best setup?
Thread Starter
JK Enthusiast
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 488
Likes: 0
From: Sugar Grove, Illinois
best setup?
I'm new to the whole cb world. Looking for advice on what I should be looking for. My jeep is my DD and I only take it off road a few times a year. With that said what would you suggest for a setup?
JK Newbie
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 20
Likes: 0
From: Montreal
Go with the Cobra 75 WX ST, most of the "radio" is in the Mic itself with a remote box which you can mount either below (inside) the glove box (really easy) or in the center console.
Google Right Channel Radios, they have an offroad package with everything you would need.
Google Right Channel Radios, they have an offroad package with everything you would need.
JK Newbie
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 42
Likes: 1
From: Indio, CA
Zed's advise to check out Right Channel is spot on. Find them here: http://www.rightchannelradios.com/
Poke around the site they have a wealth of tutorials and videos to get you up to speed.
They are a great company, ship fast, and have super customer service. Highly recommended.
Poke around the site they have a wealth of tutorials and videos to get you up to speed.
They are a great company, ship fast, and have super customer service. Highly recommended.
JK Enthusiast
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 419
Likes: 2
From: Indy
Midland 75-822 or Cobra 75
below from--> https://www.jk-forum.com/forums/jk-c...7/#post3070835
If your not going to use it much I would say go with the Midland 75-822. It will work good enough and it just plugs into a cigerette lighter vs running a wire to the battery. With this set up you could also get a magnet antenna and stick it on your hood and then you wouldn't have to do a huge install for something you only use every so often.
WHAT YOU NEED FOR A CB
Your going to have to spend around $150 to get into the game. You will need
Uniden 520 XL
I would recommend the Uniden 520 XL in most cases after digging through about every post on CB's I can find. It is everything you need and no extras. Fry's seems to have them the cheapest.
-small,cheap, tough, simple and works good with a good antenna setup.
There is also a 510 XL for about 10-15 dollars less. You loose the R/F gain, an automatic noise limiter, and the ability to make it into a PA system (if you install a horn).
Cobra 75 WX ST
As far as handhelds the Cobra 75 is a good option and is super popular . The speaker on it is a bit weak. You really need to get an external speaker for this one. It doesn't have a PA option, and the squelch and volume are a bit hard to use. You will have to mount a small body piece in addition to having the hand held. It has a ton of cool features like:
-scanning thru channels
- Having 2 channels broadcast
- 4 memory channels
- Its small and easy to store.
-You can change the channel with the handset
-Weather Channels
It is a bit more risky being that all the components are in the hand held so you need to make sure not to drop it.
Attachment 309890
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=4ASM0MDrMvE#t=98s
Midland 75-822
The Midland 75-822 seems like a pretty good hand held that you can plug into an antenna. It isn't as popular as the Cobra. It plugs into the cigarette lighter vs the battery like the other ones. This power technically isn't as good but works. It seems like a good option for someone who just wants to use it on the trails and maybe use a magnet antenna, then keep it tucked away most of the time. I have heard it only takes about 15 seconds to make it into a walkie talkie if you want to spot someone. This one can easily be moved from a jeep to another car if need be, where as the Cobra has that extra box needed. It comes with a clip instead of a button on the back.
Attachment 309910
Attachment 309913
MOUNT
Technically a hood mount would be the best. After looking under my 2012 I cannot see how I could get that to work even with drilling.
The Arizona Rocky Road Antenna mount is probably the best rear mount, ie high up and not in-between the tire and window, not next to metal. I have seen someone mount theirs near the top of the 3rd break light which would work good too. You just need to account for the rear wiper blade on the hard top.
Attachment 309898
The cooltech ultramount (shown below) is nice because then the Coax doesn't get bent all the time with opening the rear gate. It can wear it out.
FireFly Antenna
The antenna makes all the difference in CB's, that are limited to 4 Watts. You want to make sure you get it grounded well. Then you need to tune them with a SWR meter. In theory you want them to be as high as possible and have 1/3 above the roof.
After a ton of research I think the FireStik FireFly (not to be confused with there other models) is the best Jeep Antenna overall. Very flexable, Light weight, More top wound than than the more popular Firestick II. It will have FL in the name if it is a firefly. Here is one on a cooltech ultramount
MY NO DRILL MOUNT
The L braces should be on the outside of the 3/8" clamp on this picture for a much tighter fit.
