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JK CB & HAM Radios Bulletin board forum regarding all topics concerning CB and HAM radios, the installation of them in your Jeep JK Wrangler. This would include antenna mounts, wiring, tuning and usage.

Coax cable

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Old May 30, 2012 | 12:23 PM
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Default Coax cable

Just bought a Cobra 29LX CB with a 4ft antenna similar to the firestik antenna. Now I need to get the cable to connect the CB to the antenna! What should i be looking for? I went to RadioShack but the seller didn't really know what to give me.
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Old May 30, 2012 | 01:08 PM
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Originally Posted by Nico4x4
Just bought a Cobra 29LX CB with a 4ft antenna similar to the firestik antenna. Now I need to get the cable to connect the CB to the antenna! What should i be looking for? I went to RadioShack but the seller didn't really know what to give me.
Radio Shack doesn't actually sell radios or radio components...they basically just sell cell phone cases and plans nowadays.
Look for a high quality coax, Firestik brand is very good, you can buy in many different lengths.
An 18' length was exactly enough to make it from my cb above my rear view mirror to the back of my tail gate



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I used some brand of cable I found on Amazon for el cheapo...you can find literally ANYTHING you need for the setup on Amazon!
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Old May 30, 2012 | 01:22 PM
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Default coax

For a generic CB installation, you would need 18' or 20' of 50 ohm coax with male PL-259 connectors at either end. Some antennas come with special connectors, but the end that connects to the radio will be a 259. The coax can cost anywhere from $10 to $35 depending on the efficiency of the cable.
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Old May 30, 2012 | 01:24 PM
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Most mobile CB installations use RG-8X type cable.
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Old May 30, 2012 | 01:42 PM
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Thanks guys! If i get an RG58 cable will that do the job?
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Old May 30, 2012 | 01:44 PM
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Should be fine for these purposes, yes.
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Old May 30, 2012 | 02:06 PM
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Awesome! And when we talk about grounding is it te actaul antenna were grounding or the antenna mount?
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Old May 30, 2012 | 02:22 PM
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The mount on grounded antenna systems. The mount must have a short, quality connection to the chassis of the vehicle.

It doesn't have to be directly to the chassis. It is common to be grounded to the body, and the body to the chassis.
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Old May 30, 2012 | 02:26 PM
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Would it be fine if I run a regular 16 gauge wire to ground?
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Old May 30, 2012 | 04:48 PM
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If there is a radio shop that sells ham equipment, like HRO, near you
try there and tell them what you are looking for.
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