CB specifics

I installed a UHF/VHF amateur radio in my '16 Tacoma over the weekend. You can find the pics and comments at https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/2016-tacoma-ham-radio-install.447994/#post-13103628

PM me if you have questions. It's easy.

 

The fin on my 2012 is for XM.

 

I would not recommend the fire ring. They have terrible problems with corrosion. I also wouldn't recommend anything from Firestik for that matter.

 

+1 I went with regular connector

Fire stick 4"

 

... recommendations?

I just got my CB in the mail today, so I still need to gear it up.

Bearcat 980 SSB

 

Check out Francis antennas. Not as popular as the Firestik but supirior in my opinion.

 

I'm a complete facking noob to this CB stuff.

I do not know what antenna cable to buy, or if it needs to be a special one.
I do not know what antenna to buy.
I do not know if the antenna is automatically grounded through the cable and head unit.
I do not know what couplings or spring to buy.
I do not know what PL 259 means.
I do not know what PA speaker to buy (but I have an idea).
I do not know if I should use an external speaker in the truck for more clarity, but I can pick up a new Bearcat CB15 locally for $20



I do not need to know the frequency modulation within the left vertices of a tree frog's testes as it hits it's high note during mating season.

Someone just please, please give me a freakin' simple shopping list without techno chat before I lose my mind. I'll buy the shit, and then I'll figure out how and where to install the parts in and on the truck. It can't be more complicated to use than a VCR, so I'll read the manual and then learn how to set it up and use it.

I have a Bearcat 980 SSB

I thank you.

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Things that I do know:

- Don't coil the antenna cable
- The cable/antenna coupling needs an isolator to avoid a short
- I want to install the antenna on a folding mount on my Baja Rack or Thule bars.
- I want a PA speaker
- Try to have as much metal under the antenna as possible (or go NGP)
- I'm not going Big Daddy Convoy here good buddy, I'm just going to use it on trails and sometimes to monitor traffic related chat on the highway.

 

God damn dude. You sound like the guys coming in asking "What's the best lift I can get?" and they want to be spoon fed the information.

3' antenna
spring for said antenna
18' coax (basic shit on Amazon)
A mount that you can find for what works best for your need
a PA speaker (Google it)

 

Didn't mean to come across like that, and I apologize for that... but I was getting a headache from all the techno chat on CB's here, on Google reviews and CB forums. It was overwhelming as to how much info was not there!

I just went through the whole manual and there was no specifications on what to use.

You just said it all, and thanks very much for simplifying it!

I'll be back here with install pics when done.

I'm on Icons BTW.

 

Cool man! Glad I could help. It took me a couple tries to get my shit dialed in and I damn near threw my CB off a cliff BUT it was satisfying to get it to work. Lemme know if you have any questions.

Pro tip: Your antenna mount must be grounded. If you are mounting it to a rack, chances are that's not a solid ground (rubber bushings). Run a wire from the mount to the body.

 

sent a pm with my conversation with wileEcoyote hope this help as he help me a lot prior my purchase.

 

That is what I was thinking. I wasn't sure if the co-ax was the ground or not, but what you say tells me that the co-ax must be transmit/receive. Now I'll ground the mount to the cab under one of the rack mount bolts that go into the gutter (DCLB zerks).

Thanks again!

 

No problem! That was the hardest thing for me to figure out. I had no idea why on some mounts I saw a wire and others I didn't.

 

Thanks, man!

I just read it, and it looks like I'm going to have to do some planning as to whether I will go with a GP or NGP antenna since I will have a Baja Rack on the cap full of gear, and an RTT on the cab roof. That will effectively diminish signal radiance transmission. I am going to have to do some more research on that, since NGP is more for marine/water use.

... or I might just say screw this, bolt it to the Baja Rack and hope that the radiance from a 3 or 4' antenna above the truck will provide enough GP around the truck, but I am not sure if GP radiance only works on metal surfaces or the ground itself.

 

My vote is say screw it!

 

LOL... I'm at that point.

 

NGP is for marine use because you are mounting to generally a wooden or fiberglass vessel. They work on the water because, well your on the water. Wide open spaces with no obstructions. I would not recommend it for a vehicle. I tried one after trying two separate Firestiks that I could not get the SWR down low enough on. My range was 1 mile at best with the NGP antenna.

 

That is what I thought. NGP is more for a flat orographic 'line of sight', and that is rare on terra ferma.

I'll check into the Francis antennas. One thing that I am not understanding is the wattage ratings of the antennas. Some say 650w, and others are 1500w.

My unit claims transmission is 4w/AM, and 12w SSB

So now I have read this, and am trying to digest how to pick an antenna to achieve as close to the coveted 1:1 SWR, as some antennas have 'tunable tips':

http://www.arrl.org/files/file/Technology/tis/info/pdf/q1106037.pdf

So, in essence, quality co-ax (short as possible), and matched antenna = lower SWR = better transmission.

I wish that my Dad was still alive. He was a Regimental Sergeant Major in the Combat Signal Corps. I'd be talking to Australia by now.

 

I would recommend a mag mount Wilson but I know that won't work for your situation. I went the mag mounts and never looked back. As for the wattage ratings, you won't need to worry about that with your setup. That only comes into play when you start adding power.

 

OK, good. I assumed that as well (the up to XXXw).

... and I have read only good things about the Wilson Mag 40. I may start with that to get it working and then worry about other shit later.