CB specifics

Nothing serious at all. 14 gauge will do just fine.

 

Got my McKinley in the mail today and the test fit tells me I'm good to go for mounting it in the center console armrest.

I had been planning on also mounting a

Ragnar Industries Tac-Mag Gun Magnet with 35 lb Rating

gun magnet, to hold my G19 while carrying on long drives, in the center console armrest. Is this a bad idea? I'm worried that a semi-powerful magnet that close to a CB radio could cause some issues.

 

What is the best way to grind down powdercoat? I think's giving me SWR issues.

 

I've used a dremel before and it works well.

 

Sand paper, Dremel with sanding drum or wire wheel, knife blade all work.

 

Need some help here:

Bought a new 3' FireFly and hooked it up yesterday using an SOS Fab Hood Hinge mount and a heavy duty FireStik spring. I saw all the issues here and in other CB threads with grounding and the hood mounts, so I hooked up a ground strap to the frame of the truck during the install and paired all of it with my new President McKinley. Check the SWR and it's off the charts, 5.0+. Mess with the tunable tip, no change.

I spend all day looking through other CB info and decide I'm going to sand down the mount and the grounding point on the frame when I get home. Before I do all this, I figure WTH might as well see what my 4' FireStik (which was on my 04 Taco) would do. Hook it up (Still using the spring). 1.0 SWR.

I put the 3' back on, same thing, 5.0+ SWR. I add a quick disconnect, no change.

What gives? I'm using the built-in McKinley SWR meter, which I hear is pretty decent for a built-in.

 

When you say you messed with the tune-able tip, did you back it all the way down and work your way up? Have you tried a longer tuning screw? It seems odd to me given the mounting location that length of the antenna would affect your swr that much. Mine sits just behind my double cab...so height is important for my swr.

I'm sure someone who is smarter than me will come along and help out.

 

Yes, I moved the tunable tip it's full range of motion with very little, if any, change in SWR. A longer screw seems like an OK idea, and I've seen on FireStik's site where the recommend that, but this one has gotta be, what 8 + inches long?

Could there be something defective with my new antenna? I know it's a long shot and FireStik will probably just tell me something is up with my wiring, but I'm not so sure I would believe them.

 

I suppose it could be an issue with the antenna. Have you tested the 3' antenna with a voltmeter to make sure it's grounded when on the mount? https://www.rightchannelradios.com/...315-performing-a-system-wide-continuity-check


When I was trying to dial in my SWR, I only went up with the screw, I even added a 6" bolt and still couldn't get below a 3 reading. I put the original screw in all the way down, moved it slightly up and it was perfect!

This site helped me a lot...https://www.rightchannelradios.com/...8428311-elements-of-a-successful-installation

 

I've read through both of those, but I don't have a multimeter. Guess I'll add that to the list.

 

harbor freight has very cheap ones...I got mine off Amazon after my harbor freight one broke.

 

Got a $13 from Amazon on the way. Will follow up this weekend at the latest.

Quick Question: Step 1 of "testing for System Continuity" says to test the hot ends on both the radio side and antenna side of the coax. Seeing as my radio is in a very tight and difficult to get to spot, is there any way I can try to just test it at the antenna end first? Would there be a reading that would indicate that I NEED to check it at the other end, or that I can rule out the radio end as the issue?

Does that make sense? I'm a multimeter noob here.

 

Honestly, that's what I would do. Especially considering the 4' gives you good SWR but not the 3'.

Many others have run an antenna where you did. I'm sure they'll jump in with their experiences.

 

I've been trying to look for a 90 degree adapter for my CB mic. I've tried googling and looking on Amazon but I can't find anything...maybe I'm searching the wrong terms. Hopefully one of you can link me to or tell me what I'm looking for is called exactly.
My CB is in my center console looking straight up, so when I have the mic plugged into it, I can't close the lid without really bending the mic cable and I don't want to damage/break the wire. That being said..I've been looking for a 90 degree adapter so I can close the lid.

All I've found is this

$11 Right Angle 4 PIN CB Microphone Plug; 4-Position Adjustable Connector

https://www.amazon.com/RIGHT-ANGLE-PIN-MICROPHONE-PLUG/dp/B013XST69G
but it looks like you gotta wire it up yourself. Is there not just straight ready to go 90 degree adapter on the market?

Any help would be appreciated.

 

I am thinking ahead and have some questions.......
I am considering putting this CB in my 2017 Tacoma TRD OR......

$152 Cobra 29LX AM Professional CB Radio - Emergency Radio, Travel Essentials, NOAA Weather Channels and Emergency Alert System, Selectable 4-Color LCD, Auto-Scan and Radio Check, Black

https://www.amazon.com/Cobra-29-LX-...2612&sr=1-4&keywords=cb+radio#customerReviews

I am not locked down to this particular one. I would like a CB that is small, has weather bands, PA, and is blacked out as possible (no chrome). Does anyone have any suggestions on a low end medium CB?

Also, where do I want to mount my antenna? I am considering the following set up for an antenna. I would like to find a black antenna spring if anyone knows of one that will work??

https://www.amazon.com/FireStik-4ft...rd_wg=1Gtls&psc=1&refRID=TSSEKDQS6212BVXX05BJ

My question is what options are available for me to mount my antenna at the front of the bed and behind the cab .........that will work with a Bakflip MX4 Tonneau cover?

Thanks for any suggestions or advice......

 

I mean, if it's just soldering a few wires I can do that no problem. I was just hoping that their was a no-cut/no-solder solution out there.

 

Maybe this?

$8 Workman CP4 10" CB Radio Right Angle Microphone Extension Cord

https://www.amazon.com/Workman-Radio-Right-Microphone-Extension/dp/B00GKRMDE8

Most of Workman stuff is junk/hit or miss though.

 

Yeah I saw that one but like you say it looks to be junk. I guess it would be worth a shot and then if that fail, buy the other one and solder it.

 

If you want a “small cb” I would nix that cobra...it’s on the large side.

From everything I’ve read and my own install, bed mounted CB antennas are not going to be top performers, ESPECIALLY mounted right up behind the cab. You need a good ground plane meaning a nice sheet of metal around the antenna. The fiberglass bed doesn’t work well. That being said I have a ~109” military whip mounted in my bed and it does fine. And for trail comms it’s fine. So it all depends really on how much performance you want.

I’d either go with a hood mount (like the ones people sell to mount ditch lights) or one of the tailgate hinge type mounts sold by multiple vendors on here just for ease of mounting and not having to work around the tonneau.

 

Thank you for the advice. I will keep looking for a CB with the same functions I am looking for......but one that is smaller in size. At least I am glad to hear smaller ones are out there.

As for a hood mount for the antenna........I have plans to mount two A-Pillar lights in that same area. So, I am not sure if I could also mount an antenna there or not? Wonder if that has been done by someone before?

I do not like the looks of an antenna mounted at the rear tailgate and am not sure who makes one either. But, sounds like that may be my only option.

Thanks for the advice!