Wiring a CB

Gonna try and wire up a CB tonight if I get time. I have a Cobra C 75 WX ST, which is a pretty nice all in one compact unit (all the doo-dads are built into the microphone, wiring comes out of a 2"x2"x4" box that will probably go under the drivers' seat near the console). Does anyone have suggestions to where I can easily tap into a keyed 12v hot wire in that general vicinity? If any radio guys are curious, I'm also running a vintage radio shack antenna that goes through the glass like an old school car phone antenna.

 

Gonna do a similar set up, did you find a 12v to tap into?

 

See this: https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/clean-vhf-cb-radio-installs.415584/

 

Running a fused 12v to batt is usually a better option to minimize interference, then just find a reliable ground in vicinity of the CB box.

 

Running power from the battery has one major disadvantage. CB’s are AM radios. That long power wire will tend to pick up a lot of noise.

I’ve seen alternator whine that varies with RPM, wiper motor noise and a whole lot more.

You can eliminate most of it with a large value (uF), 25 volt electrolytic capacitor. Attach the positive lead to the power wire as close to the radio as possible.

Ground the other lead.

This works on stereo noise issues as well.

 

Definitely adding lighting, probably upgrading amp. Really don't want 37 wires hooked to my battery terminal.

Lots of great stuff, still no answer to the direct question. Awesome installs, few of which however appeal to those of us not concerned with those of us who aren't ham radio operators wanting power packs and crazy nice radios. I'll be happy if I can talk to people within 500 yards of me, hear the truckers on the highway, and have a weather band. I'm the guy who has no plans of tuning his antenna with an SWR meter. Where is the closest 12v+ wire to the center console that I can easily splice into. This radio will spend 95% of it's time turned off and shoved under the seat.

I'll add a capacitor if it makes everyone happy, but only because I have a whole drawer full of them at work.

 

If you are adding all that I’d just get an auxiliary panel like a blue sea panel or bussman and call it a day. That would let you just hook up your CB/lights all to one block and then let you just run amp wires off the battery itself. That’s what I did.

And idk about not at least trying to tune the antenna. My impression of a high SWR is you risk burning up your radio and why get a radio in the first place if it’s just going to fry? SWR meters only cost like $15.

 

+1 for adding an auxiliary panel. At this point it may seem an unessicary pain in the ass, but once you add a second or third item to the electrical system it’s a godsend. There are a bunch of nice mounting solutions that make it look really good for both the Bussman and Bluesea solutions. I went with the Bluesea on my XTerra, but went with the Bussman on the Taco.