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CB Install Cobra 75 WX ST

Discussion in 'Audio & Video' started by Jeremy M., Jan 4, 2014.

  1. Jan 4, 2014 at 8:47 PM
    #1
    Jeremy M.

    Jeremy M. [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Here is my CB Install:

    Shopping List:

    Radio Cobra 75 WX ST

    Relentless Antenna Mount

    Panavise to mount Radio

    Antenna Spring

    Cobra radio extension cable

    Firestik K4 Antenna Stud

    Firestik Antenna Cable K-8R9

    Roadpro External Speaker

    Wilson 3' Flex Antenna

    Astatic SWR Meter

    3' Antenna Cable for SWR meter

    IMG_1468_0409ded97b7b34280b90fcbdb042ed4f30b6defb.jpg

    First I installed the Panavise to hang the CB on.

    IMG_1469_eb2334f254cf7e6cf587c74796c1734acdeddafa.jpg

    IMG_1470_5861a9caac3116ec939eaab547a89865055ed93a.jpg

    Then I pulled the trim below the steering wheel and mounted the external speaker.

    IMG_1473_dd54dc03aa09970631b924d46f5fce1d1d42b5a2.jpg

    I then ran the Power and ground directly to the battery through the firewall using the grommet by the steering column.

    IMG_1475_ceba7035d19682740f03d52b480e0f360f680e3e.jpg

    I then ran the antenna cable through the same grommet and hooked everything up.

    IMG_1477_4a9971d538e9c1b83fedffebba52bd863b98b158.jpg

    The antenna connection goes as follows:

    Antenna, Spring, Firestik stud, Locking Washer, flat washer, nylon washer, mount, antenna cable, flat washer, Bolt

    IMG_1483_fb08d8d93a3df0bf184b7b21bcbe74b7d752cff4.jpg

    IMG_1484_71bfa8a7f66eddf1d0200e1f1ab71bb14a42ef34.jpg

    The finished product

    E1D77C14-779B-4D59-A7AA-A4BA8B302970_ea81635d541a30bdb89c7244e05c83da3c68d32a.jpg

    The antenna clears the windshield with no problem with the hood up.

    IMG_1478_993d7162ecaab664811b11a663b9d3a44dc07442.jpg

    ***********************

    The SWR seems good
    1.1 on channel 1
    1.5 on channel 19
    2.0 on channel 40

    Now for my issues:

    I have a constant RX on all channels that my radio that my squelch will not overcome.

    5296CC87-334F-4822-AFA9-F652ECBA6086_202118c07f4b6ffa8702cd227aa93000172a5f4a.jpg

    When I press the brakes hard I get a sharp noise and transmit.

    Any ideas? I could use some help overcoming the brake issue and constant receive.
     
  2. Jan 4, 2014 at 8:55 PM
    #2
    snowgod06

    snowgod06 UG legend wannabe

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    crap bolted and welded together....
    you should move your coax or power wire for you cb away from one another. Also, when you tested for SWR and all were you in the middle of no where with no powerlines, trees, buildings around? That also may have thrown off your adjustments.
     
  3. Jan 5, 2014 at 2:41 PM
    #3
    Jeremy M.

    Jeremy M. [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Ok, so i removed the antenna wire and pumped the brakes, and it still induced the sound. I re-routed the power cable thru the grommet on the passenger side and all the way around the engine bay to avoid the brake master cylinder and antenna cable. The sound is greatly reduced but still present on firm braking.

    I also grounded the antenna mount. I am still getting a constant RX but it is too reduced. The CB is useable but I am open to suggestions from any experts out there.

    I am considering getting a ferrite bead for the power cable, but I am not sure which mix I need for the frequencies the CB uses mix 31?

    Source

    I have also read through this thread CB radio help, Loud interference braking but I am not having any luck. Thanks in advance.
     
  4. Jan 5, 2014 at 6:39 PM
    #4
    BUZZCUT

    BUZZCUT Well-Known Member

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    How do you have the excess coax stowed? If you have it in a coil thats not good. Have it look like a -------- side to side.

    Squelch turned up will stop the normal interference when not talking on it. In order to Tx you have to push the mic switch. For the record that mounting location is ok but don't expect to much from it. What was the SWR on the unit after the install?
     
