NEWBIE on CB
JK Freak
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 906
Likes: 3
From: Dallas, TX
as far as cb's go you are only as good as your antenna system. You will have to run a ground a wire with almost any mount on the JK... the body pannels are just not grounded that well you need to run a dedicated wire from your mount to your chassis. I avoided this for awhile but I never got the performance I expected, after running the wire everyone on the trail says I come in loud and clear (most other jeeps come in really quite on my CB b/c of their poor grounding)
I have the tire carrier mount but if I had to do it again I would likely go with the cool tech ultra mount.
I have the tire carrier mount but if I had to do it again I would likely go with the cool tech ultra mount.
JK Enthusiast
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 467
Likes: 0
From: Cordova Alabama
Originally Posted by Bphillips
Shoot me an email. I have questions about your radio. phillipsbrandon2003@yahoo.com.
ROLL TIDE!!!
Brandon
ROLL TIDE!!!
Brandon
JK Super Freak
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 1,367
Likes: 4
From: Riverside, Ca
Best bang for the buck would be Uniden Pro 520 XL.
Attachment 287996
There are much better radios on the market but the JK doesn't lend itself to installing full size radios without some type of a Tuffy box or hacking up the interior of the Jeep.
Don't get me wrong the Cobra 75 is a decent radio and will serve you well. It really depends on what you want to use it for. The Cobra 75 would be awkward to use everyday but fine for occasional trail rides. It has a small speaker and can be difficult at times to hear.
Just like Jeep mods there are LOTS of options and everyone has their opinion about which is better....hopefully I have not confused you more.
Attachment 287996
There are much better radios on the market but the JK doesn't lend itself to installing full size radios without some type of a Tuffy box or hacking up the interior of the Jeep.
Don't get me wrong the Cobra 75 is a decent radio and will serve you well. It really depends on what you want to use it for. The Cobra 75 would be awkward to use everyday but fine for occasional trail rides. It has a small speaker and can be difficult at times to hear.
Just like Jeep mods there are LOTS of options and everyone has their opinion about which is better....hopefully I have not confused you more.
Bought everything I needed for the install on Amazon. The write up for simple CB install on Project-JK.com helped a ton also.
JK Newbie
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 45
Likes: 0
From: Jacksonville, Florida
Originally Posted by Highlander
Hi, I really feel I should put my 2 cents in here. I too couldnt decide which radio, and after a lot of reading and reviews the Cobra 75 is not a good choice. It is a radio ALL in the hand mic, and when you drop it, and I say when, not if, you drop the whole radio. I am not sure where you read good reviews on that radio, but I didnt find any. 
If you just want a no bells and whistles good CB right out of the box go with the uniden 510 or 520. You can not go wrong there. Of course that is IMO. Get what you want. But I had a lot of help when I choose my radios, you deserve the same advice before you start spending $$$.
Enjoy, Mike
W7MCM
this is from an old post of mine when i got my CB:Uniden 520 xl $39.00 off ebay,new
Here is what I got from CBworld, it works perfect for me. The 18' coax has a PL259 connecter on one end that goes into the radio and a lug for the stud assembly for the antenna. I snaked it thru the tailgate no problem. I also ran a short ground wire from the tub of the jeep to the frame , I couldn't get my SWR's down until I did that. Grounding the antenna mount is most important. With the lug type connecter on this cable it has its own ground wire to screw on to the mount.
AUD402 Adjustable Universal CB Radio Mounting Bracket
$6.99
Everhart TSM4-R Four Foot SUEPR FLEX WAVECB Antenna RED this is super flexable good antenna, trail tested
$11.50
KCB5SS Stainless Steel Lug Stud Antenna Mount $4.95
PL8X18 18 Foot RG8X Coax $16.99
K1A PUSH-N-TWIST Quick Disconnect Replacement for R1A $13.99
Hope this helps and not confuses you.
As far as the antenna mount I made one that bolts onto my spare tire carrier. You can buy the same kind almost. Check out this thread or do a search it has been answered before. Have fun.
If you just want a no bells and whistles good CB right out of the box go with the uniden 510 or 520. You can not go wrong there. Of course that is IMO. Get what you want. But I had a lot of help when I choose my radios, you deserve the same advice before you start spending $$$.
