HHIRunner
New member
Maybe just make a mount for it inside the center console so it's hidden when you aren't using it?
CB Install in a useless pocket
- Thread starter zopperman
- Start date
Maybe just make a mount for it inside the center console so it's hidden when you aren't using it?
zopperman
Moderator
ehhh i could just detach it. I kinda wanna have access to it. it's also a pain to shove that wire under the console
gshadow325
New member
note2>iphone
i have this mount and it holds my note 2, with a otterbox case just fine. holds up in wheeling conditions too.
Zak, you need to update first post with your parts list and costs. so others can duplicate this, like me. I like it, i am going to do it so you can make use of your SWR meter. mostly the antenna thingy looks cool
zopperman
Moderator
note2>iphone
i have this mount and it holds my note 2, with a otterbox case just fine. holds up in wheeling conditions too.
Zak, you need to update first post with your parts list and costs. so others can duplicate this, like me. I like it, i am going to do it so you can make use of your SWR meter. mostly the antenna thingy looks cool
hahah that was my favorite part. Just updated the first post. My SWR meter will be here today so I'll have it tuned tomorrow.
HokieRunner
New member
Nice install, Zak! Love the comet mount and the CB seems to be a perfect fit.
zopperman
Moderator
Tuned it today, also moved the mount higher up, right next to the blinker so the antenna is less likely to wack the body. SWR was 1.2 and 1.4 on 1 & 40 respectively, about the best I could get it. Still get a bunch of static and can't hear anyone, but I think I have to get out of the city for it to be more effective.
having fun
New member
Just turn the RF gain all the way up for distance and turn the squelch until the static disappears. If any ones on the radio around there/you with enough distance/power with there radio, you'll hear them adjusted like that.
I'm surprised you got them numbers with the firestick. If you put it up taller it increases your receive/transmit distance also.
Great job there Zak.
Brian757
New member
That poor bastard looks like he already forgot why he's holding that "machine."
zopperman
Moderator
Awesome, that's what I did. We'll see once I get on a highway.
Are firestik's crappy?
having fun
New member
There decent antennas for smaller radios ( like yours ), just not for high power radios.
Your radio is only going to reach out and in only so far do to the wattage rating it has. Same with you receiving others with small wattage radios. You might hear a big base unit here and there, but, they won't hear you, not pushing enough power. What you have is good for trail runs with others around you, 2-3 mile range max.
Mine, I can hear base units back east, mid west, ect. Been able to talk to others around the bay and southern Cali.
having fun
New member
Yea, but, if there radio isn't turned on and the same channel, they can't hear you. You might as well just :wave:
Just being funny.
WillK
New member
Alright guys, educate me on CB antennas...
I'm trying to figure out the firestik antenna, particularly like the one zooperman mounted on his vehicle.
In reading about it, it says it's tunable at the top, which makes sense. And I'm assuming it doesn't require a ground plane and it's a unity gain (0db) antenna.
Does this sound accurate. I wasn't able to find any specs on it.
I'm trying to figure out the firestik antenna, particularly like the one zooperman mounted on his vehicle.
In reading about it, it says it's tunable at the top, which makes sense. And I'm assuming it doesn't require a ground plane and it's a unity gain (0db) antenna.
Does this sound accurate. I wasn't able to find any specs on it.
zopperman
Moderator
Nope, no ground plane, pl259 connector plugs right in, turn a screw on top to tune it and boom
WillK
New member
Okay, so say your radio is transmitting at 4 watts. You have loss in your cable, antenna and connections so in the end you're probably transmitting 2.5 watts.
The general rule of thumb is 3 db of loss, or almost half of your power.
What you can do to help get some power back is to get an antenna with some gain between 2-5 db. But I'm not sure of the specs for your antenna. Do you have the model#?
And I'm not sure what's even avail in the CB bands. BTW, what frequency band are you in???
The general rule of thumb is 3 db of loss, or almost half of your power.
What you can do to help get some power back is to get an antenna with some gain between 2-5 db. But I'm not sure of the specs for your antenna. Do you have the model#?
And I'm not sure what's even avail in the CB bands. BTW, what frequency band are you in???
zopperman
Moderator
uhhhh
So the the power loss at my SWR readings would be about 6% according to the chart, so i'm still running at damn near 4W
Here's the antenna:
Firestik (FS-3BK) Black 3' 650W Tunable Tip CB Antenna : Amazon.com : Automotive
WillK
New member
Maybe. But I would be surprised. I'm not sure how your SWR thing works, I use a watt meter or a field spectrum analyzer.
And being that we're working with high end commercial equipment from Motorola, I'd assume it's insulated and filtered better. And we generally see around 80% on a mobile radio (40 watts on a 50 watt mobile, or 80 on the 100 watt mobiles).
But it's possible.
Do you test at the back of the radio or the antenna?
Can you check reflective power as well...?
And being that we're working with high end commercial equipment from Motorola, I'd assume it's insulated and filtered better. And we generally see around 80% on a mobile radio (40 watts on a 50 watt mobile, or 80 on the 100 watt mobiles).
But it's possible.
Do you test at the back of the radio or the antenna?
Can you check reflective power as well...?
zopperman
Moderator
So the SWR meter goes in line between the radio -SWR- antenna wire.. that's about all I know maybe [MENTION=88231]having fun[/MENTION] can shed some light here?
having fun
New member
His ground plane is his vehicle, the bracket it's mounted to is the ground.
Recommended as rule, 2/3's of the stick should be above the roof line for better performance, all above the better and on top of the roof the best.
It would take me awhile to search the percentages of return, did a lot of searching ( days ) before I went with a power unit.
Edit- slow down on me guys, let me read and catch up after this post.
