Southern California Club Xterra

Southern California Club Xterra => SCCX General Discussion => Topic started by: RikRong on July 25, 2015, 10:32:59 PM

Title: Adding a CB
Post by: RikRong on July 25, 2015, 10:32:59 PM

So, after running with GreenGoon and Duff without a CB, I figured it was time to get a beginner's setup (I'll go HAM eventually). I was looking for a complete install kit and found the kit below. I just want to know what you experienced guys think. I'm probably going to go with the Firestik antenna, mounted in the hood channel. What do you all think?

http://www.rightchannelradios.com/collections/equipment-by-vehicle/products/uniden-jeep-off-road-cb-kit

Sent from my Nexus 5

Title: Re: Adding a CB
Post by: steve c on July 25, 2015, 10:36:13 PM

Looks like a fine set up!

Probably would fit nicely in the spot under the armrest. 

Definitely start studying for that ham license! 

Title: Re: Adding a CB
Post by: Ghost65 on July 26, 2015, 05:34:03 AM

That's a nice set up Rik!

Glad they made the differentiation between Jeeps and off roaders.  ;)

Title: Re: Adding a CB
Post by: GreenGoon on July 26, 2015, 08:32:09 AM

That looks like a pretty standard set up.

I personally am not a fan of the firestik but that is because I'm not a fan of putting a transmitting antenna anywhere other than the roof for radio nerd reasons that are probably not much of an issue for our purposes. (RF radiation and directionlity) I also don't like how much they flop around when you wheel, but once again, I was running mine on the roof. Fiberglass antennas are also relatively fragile but people wheel with them all the time with minimal issue.

I run a quarter wave antenna with a base load so I don't have a huge whip on the roof. The quarter wave has it's own issues but my set up allows me to swap antennas with ham radios and scanners or a larger whip if I'd like. I recommend a set up like mine if you are serious about adding a ham. You can set up futures for all of your antennas now so you just have to install the radio when you get your ham.

my .02

Call me if you want more radio nerd talk.

Title: Re:
Post by: RikRong on July 26, 2015, 09:07:15 AM

I'll definitely need to give you a call or talk to you more about the quarter wave setup. Thanks for the advice everyone.

Edit: Starting to read up a little about quarter wave and swapping over antennas. I'll definitely need to ask some questions, so please forgive my "noobness" when it comes to radios.

Sent from my Nexus 5

Title: Re: Adding a CB
Post by: GreenGoon on July 26, 2015, 09:55:00 AM

My CB antenna may even be a 1/8 wave as an unloaded whip for CB is still over 100". My ham antennas are straight 1/4 wave antennas which work pretty well for California's mountainous terrain.

I'll be home all afternoon if you want to give me a call.

Title: Re: Re: Adding a CB
Post by: RikRong on July 26, 2015, 08:38:56 PM

Quote from: GreenGoon on July 26, 2015, 09:55:00 AM

My CB antenna may even be a 1/8 wave as an unloaded whip for CB is still over 100". My ham antennas are straight 1/4 wave antennas which work pretty well for California's mountainous terrain.

I'll be home all afternoon if you want to give me a call.

Sorry I missed you today, it's been a cluster getting settled into the house. I'll definitely give you a call this week because I want to get up and running with some sort of radio. I'll also do some reading when I have time.

Sent from my Nexus 5

Title: Re: Adding a CB
Post by: GreenGoon on July 26, 2015, 09:06:15 PM

I'll be around tomorrow too.