Cb Radio And Antenna?

[KSjeepguy88]

 

This is where I mounted my CB on the back of my center console

[kolton]

If you can find this antenna, I'd mount it behind the cab window, in the middle of the bed. This was the best antenna I have found as of yet. The oil cooler helps a lot when boosting power. And it was almost fool proof to tune. I ran skip on my galaxy from Dallas to Maine, transmitting and recieving. Granted it was about to snow and te atmosphere was just right. But the farthest I've talked on a fire stick was Arkansas. Although the fire stick was decent and more than enough for trail use.

 

Big thing is don't let your coax cross over itself, big bends in the coax. And I recommend 18 feet of coax minimum.

 

 

Mount it like this guys, but up against the cab, between the tool box and window.

Image Not Found

[MtnClimber]

Redwolf, I had my antenna mounted to the driver side of the bed due to the frequent use of the sliding glass window. You basically want to use the roof of the truck has a plain. Think of a satellite dish. The 4' allowed the tip a higher reach above the roofline and it helped transmit/receive better. I also tune mine w/a SWR meter.

Agree w/the 18' min of coax with no loops and away from the engine (or atleast the ignition) if you can help it.

 

I also use the 4' Firestick on my XJ, for the height. But I've also use the 102" for when we go way up North and I know my group may get more spread out due to dusty conditions.

 

[redwolf624]

If you can find this antenna, I'd mount it behind the cab window, in the middle of the bed. This was the best antenna I have found as of yet. The oil cooler helps a lot when boosting power. And it was almost fool proof to tune. I ran skip on my galaxy from Dallas to Maine, transmitting and recieving. Granted it was about to snow and te atmosphere was just right. But the farthest I've talked on a fire stick was Arkansas. Although the fire stick was decent and more than enough for trail use.

 

Big thing is don't let your coax cross over itself, big bends in the coax. And I recommend 18 feet of coax minimum.

 

 

Mount it like this guys, but up against the cab, between the tool box and window.

Image Not Found

 

 

Redwolf, I had my antenna mounted to the driver side of the bed due to the frequent use of the sliding glass window. You basically want to use the roof of the truck has a plain. Think of a satellite dish. The 4' allowed the tip a higher reach above the roofline and it helped transmit/receive better. I also tune mine w/a SWR meter.

Agree w/the 18' min of coax with no loops and away from the engine (or atleast the ignition) if you can help it.

 

I also use the 4' Firestick on my XJ, for the height. But I've also use the 102" for when we go way up North and I know my group may get more spread out due to dusty conditions.

 

ok i get that i want to clear the roof but why don't i want loops in the coax cable, why away from the ignition and engine and why in the center of the window? i already have holes drilled in my bed from the last owner on the driver side, i plan on usin those if possible, 

 

Redwolf

[skel130]

 

ok i get that i want to clear the roof but why don't i want loops in the coax cable, why away from the ignition and engine and why in the center of the window? i already have holes drilled in my bed from the last owner on the driver side, i plan on usin those if possible, 

 

Redwolf

Basically it all has to do with interference. Loops in your cable let signal 'leak' out, and they get into other parts of your wiring. This causes issues with SWR and with the range you'll get on your radio. Ignition and engine wires will 'leak' EMI (electromagnetic interference) which will degrade signals. The center of the window helps balance your plane so that you get the most signal going in every direction. Imagine broadcasting on your CB as being a pulse that goes all the way down the cable, and all the way to the tip of the antenna. The signal then projects down to the metal below, and shoots out in every direction. If there is no metal (no ground plane) then you need a special antenna to be able to broadcast. If there is only metal on one side, then you will broadcast less to the side without metal. So middle is ideal, but for my setup, inconvenient. 

 

 

SWR stands for standing wave ratio. Going back to the metal plane, the SWR is the ratio of the signal that exits the antenna, and how much bounces back into the radio. If your SWR is too high, then you'll burn out the circuits that send the signals. There is a lot of info on google and firestik's website about all of this stuff. One reason I went with firestik was because of how much info they had on radio theory and the mechanics of CBs

[redwolf624]

 

 

ok i get that i want to clear the roof but why don't i want loops in the coax cable, why away from the ignition and engine and why in the center of the window? i already have holes drilled in my bed from the last owner on the driver side, i plan on usin those if possible, 

 

Redwolf

Basically it all has to do with interference. Loops in your cable let signal 'leak' out, and they get into other parts of your wiring. This causes issues with SWR and with the range you'll get on your radio. Ignition and engine wires will 'leak' EMI (electromagnetic interference) which will degrade signals. The center of the window helps balance your plane so that you get the most signal going in every direction. Imagine broadcasting on your CB as being a pulse that goes all the way down the cable, and all the way to the tip of the antenna. The signal then projects down to the metal below, and shoots out in every direction. If there is no metal (no ground plane) then you need a special antenna to be able to broadcast. If there is only metal on one side, then you will broadcast less to the side without metal. So middle is ideal, but for my setup, inconvenient. 