I posted this before but It seems that it will go with the topic
This mount will work with the new 2011/2012 hardtop that uses the footman loop. I copied this idea from someone who copied the idea(LINK-> So where have you been mounting the CB's? ). I got everything that I needed to do this mount for a Uniden 520 at Home Depot for about $10. This should work with almost any CB if it is not too deep. It works with the 2012 hardtop. It leaves the back of the radio about 2" to the windshield. I might have to get a right angle adapter for the antenna cable.
The insulated clamps are in a box in the nuts and bolts row. 3/8" is the size you want. It is best to put the L brase on the outside of the clamp instead of being sandwiched in there. It will give you a much tighter fit and won't scratch the paint.
The 1" corner brace was in the row with hinges and gate locks. It is the perfect size. You can also put one or both of the L braces facing in to move the mount or get it to work better.
I had some 1/2" size 10 bolts lying around so I used them. As a bonus they are brass so they will not rust. You need 4 of them and washers and nuts. They were the right size to fit very snug through the corner brace.
I put a strip of "rubber foam weather seal" right on the top back of the radio where it touches the windshield panel. It is the stuff you can put around your doors at home to stop drafts. I forgot to take a picture of it. I think it will remove any noise or abrasion to the panel.
Attachment 316015
I did a write up of how I ran the wire and grounded the mount here -->https://www.jk-forum.com/forums/jk-w...2012-a-231369/
I would also check out for how to run the power LINK--< Project-JK.com - Jeep JK Wrangler Resource » Affordable Jeep JK Wrangler CB Radio SolutionMidland Model-1001Z
I did a bit of a write up here --> https://www.jk-forum.com/forums/jk-w...2012-a-231369/
Running the antenna coax up the roll bar worked out really well.
Good Luck
WHAT YOU NEED FOR A CB
Your going to have to spend around $150 to get into the game. You will need
- CB RADIO -$40+ All are limited to 4 watts by the FCC so it is really all about if you want the features
- Antenna - $20+ This will give you the most difference in range and performance
- Antenna Mount - $10
- Antenna Cable - $20 It's best to get this in 18' or 9'
- Antenna Stud Mount $6
- SWR Meter - $20 You have to tune your antenna for it to work and not damage your radio. Also crucial is to remember to get a 3' or so piece of coax to be able to hook it up. Some come with it some don't.
- Wire and connections to run the power wires $10
- Not totally necessary but a good to have would be a multimeter to check the continuity with the ohm setting $10
Uniden 520 XL
I would recommend the Uniden 520 XL in most cases after digging through about every post on CB's I can find. It is everything you need and no extras. Fry's seems to have them the cheapest.
-small,cheap, tough, simple and works good with a good antenna setup.
There is also a 510 XL for about 10-15 dollars less. You loose the R/F gain, an automatic noise limiter, and the ability to make it into a PA system (if you install a horn).
Cobra 75 WX ST
As far as handhelds the Cobra 75 is a good option and is super popular . The speaker on it is a bit weak. You really need to get an external speaker for this one. It doesn't have a PA option, and the squelch and volume are a bit hard to use. You will have to mount a small body piece in addition to having the hand held. It has a ton of cool features like:
-scanning thru channels
- Having 2 channels broadcast
- 4 memory channels
- Its small and easy to store.
-You can change the channel with the handset
-Weather Channels
It is a bit more risky being that all the components are in the hand held so you need to make sure not to drop it.
Attachment 309890
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=4ASM0MDrMvE#t=98s
Midland 75-822
The Midland 75-822 seems like a pretty good hand held that you can plug into an antenna. It isn't as popular as the Cobra. It plugs into the cigarette lighter vs the battery like the other ones. This power technically isn't as good but works. It seems like a good option for someone who just wants to use it on the trails and maybe use a magnet antenna, then keep it tucked away most of the time. I have heard it only takes about 15 seconds to make it into a walkie talkie if you want to spot someone. This one can easily be moved from a jeep to another car if need be, where as the Cobra has that extra box needed. It comes with a clip instead of a button on the back.
Attachment 309910
Attachment 309913
MOUNT
Technically a hood mount would be the best. After looking under my 2012 I cannot see how I could get that to work even with drilling.
The Arizona Rocky Road Antenna mount is probably the best rear mount, ie high up and not in-between the tire and window, not next to metal. I have seen someone mount theirs near the top of the 3rd break light which would work good too. You just need to account for the rear wiper blade on the hard top.
Attachment 309898
The cooltech ultramount (shown below) is nice because then the Coax doesn't get bent all the time with opening the rear gate. It can wear it out.
