hockeyfan_83

Im trying to take a cb radio out of my dad's old yj and put it in my xj, but I know absolutely nothing about wiring electronics. Any help and suggestions would be appreciated regarding how to connect the radio to power.

thatXJguy

My favorite place to put it is in the cigarette lighter, because I never use the cigarette lighter because I'm a non-smoker, and because the power outlet on the opposite side of the toggle switches is all I need for charging phones and stuff.

Just push the already-stripped positive wire of the CB radio into the conduit for the positive connection in the cigarette lighter plug, and the already-stripped negative wire of the CB radio into the conduit for the negative connection in the cigarette lighter plug, and you're good to go.

Use electrical tape to secure it if necessary.

SteveMongr

^Isn`t that a sure way to receive interferance/noise when engine is running?

askingxforxit

It sure is. I used a mini blade fuse adapter and have my power running from a switched power source in the fuse panel. Zero engine noise and a damn near perfect SWR with my setup

askingxforxit

This.

hockeyfan_83

Thanks, but that really doesn't mean much to me. I'm a noob when it comes to this sort of thing. I've never even touched electronics on a vehicle until now.

askingxforxit

You'll need to invest in a volt meter (to test, trace, etc.) and an SWR meter to test, adjust and verify CB signal) without a proper SWR you can fry your cb real quick. There is a ton of information on the internet and this forum on how to setup your CB system properly.

askingxforxit

Everything you need can be found at Radio Shack and Fry's Electronics.

thatXJguy

Nope. That's what squelch is for. If you buy a really crappy CB that doesn't support squelch, then sure. Shell out the money for a Cobra.

I haven't had any problems and I've been running my CB setup for 2 years. I have perfect SWR in my setup as well.

Fred/N0AZZ

Mobile electronics such as radios for the best operation need to be ran directly to the battery both the positive and negative lines and fused there.

The reason for this is that the battery has a filtering effect for the radio making for less engine noise and static in general and general protection for the radio. I have 3 radios hooked up in my XJ a CB, UHF/VHF (50w), 6m/HF (200w) all mode 6-160m.

McCaffrey

^^^ I would just buy a good radio instead.

Fred/N0AZZ

You need to learn about radios I have them costing from $100-15k then something about electronics.

thatXJguy

Doesn't sound like you're buying CB radios at those prices.

Your Amateur equipment gets expensive real quick, but that's not related to this post one bit. One is AM and the other is FM.

McCaffrey

You know what they say about assumptions.

You need to learn about periods.

Fred/N0AZZ

The other gear is partly FM but also all mode AM/SSB/CW and digital modes and you don't turn up the sql on it either for quieting.



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