CB radio help

[tarry99]

PA,

There are some folks that say it perhaps is not needed, the antenna manufactures are the ones that dictate what length coax is required.........the length boils down to the ability to tune the radio / antenna based on the wave length at 11 meters / cb band. One wave length at 11 meters is 36 ft. We all know that 36 ft is out of the question so manufactures wrap and load the antenna electrically to make up that tunable distance.
A little extra cable has never been an issue except for people thinking of reasons they cannot store it. Coax is covered and wrapped with a ground surrounding the cable & unless your standing on it or driving over the cable its pretty bullet proof.

12 volts direct current is not an issue around coax unless your making a bundle of it tightly wrapped and mixed together. Lets face it I would hope that were all smarter than that!

High frequency radiation like ignitions and alternating AC power is a problem to radio waves. Good grounds and good clean connections to a reliable 12v source is a must.
IE: don't tap into your heaters 12v wire or you may get a hissing noise in your radio when the fan is on.

8" in +circle is fine no kinks.

 

[outlawmobile]

Using an swr meter and tuning or trimming an antenna may seem confusing and even intimidating but honestly...you dont even really have to know what your doing,or even why your doing it.You just need to follow the simple directions supplied with most antennas[and most likely with the meter if you buy new] and tune for best results.If you have friends who have done it before it couldnt hurt anything to get them to give you a hand with it though.
On a side note to that...never ever trust using the meter supplied with a radio that has the swr feature for "initial setup"of an antenna system.They are however good enough for doing a quick follow up check if say you smack the out of a tree limb and just want to make sure you didnt tear anything up.
18 feet of coax...It is and has been the industry standard forever but ok I will say it,its a myth plain and simple.I have run as little as 9 ft from the radio straight to the antenna and I have run as much as 33 ft Yes in a mobile and I will explain.12 ft from the radio to the trunk where I kept my amplifier,12 ft back to a meter under the dash and then 9 ft up to the antenna.Do the math and you will see that 18 ft being the golden rule is a bunch of

 

[AussieCJ7]

I never understood why the US still persist with 27Mhz AM units most of the world has moved to UHF FM units while you loose a little in range they are so much clearer, and more forgiving on antenna installation

we still have 27Mhz AM available here but is rarely used and almost all professional drivers and 4x4's have a UHF unit

In fact most 4x4 clubs make it part if the mandatory safety equipment list to attend a club trip

 

[IOPort51]

Along those lines of questioning, why do we not use the FRS radios?? some of those things are amazing with no motor noise and incredible range and they just fit in your shirt pocket.

anybody?

 

[tarry99]

Aussie,

I'm digging a little deep into my worn out radio knowledge , but I believe the answer to your question about 27 mhz / 11 meters versus UHF/FM is that your system grew out of a need to get away from 27 mhz because the HAM radio people in that part of the world still used it.
Also your UHF system is great but needs to be supported by a grid of repeaters to extend the range. I do not think that grid exists here in the states other than Nextel.
The reality here in the states unlike Australia is that most of the radio wave spectrum is filled up pure and simple.
And IO to answer your question on FRS systems they are again line of site only and although manufactures make all sorts of claims about how far they can talk that range given is under ideal conditions only. Most are used for short range communications inside buildings and such.
The 2 meter band here is a popular choice and has some good noise cancelling abilities but they do limit power which of course limits range.

 

[diddy2003]

So I really want to get a CB radio now. But, it seems like I have a new issue. I went to a buddies house, who had some CBs for sale, and the regular sized radios were just far too big! I really want to get a small CB, or as small as possible. But, I really don't like those hand held deals. Like this:
Cobra - C 75 WX ST CB Radio - C 75 WX ST

I was thinking more along the lines of this one:
Uniden - 40-Channel Compact CB Radio - Black - PRO520XL

What do you think? It is "compact" and I hope it will work. I have a YJ tub and, with the heater stuff under the dash, it just doesn't leave me a lot of room. A regular sized one was just way too big and stuck out too far.

 

[tarry99]

Diddy,

That second one looks fine...................and should work just fine.........there are plenty of threads on the subject within regarding antenna's and coax and "grounds" look around on the internet and e-bay there are a ton of small cb's for $100....if you have a roll cage sometimes hanging it from the cage overhead works well.

 

[diddy2003]

Diddy,

That second one looks fine...................and should work just fine.........there are plenty of threads on the subject within regarding antenna's and coax and "grounds" look around on the internet and e-bay there are a ton of small cb's for $100....if you have a roll cage sometimes hanging it from the cage overhead works well.

Do you have a list of some choices like that one I posted?

I found that one, and these:
Midland 1001 LWX CB Radio | Right Channel Radios

Walmart.com: Midland 40-Channel Mobile CB Radio with Weather Scan Technology: Auto Electronics

I just don't want to buy anything too cheap and get a piece of . I really don't see anything in the compact category that is more than that Uniden 520 I posted. I will probably just buy that. I have a gift card to best buy and that always helps.

 

[diddy2003]

Also, can some of you guys post up pictures of your mounting locations? I was trying to mount it just to the right of where the cigarette lighter is.

I was also going to try to get the rest of what I need from a place like this:
Uniden 510 Jeep & Off-Road CB Kit | Right Channel Radios

A firestik 3 foot sounds fine. I was also going to probably get the tail light mount. I can't decide on which side to mount it though. Probably the passenger side.

I will probably just call that place to talk to someone about what I will need.

