General CB Radio advice.

[LittlePearl13]

Hi guys. I feel like maybe I should be posting this in the lifted/offroad/4x4 section, but I'm going to be buying a Uniden PRO538W CB Radio soon, and I had some questions. I've used cb's before, but never bought or installed one.

I know that particular radio is the radio I want, but I have no idea where I should mount it on the dash. Anybody have an OBS with a CB mounted in the dash somewhere?I'd love to see some pics or get some ideas. I'm looking for a 'permanent' mount, but I don't want to lose access to any part of the dash.

Also, I *think* I'm planning on purchasing a 4.5' or 5' antenna whip, and I want to mount it on my rear bumper like WalterMitty. Any idea what kind of antenna or antenna mount I should buy? Like, which brands are good, sturdy, and reliable, etc. And what lengths of antenna would you guys suggest?

Any and all opinions appreciated, and thanks again guys!

 

[NOVAhoe]

im gonna mount my antenna the same way as you want to, i bought a cb roof mount from firestik cause i already have a 5 foot fiberglass whip from firestik, good antennas, probably the best one ive ever owned and they are pretty affordable too, i think i got mine for like 35 bucks, and the mount is 15 so pretty cheap for a really decent set up if you ask me

 

['93Yuke]

You can't really go wrong with antennas you buy at truck stops, they are usually the best. Best mounting place i can see would be under, or at the bottom of the dash directly below the stereo.

 

[SunlitComet]

Keep the CB at least one foot away from stereo area. You airbag module is behind there and might cause a whoopee if transmit power is to high with an antenna very nearby too. If you wipers start by themselves then you know you need to back off a little.

---------- Post added at 07:09 PM ---------- Previous post was at 07:06 PM ----------

http://www.tahoeyukonforum.com/forum/showthread.php?t=28813

 

[LittlePearl13]

Thanks guys, this did help. I decided on a different radio, one that's a little smaller. basically the same thing, though. The Unidem PRO520XL instead.

http://www.amazon.com/Uniden-PRO520...1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1314591853&sr=1-1

It literally has all the same features, except for a front mounted speaker. I figure I need to go smaller, because I picked out a spot: I'm going to attatch it to the underside of that little fold-down ashtray/cigarette lighter/aux plug console. I double checked the dimensions, it should totally fit.

NOVAhoe, if you get yours up before me, I'd like some pics of where you ran the coax wire. I figure since I already have one hole in my firewall for the wiring from my light bar switch, I can just make it a little bigger, run the coax cable out and keep it tucked up under the body all the way to the rear bumper.

Haha yeah, I'm planning on getting a Firestik. The Firestick II 5' to be specific.

http://www.amazon.com/SPRING-SHOCK-SS-HD-UP/dp/B00042LC9M/ref=pd_bxgy_e_text_b

http://www.amazon.com/FireStik-K-8R18-Fire-Flex-cable-Fire-Ring/dp/B000X3C8L8/ref=pd_cp_e_2

 

[SunlitComet]

I would get into the whole radio thing just to spend a grand on this. Land or mobile mounting but no CB channels I think. Just cool to have in truck. Maybe on demand forum tech help. Kick ass for sure.

 

[sparg93]

sunlit - you're a trip man...that thing is a beast of capabilities.

I was thinking the same thing regarding a small CB - what do you recommend on how far away it has to be from the radio? I have a denali center console...maybe i could mount it in there...hmmm

 

[NOVAhoe]

yeah man sure thing, im just waiting for my mount to get here cause radioshack doesnt carry the mount i needed and after 5 minutes of being in the local amateur radio shop i knew i should just order it off amazon lol, the asian guy had no idea what i was saying, but anyways when it gets here ill throw some pics up and i still have to decide where i want to mount my cb

 

[jdpber]

Idea wat about a clean simple not flashy mount up front like this. would take a few minutes to fab.. but would look clean simple and un noticed by most everyone..

 

[SunlitComet]

sunlit - you're a trip man...that thing is a beast of capabilities.

Iwas thinking the same thing regarding a small CB - what do you recommend on how far away it has to be from the radio? I have a denali center console...maybe i could mount it in there...hmmm

A center console would be fine it is just a good idea to keep transmitter at least 6-12" away from safety devices. Call it a safety blanket if you will. It won't blow them but there is a possibility it could keep it from blowing when it is needed.

 

[ezdaar]

Hope you guys understand antenna placement is the most important part of a good system..
Read this, its basic ground plane and directional setups based on antenna placement.

If I was you I would be looking into a mag mount on my roof, or twin electric fold downs mounted to my cargo rack.. The fold downs when installed properly fold completly out of sight behind the rail and dont get beat to shit from drive through overhangs..
I will look for the folding mount in a few.

heres the mag mount I ran back in the day, I ran a Ranger 2950 Tweeked and peaked setup with a 1/4 watt deadkey, swingin up to 32watts.

behind it was a small footprint 500watt amp, with 6awg power and ground wires I installed. Along with 3 farads worth of caps I mounted internally in the amp.
I could dead key 1/4 watt and swing upwards of 600 when my system was intune and working properly.. along with light up a 6 foot florescent light bulb from 9 feet away! LOL

Used a Dosy TC-4001-P Inline Meter
I initially ran a 102" stainless whip mounted (solid mount on cab roof) to a 3 rod triangulated 2.5' gound plane, but quickly tired of the RC truck look from my S10. Granted the antenna KICKED ASS! but it was way over kill.
So I switched over to a Wilson 1000

The wilson had very comparable results to the 102 and was removable for theft and not wanting to advertise a 500$ radio.