FireFly Antenna
The antenna makes all the difference in CB's, that are limited to 4 Watts. You want to make sure you get it grounded well. Then you need to tune them with a SWR meter. In theory you want them to be as high as possible and have 1/3 above the roof.
After a ton of research I think the FireStik FireFly (not to be confused with there other models) is the best Jeep Antenna overall. Very flexable, Light weight, More top wound than than the more popular Firestick II. It will have FL in the name if it is a firefly. Here is one on a cooltech ultramount
MY NO DRILL MOUNT
The L braces should be on the outside of the 3/8" clamp on this picture for a much tighter fit.
I posted this before but It seems that it will go with the topic
This mount will work with the new 2011/2012 hardtop that uses the footman loop. I copied this idea from someone who copied the idea(LINK-> So where have you been mounting the CB's? ). I got everything that I needed to do this mount for a Uniden 520 at Home Depot for about $10. This should work with almost any CB if it is not too deep. It works with the 2012 hardtop. It leaves the back of the radio about 2" to the windshield. I might have to get a right angle adapter for the antenna cable.
The insulated clamps are in a box in the nuts and bolts row. 3/8" is the size you want. It is best to put the L brase on the outside of the clamp instead of being sandwiched in there. It will give you a much tighter fit and won't scratch the paint.
The 1" corner brace was in the row with hinges and gate locks. It is the perfect size. You can also put one or both of the L braces facing in to move the mount or get it to work better.
I had some 1/2" size 10 bolts lying around so I used them. As a bonus they are brass so they will not rust. You need 4 of them and washers and nuts. They were the right size to fit very snug through the corner brace.
I put a strip of "rubber foam weather seal" right on the top back of the radio where it touches the windshield panel. It is the stuff you can put around your doors at home to stop drafts. I forgot to take a picture of it. I think it will remove any noise or abrasion to the panel.
Attachment 316015
I did a write up of how I ran the wire and grounded the mount here -->https://www.jk-forum.com/forums/jk-w...2012-a-231369/
I would also check out for how to run the power LINK--< Project-JK.com - Jeep JK Wrangler Resource » Affordable Jeep JK Wrangler CB Radio SolutionMidland Model-1001Z
I did a bit of a write up here --> https://www.jk-forum.com/forums/jk-w...2012-a-231369/
Running the antenna coax up the roll bar worked out really well.
Good Luck
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JK Enthusiast
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 419
Likes: 2
From: Indy
Antenna Lenght
I have a strong feeling that it has to do with having the right size for the wave length frequency. Like people use 102" whip antennas that are a perfect 1/4 wave.
What do you do if you need a longer one
I'm not totally sure to be honest. I'm guessing you would be best off with sizes like 9', 18', 27', 36' and find a spot to put the loosely wrap excess. It's not good to make it a tight coil. If you have that problem just call up firestik 602•273•7151 and ask them. They are pretty easy to get a hold of and I'm sure they would give you a better answer.
Here is a firestik FAQ where antenna length is mentioned in the third answer Frequently Asked Questions
Q Is the length of the coax cable important?
A We find that it is very important ... especially with high performance top-loaded antennas. Your safest bet is to use 18 feet (5.5 meters) coaxial leads on all of your CB installations.
Q I only needed 9 feet of coax to go from my radio to my antenna. How should I handle the excess?
A What ever you do, do not roll it into a small convenient coil. It will become an RF choke. If you cannot let it lie loose under a seat or in a headliner, wrap it into a yarn-like skein of about 12 to 16 inches, put a wire tie in the center and tuck it under your dash, seat, etc.
A We find that it is very important ... especially with high performance top-loaded antennas. Your safest bet is to use 18 feet (5.5 meters) coaxial leads on all of your CB installations.
Q I only needed 9 feet of coax to go from my radio to my antenna. How should I handle the excess?
A What ever you do, do not roll it into a small convenient coil. It will become an RF choke. If you cannot let it lie loose under a seat or in a headliner, wrap it into a yarn-like skein of about 12 to 16 inches, put a wire tie in the center and tuck it under your dash, seat, etc.
JK Enthusiast
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 364
Likes: 0
From: Maine
In short, use a good quality coax cable, and tune your antenna by temporarily putting an SWR meter inline (CB's "antenna out" goes to the meter via short jumper coax, then plug your antenna cable into the other port on the meter). Tune the antenna for a good match on the meter, and then you don't have to worry about the length of your coax (within reason... don't make it like 200 feet!)