CB specifics

Yeah, not that I know of? If I remember correctly, my SWR was\has always been about 1.5-1.7, which is pretty typical and NOT that bad!!! Just as long as your antenna is half or more above ANY "structure" then you shouldn't experience any issues!

Also, you're welcome!!! I'm glad to be of some help!!!

Please do me a favor, when you get a chance, can you post your SWR results if you can? Just would like to know that I helped with a "finished job"? Thank you and Happy Wheel'n

 

To shorten it, you pull off the rubber cap at the top and pull out and trim only 1/8 of an inch of wire at a time, then check the swr. You cant really add wire to a Francis antenna.

If you ground it properly and have the antenna over a good metal ground plain there shouldn't be any adjusting needed. When installed properly I personally have never seen a Francis that needed to be shortened or lengthened, the swr is almost always 1.5 or lower.

If a ground wire is needed near the base of the mount, try to keep the ground wire as short as possible. When you start making too many changes like adding or removing metal you can change the ohms of the antenna, you want to try to keep it as close to 50 ohms as possible.

If the swr is higher on ch 40 than it is on ch 1 then your antenna is too long, if the swr is higher on ch 1 than it is on ch 40 then your antenna is too short.

Some people add a spring mount at the bottom of the antenna to make the antenna think it`s longer and others add metal in way of several different mounts at the bottom of the antenna.

You can put a few of these studs together to make the antenna think it`s longer as well. http://www.wearecb.com/firestik-k4-stud-mount.html

As I previously stated, when the antenna mount is installed correctly with a good ground there should be no need for cutting or adding.

I hope this helps.

 

You really can't add wire to a Firestik as well! I have a 4ft non-tunable Firestik as well as a Francis. My Francis is my main goto 4ft whip and it is very light weight and, as stated here and before, has very good SWR out of box!!! Makes me wonder how come Francis antennas are so much cheaper?! I have to admit though, the Firestik is built a bit more rugged than the Francis, my humble opinion! With that said, I still rather use my Francis overall!!!

Agreed on everything!!! I like the tips that you gave as well?! I gotta keep that in mind! Very nice!!! Thanks 2016BBP!!!

 

$13 Astatic 302-VS4 External 5 Watt CB Speaker with 8 Ohms Impedance

https://www.amazon.com/Astatic-302-...LI56?ie=UTF8&ref_=pe_825000_114657650_TE_item

 

All - cleaning out grandpas garage the other day and he was throwing this away. Mint condition. Is this worth trying to install, or should I get something new? Looks like it is not really a collectors item.

Realistic TRC-419

 

Ditto. I had a pa on my '01 and I loved it. Will definitely be adding to my '16.

 

Yeah, whether it is to talk trash or be helpful, I don't think people know how useful a PA setup can be?

 

I don`t talk on the cb anymore, I have been a Ham for the last 12 years but I have an old red 4ft Francis out in the shed that I wouldn't take $100 for, the swr is flat on all 40 channels.

This is my current Ham mobile setup



You can buy one Francis and the swr is 1.2 on all 40 channels and the next may be a little higher or lower but they are decent antennas for someone that wants to put a quick/easy antenna at a good price on their vehicle.

 

I`d hook it up and give it a try, it appears to be brand new.

 

Hooked it up and went for a drive. Didn't hear anyone though.

 

You got an swr meter ? If so, check it and if it`s 1.5 or lower you are good to go.

 

No - I am completely new and just threw the antenna on my roof and drove around for a few miles. I live downtown so I figured I would've maybe heard something.

 

You can pick up an swr meter fairly cheap, Amazon has lots of them, even truck stops have them.

While this may not be a top of the line meter, it will work for what you need it to do.

$25 Astatic PDC1 100 Watt SWR Meter

https://www.amazon.com/Astatic-PDC1...UTF8&qid=1466872885&sr=8-5&keywords=swr+meter

 

https://www.amazon.com/Cobra-75WXST...UTF8&qid=1466873568&sr=1-1&keywords=cobra+cb\

Does this radio have a PA? I see on their adapter there is a 3.5mm jack, what is that for? I like this one because I could mount it & power it in the center console of my 2016, but I really want the PA capability.

 

Most likely the jack is for an external speaker but it should say at or near the jack.

Go to your nearest truck stop and see if they have that model in stock and ask to see it.

 

No it doesn't. Only 3.5 for external speaker

 

haha, unfortunately i do not have a 3rd gen Tacoma in my shop to design the bracket! I will have to try to stop by the local dealer and get some measurements soon.

 

You got this speaker @Sub-Zero ? I bought it and didn't realize how small it is (not that it's a bad thing) just curious if it's going to be loud enough!

 

It's plenty loud under my seat. Yes I was pumped to see how small it was