Finished CB Installation

I finally decided to go with the dual antennas along with mounting the CB on the passenger side of the console. This link will (I hope) bring you to my page with all of my pictures of CB/installation.

http://www.tacomaworld.com/gallery/showgallery.php/ppuser/2539/cat/500

 

for a while, I couldn't figure out why I wasn't getting any reception and the SWR was so high, but then I figured that my cell phone charger, which plugged in right next to my CB, would really screw it all up. As soon as I took it out, everything went to wear it's supposed to be and I so far, I've gotten reception up to a little over 3 miles...

The next step is to intall a PA system with the CB...

 

Yeah, the charger was definately the problem. I'm not quite sure what I need, specifically, for the PA so you should let me know if you find out...

 

do you know where I can get a waterproof one? That one that jhodge83 posted a link to seemed like what I need. Just the speaker and 10' wire...

 

I'm probably going to buy one. It wasn't that expensive either, but I may get what I pay for. It would be worth it to at least try though. You'll have to tell me how it does.

 

3.5 Holy cow, dude!
And you haven't fried you radio?
I'd almost check for a short. Either in the wire itself
or the antenna mounting bracket.

 

Everything is working fine and I mounted dual antennas, which don't really help with distance being that they are only about four feet apart, and a really high quality CB. That 3.5 (approx) was from a truck straight in front of me on a flat and straight highway. For what mounted, it seemed normal. Am I completely wrong or is it fine?

 

"CB operators can expect a fairly consistent operational range of three to five miles in an area of limited obstructions."
From Firestik Antenna's Website

From that, I'm hoping that everything is in proper working condition, but only time will tell...

 

I think your setup will work well, Just make sure to tune your SWR to an acceptable level. Otherwise your radio needs to work so hard to push 4 Watts out the antenna it will eventually die.
The Cobra 29's or any Cobra is a good radio. And Firestik is the most popular antenna out there.
Good Choices.

 

thanks

 

I installed and tuned my cobra compact and at the max ive talked to my buddies at 12 miles, antenna and tuneing are the keys

 

oh wow! I've never even heard of that, but I guess it's possible... What antennas do you have?

 

Just remember mounting "Dual" antennas do NOT help with radio frequency transmission distance. and if the antennas aren't mount a certain distance apart(distance is affected by the electrical length of the antenna )they could in fact have adverse effects on the radiation pattern of the antenna also this setup up is very directional (causing unwanted signal reflection from the vehicle body). The best thing i could recommend using (for the greatest transmit and receive distance) is a single stainless steel 102" (or cut to length for the exact frequency) dipole antenna mounted on a good ground plan mounted as hi as possible effectively creating a "balanced" radiation pattern for the RF energy to disperse upon

sorry about the rant but I'm a Ham radio geek and I just couldn't help myself!

 

I got just a 5 foot fiberglass K40, and one night i was talking to my buddie on his base station at exactly 11.8 miles.

 

That's really good distance. I put on dual 3' antennas and am thinking to replace them with 4' antennas, but I don't know if that will make that much of a difference

 

Yeah more antennas is definitely the answer why stop at two maybe you should get 4.. or 6 ya thats it six antennas that will do the trick! and then ........