Anyone install a CB?

Pretty much have to have one in my area to avoid getting killed by logging trucks in the mountains.

Ordered a compact Uniden PRO520XL and now have to find a place to mount it.

Wondering if anyone else has installed a CB and if any tips/tricks for mounting.

 

I ran a 510XL for a while inside the console. Ran a longer mic (Astatic 636). Kind of inconvenient to access to change channels, adjust squelch, etc. Plus, no scan feature meant I had to keep an eye on the channel markers on the trees to keep on the same frequency as the loggers.

For those reasons, on my next 4R, I ran a President Johnny II in the cubby under the HVAC. I had to chop out a chunk behind the dash to fit it, and the stupid President burned up 8 months later, at which point I said fuck it, yanked it out, repaired the hole, and never installed another CB.

Loggers ain't killed me yet without a CB.

There's a thread on comm equipment in 'General'. A lot of my pics in that thread puked, unfortunately. Here's two detailing the above setups. Pic 2 also shows a HAM setup which is still in use:





Antennas for all my radio installs in 4Rs have always been NMO trunk lip mounts on the hood. Be aware the CB requires a very good antenna ground to keep the SWR down if you go this route.

 

I like the console idea! I assume you could hear it well enough with the lid closed?

 

i have a cobra 75wx st that i have yet to install. i am thinking of putting the box in the center console and keeping the mic in there until i need to use it. and then i can just run the cable out the small indent in the console.

im also thinking of installing a GMRS radio. im about to start studying for my ham hopefully this week.

the only thing really stopping me is the potential antenna situation i guess... @MeefZah is that pic of your antenna from your ham radio?

 

I'll be installing my Cobra 75WX-ST this weekend. Power is off a tap fuse in the underhood fuse box. The connector box is going under the center console. The mic will be held by a ProClip. The antenna will be on the hatch using a Diamond K400.

Hopefully all of this will go smoothly. Routing is always the challenge with such things.

 

I guess you could, but I had (have, since I still use it with the HAM) a external speaker mounted to the rubber floor mat sandwich style in the back.

Bottom (electrical box cover):



Top:

 

No that pic is from my CB antenna. It's a Browning ... can't recall the model. Mounted to a Tram NMO trunk lip mount. Back when I ran CB and HAM I had an antenna on each side of the hood. It's a little more streamlined now with just 1 quarter wave VHF (like 18") on the driver's side.

If you are just going to use CB once in a while, get a Wilson magnet mount on the roof. On the bigger versions (the 1000) the SWR is essentially preset and runs 1:1. Very good transmission and reception. The NMO on the hood is very finicky with SWR on CB frequencies... weirdly, totally fine on VHF though.

 

right on, thank you. i have a magnet mount, but i was thinking of getting a fold down attachment for a firestik style antenna to mount to the roof rack. i would have to find a place to run the ground wire though.

i suppose ill be looking at a 3 antenna setup if i am gonna run 3 comm types haha. may go with handheld HAM for the moment. ah decisions! haha

 

take pics!

please

 

My cobra 75wx is under the driver seat and i just toss the handpiece wherever when i have it plugged in.

 

Nope. Pretty much essential gear for the mountains around here where logging trucks are barreling down narrow dirt mountain roads with heavy timber and blind corners. Plus, lots of heavy equipment operators use them on job sites.

Not so useful on the highways these days since most truckers are now using satellite radio to keep themselves entertained. I got caught in huge backup on an Arizona highway a few years ago and got out and walked to the semi truck behind me. I asked him if heard on his CB what the cause of the back up was, and he was Serbian, barely spoke English, and said he didn't have a CB. Times are changing.

 

I keep going back and forth on installing another one. Uniden has what looks like a really nice remote mount unit designed to compete with the Cobra, looks way better than the Cobra version. Sadly, it gets half ass reviews and I can't quite trust that it's quality. I don't want a full size or even a compact CB, I want a remote head unit; but I dislike the Cobra and the Midland versions. Meh, I've been fine without it for over a year...

and 2M is exponentially better for any trail comms I've needed or for truck to spotter communciations...

so really, I doubt I'll ever have a CB again.

I know what you mean about the logging trucks, though. Keep your headlights on and hug far right on them curves! Luckily most of those guys are helluva good drivers.

 

Nice setups......love the inside center console set up with external speaker on the middle rear floor!
..and the 3 boxes of Federal ammo in there. Great choice, federal is the most reliable ammo imo.

 

How is that possible? I was under the impression that the individual vehicle and mounting position affect SWR.

Also, for anyone considering a magnet mount: if you're going to use the CB with any regularity, I would consider the types of trails you're going to be exploring. I just purchased a 3' Firestik and a magnet mount a few weeks ago. After a trail run, the paint on my roof is trashed in the area it was mounted due to it constantly getting knocked around by branches.

 

It's possible because it's so long it's damn near an entire wavelength (counting the coil). It's designed to be installed in the center of the roof and there's not really that many variables involving "center of the roof" for most cars. I suppose if you had a T top Camaro or something, that would change things up, but for most solid roofed vehicles, the ground plane of the roof is pretty much the same. Back when I was more of a radio nerd and had a CB and a SWR meter, I played around with a lot of different antennas... and that big Wilson was by far the best.

 

Safety first

 

Makes sense. I was just happy to get mine tuned to below 1.5 on 1&40. I don't really want to go that big where I ride trails here because of overhanging branches. So far I'm happy with my setup.

 

Yeah that's the reason I dumped the Wilson as well. But for freeway work or open areas it's ideal.

 

CB arrives Tuesday, but I have a trip deep into the Idaho woods scheduled that day, so won't have it installed in time, unfortunately. My co-pilot for the day was able to borrow a portable CB, but I'm skeptical of it's effectiveness. We'll see. Supposed to get a bunch of rain in the region on Monday, and the road we're traveling on is 45 miles of dirt logging road going up into the mountains, so should get a good workout of the 4x4 system and tires.

Called my dad and told him I was installing a CB and amazingly, he said he has an SWR meter and will help me tune the antennae. Old farts are a wealth of knowledge.

 

Installed the CB today and tuned it. Mounted it on the passenger side of the center console. Mounted the mic holder on the side of the CB where there were two perfectly positioned holes, likely designed for mounting the mic. Soldered in the cigarette lighter power cord and plugged it into the rear of the console.

Fired it up and verified it all worked by talking to my dad on his radio and it was good. Drove around town and back home and didn't hear a single other person on channel 19. Will have to test it out in the woods next week.

And yes, my interior needs detailed. After a camping rip and a couple of recent expeditions into the woods, it is getting filthy inside.