 

 

SWR stands for standing wave ratio. Going back to the metal plane, the SWR is the ratio of the signal that exits the antenna, and how much bounces back into the radio. If your SWR is too high, then you'll burn out the circuits that send the signals. There is a lot of info on google and firestik's website about all of this stuff. One reason I went with firestik was because of how much info they had on radio theory and the mechanics of CBs

got it  :thumbsup: not my question with the metal plane, i get that in the middle is the best signal but say i wanna put the antenna on one side of my truck and tune it right would there be issues with that in the long run or to mount an antenna on the side of the windows should i go with a dual antenna set up? i have no clue bout cbs and wanna get it right before i buy the antenna,

 

Redwolf

[skidoo_j]

I'd stay with a single antenna for best performance. The duals have benefits, but are majorly seen with truckers because of their limit of height to clearance and the reflecting planes. So the trailers prevent the antenna radiation from crossing sides to the back.

 

http://www.firestik.com/Tech_Docs/SNGL-or-Dual.htm

http://www.firestik.com/Tech_Docs/63Things.htm

 

 

[redwolf624]

I'd stay with a single antenna for best performance. The duals have benefits, but are majorly seen with truckers because of their limit of height to clearance and the reflecting planes. So the trailers prevent the antenna radiation from crossing sides to the back.

 

http://www.firestik.com/Tech_Docs/SNGL-or-Dual.htm

 

http://www.firestik.com/Tech_Docs/63Things.htm

 

 

 

alright, thanks for the links, some good info in there  :thumbsup:

 

Redwolf

[redwolf624]

 

I'd stay with a single antenna for best performance. The duals have benefits, but are majorly seen with truckers because of their limit of height to clearance and the reflecting planes. So the trailers prevent the antenna radiation from crossing sides to the back.

 

http://www.firestik.com/Tech_Docs/SNGL-or-Dual.htm

 

http://www.firestik.com/Tech_Docs/63Things.htm

 

 

 

alright, thanks for the links, some good info in there  :thumbsup:

 

Redwolf

finally read all that word for word, i think for what i'm gonna be doin it'll be best for me just to get a single antenna, but (if i read right) if i was pullin a lot of trailers like box trailers from uhaul or horse trailers that are aluminum i'd want to use the dual antenna system, so since i mainly drive around with nothin on my truck i'll be gettin a single antenna system :)

 

Redwolf

[redwolf624]

ok so i'm confused again bout the antennas, i know i need of course the whip and mountin and a coax cable but antenna springs like this one http://www.amazon.com/Firestik-SS-3H-Stainless-Antenna-Spring/dp/B00042LC9M/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1383764844&sr=8-4&keywords=cb+antenna are those really nessasary or just for looks, what do they help with if they do help with anything,

 

Redwolf

[skel130]

They aren't needed per say, but I'd recommend one. Here's what they do: I park my car in a garage everyday. My CB antenna is to tall to fit. If I forget to remove it, the spring prevents the fiberglass antenna from simply snapping under the pressure. It allows the antenna to flex if it were to catch on something (like a low tree branch). 

[kolton]

For a fire stick or other stick antenna, I'd recommend it.

 

 

For a whip antenna, not really needed.

[skel130]

^^That. 

 

 

Here's some great info from the firestik website:

 

http://www.firestik.com/Tech_Docs.htm 

[redwolf624]

ok that makes sense, i'll look into gettin one of those, i'm lookin for a stick antenna that comes with a coax and mountin but not tryin to go over 40 as radioshack has one for 40 bukcs that comes with everything but the spring, any places to check that deffently have everything together?

 

Redwolf

[skel130]

I'd just go with amazon. The thing is, even if you spend a couple bucks over $40, the quality difference is going to be exceptional. Any experienced CB operator will tell you the antenna is the most important part of a setup. A $#!& radio with a good antenna will out perform a $200 radio with a $#!& antenna. So I'd say it's worth the extra couple bucks.

