I wanted to route the external output from my CB Radio to the AUX jack on the Jeep's stereo, but I also want to use my iPod Nano.

Sure, I could use two different patch cords and just swap them out, but that seemed like a lot of hassle, especially if you want to do it on the go.

I checked around and while there were a couple of pre-made solutions out there, I thought I could do as well on my own, and for a lot cheaper.

Off to Radio shack!

A $2.50 project box, 3 female stereo mini-jack @ $1.29 each and a DPDT rocker switch @ $2.29.

Here is the box, I'll finish wiring it in the morning (I have to find my soldering iron....)





I will be able to plug the iPod into one inlet, the CB into the other. The output will go to the AUX jack in the stereo. The switch will allow me to swap sources on the fly and I will be sticking it to the CB case by my knee.

I'll post a picture of the wiring and of the installation tomorrow.

 

cool

 

Do you know if there is anyway to hook the CB into the head unit and still have any music (am/fm, cd, aux) AND the cb audio coming through it... or can it be only one or the other? This is a cool alternative solution though, and I may have to take this route myself.

 

Yeah, there is a way, but you have to open your wallet. There are switches that allow you to designate a primary circuit (music) and an override circuit (CB, for as long as you are receiving) but I am not sure how well that would work with a CB.

It would depend on how sensitive the box is... any static, the squelch not set right, it might override your music too often.

Anyway, they are available for motorcycles... the Goldwings have them for Music and the rider intercom. You would only be able to use it with outside sources that plug into the AUX jack and not with a CD/AM/FM unless you could already do that with your head unit. The stock head unit won't do that.

I don't use the CB often enough for it to be an issue for me, and so far, I haven't been cranking the tunes on a trail so this works for me.

 

You could just use a headphone splitter and plug them both in.



OR



Depending on which style you prefer. Radioshack is your friend.

But, if you want the music off when the CB is broadcasting, then it does get tricky like Preacher said.

 

Yeah, but you would have to turn one source off before you could use the other or you would get a mess. The CB and iPod would be stepping all over each other.

The switch box allows you to have both on and switch back and forth at will.

Perfect solution? No, but it was fun thinking it up.

 

One audio output may not tolerate having another output connected to it.

Preacher,

The pics in your first post bring back lots of memories. I used to do the same stuff long ago. Hours of fun. Allied Radio Shack, and Heath Kit come to mind.

 

You may want to pad down the output from the CB, the input on the stereo may not like 3+watts from the CB. Also be careful the CB audio output uses a floating ground when you transmit you may get a surprise the transmit audio may be channeled in to the stereo.
Are you going to switch the CB audio back to a speaker when you are in the IPOD mode? Or just have no audio from the CB?

 

I did notice I was getting some 'talkback' when transmitting, so you are right there. I also figured out pretty quickly that I have to keep the volume down a bit as it tends to send more power than the iPod.

I don't know enough about electronics to even think about this being a real issue. Do you forsee any long-term problems?

I hadn't planned on running a second speaker for the CB, though I could as I have a small external (non-amplified) speaker sitting on the workbench. I wanted to run either an amplified speaker or run it to the head unit so I could hear it over the engine when out screwing around.

 

Sent you a PM
Frank