(I apologize ahead of time if this should be in a different category)

So I think it's about time for me to consider investing in a beginner CB radio set up. I have watched quite a few YouTube videos on CB radio usage and cb radio antennas and the difference between a 3db, 6db, and 9db antenna. The cb radio I want to get would be either a Uniden PRO-520XL or a Cobra 19 Ultra III because hey are small and simple and I don't need all the extra bits for flashiness (yeah a teenager who doesn't want to be flashy) and just a simple 40 channel CB to start with. First question, which one would you choose and why. Second, I don't want to have it powered by the cigarette lighter since I use it but because I have an 89 XJ the fuse box is in the drivers footwell I was wondering if I can hook up the power to an open ACC port with an inline fuse to lower the risk of messing up the Cb if a surge occurs (or is that not necessary?). Now, antennas, it sounds like a thick fiberglass antenna like a 9db Firstick FS (will be doing more desert off roading than forest off roading) mounted on a spring so it won't break if a branch hits it (when I do go forest off roading) and is there a way to remove it without messing up the tune? It sounds like the higher the mount the better so would mounting it on the gutter on the driver or passenger side closer to the front windshield so I can run a shorter coaxial cable down one of the A-pillars? Now here's the weird part. My XJ came with a telephone set up so there is a speaker for that on the drivers kick panel which serves no use at the moment and it has a 3.5mm jack so I could use that as the auxiliary speaker so I don't have to use the cb radio speaker (or hook it up to my head unit maybe?). I've tested the speaker and it works. Now there is a coaxial cable that was connected to the telephone box thingy under the rear seats that goes to a small antenna mounted on the rear left window
I was wondering if I can set up one of those antenna switcher things (that switch that would allow me to run 2 antennas but only choose one or the other) and use that short antenna as a short range antenna for when I am wheeling in a small convoy or only need short distance range like in a forest? I hope all this makes sense

 

best to run your hot wire directly to the battery with an inline fuse, use a seat base bolt for your ground--scratch off any paint so you get a good metal to metal contact.

the cell antenna will not work-it's probably for 800mhz or 900? can't remember-old analog. either way it will not work.

sounds like the speaker idea should work

as far as an antenna mount location, the best place is you roof, because it is the highest point. If you want the easiest-just get a "Lil Wil" magnet mount so you can take it off when you don't need it. If you want a permanent mount there was one that used an OEM bolt in the rear hatch location. Or you can use one of those gutter mounts, personal issue-the higher the better--lots to know about antennas, but for simple use just get any name brand an you will be fine.

both the Uniden and the Cobra will have the same output power (5 watts). Personal choice on that--have no experience with either

 

antenna mount--get a 4' fiberglass whip so you get over the roof

http://www.jcroffroad.com/product/XJCB-PC.html

 

Thanks man appreciate it! Maybe I'll fab up my own mount just for the fun of it because I am turning 18 next week and you have to be at least 18 in California to take welding and fabricating classes so I will be taking a few very soon in that case!

 

Here is what I use for my CB because of the limited area inside the XJ's and this is small but does an excellent job. I started using CB's in the mid 70's and moved on to Amateur Radio but still use a CB on the trails where that is what most have. Everything is contained in the Mic and all connections are made into a remote small box coax/power/spk/mic input.


Always use the battery terminals for the positive and neg, connections as it has a filtering effect and makes the radio quieter in operation, fused of coarse.


Antennas on a trail rig can be simple or complex and a center mount on the roof is best but not in an off road use. A better choice is a fender mounted antenna bracket that bolts inside the fender/hood lip back by the door so the coax runs in the hood in the corner. That placement gives you a vg ground plane on the large flat hood area being even with the base of your antenna. A good "Firestick" antenna will work fine for you.


This radio when I bought it online 2 yrs ago was just under $100 and it works very well a 40 ch. with emergency weather and all on it and the internal speaker is all that I use its loud.

 

If you are running your power to the battery (a good idea) you might as well run the ground out there, too.

Use the same size wire for the ground as you do for the hot lead. 10 gauge is plenty big enough for a CB.

 

To Fred/NOAZZ..... So, that all in one type of CB works really well? I've wondered about that one (saw it on Amazon) for the exact reason you said, "limited room" in the XJ. I've even considered a total handheld that I could use outside of the jeep as well. You know, something like the police/firefighters use.

 

hand held will have VERY limited range, especially while you are inside the jeep--you need to have an antenna outside the vehicle.

 

I wondered about that. My thought for a handheld was if I was standing along side a trail and to talk with others while just outside of the jeep. So, let's say I have the mounted and a handheld. Would the handheld use the antenna of my jeep?

 

I'm not sure if there is a separate antenna for a hand held that mounts to a vehicle. I've never seen one. Handhelds use a BNC connector for the antenna,mobile CB's use a PL259. You can use the same antenna/coax for the handheld as a mobile if you use a BNC to PL259 adapter. They do make a longer antenna (2') to extend the range of a handheld also.

 

One piece of advice I can give is do mount your antenna to the body. If I was to do mine differently I would use one of those mounts that come out of the back hatch area just next to my rear drivers tail light. I mounted mine on my tire carrier as I wanted it to look cool (Right?). Found out later when I went to tune it that it is best to ground it directly to the body. The body is a larger base (mass of metal) to bring in the signal. We could only get the lower half of the channels low enough. the rest pushes it to close to 3.0.
http://www.jcroffroad.com/product/XJCB-PC.html

I was struggling so much trying to tune I went to about the only Ham/CB shop I could find. The old timer helped me out. He also said for $50 he could tweak the tuner give it more power. It works great out on the trail as long as it is in the lower channels.


I opted or the Uniden Pro5200 because of the size and cost. I wanted to tuck it into an overhead console that I fab-ed in.
http://www.cherokeetalk.com/forum/f2...9/index11.html

 

There's no reason you can't put a BNC connector on a vehicle mounted antenna's coax. It's actually a much better connector than a PL259.

Here's a vid that shows it being done with not the best tools, and on very poor quality coax.

 

More power won't get you better reception.

 

No but it will make the little unit preform better. The reception is based on the mass of metal it is grounded to and the quality of the antenna. The problem I have relies it the tire carriers lack of metal plan.


I am leaving the antenna where it is, because it work fine on the trail using 1-20 everyone usually uses 4 when we go.

 

chops quote-- "I wondered about that. My thought for a handheld was if I was standing along side a trail and to talk with others while just outside of the jeep. So, let's say I have the mounted and a handheld. Would the handheld use the antenna of my jeep? "

sounded like he was talking about having two units--a handheld and a regular cb. I was thinking he could use the mobile antenna with the handheld using the adapter. Although you are limiting the distance you can walk away from the jeep with the length of the coax. You may as well just get a long mic cord for the mobile and scrap the handheld.