CB Radio Setup Suggestions

PM Brutalguyracing and ask him how his held up.... he can't even make it to the meet spot without ripping his off.

If you want to test yours out come over to NJ with us one day. I have dents in my roof so maybe that will help you understand what kind of trails we take - the ones overgrown and less traveled.

I did. They are junk for my area. Other area's with no trees I'm sure they are fine.

 

what antenna setup do you use? the downfall with the magnetic one so far for me would be the dents on my roof, possibly messing up my paint (yeah its the roof but still), and it falling off.

 

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Ive used many and contrary to peoples opinions in here I know of no one who has ever had issues with Firestick. If my memory serves me it's the most popular antenna in the country.

Duel 4' Firesticks (on a bedrack)

Duel 4' Firesticks (one in my front bumper and one in my rear)

Single 4' Firestick (rear bumper)

Single 4' Firestick (front bumper)

and currently a 102" tall whip on the rear bumper that I can bend so the eye hook on my bedrack holds it down low. Only reason I got the whip is because my bed rack was higher than my antenna and I was getting shitty reception. Now I can hear people 10+ miles away through tree's.

Couple things I'd never do in my area, roof mounted, tailgate mounted, and hood mounted.

I have plate bumpers so I always go with them for my mounts.

 

I have a Cobra 19DX IV w/ a 4' Firestik. No issues at all, and I Tx/Rx better than anyone I run with.

I started w/ a '80s Cobra 19 and a MaxRad Mag-mount antenna. The CB crapped out, and the Mag whip was constantly getting knocked over and actually scratched up the roof pretty bad. Scrapped that setup and went with a Firestik and new CB, haven't had any complaints about my transmit quality/clarity. I actually pickup transmissions from miles away that no one else is hearing (which can be annoying).

We were able to tune the Firestik to 1.2:1-1.5:1 across all 40 channels.

Write-up here: http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/2nd-gen-tacomas/223025-hidden-cb-install-pics.html

 

One of the main reasons I suggested the mag mount is it's ease of use/ installation not to mention superior performance. CB's can and have driven people to madness, I've seen it.

 

NMO mounts. Doesn't get any better

 

Been thinking of making the cut.... roof is already F*cked up.

 

I wanted to put mine there as well, but after taking it all apart, Their isn't much room in there and the airbag module is behind the cubby. Your CB may have smaller dimensions so it may just fit.

A few things...your best setup with the least amount of interference is wired to the battery (fused of course) Its fairly easy to come in through the fire wall and run under the pedals/carpet into the center console. I ran my antenna wire down the back of the cab, using the window channels and in through the rubber grommet on the passenger side.

Check out this thread about locations for various CB's....I found it very helpful.

http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/2nd-gen-tacomas/236709-cb-install-location.html

 

Do it! Little nerve racking doing the cuts but it gets the best signal plane and looks the best IMO.

I reinforced the inside knowing this would be used on the trails. Have hit close to the mount numerous times and spend many hours on some very tight/low trails without issue.

Would also suggest putting up some sound deadener on the roof while your at it.

 

Relentless NMO mount. Best of both worlds. This guy is gonna be mounted on the pass. side for my SAR radio (hopefully this weekend).

 

Firesticks are a decent brand of antenna...had one on a Peterbilt for years...never had an issue. The Wilson antennas are really good set-ups...especially if you're running any kind of power. Stay away from mag mounts in my opinion...they'll slide around if you catch em on something and scratch the truck all to hell.

 

One thing I did back in the day when I Was your age.. was to fold down the tailgate and slap a mag mount on to the gate... but I had a bed-cover on my old non-toyota...so that was the flattest magnetic surface other than the roof. Although the reception was not as great as the roof. The Antenna was farther back on the truck so the metal of the cab did not block it as bad. And I did not give as much of a shit about my tailgate paint as I did my roof.

But anyhow there is like 50 quadrillion links to the matter.

However I am about to blow the (Mobile Radio) communities mind... with an antenna setup. Only like 3 ppl have tried what i'm about to try and build. To the best of my knowledge. Hopefully it works.

 

Not so much.

The reason an NMO mount on the roof is ideal: best ground plane and optimized field. Yours will have a minimal at best field with a serious directional throw.

HOWEVER... for trail use at 1/4 mile it will function just fine

 

subd

 

Good stuff in here as well...

http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/audio-video/280574-cb-radio-information-installation.html

 

Yeah, didn't want to drill the roof. The hood should be a decent ground plane, even though it's not 360°. It's the next best option besides a roof mount.

 

True.

 

Imagine an antenna system you could fold down into your bed with the push of a button?

Like James Bond.

 

depends on the frequency. There is like five thousand years of data out there about the correct mount. So many variables and so many frequencies. I've seen retarded CB mounts perform better than high dollar mounts. It is a conundrum and a science between vessel and radio.