CB Radio info

So I've been delving into the CB world online and I'm wondering what it would take to install something like this. I've seen some of the more detailed write-ups and it still is kind of unclear as to how most of the install would go. I'm looking for: 1) ideas on a place to put the unit itself, 2) antenna mounting solutions (looking for something that hooks to the end of bed where tailgate meets tail-light) 3) wiring diagram/explanation of wiring.

 

Lots of videos out there, do a Google search.

 

Location will be determined largely by the unit you buy. The Cobra 75 for example, is great for a "hidden" install. Then venerable Cobra 29 is quite large, but packed with more features than most people will use regularly. It's size limits mounting choice locations, usually in the bottom cubby below the head unit. The Uniden models tend to compact and give you much wider range of mounting locations without sacrificing space in the cab or along the dash too much. Honestly, the Uniden is plenty of radio for most people and have proven quite reliable, and the low cost make it a great entry level radio.

Once you have a radio picked out you can determine mounting location. From there you can figure out where and how to mount your antenna and run your antenna cable. Yes, there are a lot of options. It really comes down to budget, and what you are trying to accomplish. If you want a monster radio that can be "tweaked" (this is technically illegal) to put out massive power, get the Cobra 29. If you want a hidden, or otherwise discrete install, get a Cobra 75. If you just need a CB for trail use and occasional traffic info from truck drivers that wont break the bank, get one of the more compact Uniden models. If you go low cost, make sure it has "ANL" listed as a switch on the front panel. This noise reduction will save you a lot of heart ache and reduce static a great deal.

Having said all of that, the radio is not nearly as important as the antenna. Don't skimp here, get a quality antenna that is tunable and has good reviews. Wilson and Fire Stick are probably to the top two brands in this area. I personally use a Fire Stick because it was available at a local truck stop (I didn't have to wait for shipping). The reviews on Amazon are fairly accurate in the CB market.

$120 Cobra C75WXST Handheld CB Radio - NOAA Radio - LCD Display - 40 Channel

https://www.amazon.com/Cobra-75WXST...=1489982690&sr=8-4&keywords=hidden+cb+antenna

$120 Cobra 29LTD Professional CB Radio - Instant Channel 9, 4 Watt Output, Full 40 Channels, SWR Calibration

https://www.amazon.com/Cobra-29LTD-...=UTF8&qid=1489982754&sr=8-4&keywords=cobra+29

$45 Uniden PRO520XL Pro Series 40-Channel CB Radio, Compact Design, ANL Switch and PA/CB Switch, 7 Watts of Audio Output and Instant Emergency Channel 9

https://www.amazon.com/Uniden-PRO52...TF8&qid=1489982818&sr=8-2&keywords=compact+cb

 

If you just plan on using the CB when you're off-roading, than having a full-feature radio like a cobra 29 is overkill. The uniden/bearcat 880 and 980 are small, offer good performance and are reasonably priced. Antenna-wise, the Firestick is a good choice. Nothing less than a 5' one though. Best antenna mounting is near the center of the truck like on top of a rollbar or headache rack. If you mount the antenna on the back left or right side of the truck, your signal and reception will be directional toward the front and skewed toward the opposite side from where it is mounted in the back. Buy some good quality RG-8 coax, as it is low-loss, and with only 5 watts output, every milliwatt counts. No sharp bends when running the coax. Connect the radio direct to the battery. Using the factory power plugs allows alternator whine and other electrical interference in the factory wiring harness to be picked up by the receiver. If the radio is buried under the dash or inside a console, then an external speaker will be helpful too. Good luck.

- JAMES

 

Check with @Shmellmopwho. He's a TW member that makes some great products for our trucks. I'm one of his many customers and I can vouch for the quality of his work. He has the mount your wanting for the tailgate area. $35. That being said I have the

Midland 75-822 Portable Mobile CB Radio, Large LCD Display, Keypad Lock, Plug and Play, Rugged Construction, Up To 40 Channels

Midland 75-822. $90-100. It's a hand held radio that converts to a mobile in like 3 secs. Search Google for it and you'll understand how it converts. In mobile form it's about the same size as the cobra75wxst. Both of which are about the size of a standard mic on a regular "box" style Cb. I'm using a wilson silver load 3' antenna mounted to my bed rails via @ragofabrication antenna mount. $36. I ran wilson 18' rg-8 coax with FME connector, $31,from bed to cab along the frame rail through a drain plug under passenger seat. Then into my console. If you have a 12 volt source in your console, you can plug directly in to it with the mobile conversion. My console has a slot in the top front to allow for a wire to come through and still close the lid. This way you can run the "mic" wire through the slot and I close the lid. Then set the cb on your leg or on the console when in use. Keeps all the plug in wiring hidden and when not in use the cb can be easily be stored in there too. For reference, the FME connector unscrews off the coax to give a smaller diameter, basically same diameter as the coax, to go through the drain plug. Then seal around hole with a little silicone to make water proof. This is a very clean set up. Aside from my antenna out back, you'd never know I had a cb in the truck. Hope this helps. Lmk if any other questions.

 

Thanks for the kind words and shout out dude!