[MikalCarbine]

Finally splurging and finding the time to get a nice CB setup for my rig. I've spent numerous hours researching and have come up with the following list

CB Radio: Uniden Pro538 - $70 at rightchannels but can be had MUCH cheaper elsewhere
CB Mount: Arizona Rocky Road - $67 shipped
Antenna: Wilson Flex 4' - $26
Antenna mount and coax - Teraflex kit with 18' Coax - $55 (debating on scrapping this for something else)
PA Horn - Generic 10W Horn - $20
Security Screws for mounting everything - $10-$20?

Total: $240ish (excluding shipping and competitive price shopping, will redo this later)

I'd like weather channels so I went with the PRO538 and I want an extremely clean mount/wiring job so I'm going with the Arizona Rocky Road mount. I'd love to fab something up myself but I don't have the tools or materials to do it cheaply

I have concerns about the antenna though. There's the great debate about Firestik vs Wilson. I've read here and there the Wilson's suck for tuning and are questionable quality but it seems to depend on who you talk to.

I like the Teraflex rear mount but is the coax supplied with this any good? I noticed its RG8X which seems to be the standard for this frequency setup but there is no mention of impedance or anything with the cable and it seems the setup uses PL259 connectors which seem to be the CB standard (I know these suck at VHF/UHF but I'm unsure about low band). I am assuming this mount kit would be compatible with the Wilson antenna for they all seem to share the same mounting dimensions

Finally does anyone have any first hand experience with security screws? I know it isn't the ultimate in thief protection but it is a deterrent and I'm sure it will prevent the "on the fly" theft of the radio if I was parked with my top down somewhere. I bet if someone wanted to steal it and the screws gave them a hard time they would probably just forget it and not risk getting caught. However I don't want to spend $20-$30 in the screws because I'd rather just buy a new CB if it was to get stolen..

Any input is appreciated

 

[scotiez]

Sounds like a good set up your getting ... What about the SWR meter. do you have someone that you can borrow one to set the SWRs on the antenna after you get everything installed. That is very important part of setting up. As for Security screws... not sure if i would bother. If someone is going to steal it its gona happen. If they can't get it out then they will just destroy everything they can because it would tick them off. Just my opinion, I wouldn't want stuff recked just because they couldn't get it out like they wanted.

 

[MikalCarbine]

Thanks for the info, I should be able to get my setup professionally tuned at our telecom tech department at my job, if not I'll grab an SWR meter

 

[MikalCarbine]

100+ views and 1 reply? :-(

 

[Thebandit1980]

I would pick Wilson over firestick any day. If you want a cheaper easily tuned antenna, a k40 will be a good choice too. They have an adjustable tip for easy tuning. The wilson is top of the line next to firestick. Tuning shouldn't be an issue though since you are getting it done by pros.

 

[MikalCarbine]

Good call, cutting the antenna wont be an issue either if it is a PITA to tune by the twist cap

 

[jeepjones]

I've got the Wilson Flex and love it, it has a tunable tip that is adjustable so there is no need for trimming the antennae.

 

[MikalCarbine]

From what I've read here and there was sometimes the tune range wasn't enough on the Wilson to achieve 1.0 SWR, maybe it was a crappy coax setup?

 

[jwb1637]

Hello I did this to mine and worked out great. Build a Jeep Wrangler Overhead Console for Equipment

 

[MikalCarbine]

Wow great write up I really like that. Did you write that up? I'm going to look into that kind of shelf rack to save some money. It really depends on how it looks though, I'm going for something really clean. Could you post pictures of your setup?

 

[jwb1637]

Thanks I did not write that up, but found it here on the forum. Will tale some pics and upload them here soon. My came out real clean and looks great, All the wires were hide inside the bracket with wire ties. Cost me around $16.00 to do and I used 48" shelf brackets from Home Depot and never had to cut any length off. I also painted the hose clamps to blend in with the roll bar and brkt.

 

[jwb1637]

Here's a few pics, not very good though.

 

[rrich]

Be sure to ground the coax shield at the antenna AND ground the radio at the radio.
Yes - it does make a huge difference.

 

[WahooWolfe]

Hello I did this to mine and worked out great. Build a Jeep Wrangler Overhead Console for Equipment

x2 Easy project and fun.

 

[MikalCarbine]

There any other creative ways to mount the shelf track instead of C-clamps? I don't like the look and I'm worried they'll beat up my roll bar without cushions

 

[Sherpa]

Finally does anyone have any first hand experience with security screws? I know it isn't the ultimate in thief protection but it is a deterrent and I'm sure it will prevent the "on the fly" theft of the radio if I was parked with my top down somewhere.

I never bother with security screws. Instead, I remove my CB from the Jeep whenever I'm not wheeling. They can't steal what isn't there! If there is a chance of spontaneous wheeling, I will lock the radio in my Add-A-Trunk so it's ready to go at a moment's notice.

This strategy has worked perfectly on four different TJs (all softtops) so far.

 

[MikalCarbine]

I never bother with security screws. Instead, I remove my CB from the Jeep whenever I'm not wheeling. They can't steal what isn't there! If there is a chance of spontaneous wheeling, I will lock the radio in my Add-A-Trunk so it's ready to go at a moment's notice.

This strategy has worked perfectly on four different TJs (all softtops) so far.

I was thinking of something like that, maybe thumb screws so I could easily remove it whenever. My only concern with that is taking it on/off may become annoying and it'll make it that much easier for someone to steal if I did have it mounted with the top off

 

[kpool]

double post

see below

 

[kpool]

Walcott CB - CB Radio, CB Radios, Antennas, Microphones, Mounts, Coax Cable, HAM, Amateur Radio -
check out the Firestik side body mount
I had the mount that went behide the tail light
and it worked all right. Then I seen the Firestik
side body mount. I bought and put it on and it
works great. You don't have to ground it. The
cable hooks on the OTHER SIDE of the body.
Nice clean looking mount!!!!!!!!

 

[MikalCarbine]

Link doesn't go to a specific mount just walcott :-( I tried searching but couldn't find the right one, could you relink?