My CB Installation (in detail)

yes and yes

http://www.rightchannelradios.com/f...ay-mount-kit-firestik-cb-antenna-kit-299.html

 

Thanks, I will keep that link in my favs. On Monday I am going to try going to The Radio Service Shop in Denver and see if they have the parts local. If they don't, than I am going to order that kit.

 

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Fantastic write up you did ... thanks
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sure thing. if you need help with the install or antenna tuning, let me know (since we live close)

 

I may take you up on that offer. I like how you tethered it into the bed. Do you have the sizes of the metal tabs you mounted in the bed rail? I tried to make it today with no luck, so I am going to try again tomorrow. If I can't make it tomorrow then I will just wait until Wednesday when I am off again.

 

i used the mounts from the rocky mounts. the shop is in boulder so you can just drive over and pick them up.
http://www.rockymounts.com/SD_Hardware_Kit_p/0141.htm

 

I know this doesn't mean much at this point, but when grounding a device at the battery, I believe it should also be fused. Atleast this was the practice when I was installing mobile phones years ago.

Marc M

 

Awesome. That should make it easier.

 

Wow great write up! I have always wanted a CB radio in my truck, i have some funds to burn i may just try this. I see you are in Westminster so probably not too far from me in Arvada (75th and Wads) How much did your setup cost?

 

i think all the CB equipment was about $150. but i spent some more on some misc tools, wires, and other parts.

yup... arvada is close. if you need help with the install, let me know.

 

With the PA speaker mounted in that location is it still pretty loud?

 

OP are you going to run a separate ground to the antenna bracket? I know the bracket is technically grounded through the radio by the coax ground. If you run a ground directly to the bracket will that improve anything?

 

yes, its loud. there was one night that i was working really late so when i got off of work, i tried to see how loud the PA was. i turn up the volume to max and yelled into the mic and it was very, very loud. it echoed like crazy throughout all the buildings

 

i have an NGP antenna so there is no ground wire.

 

My setup, currently installed in my garage.
Cobra 148 GTL modified with variable deadkey, aluminum knobs replaced the stock plastic knobs, funny channels (able to select about 80 channels above and below the stock 40 channels) Tuned to about 12 watts AM and 24 SSB. On the right is a 100 watt modulator, I used to have a Palomar 300 watt unit that required a 4 gauge cable from the battery. I have yet to decide how to mount in my Taco this setup. I will probably hunt the internet for another linear like the 300 I had. I will probably end up with a TexasStar 625.




I really enjoyed your write up. If I may suggest, Wilson 1000 magnet mount on the center of your roof. I was able to talk to South Africa on SSB with that antenna and the 300 watt linear. My SWR on the Wilson 1000 was 1.2:1 at each end of my frequency range and 1:1 near the center of my frequencies. I am an older CB fanatic. I am glad that there are still users out there.

 

south africa?!

 

probably on skip...lol

 

Correct, "skip" was in pretty heavy that day and I kept hearing his CQ DX along with a lot of others from the East Coast. Everyone was ignoring his broadcast until I attempted contact, then everyone wanted to talk with him. I did get a "Q" card out of it. I will have to dig it up and get it scanned into a .jpg format. I was on the 10 meter band with my modified 148 GTL.

 

Subbed for a guideline for my install

 

Great write up, just did the same thing basically. Although i mounted the speaker i got to the cross member in front of the radiator and it works VERY well.