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Adding a CB - What is needed?

4K views 54 replies 18 participants last post by  wolny10 
#1 ·
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#3 ·
you'll need the CB, a mic (should come with the new cb), power cable (also with the cb), a coax cable (for run from the antenna to the cb), a mounting bracket for the antenna, a mounting stud (may or may not come with the mounting bracket), and an antenna...

may also be a good idea to get a small coax (1-2 ft long) and an swr meter to tune it in so you don't damage your new radio.
 
#5 ·
A Mounting stud..





See I knew I was missing something... I will look into that - are they standard for all?

Cable - makes sense, easy enough...

SWR meter - Got it....
 
#6 ·
Thanks. I picked up my SWR from an online retailer here in Ontario for 19.95 plus shipping. it's nothing fancy, but it gets the job done!
See I knew I was missing something... I will look into that - are they standard for all?

Cable - makes sense, easy enough...

SWR meter - Got it....
is what standard...?

as far as cable, this is a somewhat controversial subject for some reason. some people say 18ft minimum, some say 12ft. I'm running 12' and have an swr of 1.2:1.3...

and I'm using "RG8X" cable. it's apparently the premium grade of cb coax...
 
#8 ·
Cable needs to be long enough to reach from the antenna to the radio with a little extra slop. They usually come in precut sizes, 12' & 18' being common. Don't worry if it's too long, if it's too short cable stretchers are expensive :)

I'd look at the places selling the mounts for the cable to make sure you have the correct connectors on each end. Radio side is a PL259, standard, antenna side varies with the mount. Some use a PL259, others need ring terminals.
If you are not used to working with coax, it's easier to buy premade.
 
#12 ·
I wouldn't go with the brake light mount. My buddy had it for awhile and he ripped the tail light off the body from the antenna hitting trees and what not.
 
#13 · (Edited)
He should've used an antenna spring.

I have the Teraflex driver's side CB antenna mount and I haven't had any problems with it.

However, if you decide the tail light mount is the way you want to go, you might want to consider a right-angle male-to-female adapter.

I have taillight guards (yes, Jerry, we all know what you think about them already), and there's not enough room between the underside of the mount and the top of the tail light guard to connect the cable's jack without causing stress to the cable, the tail light, and the mount simultaneously.

I'd probably get one if I didn't have the guard because it still lessens the stress on the cable itself.

Auto part


The quick disconnect is also another useful gadget to have.
 
#14 ·
Personally, I purchased a Uniden compact.
It plugs into my 12V and screws onto a magnet mount antenna.
I plug the headphone jack into my stero so I can hear it thru my stock speakers.
When I am done for the day, the CB gets locked in the little storage thing between the seats and the antenna lays down in the cargo area.
I would like to do a permanate mounted antenna because when we get into some really thick stuff, my magnet antenna does get knocked off the hood but other then that, I am pretty happy with the compact unit.
 
#16 ·
I had the same problem with my 3' Firestick antenna mounted at that same height hitting my garage door Water Dog. I replaced it with a 2' (FS-2) Firestick and been loving it ever since. The 2' works so well off road that I never noticed any difference in performance after converting from the 3'.
 
#17 ·
Funny story. My wife and I are both in our 60's and she is about 5'7" and has kind of a little bit of a struggle getting in the passenger side of the Jeep. She always told me she wouldn't ride in it any more if I raised it any higher. I had a problem because I wanted to put in a 1" bl for my belly up project so I did it on the sly. After I took it up that 1" she got in while the Jeep was in the garage and while backing out the antenna hit the door (it never had hit before the bl when she was in the passenger seat). She then asked, "the antenna hit the door, did you raise this up higher?" I thought quick, not wanting to lie, and said, "maybe you just lost some weight."...win win..! I finally did tell her a few months later.

I'm seriously considering getting a 2' firestick ...probably should have done it when I did the bl before I got caught...;);)
 
#27 · (Edited)
As a general class ham guy (N6TAY), getting rid of the CB for a ham radio would be a really bad idea. Adding a ham radio and keeping the CB would be a really great idea.

For offroading, CBs are (by far) much more popular and WAY more commonly used in offroading groups. I use my CB 99 times for every 1 time I use my 2m ham radio.

Last Saturday was the first time I had been ever wheeling in a group where I used nothing but my ham radio.

Both are great but I would sure not get rid of my CB, not that I ever use the CB for anything but offroading.

i should have used the fire ring , it looks a lot cleaner.
For structural & protection from the elements reasons, I'd rather use a PL-259 connectors at both ends of the antenna cable. Ring connectors can be easier to connect for those unable to properly install a PL-259 (which is not easy) but if that's taken out of the equation, I'd go PL-259 at both ends every time. :)
 
#25 ·
so what's the longest antenna you guys have on your jeeps? and I would love to see pics of them mounted up, I wanna see what the longest without looking to stupid/awkward is. i would like to get a lot of range on mine, mounting possibly on the back bumper on the passenger side. maybe a nice 6 foot antenna lol
 
#30 ·
When compairing CB & ham on the trail, while a VHF ham radio usually has a greater range (simplex)...
As one who has been involved with HF, VHF, and UHF radios since the 60's, I can't go along with that. VHF radios operating simplex are limited to line-of-sight communications & in my mountainous terrain, you won't get very far with a simplex 2m or 440 MHz radio. I can probably get out further with my HF CB in some of my local terrain than with my 75 watt 2m ham radio operating in simplex mode.
 
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