Enjoy, Mike
W7MCM
this is from an old post of mine when i got my CB:Uniden 520 xl $39.00 off ebay,new
Here is what I got from CBworld, it works perfect for me. The 18' coax has a PL259 connecter on one end that goes into the radio and a lug for the stud assembly for the antenna. I snaked it thru the tailgate no problem. I also ran a short ground wire from the tub of the jeep to the frame , I couldn't get my SWR's down until I did that. Grounding the antenna mount is most important. With the lug type connecter on this cable it has its own ground wire to screw on to the mount.
AUD402 Adjustable Universal CB Radio Mounting Bracket
$6.99
Everhart TSM4-R Four Foot SUEPR FLEX WAVECB Antenna RED this is super flexable good antenna, trail tested
$11.50
KCB5SS Stainless Steel Lug Stud Antenna Mount $4.95
PL8X18 18 Foot RG8X Coax $16.99
K1A PUSH-N-TWIST Quick Disconnect Replacement for R1A $13.99
Hope this helps and not confuses you.
As far as the antenna mount I made one that bolts onto my spare tire carrier. You can buy the same kind almost. Check out this thread or do a search it has been answered before. Have fun.
JK Enthusiast
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 110
Likes: 0
From: Chicago, IL
your ground
as far as cb's go you are only as good as your antenna system. You will have to run a ground a wire with almost any mount on the JK... the body pannels are just not grounded that well you need to run a dedicated wire from your mount to your chassis. I avoided this for awhile but I never got the performance I expected, after running the wire everyone on the trail says I come in loud and clear (most other jeeps come in really quite on my CB b/c of their poor grounding)
I have the tire carrier mount but if I had to do it again I would likely go with the cool tech ultra mount.
I have the tire carrier mount but if I had to do it again I would likely go with the cool tech ultra mount.
Thanks.
JK Junkie
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 2,828
Likes: 0
From: Auburn Maine
matthew
JK Super Freak
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 1,475
Likes: 4
From: Bella Vista, AR
as far as cb's go you are only as good as your antenna system. You will have to run a ground a wire with almost any mount on the JK... the body pannels are just not grounded that well you need to run a dedicated wire from your mount to your chassis. I avoided this for awhile but I never got the performance I expected, after running the wire everyone on the trail says I come in loud and clear (most other jeeps come in really quite on my CB b/c of their poor grounding)
You may also consider a CB that has SSB capability in addition to the standard AM signal. This may not get used much, but it can be fun.
Resist the urge to get "peaked and tuned" units. What this usually means is someone has cranked up the internal transmit power of a radio beyond it's intended specifications, often causing the audio to over modulate or cause spurious emissions (interference).
The difference maker is truly in the antenna. There are many fancy antennas out there claiming all kinds of amazing performance, but physics tells us that the best practical antenna for mobile CB use is the 1/4 wave whip. Yes, the 102" stainless steel whip is an amazingly solid performer. It is very heavy, though. It will have to have a substantial mount to work. Ensure it have a direct ground (metal pathway) to the vehicle chassis and you'll have quite the mobile CB setup!
The 102" whip is not very practical for offroad use, though. There is where smaller, loaded antennas that don't perform quite as well will be handy.
73 de K5PO (ham radio callsign)
JK Super Freak
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 1,475
Likes: 4
From: Bella Vista, AR
A Firestick or other "loaded" vertical antenna may not be the best performer, but it may be the best for your application. And remember, nothing says you can't use multiple antennas for multiple purposes! Swap out as you please!
A note on antenna theory: The electrical length of an antenna directly relates to the frequencies of operation. In the case of a Firestick, in order to reduce physical size, the radiating wire is wrapped around a fiberglass rod. The fiberglass rod only serves as a structure for the wire--it is not part of the antenna itself. If you were to unwrap that wire and straighten it out, it's probably about 102"!
When the wire is wound like you see around the fiberglass, it is "loaded", allowing the antenna to achieve the desired electrical length without using all the physical length it would if it were straight. In doing this, it looses some efficiency. The shorter and more loaded, the less efficiency.