jk cb radio
JK Enthusiast
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 168
Likes: 0
From: Fairfax, VA
I just went with Cool Tech's all-in-one package. It should be here Monday. I'll report back on anything interesting I find out during install.
Last edited by Rubi Driver; Apr 27, 2012 at 04:27 PM.
JK Enthusiast
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 307
Likes: 0
From: Henderson, NV
For the 2011 - 2012 auto trans only interior, I went with the Cool Tech Ultra mount antenna package with their Versamount 2 mike mount and the Midland 1001LWX radio from a different source for the weather scan feature.
You do have to cut and trim some of the console parts, but the results speak for themselves for me:
Do some searching around here on the JK forum because there are a lot of great options and innovative solutions posted by the membership.
You do have to cut and trim some of the console parts, but the results speak for themselves for me:
Do some searching around here on the JK forum because there are a lot of great options and innovative solutions posted by the membership.
JK Enthusiast
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 176
Likes: 0
From: NOVA
I went with the 520 Pro from right channel radios - 520XLPRO, 3' Firestick II, 3 way mount, and a all weather external speaker. The kit of course comes with 18' of cable and an SWR meter plus jumper. After shipping it was like 160 bones. I mounted the antenna on the 3rd brake light mount and now I am trying to figure out where to put the CB. Maybe the console (out of site while topless and doorless), the footman loop would be nice but its exposed, and then I thought about getting brave and cutting a notch in the center section of the dash (above the heater controls and below the vents) to slide it in and mount there.....but have not had the dash apart enough to figure out if it will work.
JK Enthusiast
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 176
Likes: 0
From: NOVA
For the 2011 - 2012 auto trans only interior, I went with the Cool Tech Ultra mount antenna package with their Versamount 2 mike mount and the Midland 1001LWX radio from a different source for the weather scan feature.
You do have to cut and trim some of the console parts, but the results speak for themselves for me:
Do some searching around here on the JK forum because there are a lot of great options and innovative solutions posted by the membership.
You do have to cut and trim some of the console parts, but the results speak for themselves for me:
Do some searching around here on the JK forum because there are a lot of great options and innovative solutions posted by the membership.
JK Enthusiast
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 307
Likes: 0
From: Henderson, NV
Thread Starter
JK Super Freak
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 1,382
Likes: 0
From: georgia
Damn, I appreciate you sharing your cb knowledge with us. That definitely helps me a lot! I'm currently looking at the cooltech cb kit even tho it's pretty expensive it's nice having everything together at once and knowing pretty much what to expect. But your information definitely helps me a lot
Originally Posted by Rooster76
Uniden 520 XL
I would recommend the Uniden 520 XL 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).
<img src="https://www.jk-forum.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=309889"/>
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.
<img src="https://www.jk-forum.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=309890"/>
YouTube Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=4ASM0MDrMvE#t=98 s
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.
<img src="https://www.jk-forum.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=309910"/>
<img src="https://www.jk-forum.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=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.
<img src="https://www.jk-forum.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=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
Gear Keeper" is an option for holding the Mic. I found a video with one.
YouTube Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e6gGzpE7vbc&feature=player_detailpage#t=54 s
This one shows it retracting better but only in this small part.
YouTube Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=e3gmD04IA-c#t=289s
This isn't mine ,but I love the idea and it will work with the 2012 hardtop.
You might want to check out this link. https://www.jk-forum.com/forums/jk-c...1/#post2539864 A couple post lower it shows the hardware. It look like it will work with the 2012 hardtop that uses the footman loop
I would recommend the Uniden 520 XL 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).
<img src="https://www.jk-forum.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=309889"/>
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.
<img src="https://www.jk-forum.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=309890"/>
YouTube Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=4ASM0MDrMvE#t=98 s
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.
<img src="https://www.jk-forum.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=309910"/>
<img src="https://www.jk-forum.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=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.
<img src="https://www.jk-forum.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=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
Gear Keeper" is an option for holding the Mic. I found a video with one.
YouTube Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e6gGzpE7vbc&feature=player_detailpage#t=54 s
This one shows it retracting better but only in this small part.
YouTube Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=e3gmD04IA-c#t=289s
This isn't mine ,but I love the idea and it will work with the 2012 hardtop.
You might want to check out this link. https://www.jk-forum.com/forums/jk-c...1/#post2539864 A couple post lower it shows the hardware. It look like it will work with the 2012 hardtop that uses the footman loop
