CB Communication Distance
JK Enthusiast
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 231
Likes: 0
From: Phoenix, AZ
I finished my install of a cobra 75 and a 4 foot firestick mounted to a teraflex bracket on the rear tire carrier. I made sure to remove the paint and/or powder coating on all mounting surfaces and then ran an additional ground wire from the mounting bracket back in side the rear of the jeep. I combined several different ideas I found on this forum to create the best setup I could imagine.
I was able to tune to about 1.4 on channels 1 and 40 and about 1.2 on channel 20.
I received a couple of radio checks at about 2-3 miles range and was listening to one trucker about 10 miles away (not sure why I did not ask him for a radio check). All transmissions were exceptionally clear. Can't wait to test in on the trail.
I was able to tune to about 1.4 on channels 1 and 40 and about 1.2 on channel 20.
I received a couple of radio checks at about 2-3 miles range and was listening to one trucker about 10 miles away (not sure why I did not ask him for a radio check). All transmissions were exceptionally clear. Can't wait to test in on the trail.
JK Enthusiast
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 436
Likes: 0
From: on the banks of the ocmulgee , GA
Cb range
None of you will be able to duplicate this with a jeep but back in the mid 80's I was running a Royce unit on sideband talking to my dad on his base station from 30 or more miles away. Warner Robins GA to Griffin GA. He did have a set of Moonraker IV beams and I was running a 102"whip mounted on the side of a Ford Van. oh did I mention I had a little helper?
JK Jedi
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 5,813
Likes: 0
From: Kenai Peninsula, Alaska
None of you will be able to duplicate this with a jeep but back in the mid 80's I was running a Royce unit on sideband talking to my dad on his base station from 30 or more miles away. Warner Robins GA to Griffin GA. He did have a set of Moonraker IV beams and I was running a 102"whip mounted on the side of a Ford Van. oh did I mention I had a little helper?
JK Freak
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 788
Likes: 0
From: Binghamton, NY
Mounting the antenna at the rear of the jeep will result in your transmit signal being directional, as opposed to mounting the antenna dead center (which is pretty much impossible in a Jeep). But, since your strongest transmit signal will be in the direction of the most metal mass (ground plane), your signal will carry further out in front of the Jeep.
My set up is a Uniden PC68LTD, tweeked and peaked, with a swing kit. 50w linear amp, and a 4ft Firestick antenna on an Ultramount (top of licence plate frame). On a typical day I will be able to transmit around 15-20 miles (directly in front of the vehicle on relatively flat ground).
I have a 102in whip antenna on my roof for using my CB as a base station and I typically get 30+ miles and have talked to people down south when the skip is rolling.
My set up is a Uniden PC68LTD, tweeked and peaked, with a swing kit. 50w linear amp, and a 4ft Firestick antenna on an Ultramount (top of licence plate frame). On a typical day I will be able to transmit around 15-20 miles (directly in front of the vehicle on relatively flat ground).
I have a 102in whip antenna on my roof for using my CB as a base station and I typically get 30+ miles and have talked to people down south when the skip is rolling.
JK Freak
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 788
Likes: 0
From: Binghamton, NY
The 102's do stand up there a ways I know !!
Did you have to ground that whip for base use ?? Seems like you would have ??
JK Freak
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 964
Likes: 1
From: Riverton, Utah
You heard right. I have the same antenna setup. My SWR is less than 1 across the 40 channels. This is a well engineered system. You are able to tune the Firestick with the screw on top. Mine worked best about halfway out but that is why you should use the meter. Our setup on our motrohome uses a shorty antenna on top of the rig. I can't get the SWR satisfactory except in the lower channels so I don't transmit above channel 22.
Firestick has an excellent article on their website going through all of this. Its worth reading.
Firestick has an excellent article on their website going through all of this. Its worth reading.
http://www.wc7i.com/Simple%20SWR%20Theory%20pg1.htm
Last edited by duneslider; Mar 17, 2009 at 07:20 PM.