Hey you guys,

My bro got me this CB for my truck, he was telling me how it's good to have when your driving on highways, to get traffic updates, smokey alerts, and just yakkin with the truckers.

So I'm gonna install it, but have a few questions...
Where's the best place to put it? (yeah yeah, very funny)
I was thinking of getting one of those antenais that mount on this inside of your engine bay, and hug the front fender (right next to the radio antenai)
What kind of range can I expect?

Also, I think i'm gonna swap out my factory HU soon, and there will be some empty space left over where the stereo goes... could this CB fit into that space, over top of the new HU?

Is this a decent CB?

If you guys have CBs, please post pics of your install.

Thanks!
Alex

 

i used to be real big into CB's.. i had a 100watt texas star modulator & a TX800 linear in my old truck.. enough power to light a florescent light bulb from 20-30 feet away.

i still have my CB, a galaxy 99v



http://www.galaxyradios.com/99.html

it's stuffed with a ton of toys (sound makers).

i keep wanting to put it in the lightning just to play with, but i haven't got around to doing it yet.

 

I have that same model mounted in my truck. I decided not to drill any holes in the plastic (like in my previous Ranger), so I used a universal swivel mount secured to a rubber mat that is placed across the hump. The mount is secured by a back plate so that the bolts won't pull through the mat. It has been in place for 8000 miles without a problem and I can remove it in a minute if need be. It looks better than my description . No pictures yet. Keep in mind that the speaker is down firing if you mount it in the dash. There should be a speaker out on the back of the unit if you want to mount a remote speaker elsewhere.
As for the antennas, there is a mount for most anybody's taste. The web is full of good advice, check out Firestik and Wilson, as they are highly rated. Firestik explains the tricks for getting the best performance on their website.
Main points: 1. Body will block signal, mount for best overall reception. 2. Tune the antenna/s after mounting, will damage the unit if you don't. 3. Pros tend to agree that the money is best spent on the antenna/s, as the power in CBs is limited by law (yes there are amps, but tend to be a waste of $), so a good antenna arrangement will get the most out of your unit.
I use Wilson 3' fiberglass sticks in a cophase arrangement (1 on each side) with Firestik mounts bolted to the inner wall of the bed's front post holes. With springs added, this has proven to be a very robust setup.
Hope this rambling helps:o .

 

I would go with a magnet mount.......the roof top is unquestionably the best place for an antenna.

On my 96 F150 supercab I have a Wilson 5000 through the roof mount and I run about 800 watts.
The radio you have a picture of is a cheapy....... but for listening it'll do just fine.
Radio.......Texas Ranger 296 with expo and swing kit
Driver......DaveMade M80
Amp.........DaveMade 400 (4 pill)
Antenna..Wilson 5000 Roof Mount

 

Hey BeenLaden,
Let's see 800 watts about 80% efficient so we can make that a 1000 watt requirement . Was that a Class A amplfier or Class C ?So 1000/12=83.3 amps just to transmit . How did your 75 amp altenator hold up ? Any problems with wiring? Just curious on how you handled all of that current for one accessory.

 

I'll have to post pictures, but I have a El Cheapo Radio Shack with built in Freq Counter and a BearCat BC350A Mobile scanner mounted on a CB Hump mount. That way there was no drilling into my dash. The hump mount also has a built-in speaker to hook up my CB or Scanner.

I'll post some pics.. soon.

As far as antenna, I did run a Wilson 5000 Mag mount, but since I got my new truck, I like the look of dual antenna's coming off of the tool box. Firestik or Wilson is what I'd go with.

Just some Info

 

Habibi, another thing that you have to think about is, how often do you wash your truck and how is it washed?

I wash mine every week at a local drive through car wash, so when I started to decide where to put and attach the antenna, I wanted something that would be quick and easy and not hurt that paint over a long period of time.

I have a Cobra 29 Night watch CB, a 4 ft Fire-Stix II antenna, fire-ring cable along with a quick dis-connect. I had a buddy create a mount out of stainless steel that attaches to my box under the tonneau cover.

....------
....|
.---
.|
.----
......|

{The dots are for spacers. Spacebar just didn't cut it here.}

It kinda looks like that, sorry I don't have any pictures of it yet.

With the cover off, it would attach to the front inside part of the box. Put the tonneau cover front bar over top and it allows the cover to be rolled up and still have the wire and antenna combo out of the way. The fire-ring cable is attached to the top of the mount instead of underneath ... more clearance for the cover. I have read that you should have 2/3 of the antenna above the highest point of the vehicle if the antenna is not mounted on the highest point of the vehicle.

Go to www.firestik.com , they have alot of good information for you to read to understand what is needed and different options that you can use.

Have Fun & Keep on Truckin'
Dean

 

Habbi,

I have the same radio as you and a firestick. It is mounted in the bed using an 90° angle plate bolted to the bed. I have a spring and a quick disconnect. The Radio is not as good as Izzy's but it gerts the job done. It will pick up motor noise so be attentive of where you wire it. Mine is directly grounded to the Battery and the + lead goes to the power side of the starter motor solenoid on the firewall. It also picks up the electric fan motor noise.

Regards

Jean Marc Chartier

 

Thanks to everyone for their tips and insights!
I don't "Need" a CB, but since I got one as a gift, I'm going to install it.
It will come in usefull if a few of us go off-roading, this way we can still communicate. (I have a pair of Motorola hand helds at the moment)

I'll post pics when I get it in.

Thanks again
Alex

 

I installed mine without drilling into the interior. I went to the local hardware store and bought a piece of 3/4" aluminum bar. I used a bench vise and a big hammer to bend and shape the metal. The bracket uses the screw on the bottom of the dash in front of the OBD port, and the next screw to the right. This puts the face of the unit at arms reach and the speaker is completly exposed. the antenna wire runs under my cnter console through the back of the cab. I built a bracket for the antenna, and mounted it to the bed rail. It was a pretty clean install.

I just wish I had the means to post some pics for you.

 

I have( 2) 200 amp alternators on the truck plus 2 1200 cca batteries maintaining 15.1 volts.
The amp actually keys 350 watts but it modulates to 1200 so 1 200 amp alternator would more than cover it........but in case I want to go bigger I can.
The RF doesn't interfere with anything on the truck but then again I only use the main amp if conditions require it.
I don't know if it's a class C biased amp........I know it is a "swing" amp if that helps.

 

Just remember guys the closer you mount the antenna to the gas tanks the more annoying the electric fuel pump noise will be in your receiver.

 

BeenLaden,
Have you thought about a DC filter right at the gas tank. You would need one for the Positve and negative . The metal gas tank should act as a Faraday cage and give you at least 60dB of isolation from the fuel pump noise . I am not sure about the Fuel level sensor wire's ability for EMI . Putting a filter on that line may give you inaccurate fuel level readings . I don't know what your receiver sensitivity is or the freq. of the fuel pump EMI. Otherwise I could help you with your filter solution. By the way , why the screen name ?

 

Ya BeenLaden, just where abouts are you? You can trust us....