Calgary Jeep Association
4x4 Related Groups => Tech Talk => Topic started by: silverfox on December 15, 2010, 01:28:56 PM
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Ok so I am planning on getting the smaller Cobra CB from Canadian Tire for Xmas - I know there are better out there but I also know what the budget of the person getting my gift is and this fits perfect in their price range and I think that it will more than suffice in the near term. So while not the "best" it will be better than I have right now which is none.
Here is the link to the radio if you are so inclined
http://www.canadiantire.ca/AST/browse/4/Auto/CarAudioVideo/CBRadios/PRDOVR~0350107P/Cobra%2525AE%252BCompact%252B4W%252BCB%252BRadio.jsp?locale=en
Now off to my questions
One, I have seen the install thread at another forum (I forget what it was called now) and it is a very detail picture by picture install to get it on the roll bar above the rear view. The kicker is I don't want it there, at least not yet. Essentially I am not prepared to drill holes in my rig for the CB...........I will get there likely but I just don't have it in my at the moment to start messing with the interior.
So.........where can I install/mount it or better yet how can I do it temporarily that will not require permanent modification to some part of my interior?
What Antenna should I go with (or does it matter?) I have seen some spare tire mounts at Northridge for Antenna's but I have little to know experience with them and I am looking for input.
From a wiring perspective the CB in the thread was grounded to the frame and wired directly to the battery..........my only concerned here are that obviously this will be separate of the vehicle ignition systems and hence if I leave the CB on when I leave the rig it will kill my battery. Do they come with or can they be wired to the DC outlet in the jeep instead?
I don't think I will have any issues running the antenna wiring through the floor mats to the rear tailgate but any insight I am not thinking of there would be useful as well.
Any thoughts and input is very welcome.
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Hey There,
In my 09 Unlimited I did the following:
Got a midland 75-822 unit - http://www.midlandradio.com/CB-Radio.WYQ/75-822 (http://www.midlandradio.com/CB-Radio.WYQ/75-822)
Went to see Dean at Comtech and he set me up with a mounting bracket, quick release, co-axial antenna cable and a 4ft Wilson Flex antenna.
Mounted the bracket and quick-connect to the spare tire carrier and ran the co-ax and ground through the spare grommet on the tailgate (well SilverTJ did the work, but I supervised).
Grounded the antenna underneath the factory sub-woofer and ran the rest of the co-ax under the carpet to the passenger seat and then up to the center console.
With that radio unit, the in car kit (which is included), just attach the co-ax and plug into the cigarette lighter and you are good to go.
Best part is when you are done, disconnect the antenna, un-plug the hand unit and tuck the co-ax under the seat carpet.....no radio.
If you really wanna get crazy, cooltech has a mount for the hand unit that you can put under the dash trim (no drilling required). http://www.cooltechllc.com/jeep/jk_versamount.shtml (http://www.cooltechllc.com/jeep/jk_versamount.shtml)
I am gonna come on the Jan 1 run, so feel free to come over and have a look.
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go see Dean @ roadking and get the uniden 510 or 520 for same price or less. bring cash no gst
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Any one of those units will work fine for trail use in a Jeep. You don't need a high performance CB. Good spots for mounting it without drilling are essentially all spots that will keep you from adjusting the channel or volume when you're driving. There's a panel underneath the steering wheel (but above the pedals) that will work, or you can try mounting in behind the glove box (it pops out easily)
Routing your coax to the antenna is easy in a JK - just run it underneath the carpet and you're set. Easy peasy.
Getting power is not too hard either. You can either run a "always live" line forward from the battery which will let you use the CB when the ignition is off (that's how I've wired mine) or you could splice to the switched power in behind the cigarette lighter on the driver's side. That power will not be quite as clean as running straight from the battery, but let's be honest - it's a CB, not a high end multiband HAM radio. You're not likely to notice any difference.
As far as antennas go, the 4 foot Wilson Flex has served a lot of club members quite well over the years. A Firestik will probably also work fine if that's what floats your boat, but they're more rigid and thus a bit more prone to breakage if you don't have them mounted on a spring.
