CB Question

For Christmas I got a pretty nice hand held CB Radio. It has a removable antenna. Can I get a 4ft Antenna (like a Firestik or the like) mount it on my truck, and plug it into my CB for extended range/better reception?

 

yes you can but most likely depending on the type of antenna connector that your unit has, you may need to purchase an additional antenna cable adapter.

 

Does the removable antenna have a SMA connection, like this.....




most likely it does...
should be no problem. if you're not sure you can always bring it into a local amateur radio store and they should be able to find an antenna for you.

 

Thanks for the quick reply. How would I go about finding out if I need an adapter? Just buy an Antenna and see if it works?

I know I sound noobish, I'm the first to admit I am extraordinarily ignorant about most things electrical.

 

take a picture of the connection and I can show you what you'd need

 

Thanks. When my camera battery is done charging I'll get some pics up.

If it helps, this is the radio have.

 

Basically you'll be going from a BNC connection (on the hand held) to a 3/8"-24 (RG-58) coax connection (on the 4' Firestik)
The firestik should come with enough coax to reach the drivers seat so you'll just have to plug the adapter into the hand held then plug in the antenna.

Radioshack should have the BNC to 3/8"-24 for it

 

this place is great..i bet 05TacoTRD would've spent hours on the phone trying to call radioshack's customer service for the same exact answers that were posted here in only a few minutes.

 

Wow. Thanks for the help guys!

 

Please hold for next available comment, your post is important to us and someone will make a pithy comment in a moment.

 

cb antenna mount without drilling holes? Want to fab a mount to the frame and up between my rear bumper to run a firestick, any ideas??

 

here's how i mounted my "Lil Will" magnetic mount antenna. took off the 3rd brake light assembly housing, using a dremel tool i notched a spot on the backside of the assembly making enough room for the cable to pass through. i also had to make a small notch inside the cab right where the assembly goes but just a small one.

 

I copied his mount. You need to drill through the bumper though.

 

Any other ideas for mounting the antenna? Here's my situation. I would love to use the bed railing system to mount the antenna. However, I had a bed cover. So that idea is out of the question. I really don't want a magnet on the roof. My ideal situation would be to use an antenna with a quick release feature. Bumper would be awesome, but the 2nd generation Taco's dont have a flat surface. It also needs to clear the tailgate for when it comes down. Im looking for pictures or ideas.

 

On a side note, I just installed a Uniden Pro250XL. Having issues trying to give it POWER. You think it's as simple as 1-2-3. However, I can't seem to figure out the whole - ground vs the + ground and/or using the ignition switch as power. How are you guys even running the wire to the hood from inside? Help!

 

right now i have the red power wire from the CB spliced into a yellow wire under the front kickout panel on the passenger, that yellow wire is hot only when the key is on.
eventualy ti will be running the power wire into the engine compartment as soon as i get a proper aftermarket fuse block.

find somewhere under the dash/steering column that has a screw or nut that is attached to something metal. when you find something suitable loosen that nut/bolt enough so you can stick the black(Neg) wire under it and tighting everything back up...that will be your ground

 

The black will be a no brainer for me. The red is the concern. Should I or could I run the red wire to the truck battery? WTH is a fuse block? Even the instructions mentioned that but then I said . So now Im left wondering what I need to do next. The wire coming from the CB is not that long and I'll have to pull them apart as they are attached right now.