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is owning a CB as much of a PITA as it sounds

4K views 45 replies 14 participants last post by  Gate53 
#1 ·
I been thinking of getting a CB, for trail riding, something other than the radio to listen too, etc.

after reading all the posts about CB's, antennas and mounts are they all really that bad to set up?

Looking at a Uniden 520xl or maybe Cobra C19DXIV (nothing set in stone, i got this urge about 2 days ago, but not breaking the bank on anything over 60 bucks for the radio)

All I read about is the necessary coax length, the antenna mount placement (I'd like to go behind the pass taillight) antenna length (prefer 4' or less) etc and people not being able to tune them to work for anything. Frying the radios, needing new antennas even though the ones they have are new. Obviously people are running them on their jeeps with success.

SO....

Shhh...are they all idiots (I wont tell) or is it really a pain in the :bottom: to set one up correctly and have it work out of the box?

I just want a compact unit that will fit on the mount you can get for above your left vent, (until I save up for a tuffy overhead, which will probably be never) let's me talk on the trails to jeepers around me, talk on the highway (mile or two of tx/rx would be nice) hook up a PA speaker so I can yell at the kids/wife/brother-in-law/nephews when we are camping without getting out of the jeep, and maybe run an external speaker, only because I bought a 03 console with the sub woofer opening and there is no speaker in there but a perfectly good place to put one, and i think the cheap units i am looking at will probably need it.

SO....PITA, or no-biggie?
 
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#2 ·
No big deal, the most important part is tuning the antenna to the radio, there are plenty of write-ups about it and if you're still not sure look for a truck stop, there is usually someone around that works on radios. Good grounds & good connections are also important. The biggest PITA is finding the $$$ to pay for the parts,LOL
 
#3 ·
I wasn't sure if it was the wrangler in general that was hard to get right, or just cb's in general.
 
#5 ·
I haven't set mine up in my jeep yet, (hopefully project for this weekend) but I have to set mine up in multiple vehicles and all my friends up for years. It really isn't that bad if you get a tuneable antenna a quality mount a good ground for the antenna. Quality coax and a see meter doesn't hurt either. That being said a little patients and its not hard. Where are you located, I'd bet a WF member would be willing to help ya if you had problems.
 
#6 ·
Pay the extra 2 or 3 bucks for the Firestick (or other) Tunable antenna. I installed my Uniden 520 in about an hour. Most of that time was running the coax under the carpet so it wouldn't show. Make sure your antenna and radio are grounded well. Check your SWR, adjust a couple of times and you are done.
 
#7 ·
i think I am going to bite and get one...sounds like a no brainer...and I aint scared to drill some holes...my jeep actually enjoys it...it tells me so by rusting those bolts so I cuss later
 
#8 ·
I have a Firestick and mounted it on the tire carrier with no problem. Just hook up the swr meter between the radio and the coax and tune it with the tuneable tip antenna! Easy process and took me maybe 45 min to do the whole thing!
 
#9 ·
I been thinking of getting a CB, for trail riding, something other than the radio to listen too, etc.

after reading all the posts about CB's, antennas and mounts are they all really that bad to set up?
The short answer is "no". Most of what you see here are those that have major problems. There are probably a dozen trouble-free CB installs for every problem post you see here.
 
#10 ·
can I ask you guys this...I found a craigslist ad where I can get two cb's, two antennas, and two coax cables for 40 bucks, and they came out of a TJ. Am I asking for trouble using used antenna and coax?

an on that note I have been reading about antenna placement. I like the idea of back by the rear taillights, but a 4' whip will be over my soft top, making the garage a bit hard to get into. Can you mount down by the embossed JEEP on the tub, on the front of the tub by the doors? wasn't sure if that is to close to the radio antenna, or if the whip "action" would be banging against the door mirrors.

and I know how to splice coax, depending on placement can I cut the coax to fit or do I need a certain amount of length for reception?
 
#11 ·
I dont know about your first question but as far as splicing the coax, when i did the research to install mine people were saying it is best to have a good distance between the radio and the antenna. Also that if you have excess cord to roll it up and stick it under the seat or somewhere out of the way. They were saying the longer cable is good for it. Hope that helps you a bit
 
#12 ·
If you mount it down low part of the antenna will be too close to the body and you will have trouble tuning it. It will also limit the operation, the body is blocking the signal. Mount it higher and find a quick disconnect so you can remove the antenna for garage parking.

