My Cobra 75 CB and antenna install
JK Enthusiast
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 285
Likes: 0
From: Central PA
To power the CB for antenna tuning I just hooked some test leads directly to the battery. The speaker under the seat sounds loud and clear (albeit a little tinny, but it's a small speaker). I even tried it with the engine running and the windows down while inside the garage in order to reflect more outside sound into the vehicle and it still sounds fine to me -- and my ears aren't the best they've ever been.
Once I get it permanently connected to power, I'll try it on the road and let you know, but I'd render a tentative opinion that it's plenty loud enough for me to hear.
JK Enthusiast
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 119
Likes: 0
From: Zimmerman, MN
Ok, I had a free hour or so tonight so I decided to tune the antenna. My Panavise mount didn't show up yet, so I'm going to wait until it arrives to permanently connect the unit to power (so I only have to pull the dash apart once for both the power and dash mount install).
To power the CB for antenna tuning I just hooked some test leads directly to the battery. The speaker under the seat sounds loud and clear (albeit a little tinny, but it's a small speaker). I even tried it with the engine running and the windows down while inside the garage in order to reflect more outside sound into the vehicle and it still sounds fine to me -- and my ears aren't the best they've ever been.
Once I get it permanently connected to power, I'll try it on the road and let you know, but I'd render a tentative opinion that it's plenty loud enough for me to hear.
To power the CB for antenna tuning I just hooked some test leads directly to the battery. The speaker under the seat sounds loud and clear (albeit a little tinny, but it's a small speaker). I even tried it with the engine running and the windows down while inside the garage in order to reflect more outside sound into the vehicle and it still sounds fine to me -- and my ears aren't the best they've ever been.
Once I get it permanently connected to power, I'll try it on the road and let you know, but I'd render a tentative opinion that it's plenty loud enough for me to hear.
JK Super Freak
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 1,739
Likes: 0
From: Long Island NY
I don't know a whole lot about our audio systems.. I don't turn the HU on other than to listen to a podcast from my iDevices..
My thought is.. Is there any reason it would not be feasible to run a mini-headphone wire from the remote main unit for the Cobra 75, up into the over-head sound bar and connect it to one of the over-head speakers?? With the HU off, the Cobra would broadcast through the speaker directly overhead. With the HU on, there could be the obvious conflict of signals to that one speaker. The ideal setup would be some kind of auto mute of the HU's signal the way it would for a BT setup, but that would be more challenging.
Just trying to make use of what is already there...
Or, maybe I am overthinking this ans should just go from the CB to the Aux input on the HU
My thought is.. Is there any reason it would not be feasible to run a mini-headphone wire from the remote main unit for the Cobra 75, up into the over-head sound bar and connect it to one of the over-head speakers?? With the HU off, the Cobra would broadcast through the speaker directly overhead. With the HU on, there could be the obvious conflict of signals to that one speaker. The ideal setup would be some kind of auto mute of the HU's signal the way it would for a BT setup, but that would be more challenging.
Just trying to make use of what is already there...
Or, maybe I am overthinking this ans should just go from the CB to the Aux input on the HU
Last edited by MikekiM; Nov 4, 2011 at 05:15 AM.
JK Enthusiast
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 119
Likes: 0
From: Zimmerman, MN
I don't know a whole lot about our audio systems.. I don't turn the HU on other than to listen to a podcast from my iDevices..
My thought is.. Is there any reason it would not be feasible to run a mini-headphone wire from the remote main unit for the Cobra 75, up into the over-head sound bar and connect it to one of the over-head speakers?? With the HU off, the Cobra would broadcast through the speaker directly overhead. With the HU on, there could be the obvious conflict of signals to that one speaker. The ideal setup would be some kind of auto mute of the HU's signal the way it would for a BT setup, but that would be more challenging.
Just trying to make use of what is already there...
