CB radio help

[Cpt Prozak]

I have a roof mount at the moment and im getting tired of the damn thing falling of on the trail and scratching my roof up. i want to get a fiberglass antenna with a wilson channel mount but i dont know what kind of coax cable i need

[ShowStop]

Does the channel mount have a SO-239 connector or o-ring connectors?

[Cpt Prozak]

i know not of what you speek

[ShowStop]

The cable you want to get is RG-8X cable, however the ends you want depend on what type are on the antenna mount. Look at the two mounts here:
http://www.firestik.com/Catalog/SS-204.htm

One has ring terminals (left) and the other a SO-239 connector (right). Most coax cables have PL-259 connectors on both ends. This is the type you need to attach to the radio and to that SO-239 connector. However if you get a ring terminal mount, you need a coax with ring terminals to PL-259.

[johnecon2001]

Why not just get a Lil Wil or a Wilson 1000? The whips are super long and flexible.

[Cpt Prozak]

is there any performance difference between the conectors?

my list http://www.cbradiosplus.com/shop/pc/viewcart.asp

[Mr Tacomi]

is there any performance difference between the conectors?

my list http://www.cbradiosplus.com/shop/pc/viewcart.asp

Generic 'Cart' is empty...

[ShowStop]

is there any performance difference between the conectors?
Not when installed correctly. However the PL-259 connectors are more trouble free and universally compatible. However clearance is usually an issue with channel mounts, so that's why you have to go with ring terminals.

[tacoma_2002]

102" whip FTW. Not the best on the trails, but definately the way to go for more competative modulating ;).

[kamaaina1]

10-4! on the 102" whip. I switch back & forth between the whip & Predator 10K. A 4 foot Skipshooter is used offroad.

http://i212.photobucket.com/albums/cc273/kamaaina1/DSC_0002Medium.jpg

[The Boy]

this is my set up im running with, its not that great, but for running with friends it gets the job done, anyone know how i can boost the power of this little guy?

CB
http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2367684

Antenna
http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2103706

[tacoma_2002]

Really not much you can do with that but drive a modulation booster or amplifier of some kind. I did have a little Maxon (I forget the model number) that I had keying about 3w and swinging to about 12~15w.

[Pikeman]

this is my set up im running with, its not that great, but for running with friends it gets the job done, anyone know how i can boost the power of this little guy?



Well first off it is not legal to boost power on a CB. The output is controlled by the FCC. However you can find CB shops usually near truckstops that will "tune","tweak and peak" or "optimize" your unit for about $35-50. This will get you as much as 35 watts. Since this action is questionable they will most likely not admit to doing this over the phone.

[SurfingDrunk]

roof mount wilson for the win.
although, it DOINGS when you hit branches.

[wingysataday]

I just bought a Midland 75-785 hand held for $33 shipped. I can throw it into the truck when I need it and that way I don't have to deal with mounting anything. I will be getting a 4' firestick to mount to the back when I do use it.

[kamaaina1]

Well first off it is not legal to boost power on a CB. The output is controlled by the FCC. However you can find CB shops usually near truckstops that will "tune","tweak and peak" or "optimize" your unit for about $35-50. This will get you as much as 35 watts. Since this action is questionable they will most likely not admit to doing this over the phone.

The output is controlled by the operator....:D

A peak & tweak is just as illegal.

Leagal power is 4 watts AM, 12 watts SSB for CB/11 meters.

[johnecon2001]

roof mount wilson for the win.
although, it DOINGS when you hit branches.

o how I HATE that sound.

[The Boy]

haha yes im so happy!
i went out and picked up a 102" whip today, just need to get mounting hardware and the cable

[rader]

The output is controlled by the operator....:D

A peak & tweak is just as illegal.

Leagal power is 4 watts AM, 12 watts SSB for CB/11 meters.

Whats legal and what you can get away with is worlds apart when it comes to radios.

I owned commercial fishing boats in the past and we used illegal off the books radios for informal talk and secret communications. At that time for long range CB's we used Clear Channel Ranger 10 meter amateur radios fixed so they would T/R on 11 meters. The Rangers would T/R on and between approved frequency's. We would set one random frequency to transmit on and receive on for boats working with us. That gave so many combinations it was about impossible for scanners to find us and spy.

When we wanted to talk long distances informally and not use our 150W Marine S/S/B. We used un-licensed Icom 100W ham radios that were fixed so you could transmit and receive on about any frequency the thing would dial.

[The Boy]

still trying to figure out how the hell im gonna mount this monstrosity of an antenna on my truck hahaha
with the composite bed, i have no clue, and im thinking at the back, so i can fold it down over my cab to collapse it??

[superchiem]

still trying to figure out how the hell im gonna mount this monstrosity of an antenna on my truck hahaha
with the composite bed, i have no clue, and im thinking at the back, so i can fold it down over my cab to collapse it??

Which 102" whip did you get?

[SurfingDrunk]

i love my roof mount wilson 1000, but the DIOINGS drive me bonkers when i hit limbs.