Don't splice coax, it's really never done. Most will put connectors on the ends and use a barrel connector to join them. For the lengths in a mobile install, just buy new, it's not that expensive. If it's too long excess can be loosly coiled.
 
#13 ·
I think I will just go high on the rear tub then with a disconnect. The stuff I am buying may be shot anyway, and may have to buy new pieces to the puzzle.
 
#14 ·
Do a Google search on "antenna quick disconnect". There is a couple of models out there starting at $10. I like the Hustler, but they should all work.

This also lets you change antannas easly if you have more than one.

Note: these add to the length of the antenna (only 3" or so but it matters) and must be in place before tunning the setup.
 
#17 ·
well, I picked my stuff up today. got a cobra 19 DVIX and midland 1001z, two antennas and two coax cables, a external speaker and a PA speaker. 40.00 bucks for everything

most of it is used and shows it (except for the CB's themselves). The PO was a twist wire and electrical tape kinda guy so i fixed the inline fuse and ground wires. I liked the cobra better so I mounted it (after I made that bracket, 40 bucks didn't get me much) by the passenger left knee. power from behind the glovebox and ground at the tub, coax along the pass floor and rocker to the rear corner. Took the tail light off and made a bracket out of steel plate and sandwiched it behind the light after I sanded the paint off behind the light, used the three original grounding screws on the tail light to mount it and one self tapper to keep it from flexing to much.

ran the coax just through the rear zipper for now to a mount adapter I got at radio shack. I fired it up and headed for the highway. I picked up light garbled chatter for a few seconds but then nothing. Asked for a radio check a few times and nothing. I went to a local truck stop and looked around for a SWR meter since radio shack didn't have one. Nothing there but I ended up buying a Wilson FGT-3 tunable antenna because the antennas he gave me were not easily tunable and were not in the best of shape, alot of electrical tape and i couldn't tell if maybe the wire was broke underneath all that.

I am going to have to go get tuned tomorrow at a CB shop I guess, but i think I am heading in a better direction since I got rid of his junky stuff.

a few pics of what I did. I guess the meter will tell if I got it grounded good enough.

Was hoping I'd be one of those "worked out fine first time" guys
 
#25 ·
I went by yesterday, has a sign hanging in the door that said "Closed Sat, be back noon on Monday" I was there at 1:30, Monday afternoon, all locked up. Called this morning after 9 am, no answer, called every 20 minutes, no answer. Search "St. Charles MO CB Shop"

there's about 10 reviews spread out on three or four sites that say he is notorious for not being there when supposed to, hates installs, jacks his prices up, etc. I know CB shops aren't bustling with business everyday, but come on you gotta be available to make that dollar!

I'm just gonna stay untuned and buy a meter online (no one close has one) and tune it myself. Might be a worth while investment seeing as if I'm haveing this problem, someone else must be too in the area.
 
#20 ·
ok, right now I am just jumpering off the radio 12V power. These things need a good direct 12+ volts
 
#21 ·
Good job on the bracket. Sounds like you have a good solid ground. Find the CB shop and let them tune the antenna or borrow a meter. If you are still haveing problems, consider replacing the coax. Too much flexing / rubbing and it can wear mechanically.

Good luck with it.
 
#22 ·
thanks!

I may just buy a meter. The only CB shop in my area has some of the worst reviews I've ever seen. Not there during posted business hours, attitude towards customers, crazy high price gouging on un-knowing people...lol, they are actually funny to read. Short of online buying he's the only place I will be able to get a quick disconnect, so either I catch him on a good day, or I buy online and get me a "CB's for dummies book".
 
#27 ·
Local jeep guy on Facebook hooked me up with a meter. We could not get the swr on 40 down below 3. Ch1 is at 1.4, ch20 is at 1.6. They were all over 3 until we used the ground lead from the antenna and swapped in a new cable. Got dark so gonna try again some other time. Ugg... Lol
 
#28 ·
Good Luck, bud. Kepp us advised.

I had a local audio shop install mine--they recommended a bumper mount. I tuned it myself, and it came out at 1.5 even, so I was happy.

