bjmoose installs CB Cobra 75

SWR on a CB radio should be as close to 1. a SWR of 3 or 4 will blow out a CB radio within a month, not to mention very bad broadcast and reception

 

This is not my SWR, this is what I am transmitting at on my S/RF meter. I am not sure what exactly that means. Any help?

 

It's a combo meter. "s-units" measure incoming signals. "yeah john I have you here at 9 s-units"
rf units measure your outgoing signal (rf=radio frequency) if your swr is tuned to 1.3 or better your rf reading should be at 4-if it reads less your swr may be going high (maybe it's not tuned across the whole band so the swr is higher on a far end of the band like channel 2 or 40.)

 

Got it, sounds like I am ok then. My meter reads at about 4 across all channels.

 

sweet install steve!

 

Just finished installing my cobra 75 and Wilson 1000 last night. I mounted my unit in a very similar location to yours.

My swr readings are:
1.6 on channel 1
1.45 on channel 20
1.9 on channel 40

So I'm happy about that, but on the ride to work today I couldn't get any truckers to answer me, so idk if my unit isn't transmitting or if just no one wanted to talk to me.

I could hear other peoples conversations, but idk if they could hear me.


Thanks for the install thread, you are the reason I felt comfortable purchasing the 75 instead of a traditional box unit.

 

Thanks for the install instructions! I am planning to install a Cobra 75 WX ST and a Wilson 5000 Roof Top mount on my '08 PreRunner Double Cab. Intend to mount the Cobra box under the drivers seat to the floor and run the handheld radio/mic unit up to the change tray just to the right of the steering column, possibly even mount it below the drivers AC dash vent to the left of the radio where the 4x4 engagement switch would otherwise be located.

While I know you said there were numerous electrical routing notes out here, where did you pull power from, the inside cab fuse box or did you take it to the battery? I'm tempted to run it to the inside fuse box with an Add-A-Circuit fuseholder with a 3A fuse on the holder and keep the provided 2A in-line fuse in the power line. I have no problem running power to the battery, just have to remember to turn the radio off when I shut off the truck. Just curious what you did.

Regarding the antenna...yea, gonna drill a hole in my roof...that ought to be interesting!

 

Hey Steve! How's the Cobra 75 holding up? I'm picking up one of these this weekend and wanted to get some feedback before I buy

 

Love the install. Not on purpose but following your set up exactly! I already bought the same CB. I even noticed you even have the same Tonneau cover I do. Quick question, what antenna brand and length?

 

Uh, if I remember rightly it's a 3' firestick "firefly" which is a little lighter and more flexible than their original antenna.

 

Thanks. How's the range with your setup?

 

Hard to say. I've only had occasion to use it in a group while wheeling - and so the range is more limited by obstacles than anything.

Fair to say I didn't have much longer or shorter range than anyone else whose system was working properly.

 

Put out a radio check from your driveway

 

Lot of the truckers that still use the CB's, we have way nicer/more expensive CB's that tend to overpower the cheapo ones like I put in my Taco..That along with some guys just don't answer.