Regarding mounting the antenna, Terflex makes a license plate holder mounting for the JK, and a company called Cooltech makes an absolutely first-rate tailgate mount for the JK. I have a pair of them on my rig (one for CB, one for HAM) and they are rock-solid. They're made out of 1/4" stainless, so you could probably use them to mount a small satellite dish without having any issues.
Whatever setup you end up with, please understand that you will need to tune the antenna after completing your install in order to get good performance. On the upside - this is a relatively easy process that many club members who own the needed tool (an SWR meter) will be happy to help you with.
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except the cobra is a pos and their mikes suck even worse. ask nathan, lindsey, Dom, Bonnie, tootc, tjyj etc etc how long their cobra mikes last(ed).... nevermind all the radios we have replaced so far.
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except the cobra is a pos and their mikes suck even worse. ask nathan, lindsey, Dom, Bonnie, tootc, tjyj etc etc how long their cobra mikes last(ed).... nevermind all the radios we have replaced so far.
what ever im on my second cobra in like 6 years thats not too bad its your dam antennas go im one my second one in two years ???
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what ever im on my second cobra in like 6 years thats not too bad its your dam antennas go im one my second one in two years ???
yea cause we raped all my spare parts for mikes and lindsey gave you her spare parts (pretty sure).
oh, antenna too. them damn antenna's weren't designed very good. they just love to wrap around garage doors. tootc has gone through 3 antennae i think
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they just love to wrap around garage doors. tootc has gone through 3 antennae i think
I've trashed about the same number of ham antennas in the garage door - ouch.
Cobra used to be good many years ago, but not so much anymore. You do tend to get what you pay for (somewhat), though there is still only so much you can do with 4 watts and receiver design on AM. The antenna and it's mount is the biggest "variable" which can make or break the operation of the CB.
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Well hell, I guess now I am not getting one for Xmas I will have to take care of it myself..........
I will get a good antenna mount based on some earlier posts and antenna as well.
Need to add an SWR meter to toss in with my collection of use once tools :)
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The antenna and it's mount is the biggest "variable" which can make or break the operation of the CB.
Quoted for truth!
A good mount and a good quality antenna (properly tuned) is the single most important factor in getting good performance.
The downside to driving a Wrangler is that you'll never be able to get the sort of baseplane that the station wagon guys can get...but a top quality tailgate mount on a JK will still get you good results. The only two things that I know of that will work better than that on a JK would be a big 'ol brass ball mount on the right rear fender, or a permanent mount right in the middle of your hood. ???
On second thought, maybe the tailgate mount is tha way to go.
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Just ordered up a cooltech tailgate mount, 4" Flex and SWR meter.
Hopefully all will arrive before Jan 1 :)
Want to try it out on the trail after all..............didn't think my first add on would be a CB but prob makes sense to be one of the first...............
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CB is a great first mod. That and good recovery points are all you REALLY need. ;)
BTW where did you order your CB stuff from?
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The recovery points are pretty much my stock Rubi points so I think I am fine there.
As for the Antenna and meter I ordered them from Durham Radio online. I have used them before on some other stuff and they are pretty good, prices are competitive.
I haven't picked up the radio as yet, will wait and see what Santa brings or I will head on up to Roadking and pick up a Unicom.
The mount I ordered from Cooltech...............given it is US I am hoping it makes it here before Jan 1 but given it is Xmas and all I am doubtful. But for the Jan 1 run I am not afraid to McGuyver something up that will get me through the day.
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You will not regret the Cooltech. They're seriously solid mounts.
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You will not regret the Cooltech. They're seriously solid mounts.
Just wanted to say that I am pretty impressed with Cooltech. They called me yesterday (yes called) to let me know that the part was shipped and that they were able to get it into a flat rate box and therefore were refunding me 10$ in shipping costs. Not many vendors out there that are going to be that straight up so I thought I would mention it.
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Just thought I'd throw out another option. I used a 4' whip and modified a mirror mount to mount it on the fender. Works great with my Cobra 19. Used this mount on my truck before the jeep with a different radio with same results. ;)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v688/DanoZR2/571f9bd7.jpg)
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Hmmmmmm
Something I never thought of.........does the antenna come with the Coax I need. Probably not.
