it down for storage or washing. Adjusting the SWR is as easy as loosening a pair of set screws and moving the whip up or down as required. The rated maximum wattage for the antenna in this kit is 30 watts, which far exceeds the FCC authorized output of 4 watts by 650%. All parts of the antenna are finished in black.

    COAXIAL FEEDLINE: The seventeen-foot ((5.2 M) RG-58 A/U coaxial cable used in this kit is of the highest quality. Due to the vibrations found on all mobile installations, a multi-wire stranded center conductor is used to prevent breakage. Surrounding the center conductor is a long life, flexible polyvinyl insulation. To guard against signal leakage, the center conductor is shielded with a copper wire braid that averages about 95% coverage (versus the industry standard of 70%). The coaxial feedline, besides being the conduit for the signal to reach the antenna, serves as a tuned circuit that creates the necessary counterpoise. If a longer cable length is required, the user may add standard RG-58 A/U cable between the radio and system cable, preferably in lengths that are multiples of nine feet.

    MOUNT AND HARDWARE: The base of the mount is about 1.25" (32mm) in diameter. An integrated rubber o-ring on the base seals the mount tightly to the vehicle. One 13/32" (10mm) hole is all that is required to install the mount. All necessary hardware is supplied with the kit.

ADDITIONAL FEATURES: Each kit includes a FREE microphone hanger and comes complete with user installation documentation.