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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.

Need Complete Set-up

Old Sep 12, 2009 | 06:48 AM
  #1  
drcre8tive's Avatar
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From: Jefferson, LA
Default Need Complete Set-up

I want a basic CB Radio to install in my JK for trail ride communication. Seems like everyone has their favorites and opinions... I'm no expert, just looking to get a complete kit with everything I need to install myself.

Here is what I need:
-BASIC CB with Mic, Mount & hardware
- Small size: I'd like to mount on passenger side of the console)
- 3' or 4' Firestick Antenna? I don't want it slapping around...
- Antenna mount for spare tire; which is best? looks like I could make one...
- Wiring to Fusebox or Lighter plug-in power?
- Cheap! Used would be fine too... but a complete set-up.

There are ZERO places near me that sell CB's that I can find, besides Radio Shack, which seems overpriced... so i'll have to trust a website.

Any Help? thanks!
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Old Sep 12, 2009 | 06:57 AM
  #2  
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Try cooltech they sell a complete cb setup. Everything you need.
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Old Sep 12, 2009 | 08:05 AM
  #3  
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http://www.northridge4x4.com/proddetail.php?prod=PKG-CB

Call David at Northridge, he'll take care of you...
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Old Sep 12, 2009 | 10:50 AM
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The Cobra 75WST (the radio in the mic unit) is perfect. There is no good place to mount a CB anymore, and this works perfect. I have one and love it.

I don't know why anyone would buy anything else nowadays.
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Old Sep 13, 2009 | 08:55 AM
  #5  
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As hard as it is for me to recommend someone over Dave at Northridge, I have to give it to Cooltech. They've treated me better than almost any other company I've ever done business with.

I'd recommend this kit for you:

CoolTech All-In-One GateMount Kit




The kit includes a 4' Firestick antenna, Cobra 75 WXST CB, thier GateMount kit which puts the antenna right on your tailgate behind the spare tire, all the wiring nessicary, a mount for the CB mic, and an excellent set of instructions.

Make sure you order the GATE MOUNT kit from the drop down box on the right side and not the UltraMount. The UltraMount puts the antenna in the license plate bracket and as JKRockStomper can tell you is prone to getting hung up on stuff on the trail.
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Old Sep 13, 2009 | 06:40 PM
  #6  
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Bought a cheap CB at Walmart ($35), and an Antenna from Radioshack ($25) that came with a "mirror" mount... which wouldn't work with the JK but had all the hardware I needed, so I fabricated an antenna mount from a metal bracket from Lowes ($2) that bolted to the factory tire mount ....So total cost was about $62

It Works! at least It'll do for now.

I'll take some pics of the bracket later... it was raining when I finished up.
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Old Sep 13, 2009 | 07:43 PM
  #7  
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Originally Posted by drcre8tive
Bought a cheap CB at Walmart ($35), and an Antenna from Radioshack ($25) that came with a "mirror" mount... which wouldn't work with the JK but had all the hardware I needed, so I fabricated an antenna mount from a metal bracket from Lowes ($2) that bolted to the factory tire mount ....So total cost was about $62

It Works! at least It'll do for now.

I'll take some pics of the bracket later... it was raining when I finished up.
Don't forget to tune your antenna, I have an swr meter if you need to use it.
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Old Sep 15, 2009 | 08:46 AM
  #8  
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From: Jefferson, LA
Default SWR Meter

Originally Posted by mkjeep
Don't forget to tune your antenna, I have an swr meter if you need to use it.
Yeah, from what I've read I should probably tune it... I have no idea how to do that... (just trim the antenna?)... I'd appreciate it if I could use your SWR. Maybe we could meet one of these days somewhere? It would be good to test my set-up clarity with someone before I try to use in trail-ride conditions...

My Antenna is only a 2-footer that probably sucks.... so I may eventually get a taller 3' or 4' one... I can hear people talking, though not very clear... a couple of crazy cajun dudes and buffalo soldiers on channel 6 is about all I can tune in. I sometimes get a strange warble that sounds like a train too.

Anyway, hit me back with a PM if you have a time/place to meet.
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Old Sep 15, 2009 | 08:57 AM
  #9  
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I'm no super duper cb expert. I have a 4ft firestick that has a scew on top you tune it with. Others you have to cut . Maybe some one on here can chime in on whether the antenna you have is tunable or not. I do have a meter and just went by the instructions with it. I live in Hammond area, Tickfaw actually. My foot is broke right now so I'm around the house mostly and not driving my jk because I have a helluva atime getting in it.. If you find out if the antenna you have can be tuned, and want to drive out here, your more than welcome to this weekend. Let me know and I'll pm my cell #. Maybe take a pic of it and put it on here for the cb gurus.
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Old Sep 15, 2009 | 10:38 AM
  #10  
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One thing you should know is that the tailgate does not have a good ground. I made an antenna mount similar to the one you did on the spare tire rack. I couldnt get a good swr. I ended up needing to run a ground wire. I took it behind the rear door striker. works great now.
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