cb radio/antenna mounting place

i just got a radioshack cb and 39 in metal megnetic mount antenna. wear have some of yall mounted the magnetic antenna and how. also how do i tune the antenna?

 

post pics of the cb setup if you dont mind. alot of folks have mounted the cb's in the ash tray location. thats where im monting mine at. no sure of the magnetic antenna mount, although the roof near the 3rd brake light would probably be a good spot. as far as tuning.......either buy or find someone with a smr meter........they are used for tuning. you can get an inline one too........keep it there or remove it.

 

SWR meter, not smr. Look at firestik's website, and it has everything there you could want to know.

 

I know it's not a magnetic, but in the event you decide to change your mind...

 

I installed the Uniden with the ash-tray mod. My antenna wire goes through the back sliding window and the magnetic mount on the roof near the third brake light.

 

mine will go threw the back slidey window but the window wont shut all the way.is there a trick.

 

yeah....thats what i meant! long day!

 

For the best SWR you want it in the middle of your roof. it will give you the best ground plane thus better transmitting. I have fiddled with a bumper mount when i have my cap on and can acheive a reading of 1.5 to 1 which is pretty good. Right now it on my headache rack with a 2ft firestikII and i cn get about 1.8 to 1. Go to a truckstop and buy a meter for 20$. its well worth it and they come with directions.

 

i have my cb mounted where my ashtray use to be. my antenna is mounted in the center aft side of my toolbox. works out great for me

 

How did you mount it in the ashtray spot?

 

My Cobra 19 DX IV is mounted in the ashtray location as well.

Here's some pics detailing what I did...

In the 2nd picture...
the plastic material inside the blue lines
will need be cut away (removed)

It will be a somewhat permanent deal once done.

I used plastic zip ties in these pics...
but have since replaced them with velcro (type) zip ties.

I also used a heat gun an put an indentation
in the heater duct.
Along with doing that... I used a 90* coupler
at the backside of the cb.

My antenna cable is routed along the floor (under the carpet/seats)
and exits out the back of the cab
at the lower rear passenger side grommet.

Maintain the total cable length utilizing 3' increments.
Think I used a 15' cable...
but had to run it around the cab some to lose the extra length.
Don't let the cable coil over on itself.

My Lil' Wil' antenna is mag mounted on the roof.

 

Not to get off topic but why do you guys run cb's in your tacomas? I have a marine band radio in mine but we use that when hunting in the mountains.

Do you have to know someone with a cb as well? Or do you guys just talk to truckers out there?

 

Using them on the trails seems to be the main reason why guys are running CB's. Makes communication with your wheeling group much more efficient.

 

Ahhhh, makes perfect sense. Kinda the same reason I run my radio. Thank you.

 

hows it going trapper, I am a guide here in NM and am looking into installing a radio. Most everyone I know is running a CB over here, is there a specific reason you all are running marine radios? Do they get better? Thanks