FJ Cruisers of Northern California

Help understanding and choosing a CB....

Hi, wish I had time to do the research but I know how helpful Norcal FJers are!!! I'm looking at installing a CB before the All-Call M&G. I came across this on CL and was wondering how this will do?

What else besides the radio would I need? Bandi mount and what else?

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Permalink Reply by cypilk on April 25, 2009 at 12:05pm

1. Radio
2. Microphone
3. Coax (Cable that connects radio to the antenna)
4. Antenna
5. Bandi mount to hold the antenna
6. Power line to connect the radio to a power source.
7. Mounting bracket

I believe that's everything.

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Permalink Reply by F@kken FJ on April 25, 2009 at 2:01pm

Thanks Vince for the response, but don't some CB radios come with those? Why does one have to tune the CB depending on the firestick (aka Antenna?)

what about these two:
http://sfbay.craigslist.org/sby/boa/1139057743.html

http://stockton.craigslist.org/ele/1114888661.html

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Permalink Reply by opg4759 on April 25, 2009 at 4:58pm

Most radios don't come with coax or the antenna. with different coax types and different antennas and no two setups are the same it's a matter of matching the impedance of the coax and antenna to the output of the radio. There are factors with if you coil excess coax (which is bad) the car makes a difference based on type due to size and area of the ground plane and where you mount your antenna.
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A good antenna that is tuned and good RG-8 50ohm coax is what will make the difference. As well as making sure your antenna and radio are both grounded properly.

For Coax and connectors to the Bandi mount I recommend the Diamond C101 I use this setup on my bandi mount for both my Ham and CB antennas I have a adapter that goes from UHF to threaded to allow flexibility when it comes to antennas

Here is a photo set I created when I did my install, my radio is different (ham vs cb) but the principle is the same.

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Permalink Reply by Bz on April 25, 2009 at 7:04pm

As far as Coax is concerend what's the idea RG-6, RG-58, or RG-59?

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Permalink Reply by opg4759 on April 25, 2009 at 9:45pm

I prefer RG-8 or RG-8x the shielding is better and you have less matching issues as well as overload into the front end from a strong single near by.

RG-58 in my humble opinion is lossy and junk.

RG-59 is 75ohm video cable and should not be used.

RF for the most part almost always requires 50ohm cable

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Permalink Reply by Bz on April 26, 2009 at 10:27am

good to know thanks Josh

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Permalink Reply by lemony on April 25, 2009 at 9:10pm

....... A place to put it. I have 3 cb's and can't figure out where to install 1. The portable fits nicely in the rear door pocket but I can't find a spot without giving something up.
Theres lots of old cb info on web on setting it up right, like min cable length, you tune the antenna and cable to the radio where its used to get the most power out with least reflected power (bad.. ) power bounced back decreases your range and puts more stress on the output circuits and could burn up you radio.

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Permalink Reply by DWH on April 25, 2009 at 10:02pm

I have a Midland 75-822 portable handheld. It can be run from AA batteries or connected to vehicle power. In addition it can be connected to an external antenna. I have had several people comment that it can be heard very well and I use the battery and the short "Walkie-Talkie" type antenna. Best of all, for me al least, there was no install. Just put it away when you do not need it. Just my $0.02.

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Permalink Reply by Boss73 on April 27, 2009 at 4:09am

X2 this is the set up that I have as well. Great little unit and install was easy.. It does not have all the bells and whistles of other units but I did not need any of that stuff. Nice thing is I can put it away when not in use...

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Permalink Reply by GRM on April 27, 2009 at 11:19am

For a hand held, I like that midland because of its versatility.

But, a uniden 68 or 78 will over power it.

I recommend the uniden 68 or 78 series CB's because I have had extremely good service out of them.

If you have a dash mount, also look at a uniden pro538w. I bought mine used in 1998, and used it up until this February, when I retired it for a u 68 series uniden. It still worked perfect, and I was able to transmit and receive up to 10 miles with it.

The only cb I never recommend is the Cobra 75 wx st. I went through 3 of them one year before swaping in a 68 series uniden.

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Permalink Reply by F@kken FJ on April 27, 2009 at 4:09pm

So if I went for this ....what questions do I need to ask? "Where's the microphone!?!" "Does it work?" and "Do you have any other pictures?!?"

I like the Midland as I could put it away when not on trails, but $50 seems cheaper than $120 ......just sayin'

Thank you for helping a noob out!