O man those were the days, being chased by the FCC, having Mcdonalds managers screaming cause I was bleeding through the intercom, etc...


Gl with your radio install, they ALOT of fun!
Lemme know when your on, Ill hook my gear up and see if we can skip talk

 

[LittlePearl13]

Ok, so it sounds like you sure know what you're talking about, edzaar. SO let me ask you this: should I mount it somewhere else? I'm really trying to stay away from a roof mount. as for the magnet mount, I'm going to get one of those quick disconnects so I can store it in the car. So if I mount it in the left side of the rear bumper, and I get a 5' antenna, would you recommend I get an identical one for the other side? I'd be willing to do that, but further down the line. And what exactly does 'co-phasing' mean? Is it as simple as splicing some wires, or what exactly is involved with that?

 

[jdpber]

exdaar - just described and amazing set up..

i have a wilson 5000 mag mount and it is a tuned antena to 1.5 and it has amazing reach for a 3' tuned antenna.. it is well worth the money..

 

[SunlitComet]

I say motorized antenna lifts.

 

[ezdaar]

Any quick disconnects you put in reduces your power significantly. BUT you can use them, you just need to maintenance it, keep it clean and no corrosion..

If you go with a single 5footer on back left of your vehicle..
The body will block all but the top of the antenna, reducing your signal greatly.
It can be done however, you will just notice that you are directional out the front right of your vehicle and have even better send/receive from the rear as the antenna's not blocked from the back.

This is where for our vehicles a single mag mount up on top directly in the center works best. It evens out the vehicular ground plane and allows for as close as you can get Omni directional signal. But if thats not what you want as they tend to scratch up the paint and have a tendency to be knocked off and dent up the sides of vehicles if you forget its up there and drive into parking garages or under low hanging things..

This is where the Diamond K9000TM Motorized Mount shines. By simply flipping a switch or if your crafty, wiring in a relay to your Radios power knob, you can raise and lower your antenna anytime you want.
These mounts can be installed in such a way that when its lowered, you cannot see anything is up there..
Think stealth..
http://www.eham.net/reviews/detail/6171
Depending on what kind of signal you want, either a forward and rear firing or a Omni directional signal.
You can mount it to your forward cross bar on your roof rack by adding a small 3"X6" piece of metal point towards rear of vehicle for the mount. so the antenna will lay down towards rear of vehicle directly in the center.

If you want forward and rear directional, you can mount two of them, one on each side. due to the phasing of the antennas this will produces a stronger signal both forward and rear, while reducing your signal directly to the sides of vehicle.
This is why you always see truckers with duel antennas on their mirrors, it allows a far greater range firing down the highways than a single Omni directional setup..
While their ground plane is HUGLY enhanced to the rear of the truck due to more steel body in that direction, it still benefits them greatly.
As with any antenna its performance is greatly affected by how well its grounded.. so take that into consideration when you choose your mount and placement.
A simple extra ground wire running from the mount to your frame or body can improve your signal like night and day..
To run duels you simply use a 3 foot patch cable and a T splitter then run out to antennas. Its important that you don’t coil up your antenna cable or run it near any large power wires..

This is based on a Car, thats not obstructing the signal of the antenna.. but you get the idea..

This is not the image I am looking for but it shows what a duel "trucker" style radiation (signal) pattern looks like.just not quite as mutch drop off on the sides..

 

[LittlePearl13]

So if I do run duals, will that lopsided radiation pattern even out at all? I'm really not even interested in trying to make it run at absolute max performance (so I can save myself a headache when installing it) I just want the pattern symmetrical.

BTW, today was my birthday, and the folks already sprung for the radio: Unidem PRO520XL. They also gave me a little more than walking around money, but that's going towards a new muffler; I'm still running the original factory one... and it has holes in the bottom. Rattles like a ************ at every stop sign. I'm going to buy a Flowmaster 50 Series HD, but that's for another thread.

Anyway, I've heard nothing but good things about this radio, and it's small enough to mount in the only logical place in my truck. I'm still trying to figure out this antenna stuff, though. I really don't want a roof mounted one: solely because I already have wires taking up space in the only convenient and concealed routes up to the roof, and it would be a hassle to drill and hide them under the headliner, blah blah blah. I'm really leaning towards the dual bumper mount, but edzaar is making me second guess this...

 

[SunlitComet]

 

[LittlePearl13]

Thanks Sunlit

 

[99Yuk]

Again, I'm late to the party, but I have a few pics of where I had mounted my old CB radio and my 2m. I've since moved on to the 2950. Although I only have a 250watt amp.... I'd like a bigger amp... Skip talk is fun....


EDIT: forgot the LINK to the pics...

 

[WiCK3D_SiX]

I hated the CD holder so I found a better use for it. Ill be trimming the door to fit around the radio as a trim piece. Hopefully it will look factory when Im done.

This is my placeholder for where my whip antenna will be mounted. Ill probably be getting a 6-8' whip and tying it to the roof rack when off-roading to keep better clearance. (Like the military HUMMER H1) I should note that I really only use my CB off-road to talk with my fellow trail riders, who are usually behind me awaiting me to test ground clearance