[big_b_0991]

102" whip FTW. Not the best on the trails, but definately the way to go for more competative modulating ;).

i have a 102" whip on the dakota. it'll swappin to the yota once i get it.

[johnecon2001]

i love my roof mount wilson 1000, but the DIOINGS drive me bonkers when i hit limbs.

I have the same one. At least it doesn't fall over like my cobra mag mount used too.

[louis]

I have a pride 100 Linear amp pushing 100Watts threw a wilson 1000. Nothing fancy but i can talk the talk and walk the walk.. ;)

[superchiem]

I just purchases a 102" whip at radio shack. It looks good and flexible. I plan on mounting it on the rear bumper on the passenger side w/ a 6" spring. My only question is how long of a coax cable do I need for an 04 tacoma? I believe its more than 8ft from the ash tray to the back bumper.

Thanks,

Navy

[kamaaina1]

18' is your standard mobile coax length. You want high quality RG-8X (mini-8). Don't get that lame thin & pre-crimped junk. Rat shack may have it, but I doubt it. Truck stop or CB shop is your best bet! Remember, your antenna setup is 90% of your performance! 4-10!

[ShowStop]

I just purchases a 102" whip at radio shack. It looks good and flexible. I plan on mounting it on the rear bumper on the passenger side w/ a 6" spring. My only question is how long of a coax cable do I need for an 04 tacoma? I believe its more than 8ft from the ash tray to the back bumper.

Thanks,

Navy
You'll want 18' of coax to make it from the radio to the rear bumper. I make the same high quality RG-8X coax cables that Kamaaina1 mentioned. $20 shipped if your interested. I'm in Simi Valley if you are ever nearby and want to pick-up or need some help with the radio. I have SWR meters and full electronics bench if you need.

[superchiem]

You'll want 18' of coax to make it from the radio to the rear bumper. I make the same high quality RG-8X coax cables that Kamaaina1 mentioned. $20 shipped if your interested. I'm in Simi Valley if you are ever nearby and want to pick-up or need some help with the radio. I have SWR meters and full electronics bench if you need.

You have a pm!

[superchiem]

Whip mounted!

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v295/superchiem/DSC00588.jpg

So far looks like a solid setup. I am going to tie the whip down for my school's parking structure. I also put a tennis ball on the antenna in case the whip decides to destroy my taillight.

[The Boy]

Which 102" whip did you get?

radio shack lol

[superchiem]

radio shack lol

haha thanks...

Hey showstop,

Check your pms!

thanks,

navy

[snipershot]

The output is controlled by the operator....:D

A peak & tweak is just as illegal.

Leagal power is 4 watts AM, 12 watts SSB for CB/11 meters.

unless you have a ham radio lisence :)

[Jones]

I just bought a Midland 75-785 hand held for $33 shipped. I can throw it into the truck when I need it and that way I don't have to deal with mounting anything. I will be getting a 4' firestick to mount to the back when I do use it.

What kind of range are you getting from this without the additional antenna? And how happy are you with it overall so far?

[Speedysg]

I'm not cb expert but in my experience, that spring does more harm than good. I had one on my 102 whip for a day until I figured out it was swinging around so much I had to watch who and what was driving around me. It would lean back more than 45 degrees on the freeway and sway side to side going around corners which I would think would only hurt your reception. I would think your going to have dirty tennis ball marks all over your taillight.

[superchiem]

I'm not cb expert but in my experience, that spring does more harm than good. I had one on my 102 whip for a day until I figured out it was swinging around so much I had to watch who and what was driving around me. It would lean back more than 45 degrees on the freeway and sway side to side going around corners which I would think would only hurt your reception. I would think your going to have dirty tennis ball marks all over your taillight.

My 102" whip doesn't swing that much, but it's probably because its still fairly new. I have mine tied down for now in order to park in the parking structures at school. Not sure what else to use besides a tennis ball, it seemed like a good idea at the time.

[Speedysg]

Mine was brand new when I put the spring on... So was the spring... I'm sure though, that it wouldn't swing around as much if it was tied down. I'm just thinking, that if it was tied down to prevent it from moving too much, it probably isn't utilizing all of it's 102" advantage. Not to say, the tennis ball isn't a good idea, use it for sure. I actually switched to a 64" whip and it does pretty well without the spring, and I can still hit up the local Burger King drive thru.

[ShowStop]

The whip bends more then the spring. You can run a HD spring that wont bend much, but the whip antenna will bend regardless.

I've got a 102" whip on my truck and it can sometimes swing forward and hit my windshield while I'm on the trail.

[Mr Tacomi]

The whip bends more then the spring. You can run a HD spring that wont bend much, but the whip antenna will bend regardless.

I've got a 102" whip on my truck and it can sometimes swing forward and hit my windshield while I'm on the trail.

Hell, my 48" likes to whack the roof from time to time, and it's constantly molesting :eek: the Ham antenna--it's how I know all is good on the roof. :D

[Arky Tacoma]

Check out the Hustler HQ-27 whip. It is almost 5 feet and tunes up great. Plus, they are made in the USA, Texas to be exact.