Arctic Offroad Forums

Looking at installing a CB Radio soon. Anyone have any pointers or experience on what to get, what not to get?

Oh, and if anyone knows much about CB's. What is a good size antannae to install for normal use on highway, and offroad?

If you want a good CB, go Cobra. Cobra's are the best. As far as antennas look at this one. http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000CDM...t&n=284507

After doing some research, I'm thinking about going with a Firestick, 3 foot or 4 foot depending on where I mount it.

For a radio, I've been looking at the Cobra 75 WT SX. Here is a pretty cool article on mounting one in a TJ.

http://www.off-road.com/jeep/tech/tjcbinstall/

Anyone here seen this radio? The only drawback I've read about is the "in mic" speaker isnt the easiest to hear.

Also a pretty cool antenna bracket I found is here. Looking at the windshield mount.

http://www.arizonarockyroad.com/pages/1/index.htm

Thoughts? Suggestions?

antenea k40 whip can get them at radio shack... i enjoy those, cobra's are really good cb radios!!!

That is a cool CB. I wouldn't mind one of those for the beast.

Bulldawg Wrote:After doing some research, I'm thinking about going with a Firestick, 3 foot or 4 foot depending on where I mount it.

For a radio, I've been looking at the Cobra 75 WT SX. Here is a pretty cool article on mounting one in a TJ.

http://www.off-road.com/jeep/tech/tjcbinstall/

Anyone here seen this radio? The only drawback I've read about is the "in mic" speaker isnt the easiest to hear.

Also a pretty cool antenna bracket I found is here. Looking at the windshield mount.

http://www.arizonarockyroad.com/pages/1/index.htm

Thoughts? Suggestions?

I would just cut a hole in your spare tire carrier and then run a grounding wire to the mounting bolt (the tire carrier itself doesn't make a very good ground). The firestick is a good antenna, make sure to get the tuneable one.

here is what mine ended up looking like. It worked very well and I was able to tuck it into the soft top when I wanted to go into parking garages.

Do you get a good SWR with the antenna by the spare tire? I was trying to get away with a smaller antenna. I figured a 36" by the windshield would give a good enough transmission to get the SWR below 2:1.

It looks easier to route the coax going from the tailgate though.

Has anyone routed coax going by the driver side side mirror? Like the mount I posted earlier?

I have the Cobra 75 model that's the handheld. I liked it, but it doesn't have the power of the larger models and cannot be upgraded.

I upgraded to a Uniden I really like. I got a PA on it and it's sweet. I also found after running Firesticks for the last ten years that the 108" Whip costs only $20 and it has far better range than the Firestick. WOW!

Bulldawg Wrote:Do you get a good SWR with the antenna by the spare tire? I was trying to get away with a smaller antenna. I figured a 36" by the windshield would give a good enough transmission to get the SWR below 2:1.

It looks easier to route the coax going from the tailgate though.

Has anyone routed coax going by the driver side side mirror? Like the mount I posted earlier?

I never checked my SWR's, it worked and no one ever complained about my signal not being clear so I never bothered. I never tried talking to people a long distace away, normaaly just trail use. I know a few people running the same set up and they are all happy. The teraflex mount will bend fairly easily if the antenna hits anything.

Quote:I also found after running Firesticks for the last ten years that the 108" Whip costs only $20 and it has far better range than the Firestick. WOW!

:bowdown: :wupped: Whips Rule !!!

Well here is the setup...

Cobra 19 CB Radio $69.00 @ Radioshack

48" Firestik II $23.99
18' Firestik Coax Cable $12.99
Custom Spare Tire Antenna Mount $19.99
Shipping $8.00
All From: http://www.arizonarockyroad.com/pages/1/index.htm

Also got as an option a SWR meter for $34.99 from Radio Shack, if anyone is interested in using it to see what they got, let me know. Would be happy to let you use it.

Grand total with the meter was $168.96. I'm supposed to be getting the stuff from arizonarockyroad.com Monday, so soon as I get the set up installed, I'll submit some pics on how it turned out. Thanks again for all the responses!

just won this one

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayIS...AMEWN%3AIT

hoping it's a winner ;D

Nice!! Good price too... haha... let me know how it turns out!

hey man check out walmart online they have a uniden on there that is sweet i just ordered one today. really good price on it also!

Got it all installed and set up with the parts I mentioned above. Looks and works great!! Getting 1.5 SWR, took some tuning and messing around to get it from 2.5 down to 1.5. I'll post some pics of the install when I take some.

If you are still there when I get up there, I'll have to test the SWR on mine.

I've had more than enough power, so I've never messed with it.

I'll be here to sometime around early March... if you get up here, just let me know!

Ummm.....

Question.

I see you are a Georgia Bulldawgs fan. Didn't they loose to West Virginia?

I refuse to answer such a question!! Question though...

Why is your nickname a nut?

ha ha ha

just got her in the mail tonight.... try to install next weekend ;D