CB Radio Information and Installation

can you recommend a good radio install for a 2017 Tacoma OR Premium?

I want to be able to pick up local area police, fire, EMT, radio.

I live near an airbase - so military channels are probably all over the place. It would be nice to hear whats going on - on base channels too.

 

@Sandman614, thank you for your post on antenna mounting and tuning. Over the weekend I figured out my problem. The antenna I have just isn't compatible. I hooked up a friends antenna, and it brought my SWR readings down into range. I'm going to get a new antenna and check it again.

 

You cannot tap into military frequencies b/c we are on different waves than civilians. Plus we don't use CBs or HAM.

 

What length and type do you need? I have a 4' firefly firestik laying around now. I meant to order a 3', which is on the way now. So I have a 4' laying around. Brand new still in box.

 

Interesting. What antenna do you have and what antenna did does your friend have?

 

Mine is a kw4 firestik 4'. He has a tunable 5' firestik. I have to check my receipt but, I believe I can upgrade the one I have.

 

any threads you recommend for a car radio noob like me?
I want to join the air force eventually - hopefully I will learn more about communications.

 

Nae man I can't. I'm just getting into CBs myself. I just know a little about military radios and freqs to get me by and through shit.

 

Ok guys, I thought he had a tunable 5' firestik. well as it turns out its just a kw5 firestik (5'). So after doing some research my 4' antenna is 400watts and his 5' antenna is 500watts. I was wondering if I could just get a 4' tunable antenna which is 900watts? If someone can explan to me the differents between the different watts between the antennas, I think that would help me a lot in understanding how it all works.

BTW: my SWR readings are ch1- 2.8 and ch40- 3.5 with the 4'
ch1- 1.5 and ch40- 2,1 with the 5'

Thank you!

 

CB only 'legally' outputs 4watts, so the branding of 500watts/900watts is silly. If you really want to really look into something research 1/4wave, 5/8wave, etc. If the antenna is labelled for CB and fits your need of Ground Plane vs No Ground Plane(boat, RV, motorcycle, and other low ground plane installations), then it should be good. The length will help you transmit and receive performance, generally longer == better. You need to Tune your antenna. If it doesn't have a tuneable tip(screw) then you will need to cut it shorter, even if the readings say it's too short you can't add onto it. Too short is relative, antenna "lengths" and repeats themself, so once you take enough off it will be too long for the next "length".

Pics of where it's installed?

 

Car stereo or Ham/CB radios? if the latter, check here
http://forums.radioreference.com/
https://www.rightchannelradios.com/blogs/learning-center

 

So it sounds like I should go with the 5' tunable.

As for the mount; Its mounted on the right back corner by the tail light.(I know left side would be better but, its also my company truck. Left side would be in the way). I have it grounded to the frame. Checked it with my meter, hot is hot and ground is ground. Coax is ran behind the tail light, along the frame, into the cab from under the passanger seat to under the center cup holders. I'll post a picture tomorrow. One thing rhat I'm concerned about is my bed rack is also reading grounded to the truck and antenna ground.

 

Thank bro. Know any good shops in Phoenix?

 

nah

 

Picture of install:

 

Everything seems to check out. You just need to Tune your antenna, whatever length you prefer. It's also possible your 4' antenna is damaged.

 

What do you do to tune it? Both SWR readings are high. All I found was on if one or the other was high.

Thank you for all of your help!

 

Remove the spring and check again. It's likely the spring is a problem.

Read this too.
http://www.wearecb.com/troubleshoot-a-high-swr.html

 

Thank you! You have given me some more homework for the weekend. I greatly appreciate all for your help.

 

This is another good read.
http://www.stu-offroad.com/misc/myth-1.htm