CB Radio Antenna Connection

[thtaylor8]

I don't have much experience with CB radios and I have a simple question. Im not sure how I should connect the coax cable to the antenna. Are there any adapters that I can use?

- 4ft Firestik antenna
- Firestik antenna spring
- 8ft coax cable (PL-259 Connections)
- Comet RS-720 hatch mount

Did I get wrong Coax cable. I've seen Firestik make PL-259 to Firering coax cables.

 

[zopperman]

I hvae a very similar setup, you just need an antenna stud. It goes Coax > stud > spring > antenna

 

[TheeMikeB]

Firestik K-4A CB Antenna Stud Mount | Right Channel Radios

Also depending on where you mount your CB you might want to think about a 90 degree elbow for the back of the radio. It allows to push the radio further back into the dash area as the coax is rather ridged and sticks out a few inches off the back of the radio as you can see in your picture.

http://www.rightchannelradios.com/right-angle-male-to-female-uhf.html

 

[hrt4me]

good info, thanks!

 

[TiN]

I ordered the same antenna and Comet mount and was wondering what spring and stud I should buy. I would go with the setup mentioned above, but I've read that the medium duty Firestik spring doesn't do well at highway speeds. Has anyone used the Firestik SS-34H crimp on heavy duty spring before? Do I still need a stud?

 

[fourwd1]

The "stud" is what connects the antenna/spring to the coax cable
It mounts on the antenna mount and the antenna screws onto one end and the coax to the other.
It has a 3/8-24 female threaded socket on one end and a female coax connected (SO-239) on the other.

 

[fourwd1]

Also going to move this to proper section.

 

[92-SR5]

You need much more coax. CB requires 18' of coax to work properly. They do make antennas with pl-259 connectors but it makes it pretty bulky. I'll take a pic of mine when I get back from work.

 

[2014 Warthog]

You need much more coax. CB requires 18' of coax to work properly...

According to myth, 9, 18 or 36 foot are "good". But it is completely a myth. In fact the cable should be no longer than exactly what you need to get it from the radio to the antenna without having to coil or bunch it up anywhere, and no less than 6 feet long.

However, just try finding a cable that ISN'T 9 or 18 feet!

So if 9 feet reaches, use that, if you do use an 18 footer and you have to bunch up extra cable (That really is the worst thing for tuning) Look up various techniques for it on the net. But don't just coil it up like a hose.

If you have a good ham radio store nearby you can probably get them to make you a nice cable at exactly the length you actually need. That would be the best thing.

 

[92-SR5]

According to myth, 9, 18 or 36 foot are "good". But it is completely a myth. In fact the cable should be no longer than exactly what you need to get it from the radio to the antenna without having to coil or bunch it up anywhere, and no less than 6 feet long.

However, just try finding a cable that ISN'T 9 or 18 feet!

So if 9 feet reaches, use that, if you do use an 18 footer and you have to bunch up extra cable (That really is the worst thing for tuning) Look up various techniques for it on the net. But don't just coil it up like a hose.

If you have a good ham radio store nearby you can probably get them to make you a nice cable at exactly the length you actually need. That would be the best thing.

You don't absolutely have to have a full 18' (appox. 1/2 wavelength) of coax. However if you run shorter you need to make sure you have a good ground plane, good ground on your antenna mount, and a good antenna location. Failure to do so will affect your SWR, but usually a full 18' of coax will help correct.

Like said above, you never want to coil coax up, it will cause issues. Instead of coiling, serpentine it back and forth (12"-18" length).

Some good coax choices for CB are RG-58/U, RG-58 A/U or RG-8X.