  5. Jan 5, 2014 at 6:46 PM
    #5
    2000GTacoma

    2000GTacoma Well-Known Member

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    Another suggestion I might would add is install a fuse on the positive wire close to the battery. I couldn't tell if you had one in the picture. Doesn't help the noise issue but may save you truck from burning up if something goes wrong.
     
  6. Jan 5, 2014 at 6:47 PM
    #6
    Jeremy M.

    Jeremy M. [OP] Well-Known Member

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    No excess cable, i bought a 9' cable so i really did not have to worry about it. I understand the mounting location is not the best, but the swr is pretty good. I am thinking I may have a continuity issue due to the power coated mount.

    http://www.firestik.com/Meas-SWR.htm
     
  7. Jan 5, 2014 at 6:47 PM
    #7
    Jeremy M.

    Jeremy M. [OP] Well-Known Member

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    the radio is fused inline from the factory.
     
  8. Jan 5, 2014 at 6:52 PM
    #8
    2000GTacoma

    2000GTacoma Well-Known Member

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    Is it close to the cb or the battery?
     
  9. Jan 5, 2014 at 7:03 PM
    #9
    BUZZCUT

    BUZZCUT Well-Known Member

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    That antenna is "long" and should be shortened if the tip is adjustable. While 2.0 is on the limit for useability I would try to lower that if possible. I used to be a fan of the firesticks but I have removed them for a wilson 1000. Best move I made as my swr is below 1.2 across all the channels.

    I don't want you to think I'm bashing your setup at all. I just have been down that road before. Wasted time and money on a mediocre product. After sending my radio to snakerivercustoms for some upgrades and needed maintenance I am pleased with the results. Good luck.
     
  10. Jan 5, 2014 at 7:54 PM
    #10
    Bsheriff11

    Bsheriff11 Remember Your ABC's. Always. Be. Casual.

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    In the pic, looks like your squelch is off.
     
  11. Jan 5, 2014 at 7:57 PM
    #11
    Jeremy M.

    Jeremy M. [OP] Well-Known Member

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    It was, at first I was unable to squelch the noise, but now I can over come the noise with squelch. I am going to check the continuity in the morning.
     
  12. Jan 5, 2014 at 8:01 PM
    #12
    Bsheriff11

    Bsheriff11 Remember Your ABC's. Always. Be. Casual.

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    My setup is nearly identical to yours, except for the in the cab mount. I don't recall any noise interference with braking, but I do get increased static with the engine on. My continuity is good and my SWR is 1:5 through all channels. I scraped off powder coat on the mount where the hood makes contact and that helped a little, other than that, some type of filter may have to be used. Whether or not they do any good is up in the air.
     
  13. Jan 6, 2014 at 5:33 AM
    #13
    Jeremy M.

    Jeremy M. [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Thanks,I did the same with the powder coat and it has helped.
     
  14. Jan 6, 2014 at 1:33 PM
    #14
    Jeremy M.

    Jeremy M. [OP] Well-Known Member

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  15. Jan 6, 2014 at 1:55 PM
    #15
    Bsheriff11

    Bsheriff11 Remember Your ABC's. Always. Be. Casual.

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    How were you not getting continuity?
     
  16. Jan 6, 2014 at 2:00 PM
    #16
    Jeremy M.

    Jeremy M. [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Followed the link above and checked at the terminal end. The firering and the mount were not making contact because I had not removed enough powder coat.
     
  17. Jan 6, 2014 at 2:00 PM
    #17
    Jeremy M.

    Jeremy M. [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Now I need to recheck my SWR.
     
  18. Jan 6, 2014 at 2:10 PM
    #18
    Bsheriff11

    Bsheriff11 Remember Your ABC's. Always. Be. Casual.

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    That's what had me scratching my head, cause you said you had removed powder coat already, glad you got that taken care of!
     
  19. Jan 6, 2014 at 2:30 PM
    #19
    la0d0g

    la0d0g Its 4 o’clock somewhere

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    Subbed. I'm running the same setup but using the straight coax not the fire ring. I'm also not powder coated but I didn't think about scraping off the rattle can at the connection points. I'll probably do that this weekend.
     
  20. Jan 6, 2014 at 4:39 PM
    #20
    snowgod06

    snowgod06 UG legend wannabe

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    crap bolted and welded together....
    are you making sure to be in the middle of no where with no obstructions? If your in your driveway or something that wont help at all lol
     
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