I bought the Cobra 75 WX ST along with a 3' tuneable Firestick, Firestick coax Fire Ring cable and SW meter. My plan was to mount the antenna on the factory tire carrier by drilling a hole just like many others have done here (or should a stainless bracket be used instead). If I mount on the tire carrier, is a ground needed?
I was going to install it today but after talking to a fellow JK'r this week he suggested that I get rid of the Cobra and opt for the Midland instead. He claimed that himself and 3 others he rides with were lucky to get 20-30' of broadcasting range on the trails. According to him it's because the Jeep has no mass to properly mount the antenna to get a good solid ground. Any truth here because my knowledge of CB's is VERY limited. I don't think that I've come across one negative thread in regards to the Cobra 75 but I just want to make sure I don't drill and mount the CB only to be disappointed.

 

I would get rid of the 75 and get a Cobra 29. My 75 burnt up ... Literally. Started smoking and I had to unplug it before the Jeep burnt down. Most guys I know have the 29 with good results. I installed one and it is perfect. Cobra is THE name is cb's. You can't go wrong with the 29.

 

My trail partner has the cobra 75 in his rubi and we don't have any trouble talking to each other several miles apart. We both have the same teraflex spare tire mount bracket. I am using a full size cobra 148gtl in mine and have great range, have talked with the home base over 15 miles away. If those other guys were having trouble like they say then there was something wrong with their antenna systems most likely. It important to check your swr and make sure it below 1.5:1 for best reception and to make sure you won't burn out your final.

 

The Cobra 75 does everything it's supposed to do, as well as any other AM CB radio available. Not every one likes it, of course, same as not every one likes boxer shorts. It has one very glaring weakness. The loud speaker WILL FAIL under normal use. Recommended that every one add an external speaker.

The boys that had only a few feet in range had (have) problems other than the radio or the "mass" of the Jeep. The CB frequency wavelength is too long for the Jeep to act as a functional ground plane.

 

I have been useing a 4" Firestick with my Cobra 75 mounted to the stock rear plate mount, with very good results. Worked great out in Moab and on the road. I have added a Auxiliary speaker, that I lke alot better than the 75's stock speaker. Take a trip to your local Truck Stop or a Radio Shack and you can find a few differant Aux. speakers.......

 

I went with a Uniden ESP-20 speaker. Got it from the local truck stop, think I paid about $16-$18 for it........

Just remember when you plug in your Aux. Speaker the speaker in the hand-set will no longer work.

 

I would guess NOT.

 

I started with a Midland 1001Z and later switched to the Cobra 75. I enjoyed the Cobra 75 until the speaker stopped working. Although the Cobra 75 is a great fit to the cramped interior of the JK, I quickly switched back to the Midland 1001Z with a 3' firestick because of the performance and simplicity.

 

I have been using the Cobra 75 WX ST and Liberty 4' Antenna with Custom Mount for about 4 years and not one problem. I like how sleek and clean it is compared to a boxy CB.
I did add a small speaker up by the sunviser so I can here better with the doors and top off.

 

The major complaint I gather is the sound volume. I have the infinity system, so would I be able to run a 3.5 stereo plug from the junction box to the stock HU when needed?