 

[tarry99]

Diddy,

All good choices..............talk to someone at the CB place there is just a lot of variables with radios and antennas and hard to hard to go over all on the computer ...........I would although get as much height antenna wise that you can use............these are line of site systems.

 

[diddy2003]

Diddy,

All good choices..............talk to someone at the CB place there is just a lot of variables with radios and antennas and hard to hard to go over all on the computer ...........I would although get as much height antenna wise that you can use............these are line of site systems.

I hear you on the height thing. I just have a bit of a height issue because of the garage. I rub the top of the soft top, barely, on the garage door, so that is an issue. I am worried about the 3 foot one even working to be honest. I hope there is a connection that breaks it so that I can fold the antenna. I will have to check it out. I will probably order the 520 XL tomorrow.

 

[tarry99]

I hear you on the height thing. I just have a bit of a height issue because of the garage. I rub the top of the soft top, barely, on the garage door, so that is an issue. I am worried about the 3 foot one even working to be honest. I hope there is a connection that breaks it so that I can fold the antenna. I will have to check it out. I will probably order the 520 XL tomorrow.

They have quick disconnects for antennas or you can unscrew the antenna from the base each time you need to....................sounds like a lot of work taking it on and off.............but to gain that extra range and performance and that was my only choice I would take it off each time in a heart beat!

 

[diddy2003]

They have quick disconnects for antennas or you can unscrew the antenna from the base each time you need to....................sounds like a lot of work taking it on and off.............but to gain that extra range and performance and that was my only choice I would take it off each time in a heart beat!

Thanks. I will probably get a 4 foot firestic since I will have to take it off anyway. I am set on the 520XL, but I want to make sure I get everything I need to mount the radio and have it work properly.

Do you guys have any pictures of your mounts? I am trying to mount mine under the dash where the stock radio location is. Anyone have pics of there mounts and how they did it? Thanks.

 

[tarry99]

Thanks. I will probably get a 4 foot firestic since I will have to take it off anyway. I am set on the 520XL, but I want to make sure I get everything I need to mount the radio and have it work properly.

Do you guys have any pictures of your mounts? I am trying to mount mine under the dash where the stock radio location is. Anyone have pics of there mounts and how they did it? Thanks.

Diddy,

Mine is under the dash on the Right Side, nothing fancy here, one thing I would do is mount a better quality speaker to hear from. There is a ton of noise when your on the trail and the little speakers mounted on the bottom of the CB's are not much use unless its mounted overhead near you ear. I use the Motorola about 4-5 inch square speaker like all the Police Cars have.

 

[GatorBate]

Along those lines of questioning, why do we not use the FRS radios?? some of those things are amazing with no motor noise and incredible range and they just fit in your shirt pocket.

anybody?

I agree IO. We use the FRS radios and they work great. They are cheep and simple to use and since they are FM instead of AM like CB the audio is clearer. FM signals are line of sight AM bounces off the ionosphere. A lot of myths out their.

 

[tarry99]

I agree IO. We use the FRS radios and they work great. They are cheep and simple to use and since they are FM instead of AM like CB the audio is clearer. FM signals are line of sight AM bounces off the ionosphere. A lot of myths out their.

Gator,
This subject has been discussed many times before in numerous forums. Bottom line, if the handheld FRS system works for you then that's great.

But here are some real facts..........The FRS system is: 1/2 watt output hand held with a small antenna , FM carrier based on line of sight , under most conditions less than a 1/2 mile range.

CB radio 5 watts minimum AM carrier also line of sight but will skip off the ionosphere when conditions exist with an antenna of length of your choice.

What really matters is an antenna's "effective radiated power" or whats coming off the tip? Not withstanding how much power is amplified but how effectively is it radiating?

Having said that, generally a bigger / taller antenna is always better and small antennas will always have terrible DB gain. You cannot have a small sexy unit that transmits long range. Not possible to have both unless your perhaps dealing with a satellite up-link.

High range claims by these FRS manufactures are based solely on transmissions in optimal conditions.

 

[jonboy1919]

I hear you on the height thing. I just have a bit of a height issue because of the garage. I rub the top of the soft top, barely, on the garage door, so that is an issue. I am worried about the 3 foot one even working to be honest. I hope there is a connection that breaks it so that I can fold the antenna. I will have to check it out. I will probably order the 520 XL tomorrow.

Good call on the 520XL, probably the toughest/smallest/best rated CB out there. Here are examples of my 12ft whip antenna and how I deal with the height issue in a garage.

 

[diddy2003]

Good call on the 520XL, probably the toughest/smallest/best rated CB out there. Here are examples of my 12ft whip antenna and how I deal with the height issue in a garage.

Thanks man. I like how you dealt with the garage issue. But, that antenna is a bit overkill for what I need, haha. This is the set-up I was going to go with:

Uniden 510 Jeep & Off-Road CB Kit | Right Channel Radios

520xl
4 Foot Firestic
Driver side tail light mount

And this thing to deal with the garage:
Firestik CB Antenna Quick Disconnect K-1A | Right Channel Radios

I was thinking of possibly getting a spring, but I am undecided. All this stuff adds up fast.

 

[diddy2003]

I agree IO. We use the FRS radios and they work great. They are cheep and simple to use and since they are FM instead of AM like CB the audio is clearer. FM signals are line of sight AM bounces off the ionosphere. A lot of myths out their.

FSR radios are a nice choice, if other people also have them. With the Jeep clubs around here CB radios are mandated.

Required Equipment