My CB Installation (in detail)

hmm... the main difference that i see is that i am using a 4 foot antenna while you are using a 3 foot antenna. perhaps try moving your antenna to the back of the bed just to see if you can get a better swr.

 

I might give it a shot. Problem is its a custom mount for the corner.

 

Here is my setup...

FireStik 3' fiberglass on a spring and quick disconnect with a Cobra 75 from Bellscb.com peaked and tuned. Deadkey at 5 watts mods to 9 watts

SWR 1.2

 

Hey I was wondering, below your 520, how much room do you have roughly? the radio I'm looking at is about 1-1.5in longer than yours. Is there much clearance below yours? Going towards the ground of course.

 

this pic shows how much room there is

 

Wonderful Thread gave me some great ideas that I really need bad.

This weekend I got to mount 1 CB, 2 different 2-way radios and Siren Box for Warning Explosives Blasting .. Basically 4 blame radios with in a std cab.. I am sure going have fun..

But at least its a work truck and not show truck..

 

Fantastic write up...How many Amp's was the fuse off the battery?

 

3 amp. the radio draws 2 amps.

 

Great, thanks for the details.

 

Really an awesome write up. I was looking for awhile on a good detailed thread like this. I'll be using your thread to install my same set up tomorrow. But I will trim the console to fit I'll be sure to take photos after my install.

Thank you very much for taking time to write this up and help us random people.

 

I cut and cleaned up the install for a flush nice clean look. Input anyone?

 

Hey NETMONKEY (Or anyone else with knowledge) Been searching the thread and hit this one regarding CB installation. I'm about to install a HAM radio in my 05 Tacoma. One question though. Netmonkey went through the grommet in the floor to get the coax back to the bed of the truck. I noticed there's a grommet behind the drivers side cab in the gap between the bed and cab (I have a DC). Before I go taking everything apart has anyone run their coax through that grommet instead of going through the floor?

 

Ya you would have to remove the interior until you uncovered that grommet.

 

Thought so.. Thanks..

 

Very good info.

 

Hey OP how is that fold over antenna adapter working? Where did you get it? I have read horrible reviews for the couple for sale on Amazon but I really need one for the parking garage at work.

 

I have one as well, mounted to a 4' Firestik II and a stainless spring.

I saw the negative reviews on Amazon too but also found no other good options, so I bought one.

All the reviewers that complain about it being too hard to pull the collar up are babies with girl-child hands.

Keep it lubricated for corrosion protection. After just 2 weeks on the truck, mine is showing rust on the insides.

There is some play in it when in the upright position, but I can't hear it from inside the truck and the antenna stays pretty still.

 

True, I just ordered one off of ebay, hopefully it will be ok. I want to have a spring on it too as I have seen some of these setups before. Hopefully it all works out.

 

This is a bummer...

I have a standard 4' Firestik II, mounted to the same location as the OP with a bed rail bracket. My SWR on Channel 20 is 2.8-2.9. My range is a quarter mile at best. I was hoping a 4' NGP would be a magic solution.

I found a bed rail bolt that is grounded but my SWR didn't change. It actually seems to make no difference whether the mount is grounded or not. I've checked for no continuity between the antenna/coax collar and the mount and its ok.

Getting pretty frustrated with this setup. My next move is to run a ground from the bed down to the frame but I'm hearing the length of the ground wire can screw things up.

 

Just from my experience I tried 2 different Wilson Mag mounts on the roof and couldn't get my SWRs below 2.5-3 no matter if I trimmed or extended the antennas. I recently got the BAMF tail light mount and installed it yesterday with a firefly 4' antenna and right off the bat they were 1-1.7 so I was pleased and called it a day. You might just have to try a different mounting location. Goodluck!