CB HELP

Harlee&Tahoe

Harlee&Tahoe

NAXJA Forum User
Location
South Lake Tahoe, CA
I was givin a cobra 20ch radio, and know next to nothing.
Does anybody have any suggestions?
Mounting radio and wiring seems pretty straight forward. (but I could be wrong)

It's mainly antenna choice, antenna mounting, antenna length, and tuning is where I need most help.
As I understand central mounting on roof is ideal, but I'd like to have a roofrack someday.
Magnet mounting sounds nice and easy but not as strong signal wise. (grounding plane?)
Does anybody have any old items that you'd like to get rid of for some gas money?

I'd like to get this together before or at the Deer Valley run 6/21-22
:peace:
Harlee
 
I also was the recipient of a cb radio this week, a Realistic TRC-433, that can act as a 120V base station or a 12VDC mobile, the guy who gave it to me cut the AC cord off, but left the 12v cord intact that I'm going to attach it to a cig lighter adapter. I went to radio shack and picked up a magnetic mount 27" trimmable antenae with a 16 ft cord for $28.00. My dad who was big in to cb's for as long as I can remember said this would work fine. They also had another style mag-mnt antenae for $35.00 that had a foil cover for the magnet that helped to shield it. Either one should do fine for up to 10 miles, and Deer Valley trail is only 7 miles long so you would be ok with those choices. I will be up on that run as well, can't wait! Look forward to meeting some new folk.
 
Hopefully I can get the pieces squared away beforehand and maybe someone has a SWR meter to tune with. ($60 @ Radio Shack) I'd rather give someone $10 to help me with thiers.

Someone I was talking to said wrapping CB with foil will also help w/shielding if interference is problem.
 
Harlee&Tahoe said:
Hopefully I can get the pieces squared away beforehand and maybe someone has a SWR meter to tune with. ($60 @ Radio Shack)
Click to expand...

Saw them for $10 at Fry's. I am installing mine this weekend. I wired everything and have got the monting position worked out. I mounted mine pass. side under the glove box and as close to the center console as possible. I am just thowing the ant. under the seat for now, shouldn't be a big deal as we are never far from one another and i am not expecting great reception to beging with. I will mount it to the rear tire mount when ever I get one.

I would take pics but my Mom took my camera to London on vacation. I have a slim 1985 midland, and has been in the family sence then.
 
hiimmred said:
Either one should do fine for up to 10 miles, and Deer Valley trail is only 7 miles long
Click to expand...

We are not in Iowa. I have had an SWR meter and CB for a year now, but I haven't installed it yet. 'The ARRL Antenna Book" is a big and interesting one :)

Andrey
 
We are not in Iowa. I have had an SWR meter and CB for a year now, but I haven't installed it yet. 'The ARRL Antenna Book" is a big and interesting one :)
Click to expand...
can I borrow it?
 
Slonopotam said:
We are not in Iowa. I have had an SWR meter and CB for a year now, but I haven't installed it yet. 'The ARRL Antenna Book" is a big and interesting one :)

Andrey
Click to expand...
I realize that, not all of CA is mountain! I said UP TO 10 miles! I think 40 years my dad spent using CB's would suggest he knows a little something about how they work.
 
Harlee:

Here is my 2cents:
I would stay away from the magnet mounts because I find they just end up falling off on the trail. Either from viehical movement or from clearing a tree or something.

Yes, you want the CB antenna as high up as possable so get it where ever you can for now. Since you don't have a roof rack now you can go with a hood mount kit for now until you get a rack then mount it on the rack.

Things to get:
CB - you got that part down.
Antena - I like firestick but most anything will work.
Coax Cable - get this an RadioShack or Frys or where ever, get the length you think you will need for when it goes up on the roof rack so you don't have to buy cable twice.
Antena Spring - unless you like to replace broken Antenas these are a must.
Antena mount: A hood mount like this should work for now unti you can move it higher up.

That should pretty much do it for you.

If you can get it done before the DV trip then cool if not we can do it at camp before the run. Andrey and I have SWR meters so you are covered there and we can tune you (if needed).

See you at Camp This Weekend! :woohoo:
 
What I ended up doing was removing the stock antenna for the radio (didn't work anyways..) and put in my CB antenna there. There was a 'basic' write up on naxja a while ago, and I followed it slightly. I have a 3" or so Wilson. It just barely sticks above the roof rack in overall height, and I love it. Unfortunately I haven't gotten it tuned yet, one of my buddies has a tuner, and is supposed to do it, but I haven't seen him for a while.. :(

Ahh just found the post if anyone is interested: http://www.naxja.org/forum/showthread.php?t=918230
 
Last edited:
Harlee&Tahoe said:
can I borrow it?
Click to expand...
SWR meter - sure, just keep in mind, I never used it (don't know whether it's working , do not know how to use, etc). CB - no, I am still going to install it.
 
Tenney said:
I have a 3"
Click to expand...
Sorry to hear that. lol/jk " = in. right?
Hiimmred said:
Either one should do fine for up to 10 miles
Click to expand...
Good to know.
We are not in Iowa.
Click to expand...
Thank God! I'm pickin' up what you're layin' down. Flat and unobstructed signal travels further.
Get 18 Feet of COAX - You want a little extra :-)
Click to expand...
I also read something about 18' rule.
Things to get:
CB - you got that part down.
Antena - I like firestick but most anything will work.
Coax Cable - get this an RadioShack or Frys or where ever, get the length you think you will need for when it goes up on the roof rack so you don't have to buy cable twice.
Antena Spring - unless you like to replace broken Antenas these are a must.
Antena mount: A hood mount like this should work for now unti you can move it higher up.
Click to expand...
I ended up calling Firestick spoke with Rick. He was the most helpful person I've spoke with so far.
I ordered their Firefly 4', 3" med duty spring, hood mount, and 18' coax.
Should be here Thursday. Now to improvise a mount for the radio and gain access to a power source.
Should I tap into the fuse block?
What size fuse should I use?
Thanks guys
 
Yes - Tap into your fuse box. Use the Accessory Port. This way the CB does not turn off when you turn your jeep off. I jerry rigged mine and can help you at the camp site if you want.

Mark
 
Harlee&Tahoe said:
Should I tap into the fuse block?
Click to expand...
Good ground is as important as a good antenna.
Harlee&Tahoe said:
What size fuse should I use?
Click to expand...
Read the spec on your CB radio. 3Amp is enough usually.
 
Slonopotam said:
Good ground is as important as a good antenna.

Read the spec on your CB radio. 3Amp is enough usually.
Click to expand...
I should upgrade the "Renix Killer" anyway but hood mount should be good enough of a ground for now.
After much searching I called Cobra and 2A fuse is reccomended.
For future references.

Damn it's all coming together, now to do the RMS so I'm not stinky going through DV (burning oil)
and wire aux fan override so I don't overheat.
 
89_JeepXJ said:
Hey, just wondering how much it cost to order that 18' coax cable cause I got a 3' fire stick and need to get mounts and the cable...
Click to expand...
18' is a hoax.
 
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