So I am assuming the Antenna would use standard rg58 Coax? What connectors will I need for antenna and radio?
Also when running the power to the batter and also grounding is there any benefit to increasing the guage of the wire? I don't know what wiring is stock with the Uniden 510 or 520XL, but if a larger guage will run cleaner power then I am all over it.
Thanks again gents.
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Whiskeyjack, could you take a closeup picture of it? IF I am able to get a CB before the Jan 1st run it is going to have to be something that I have put together as cheap as possible.
Sorry Silverfox, hijacking your thread a little for myself ;D
Thanks
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Either NTF communications in the northeast or Dean at Comtek (at the Road King on Barlow) will sell you exactly what you need for coax.
As far as increasing the guage of the wire, bear in mind that the maximum transmit power of your CB is only 4 watts. Assuming that your radio is only 50% efficent (a figure that I pulled out of nowhere, but one that'll work just fine for our purposes here), that still means that the power requirement of your radio is likely to be somewhere around 8 watts, and the actual current draw of your radio is likely to be 0.6 amps. Probably not enough of a power requirement to be worried about at this point in time. Your instinct is correct though - connecting directly to the battery will probably get you cleaner power than splicing into the wiring harness elsewhere. Just be aware that it is still a vehicle, and many a HAM operator has spent months of time trying to chase down electrical noise and eliminate it with mixed success. You may be happier by just pulling halfway clean power off the battery and just saying "It's a trail CB...it's not like I want to talk to Puerto Rico on this thing!"
If you do go with the front fender mount (which does look pretty sharp, BTW), you will want to make sure that you're running a pretty flexible antenna and probably a spring at the base too. I know more than one or two guys that have tried something similar and ended up with a broken antenna due to tree limbs and brush.
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I had the hood mount on my TJ and the CB only picked up the engine, when the engine would rev so would my CB. I have the wilson flex and it has been very hardy in all conditions,
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Either NTF communications in the northeast or Dean at Comtek (at the Road King on Barlow) will sell you exactly what you need for coax.
You may be happier by just pulling halfway clean power off the battery and just saying "It's a trail CB...it's not like I want to talk to Puerto Rico on this thing!"
If you do go with the front fender mount (which does look pretty sharp, BTW), you will want to make sure that you're running a pretty flexible antenna and probably a spring at the base too. I know more than one or two guys that have tried something similar and ended up with a broken antenna due to tree limbs and brush.
You hit it on the nut............I know it is a trail CB and I am good with that..............having said that with a reasonable approach to install I would like it to be the best trail CB that it can be (again within reason) so putting some thought into the install can at least help with that. And if you haven't noticed yet I am somewhat of an anal retentive obsessive compulsive type that likes to research as many angles and approaches as possible before proceeding. Not that it makes my install any better but at least I learned a few things.
As for a fender mount..................I just can't do it.................at least not yet.............the thought of drilling a hole in my brand new toy at this point makes my skin crawl. Besides I have that fancy dancy mount coming from Cooltech and that seems like a well protected spot for it at this point.
Thanks for all the input guys I really appreciate it and feel like I am making a more educated decision as a result.
As for install, I think the 510XL will fit in the armrest storage. There is a wire feed channel on it that the mike cable will come out of and I am pretty sure I can drill a couple of holes in the bottom to run my antenna and power out of without much difficulty. I like the out of site out of mind concept of it, but still reasonable accessible and visible to the driver.
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As for install, I think the 510XL will fit in the armrest storage. There is a wire feed channel on it that the mike cable will come out of and I am pretty sure I can drill a couple of holes in the bottom to run my antenna and power out of without much difficulty. I like the out of site out of mind concept of it, but still reasonable accessible and visible to the driver.
If you're going to put the main unit inside your armrest, you'll probably want an auxiliary speaker. Lucky for you, it's "easy like cake" to slide one of those into the padding over the sport bar.
