CB specifics

I had it set up that way, but you also had to ground where the stud attaches to the mount, and that is what was rusting. So instead, I just took everything apart, repainted, and stuck my ground wire up where the negative part of the coax touches the mount. Essentially I'm getting the same SWR, just without the rust issues. I am just wondering what else I could do to increase it. I know its a pretty lame setup but I'd like to get at least to 1.5

edit: Oh and there is a poly bushing/washer that prevents the wire from riding up on to the center bolt when everything is snug

 

I have the same radio, and I'm getting an SWR of 1.2:1.9 (my antenna is a little too short). My Uniden 505XL got 1.2:1.3 with the same antenna, so our Midlands may inherently be running a little high.

 

Mine is just a std. headphone jack. It is powered by the radio's internals.

 

Which mount did you get? Also, do you have any mounted pics?

 

The problem is the 'FIRERING'! I would replace that with 2 spade lugs on the coax - one for the center conductor and the other for the shield (braided conductor). The shield gets grounded to the mount or the vehicle. Then try rechecking your SWR. The FIRERING has tendency to make poor contact over time and it corrodes/rusts easily. Been there, done that.

 

Do you have any pictures of how you would do this? I was planning on going the FireRing route but have seen some issues around here. What is the best way to get the lowest profile (right angle?) connector without the FireRing?

 

That's the best I could do. The BIG lug goes to the antenna stud under the white bushing on your mount. The LITTLE lug goes to a ground point near the mount. Hope the pic is self explanatory.

 

How is your range with the amp and speaker?

 

I don't actually have this set-up. I never got around to it.

 

Do you happen to know what wiring is needed for the amp? Going to order my CB today and want to make sure I account for everything, so far have the CB, Firestik, amp, outdoor speaker, COAX cable. Am I missing anything and do I need a wiring harness for the CB?

Also do CBs have built in speakers? or do you need an external to hear people over coms?

 

A mount for the antenna, and an antenna stud if the mount doesn't come with one. A stud is what connects the antenna to the Coax. To wire in the CB is just a positive and a negative, so no wiring harness needed. I just ran mine directly to the battery. You will need some basic electrical connectors, and maybe some extra wire depending where you mount the radio.

To wire the amp, it's similar. Just a positive and a negative. It's such a small amp you can use the same guage wire that you use to wire up the CB.

 

What do you guys think?

$65 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. - Black

CB Radio

Amp

$24 Pyle Indoor/Outdoor PA Horn Speaker - 8” Portable PA Speaker with 8 Ohms Impedance & 65 Watts Peak Power - Mounting Bracket & Hardware Included PHSP5, White

Speaker

$36 FireStik CB Radio Antenna 4ft Orig 5-8 Wave 400W - KW-4BK - Black

Firestik

Spring

$30 FireStik SS-204A Adjustable Stainless Steel Vertical Door jamb Mount

Mount

$14 18' RG-58A/U Coaxial Cable With Pl-259 Connectors

COAX

 

I've heard that the firering can be iffy. Depending where you're mounting, I'd go with a traditional coax. You'll also want a spring.

 

Edited

Approve?

 

That speaker is huge. Save some money and get the small one that Pyle offers and forget the amp. I have detailed pics of my install on my build thread.
If you park in a garage, I recommend a qd mount. I also second the need for a spring.

 

I need the amp, looking for a very loud PA system. Without an amp its weak

 

I approve! I have one recommendation though. I have that same exact mount on my passenger side tailgate, and the 4 screws that are holding it in tend to get loose, so I'm going to be replacing them with nuts and bolts. Other than that it looks good! Again, aside from misc. wire and electrical connectors, but those can all be bought at an autoparts store.

Those speakers are pretty weak. He wants something much louder.

 

Are you just going to go through the taillight to secure the nuts?

 

Yeah, exactly! So if you can wait, a mount made for our trucks (like one that @Shmellmopwho offers) will be much more secure.

 

I cant remember but Ryan's utilizes the factory bolts right?