Help me choose a cb setup.

Just wanted to chime in and say that I am running a 4' FireStik NGP mounted on a spring on the BAMF mount. A couple things to note...

I picked the NGP version because of the composite bed. It may or may not be better than a non-NGP version, I'm not sure.

The 17' cable that comes with the NGP kit might be too short depending on where you're mounting the radio. I ran the antenna wire along the frame and through the plug in the back of the cab (I have a thread with pictures on how to get to it), along the door and under the steering wheel. It was about 6" too short to connect to a radio mounted under a single DIN stereo. (The NGP version doesn't like cable extensions either.)

When you mount the BAMF antenna mount, you might want to take a mallet to it in the direction of the drivers side. I didn't do this and the mount nicked the side of my tailgate.

The 4' antenna isn't tall enough to hit most normal structures (drive-throughs, etc) but will hit low parking garages (I've hit on a 6' 6" one.) With the spring mount you can take a piece of rope and tie the antenna forward to one of the bed cleats to get it down low enough to clear.

I've abused the firestik pretty heavily offroad, bouncing it off branches and what not, and it has held up great.

 

If the firestick is fiberglass, how are you tying it off with a string?

I think I will look for antennas no smaller than 4' and up to 6'. I figure that I can tie it off to the front of the bed if I ever needed the clearance or just use the quick disconnect. Any brands and materials you guys have experience with that you want to list?

 

Wilson makes a nice flex, but only up to 4'. I have one and get pretty good performance out of it. Not talking to Mars or anything, but I can tie it down or just let it flap around in the branches without much worry.

Or like LUSETACO suggested, look into Francis antennas.

You could also try a heavy duty spring or a fold down attachment. That would let you get it out of the way when not in use.

I haven't live in the city long, but I have already talked to a couple truckers who said their quick disconnect allowed their antenna to be stolen. Not sure why people would go through the trouble of stealing the brand of antenna they had (Firestik) since it was only a $20-$30 antenna.

 

Thanks for all the great info!

Heres another question and this hopefully I can get some of you with electrical knowledge in here. I cannot go with the Cobra 75 since it doesnt have a PA out therefore I am going to get a Cobra 19. I think the output is about 8 ohms/5 watts for the PA. What rating would you recommend as far as non amplified?

On the amplified side, I am looking at

$89 Speco ASPC20 20W 6" Weatherproof Amplified PA Speaker Also for Digital Deterrent

Speco speakers (bit more expensive but worth it to me if it gets the job done). Any suggestions on ratings for the amplified speakers?

Thanks as always, you guys help me make the right choice the first time!

 

To clarify, the antenna itself doesn't bend, but I have the spring mount which does.

 

Understood.

Got my system ordered. Went with a cobra 19, for pa capabilities, 4ft firestik with HD spring and quick disconnect mounted on a Bamf tailgate mount. Bout a 25 watt outdoor pa speaker from Amazon as well. I'll be doing the install in about a week or whenever the mount arrives. Thanks for all your help!

 

No problem! Good luck with the install!

 

Get around to the install? If so, how'd it go?

I got the Cobra 75 WX ST, like many of the other guys recommended--saves space and simplifies the install, and the Firestik 4' kit (

FIRESTIK 4ft II Mirror Mount w/SO-369 Connection, Black, FS464A8AB

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000X380CY/ref=oh_details_o06_s00_i00?ie=UTF8&psc=1). I mounted the box under my driver's seat and ran the pos, neg, and coax from that point. I wired the pos straight to the battery and the ground to a bolt/nut under the carpet, just below the gas pedal. I then ran the coax underneath, over the gas tank, then to the passenger side, where it's mounted on the box. Now I'm just waiting for my SWR meter and jumper to fire 'er up.

 

Looks good on the box! Just make sure you have a good antenna ground from there.

 

I'm late to the discussion but I would actually recommend against Firestick. I would go with either a 102" whip or something from Wilson.

It's unfortunate that mounting a CB in a Tacoma is such a difficult task because I would recommend a different radio if there was room. Cobra used to be THE radio to get. But ever since they sent their manufacturing to China, their radios have become crap. You can get older Cobras and Unidens on eBay. Unfortunately, not everyone takes care of their equipment.

 

Good catch CircuitBreaker, Cobras can be hit and miss in quality. It pisses me off when any manufacturing goes to China.

My first one had issues; but the second one has worked for a long time. Just do a function check on the radio before you start hooking everything up. I'm going to add a section about that in the guide...

Luckily, their warranties cover a good portion of the radio. Just make sure you don't fry it because you hooked it up wrong or didn't tune the antenna. They don't cover that.

 

Just need to make room!

 

Waiting for my SWR meter to come in just to check the ground. I highly doubt the aluminum will provide enough continuity. If not, there's a Lowe's 10 minutes down the road!

 

Anyone in either Murrieta area or LA/Woodland Hills area have an SWR meter and knowledge of tuning CB's?

 

^^^ It will be a little while until my mount comes in though.

 

You may be able to buy one from RadioShack, use it, and then return it for your money back.

Not sure if they still carry them though (more like PhoneShack now-a-days).

 

Went ahead and knocked out the inevitable...

 

Ha! the last CB I had was a Tram Diamond SSB. Can't beat a 1/4 wave with any fiberglass stick.

 

Good call.

 

"You've got questions, we've got dazed and confused looks on our faces."