 

Here's what I went with:

Spring:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00042LC9M/ref=oh_details_o09_s00_i00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Antenna:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00317HUWU/ref=oh_details_o09_s01_i00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Mount: (Though if I were you, I'd opt for a bit thicker one if they make it.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0002HRBSK/ref=oh_details_o00_s00_i00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Cable:

http://www.amazon.com/RG-58A-Coaxial-Cable-Pl-259-Connectors/dp/B001JT0CGI/ref=pd_bxgy_e_text_z

 

 

Works good for me. I also have a quick disconnect, but that's just because I frequently need to remove it (park in a parking garage everyday at Mizzou).

 

Here's that:

http://www.amazon.com/FireStik-K-1A-Push-n-Twist-quick-disconnect/dp/B000UTQUAK/ref=pd_sim_e_19

[redwolf624]

I'd just go with amazon. The thing is, even if you spend a couple bucks over $40, the quality difference is going to be exceptional. Any experienced CB operator will tell you the antenna is the most important part of a setup. A $#!& radio with a good antenna will out perform a $200 radio with a $#!& antenna. So I'd say it's worth the extra couple bucks.

 

Here's what I went with:

Spring:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00042LC9M/ref=oh_details_o09_s00_i00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Antenna:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00317HUWU/ref=oh_details_o09_s01_i00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Mount: (Though if I were you, I'd opt for a bit thicker one if they make it.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0002HRBSK/ref=oh_details_o00_s00_i00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Cable:

http://www.amazon.com/RG-58A-Coaxial-Cable-Pl-259-Connectors/dp/B001JT0CGI/ref=pd_bxgy_e_text_z

 

 

Works good for me. I also have a quick disconnect, but that's just because I frequently need to remove it (park in a parking garage everyday at Mizzou).

 

Here's that:

http://www.amazon.com/FireStik-K-1A-Push-n-Twist-quick-disconnect/dp/B000UTQUAK/ref=pd_sim_e_19

thanks skel, i don't like i'll have to worry bout the quick disconnect, set up my own little rig on amazon, i don't think i'll get it any cheaper although i'm thinkin bout takin off the spring for now but i don't know, wheres what i have though,

 

Mount:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000X3EP8M/ref=ox_sc_act_title_2?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=A1837JQQI891OZ

Spring:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00042LC9M/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=A2Q49PGT6CNRLQ

Cable:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001JT0CGI/ref=ox_sc_act_title_4?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=A2CK5NG72UVSTT

Whip:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000QB917Q/ref=ox_sc_act_title_3?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=A24ZFZP99Y372T

 

Redwolf

[skel130]

All looks decent enough to me. Just remember to properly tune your antenna

[redwolf624]

All looks decent enough to me. Just remember to properly tune your antenna

i know, i don't know how but that's why there's the internet or my dad if he still remembers from back in the 80s and 90s when he had a cb,

 

Redwolf

[redwolf624]

how durable are these firestik fiberglass sticks? i got to thinkin today that when it gets cold if anything hits that stick it's gonna break,

 

Redwolf

[skidoo_j]

how durable are these firestik fiberglass sticks? i got to thinkin today that when it gets cold if anything hits that stick it's gonna break,

 

Redwolf

Well My grand father has a set of fire sticks on his suburban and they've never been replaced to my memory.  I'm guessing they've been there since the 70's,  long enough that the cable housing is rotted, but the antenna's look good as new.  

[redwolf624]

 

how durable are these firestik fiberglass sticks? i got to thinkin today that when it gets cold if anything hits that stick it's gonna break,

 

Redwolf

Well My grand father has a set of fire sticks on his suburban and they've never been replaced to my memory.  I'm guessing they've been there since the 70's,  long enough that the cable housing is rotted, but the antenna's look good as new.  

sounds good enough for me  :thumbsup: i just bout the mount, spring, cable, and whip, accordin to amazon they'll be here around the 12th, can't wait :)

 

Redwolf

[gogmorgo]

My experience is that fiberglass doesn't really get all that much more brittle when it's cold. And by cold, I mean below -40.

[redwolf624]

got all my cb stuff today, i know how the mount mounts, the antenna mounts, but i'm unsure bout how the coax cable goes onto the firestik k-24 side mount, it doesn't screw into the bottom  :dunno:  :hmm:  :???: any ideas folks?

 

Redwolf

[skel130]

http://www.amazon.com/FireStik-K-4A-STUD-SO-239-CONN/dp/B0002HRBSU/ref=pd_cp_e_3

 

Didn't notice you got the ring terminal version

[redwolf624]

http://www.amazon.com/FireStik-K-4A-STUD-SO-239-CONN/dp/B0002HRBSU/ref=pd_cp_e_3

 

Didn't notice you got the ring terminal version

i got the stud terminal but the coax doesn't screw onto it, it's like ya gotta srip one it like how ya would had a accessory wire to the fuse box,

 

Redwolf