I'm considering re-mounting my antenna (Firestik Firefly) on the tail light, just to get the extra foot and a half or so of height to aid reception, Any thoughts on if this is worth it from anyone?

Also, any thoughts on how important the length of the coax is? I know some here have said it doesn't matter, others have said 18'. I ask because my installer used about nine feet of (what appears to be really high quality) coax.
 
#29 ·
Coax is definitely an important part of the CB install. Basically, make sure you have enough to reach from the antenna to the radio (obviously), try to do this without having a lot of extra hanging around. If you do have extra, wrap it in a fairly large loop and cable tie it somewhere out of the way. And also high quality coax is the way to go! Spend the extra little bit of money to get Firestik or Belden coax. You will be much happier than having to take all of it out again because the coax was cheap. :banghead:
 
#31 ·
I could only find coax in 10' and 20' foot lengths, i bought the 20' only because I was afraid 10' would be too short after the final run from the radio to the antenna. I kinda looped it back and forth in large sweeps under the passenger foot area, then along the rocker and along the tub channel where the soft windows slide in. I used up all the extra length in my sweeps so hopefully it stays good. I kinda followed Firestiks "63 things CB'ers should know" regarding coax

Things Every CB'er Should Know -- ©1997 FIRESTIK® ANTENNA

As for the tail light mount, I've heard the antenna being up above the tub and rollbar as much as possible helps... don't know it to be true though. Heres once again Firestiks talk about it

Jeep Installations

I think my biggest problem was the passenger door was open, me and another guy were standing right next to the antenna and CB when tuning, obviously a big no-no. This go around I am going to do it myself and be inside the cab with doors shut each time.
 
#33 ·
I could only find coax in 10' and 20' foot lengths, i bought the 20' only because I was afraid 10' would be too short after the final run from the radio to the antenna. I kinda looped it back and forth in large sweeps under the passenger foot area, then along the rocker and along the tub channel where the soft windows slide in. I used up all the extra length in my sweeps so hopefully it stays good. I kinda followed Firestiks "63 things CB'ers should know" regarding coax

Things Every CB'er Should Know -- ©1997 FIRESTIK® ANTENNA

As for the tail light mount, I've heard the antenna being up above the tub and rollbar as much as possible helps... don't know it to be true though. Heres once again Firestiks talk about it

Jeep Installations

I think my biggest problem was the passenger door was open, me and another guy were standing right next to the antenna and CB when tuning, obviously a big no-no. This go around I am going to do it myself and be inside the cab with doors shut each time.

That's excellent information.

Let us know how the next tune works out.

If end up moving my antenna, I'll post whether it makes any appreciable difference or not.

Good luck!
 
#35 ·
My cb I installed in my old truck...CAKE to install. Took me a couple hours, but that's because I was doing my mounting, hardwiring, tuning and everything else and striving for a good clean install. Tuning was a breeze and everything.

The install in my Jeep is a FREAKING NIGHTMARE.

I have an issue somewhere and while the physical install went fine...I cannot get my SWR to drop below 8:1.

I've checked the antenna wiring with a meter, checked all grounds, replaced the grounds off the battery when I found out my engine block ground had been disconnected and left hanging by the previous owners (wtf?). Replaced the radio, antenna, coax. Nothing. Ugh. I've gotten to the point where I mess with it a little in my free time, but am basically waiting til I get bored enough to take it to a cb shop and pay them to fix it. lol
 
#36 ·
s3nt3nc3d said:
My cb I installed in my old truck...CAKE to install. Took me a couple hours, but that's because I was doing my mounting, hardwiring, tuning and everything else and striving for a good clean install. Tuning was a breeze and everything.

The install in my Jeep is a FREAKING NIGHTMARE.

I have an issue somewhere and while the physical install went fine...I cannot get my SWR to drop below 8:1.

I've checked the antenna wiring with a meter, checked all grounds, replaced the grounds off the battery when I found out my engine block ground had been disconnected and left hanging by the previous owners (wtf?). Replaced the radio, antenna, coax. Nothing. Ugh. I've gotten to the point where I mess with it a little in my free time, but am basically waiting til I get bored enough to take it to a cb shop and pay them to fix it. lol
Have you considered that your meter might be bad??
 
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