Do i have everything for a CB?

so i am getting ready to buy a CB radio and i just want to double check that i have all the cords connection etc.... (i know about the pick-up package but i want a CB with a PA option).

Radio:
http://www.rightchannelradios.com/cobra-cb-radios-66/cobra-19-dx-iv-compact-cb-radio-185.html

Ant:
http://www.rightchannelradios.com/firestik-cb-antenna-110/firestik-kw-cb-antenna-206.html

Ant Mount:
http://www.rightchannelradios.com/a...n-firestik-cb-antenna-mount-screw-on-229.html

Coax:
http://www.rightchannelradios.com/coax-cable-72/firestik-cb-coax-crimped-end-18-feet-215.html

 

The wires (to power the radio) that come with the CB are typically short. Depending on your mounting location, you may need some extra wire (probably 16gauge) to lengthen it. Also, if you plan on powering it via the cigarette lighter, youll need the adapter. If you plan on powering it via your battery, you may wanna get some eyelets.

 

i have about 50 feet of 16gayge wire laying around. i plan to run it to the battery to it will turn of with the truck (that's how it works right) any diagrams on that? i ave plenty of eyelets too

 

You should be good to go with just basic hand tools, wiring stuff, etc. You do have all the main components for this to work. Please post PICs when it's all mounted up. Love to see it. I haven't installed mine yet. Need time, and warm weather.

 

You will also need to buy (or borrow) an SWR meter to tune your antenna to the radio. If you want to run a PA speaker, you will need that and the cable to plug into the back of the radio.

 

ok so i do need an swr meter i wasnt sure about that. your sure i dont want to have to spend alot of money as i am already up to about 120 dollars.

 

http://www.rightchannelradios.com/power-cords-141/cb-am-fm-antenna-splitter-279.html

what is yall's take one that splitter above?

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Also would this work once they get it i stock and would i need jumper cables?
http://www.rightchannelradios.com/cb-swr-meters-80/10-watt-swr-meter-333.html

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and what if i bought this radio instead:
http://www.rightchannelradios.com/cobra-cb-radios-66/cobra-18-wx-st-ii-cb-radio-184.html

would i still need and swr meter (the radio above seems grat i love the weather channel thing so i will probably get that)

 

you could always borrow an SWR meter from someone or just plug and play and hope you get some decent range...

120 bux is a drop in the bucket if you are looking into some serious communications... be glad you arent getting into HAM radio...

are you trying to reach long range or just to listen to truckers driving next to you?

 

I've been thinking long and hard about putting one of these in my truck and thought I could help

First, not sure why you want that splitter, but if you're already worried about money, don't get that. You don't need it to run your radio.

Secondly, an SWR meter is an absolute must. SWR will basically measure out how much power is being bounced back into your radio. Key the mic one too many times with a high SWR and you will, not could, but will fry the innards on your radio. Best case scenario you ensure many years of solid use on your radio with optimum range, worst case, you can always yell out your window at truckers or wheeling buddies..
Invest in a meter, you can always return it

 

i was looking at the splitter to maybe help with fm radio reseption, it dies out once i get into the mountains.

but with the new radio choice (see my last post) would i need an swr meter? it says it tunes every channel.

 

Woops, didnt see the end of your post before mine.

Still, I don't see anything that's definitively an SWR meter on that second radio. It just says electronic tuning, which I'd take to mean it tunes to each channel electronically. Skimming thru the pdf manual on that site I didn't see any mention of SWR tuning. If all else fails, contact the company selling, they should know if it has one. I know some of the higher end radios, including Unidens, do.

As for actually using the SWR meter, you will need a length of coax cable (I believe most people use a 3ft piece, btu don't quote me on it). The same stuff that connects the radio to the antenna.

 

I have driven 18 wheelers/used CB's for close to 20 yrs now. On the splitter, waste of money. 1 good antenna is all you need, most of the dual antannas you see on 18 wheelers are single use and 1 dummy...it looks cool thats all.
The thing about antennas, is you want the coil above the cab for transmitting/reception distance. Firesticks are good and top load antenna's. The coax is no different than a stereo speaker wire , get the biggest diameter coax you can find- more power to antenna. Rule of thumb when I was into Cb's was atleast 20', coil the excess up and hide it.
CB radios- I've had anything from a cobra 29 to a 10 meter radio. The best setup for the buck was a Cobra 29, not the weather channel 1. Peaked and tuned with a super mod and connex echo board plus talk back added. Wlison 2k antenna(bottom load).....Check for CB shops in your area.
A couple of good pointers are use a noise canceling mike, Road king or Astatic, and keep your ext. speaker atleast an arms length away to help prevent feedback when keying up the mike.Dont waste your $ on the echo mics.
Whatever setup you go with, have it tuned. It will make a big difference vs. just slapping it in .

 

In the Cobra radio family, you won't find a radio with a built-in SWR meter until you get to the Cobra 29. The tuning it's talking about is the channel frequency, not the tuning of the antenna.

 

Wolfgang123, looks like your in Atlanta, should be no shortage of CB shops there. Another thing when you have your setup tuned, if you buy a topload antenna(firestick) they will pull the top cap off, pull some wire at the coil, cut it and test,etc.
A bottom load, they will pull out the the antenna cut and retest. If they dont cut something I would question that. The higher the antenna(coil), the better output/reception.
On the firestick you will see how the wire snakes up the fiberglass stick and then becomes wound real tight at the top- thats the coil on a firestick or any other top load antenna. On higher $ bottom loads you see the coil in a much larger diameter, with just the antenna coming out and sticking up, in most cases thats all metal sticking up.
Hope this helps

 

This is correct for an antenna without a tunable tip. If it has a tunable tip, there's a bolt/screw that you turn up or down to tune it.

 

Ditto and if you dont know what your doing in tuning the setup, its worth the $ to have it done.

 

ok so here is my new setup after watching all the video guides on the webite. what do you guys think good to go?

http://www.rightchannelradios.com/uniden-cb-radios-129/uniden-bearcat-pro-520xl-cb-radio-195.html

http://www.rightchannelradios.com/a...e-firestik-cb-antenna-mount-screw-on-247.html

http://www.rightchannelradios.com/coax-cable-72/firestik-cb-coax-18-feet-216.html

http://www.rightchannelradios.com/astatic-cb-antenna-111/astatic-linear-load-cb-antenna-374.html

http://www.rightchannelradios.com/cb-swr-meters-80/swr-meter-with-jumper-cable-417.html

 

I have the 520LXPro radio. You'll love it. Great rig in a very small package. I'm using a K40 antenna. It's what I had on my Jeep. I just need to mount it in my Tacoma.

 

ok i am more confident with the new setup i have. thanks for all the help guys cant wait to get this baby installed.