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If you're going to put the main unit inside your armrest, you'll probably want an auxiliary speaker. Lucky for you, it's "easy like cake" to slide one of those into the padding over the sport bar.
Does Dean up at RoadKing carry external speakers that would work for that? I am thinking it would have to be a 3" X 3" to stow away up there.
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Yes he does. Failing that, NTF communications in the Northeast will also have them, and you may even be able to find them at your local Radio Shack - or whatever they're called these days.
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Yes he does. Failing that, NTF communications in the Northeast will also have them, and you may even be able to find them at your local Radio Shack - or whatever they're called these days.
Radioshack.........."The Source" is basically a junk store now :'( The Radio Shack of our youth is no more. I stopped by there a week or so ago to see if they had any CB's. (back in the day they would have had a ton) and the guy looked at me like I had three heads.
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But I bet he could sell you a nice computer or cell phone ;)
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Yeah, with the exception of Dean, the selection of CB's locally is dismal at best. The local places with best selection in order of my experience are : Dean at Roadking, Flying J truckstops, other truckstops, Can tire etc. The online places mentioned like Durham radio, Radioworld.ca and other online sources seem to be pretty good too.
You can get into all kinds of bells, whistles and other gimmicks which we don't need for trail communication.
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esso across from road king sells a bunch of misc stuff and radios but generally has been refirbished. but good prices
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Flying J down south has CBs, and external speakers, ect.... too
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I am happy as a clam with my Uniden. I am assuming I will be able to find cables and connectors at "The Source" or some of the other electronics shops...............if not back up to RoadKing I go.
I don't mind supporting him anyway as it seems that he supports the CJA and it makes sense to support the retailers that support us.
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Well I got the cables run and the CB hooked up? I put it in the arm rest console. Going ton run an external speaker as soon as I can find one. More importantly is my antenna and mount showing up this week, which should be the case as they where both shipped a few days before Christmas.
I am going to officially call this my first modification, I figure drilling a hole through the bottom of the arm rest compartment qualifies ::). Especially when the wife says "what the he'll are you gonna do with that." as I am climbing into the jeep armed with my drill and a 3/8th bit.
Ran the antenna cable through the louvered vents behind the spare mount and down the wiring channel for rear light, then up under the carpets under and through the arm rest. No cables seen except right at the tail get where the light harness comes through.
Wired the CB direct to the battery running the wire under the carpets and up beside the passenger door out into the hood rig at the battery. Followed the wire run and grounding as shown on the project JK forum.
Haven't mounted the cb in the compartment as yet in case I can't get an external speaker I will just strap it to the top of the arm rest for the Jan 1 run. When I do mount it I plan on using 2 inch wide Velcro tape, so that I can keep it from rattling around yet easily remove temporarily if I feel the need. Was a fun little afternoon project that my son Drew assisted with, he pretty much is at my side as soon as I head to the jeep with tools, and short of losing a molding fastener under the seat in one of the mount channels for about 15 minutes there was no excitement.
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Followed the wire run and grounding as shown on the project JK forum.
That's a good resource for JK folks, even if the admin is a bit a fart knocker. :D
Haven't mounted the cb in the compartment as yet in case I can't get an external speaker I will just strap it to the top of the arm rest for the Jan 1 run.
I know for sure that both Road King and NTF communications have them.
When I do mount it I plan on using 2 inch wide Velcro tape, so that I can keep it from rattling around yet easily remove temporarily if I feel the need.
That stuff is super-handy. I use it for mounting the chassis of my 2 meter rig to the top of my security drawer, and I've used it in the past to mount commercial VHF rigs on the inside of blasting packs for geophysical work.
If you buy the "Platinum" stuff from Crappy tire, it is super-sticky for a given size. Four 2" X 4" pieces hold my 2 meter rig so securely that I can barely move the thing when I want to pull it out for programming. I guess if I was smart, I would have mounted it so that I didn't have to move it when I want to program it. :-[
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Well hell.
I ordered the bracket only from cooltech so no antenna stud. Anyone know if I can get this at RoadKing? I can't believe I have to go up there again, one day I will be smart I know it cuz my mom said so.
