CB installed, did I do good?

[swapmeet]

Ok, I installed this a couple days ago. I haven't set the SWR yet, so I haven't keyed it up, only turned it on and listened to truckers in California.

How does it look? I'm concerned that I didn't mount the antenna high enough. I tried mounting it higher on the hatch, but the metal seemed thinner in that area, I would rock the antenna and see the sheet metal flex. Scary stuff.
Also I've read that my mount needs to be grounded. I haven't seen that with other peoples installs?

I pulled the little door off below the climate control, and mounted the speaker in that spot. Never used that stupid cubby anyway. I almost screwed straight into the back do that piece. Then I thought to check and see what's behind it.... FREAKING ABS CONTROL BOX.... *whew* glad i checked!!!

I got my SWR meter in but I need a jumper cable to do the test.

Cb is a Cobra 75 wxt
Firestik 3' antenna
RS 700 antenna mount
Spring
18' Cable
Aux speaker

LMK what y'all think.

 

[swapmeet]

Bump

 

[Jeff614]

Install looks good :thumbs3:

Antenna should be high enough. Lots of folks go with the 'glasss sticks so your SWR should be fine. Maybe not 1:1 like a 102" whip etc... but should work well for you. Your antenna DEFINITELY needs grounded though unless it's a mag mount. Do a search for some of the antenna mounts and you'll see many a grounding location for antennas in that position.

Also one more quick thing but seems you already know. Def don't key that radio up without an antenna (or SWR meter) attached for the sake of your finals.

Congrats on the install! Looks good and plenty of time to fine tune later

- Jeff

 

[swapmeet]

Install looks good :thumbs3:

Antenna should be high enough. Lots of folks go with the 'glasss sticks so your SWR should be fine. Maybe not 1:1 like a 102" whip etc... but should work well for you. Your antenna DEFINITELY needs grounded though unless it's a mag mount. Do a search for some of the antenna mounts and you'll see many a grounding location for antennas in that position.

Also one more quick thing but seems you already know. Def don't key that radio up without an antenna (or SWR meter) attached for the sake of your finals.

Congrats on the install! Looks good and plenty of time to fine tune later

- Jeff

I got a little impatient today. I couldn't find a crimp connector with a large enough loop to go around the antenna mount threads. So I stripped back some tinned 14ga wire, wrapped it around the mount after I loosened it, then crimped it. Tighten the mount back and it should be good. I grounded the other side to the body near the hatch. Went out to a open field near the freeway and set my SWR. Came in around 1.4. I tried transmitting but could never get anyone to reply. Maybe cause it's Sunday.

 

[Jeff614]

Holidays and trying to get my bumper installed make me forget threads...

Sounds like ya done good. With a 'glass stick and that SWR you should have a nice setup that'll serve you well on the trails and the road.

Wouldn't worry much about not getting a radio check from anyone. Sadly CB's are turning into relics. I live in northern VA and even with my Connex and Wilson 5000 there's not much chatter save for some dump trucks.

Next time your on a road trip and stuck in traffic turn the radio on enjoy knowing whyyyyy your sitting in traffic lol. Also helpful for cops. I know WAZE is popular now but there's so many false alerts so people can drive up their "ratiing".

Glad you got it all installed
- Jeff

 

[swapmeet]

I wanted to follow up on this thread. I went to a local Toyota meet and another guy key'd up so I could confirm functionality. He could hear me loud and clear. His incoming transmission was very quiet, vs the surrounding static. I'm gonna label it as working for now and give it another go when I go off road.