Or, maybe I am overthinking this ans should just go from the CB to the Aux input on the HU
My thought is.. Is there any reason it would not be feasible to run a mini-headphone wire from the remote main unit for the Cobra 75, up into the over-head sound bar and connect it to one of the over-head speakers?? With the HU off, the Cobra would broadcast through the speaker directly overhead. With the HU on, there could be the obvious conflict of signals to that one speaker. The ideal setup would be some kind of auto mute of the HU's signal the way it would for a BT setup, but that would be more challenging.
Just trying to make use of what is already there...
Or, maybe I am overthinking this ans should just go from the CB to the Aux input on the HU
JK Super Freak
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 1,739
Likes: 0
From: Long Island NY
Since you're running from the output of the Cobra remote box to a raw speaker connection, you probably won't have enough sound being pushed from the Cobra to be very loud across the soundbar speaker unless you have an amp in between. Haven't tried it so that's just a guess.
The output on the CB is a headphone jack; Headphones don't have amps.. I'm just thinking outloud..
Also keep in mind (and maybe you already know this) but as soon as you plug in an external cable to the audio output of the Cobra remote box, the handset audio stops. You won't be able to hear traffic on the handset until you unplug the external cable from the remote box.
Make sense? My terminology could probably be better...
Make sense? My terminology could probably be better...
JK Super Freak
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 1,739
Likes: 0
From: Long Island NY
I may have misread something... I thought the speaker in the soundbar (that already ties in to the Head Unit) was the one which would be spliced or tied into. An external output on the CB wouldn't likely be enough to power a regular car audio speaker, but should power an external speaker offered by radio manufacturers, etc. My bad if I misread it...
I was thinking of going Audio Out on the CB, using the mini-headphone jack and splicing that into one of (any of) the existing speakers, without adding another external speaker.
I was thinking outloud when I mentioned the headphones.. since they don't require an amp. Though, they are thimble sized speakers..
Maybe I'll just give it a try and see what I learn!
JK Freak
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 723
Likes: 2
From: Murrieta, CA
Anyone tried a powered speaker instead of the standard Cobra or Uniden speaker?
I didn't realize that plugging in the external speaker would cut out the speaker in the microphone. I just bought much of my system today, including the speaker. I thought I would be adding a speaker to help hear the system. Maybe a USB powered speaker would be better. It could be plugged into the 12V lighter and have the oomph to overcome background noise from under the seat.
Alternatively, maybe plugging it into the aux input jack on the radio would be better. We don't normally listen to music while wheeling.
I didn't realize that plugging in the external speaker would cut out the speaker in the microphone. I just bought much of my system today, including the speaker. I thought I would be adding a speaker to help hear the system. Maybe a USB powered speaker would be better. It could be plugged into the 12V lighter and have the oomph to overcome background noise from under the seat.
Alternatively, maybe plugging it into the aux input jack on the radio would be better. We don't normally listen to music while wheeling.
JK Freak
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 723
Likes: 2
From: Murrieta, CA
I began my install yesterday. For the mount I bought a piece of 1/4" x 1-1/8" x 48" aluminum bar. I bent it to a 90˚ elbow about 2" x 2" and drilled a 1/2" hole in one leg and a 1/4" hole in the other. I cleaned it all up, rounded the edges, etc., and bolted it to the stock tire carrier. The Firestik 36" antenna will stick above the roof a few inches and clear the garage door.
I picked up the antenna, power meter and speaker at a local store. The cable and stud are in the mail. Still need to order the Cobra 75.
I followed this thread and the Project JK write up in researching the install. Lots of good suggestions in here. I intend to install it under the passenger seat, leaving the mic to lay in the cup holder or at least that area because I don't want to have the mic up on the dash. I am still considering a location to mount the external speaker. I may mount it to the sound bar.
I picked up the antenna, power meter and speaker at a local store. The cable and stud are in the mail. Still need to order the Cobra 75.
I followed this thread and the Project JK write up in researching the install. Lots of good suggestions in here. I intend to install it under the passenger seat, leaving the mic to lay in the cup holder or at least that area because I don't want to have the mic up on the dash. I am still considering a location to mount the external speaker. I may mount it to the sound bar.
