CB specifics

Directly to the battery is best to avoid any RF interference and to make sure you have adequate power for transmiting. As long as your not constantly changing channels mounting to the back of the center console might work well with a radio that size. You could run your power wire though the console to the drivers footwell and out the firewall. Your coax could pass through the gromet under the passenger seat.

Or sell it and spend $30 more and run 7 times as much transmit power with one of these.

Stryker SR-89MC 10 Meter Compact Amateur Ham Mobile Radio - AM FM

https://www.amazon.com/Stryker-SR-89MC-Compact-Amateur-Mobile/dp/B00JV3ENNW
Super compact and easy to mod to an 11 meter transiever.

 

I don't have a HAM license yet and no immediate plans on getting one.

 

11 meter is CB.

 

Shows how much I know!

 

I had mine mounted there, but I hated resting my leg against it. So I ended up getting a Midland 75 that lives in the center console when I'm not using it.

Or, dooooooo yooooouuuuuu????????

 

I got around to putting in my CB but have some concerns. The radio is a cobra 29lx with power on battery and ground on the batteries body ground right next to it.

18' coax with 4' firestik mounted on a bracket attached to my ditch light brackets.

I have not used a standalone SWR meter, but according to the radio my swr is about 2.3-2.4 across all channels.

The problem is adjusting the length of the antenna has no effect on swr on any channels. That seems odd. Also, sometimes when I key the mic while in swr mode it gives me an antenna warning.

I originally had the excess coax coiled up under console so I undid it with no change. Car on or off doesn't make a difference. I have heard truckers talking from far off, but haven't tested it with someone close by.

Only thing I can think it the coax pin was broken on the antenna side. I say broken, the wire was still attached to the pin, but the pin would wiggle around. I don't think that's the problem but I will replace it as a last resort.

Any ideas? Thanks

 

So this could function as a ham and a CB? How does that work? Still need two separate antennas?

 

And a switch between them?

 

I ran a ground from the bottom of the mount to a bolt connecting quarter panel to body. Immediately there was more static, engine engine whine and some other intermittent sound. SWR now either read below 1 and gave me antenna warning or read the same 2.3 it's been giving me. Antenna length didn't change anything...

 

If my memory serves me well, the 10 meter operates at a higher frequency than a stock 40ch CB, they can be worked on ( then a 11 meter) to lower their range, which will include where a CB operates.

 

For anyone wondering, this mount does fit our trucks, but barely. The upper screws juuuuuust rub the tailgate. I took a file to it and it's fine now

$24 FireStik SS-204A Adjustable Stainless Steel Vertical Door jamb Mount

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000X3EQ3G/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_j2wtzbQ78GVM8

 

So not CB Specific but still communication related. Anyone use the Rugged Radio RM-25R? This dude is super tiny. I don't know really anything outside of CB so HAM guys pitch in and educate me. I really like the super small package.

 

How loud is your PA system? Im wanting a CB PA system but everyone I have spoken to about it says it wont be all that loud without an amp. Whats your experience like?

 

What type of coax are you using? Scrap the crap the radio came with. go get some high quality RG-8X with high quality Amphenol connectors. Also, ground everything! Run your negative back to your battery. Ground your radio chassis. You can run a filter/choke on your positive wire.
Your antenna setup is 98% of your system....

 

It's not super loud, but you can hear it if you're in front of me on the trail...which is fine I didn't want it too loud, im not trying to use it on the highway

 

This should not be "last resort" - you found the problem. Broken antenna connector = high VSWR = burnt out final amplifier if you continue to operate the radio.

 

Slightly worried my radio might be broken from running at 3.9 : 3.9 swr for a couple months... glad it was only a $30 radio. I'm getting weird feedback and I am run straight to the battery and have a 1.8 : 2 swr now. Not sure what could be wrong other than the radio, any ideas?

 

There's a good chance you fried the internals. Honestly I'd just replace it, since it was so inexpensive. That's much easier than chasing other gremlins trying to fix it.

 

Yeah, I'm glad it wasn't that expensive

 

how did you get the cable inside the cabin?