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Good choice on the radio. I've got one in the ranger, but I shattered my fiberglass antenna last winter when it was really cold by going under a low bridge a little too fast. LOL...
When you wired up your radio....you fused your leads as close to the battery as possible right? If you're getting an tuneable antenna, be sure to get an SWR meter on it so that you can maximize the radio's potential.
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Well hell.
I ordered the bracket only from cooltech so no antenna stud. Anyone know if I can get this at RoadKing? I can't believe I have to go up there again, one day I will be smart I know it cuz my mom said so.
Yup. Dean will have everything you need there. It's easy to forget something like the antenna stud - especially since some coax cables (like the one for my multiband rig) terminate with a stud.
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So I'm pulling the trigger on getting a CB.
I am probably going to go see Dean since I would like to try and get it in before the run on Saturday. I just want to go there armed with a list of items to get. here is what I have so far.
Uniden 510
Coax cable - I have read that the length of cable doesn't really matter, any opinions?
Antenna mount - AV.NINE made one up for me so I will be able to test it out.
Antenna - Wilson flex, should I get the 3' or 4' will there be much of a difference?
quick disconnect - I don't have a lot of clearance going into my garage so I want to be able to take it off easily
external speaker - will be mounting the cb in the center console
Am I missing anything?
Thanks!
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18' foot cable. I found 12' just wasn't long enough to run the wire out of the way
I have the 4' wilson on the TJ and I like it... am running a huge assed steel whip on the YJ and so far its been awesome.
You WILL need the mount kit for the antenna...(it's a nut an isolating washer and a lock washer type thing)... it doesn't come with the antenna.
Afterthought... maybe your quick disconnect takes the place of the mounting kit.... not sure. I just know I went home without the mounting kit and had to return.
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Noted. Thanks.
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If you need one I have the mount kit that Fug was talking about, if you want it it's yours.
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Awesome, thank you. I will see if the quick disconnect comes with one, if not I will definitely grab that from you.
I am grabbing everything this afternoon, so I will know shortly.
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Quick disconnect or no you will need an antenna mounting stud.
Also have a look and see if Dean has multiple quick disconnects and get a good one. The one I got sucked and was not very secure...............it was definitely quick disconnect but I want to be the one disconnecting not every little bump on the trail.
Cable length does matter.......................it needs to be long enough to be strung through your jeep under carpets around corners etc to reach your antenna ;D
If you don't have any pick up a roll of electrical wire for wiring your CB to the battery and ground.
If you want a good idea how to thread your wiring drop me a PM or search on the JK forum for CB mounting as there is a great step by step with pictures on there. I didn't mount mine were they did but it was good to know where to go through the firewall to power it etc.
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Crap...Comtek is closed until Feb 1st.
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i don't use or recommend quick disconnects. they all suck. when the jeep is bouncing and vibrating they don't get a good connection and get worse over time. if you must, get a shorter antenna or a wilson flex and bend it under your rear wiper when you need it out of the way.
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i don't use or recommend quick disconnects. they all suck. when the jeep is bouncing and vibrating they don't get a good connection and get worse over time. if you must, get a shorter antenna or a wilson flex and bend it under your rear wiper when you need it out of the way.
Exactly what I do with mine............works like a charm
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Another word of advice I havent seen mentioned in this thread is dont key the mic with no antenna connected! The CB will send out a signal and the antenna radiates it to the outside world. Thats why you use an SWR meter to tune it. If there is no antenna, the power your transmitting will try to dissipate through your coax, but also may end up coming back and frying your transistors. This is an expensive repair if not a new radio... When setting up your CB, it would be good practice to plug your mic in last so that this doesn't happen! If you need an SWR meter id be happy to let you use mine. Its usually with me in my rig anyways :)
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Any opinions on midland. Flying J has the 1001z which is nice and small. Only $45 though...quality going to be an issue there?
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I would buy a midland before a cobra, as a trucker i find there quality is a lot better
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I just grabbed the Midland 1001z. I figured something is better than nothing.
For anyone interested, Flying J has that unit on sale right now for $29.99.