Using CB through AUX jack

[Antman]

Tried this today, and it works GREAT. If you have an external speaker jack on your CB, like the Cobra 75 that alot of us are using, you can run a mini plug into the AUX jack and listen to the CB through the factory sound system. The difference is dramatic for sound quality, obviously. Sound will only come from the left side speakers, because it's a "mono" jack, but any standard stereo mini plug, like you would use for an IPOD, will work.

Oh yeah, you can leave the plug in all the time and still switch between BT Streaming, and IPOD connectivity with the head unit, no problem.

 

[Ryan_S]

Nice. I was thinking about doing this, but got too lazy to ever try it.

The speaker in the handset is a little weak.

 

[GrantK]

Get a mono to stereo adapter (Radio Shack) and you can hear it through both L and R speakers.

 

[iDRiVaT4R]

Nice. I was thinking about doing this, but got too lazy to ever try it.

The speaker in the handset is a little weak.

Haha, Same here! One of these days I'll hook up a cable. Thanks for letting us know this works Antman.

 

[rdg178]

i would like to know how you mounted your antenna. i am shopping for a cb and saw the 75. i guess it's much smaller that the 29 but how easy is it to operate.
thanks

 

[Antman]

i would like to know how you mounted your antenna. i am shopping for a cb and saw the 75. i guess it's much smaller that the 29 but how easy is it to operate.
thanks

rdg- Welcome to the Forum! The Cobra 75 is very easy to operate, and it'a a quality CB. The tiny speaker is a little weak, that's why they provide an external speaker jack. This is my Firestick antenna kit. This antenna does NOT require a ground to operate. I used the right angle bracket only, and by using a stainless bolt, locknut and washer, I slid the mount into the channel of my luggage rack. I tapped another hole to allow for a set screw that locks the antenna straight up, angled back (to help reduce wind noise), or folded completely forward so it fits into my garage. The cable routes under the plastic endcap, through the rain channel, and into the existing factory rubber boot under the hatch. I am very happy with the results! I plan on doing a writeup, but my 2 little girls have been keeping me too busy!!

 

[Antman]

Here are some quick pics









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[SeattleMike]

Very slick install. How does it go from the roof rail to the rain channel to this:

did you drill a hole or am I missing something?

 

[B'klyn_Mike]

Nice, neat install ANTMAN! :trophy: As a HAM operator myself, I'm always on the lookout for unique antenna installs.:cheers:

Have you checked the SWR on your set-up, and if so, what readings did you get? Also, what range do you get with your antenna/radio set-up? :hungry:

Mike :artist:

 

[Antman]

Thanks Mike! My swris 1:1 on the low end and 2:1 on the high. I'm still messing around with it a little. It has pretty good range, farthest radio check so far was about 6 miles or so. No hole was drilled, the wire comes out the back of the rain channel off the roof, through the hinge, and into the wire loom. There IS a hole in the rubber under the plastic loom holder that the wire is sealed into if that's what you mean. You have to cut a small slot in the back of the rain channel plastic cover for the wire to exit from. Try to get some more pics 2mrw- I'm @ work!SHHHHHHHHHHHH.

 

[4ShoreRunner]

Awesome, awesome set-up. Exactly what I want to do...what size antenna is that?

 

[Antman]

Thanks so much for the positive comments!! It's only a 2 foot NGP Firestick. Only downside is the wind noise over 60. Even laid back it still "howls" a little. I got another antenna in the mail 2day (can't wait to get home!), that will work. It looks like a cell-phone antenna (made by Firestick as well). Really don't want to use this, but I may have to. The moaning antenna makes my wife moan, and not in a good way:naughty:

 

[B'klyn_Mike]

Thanks Mike! My swris 1:1 on the low end and 2:1 on the high.

If you get an SWR of 1.5:1 or lower on channel 20 then you're good to go...no need to fiddle around anymore! :thumb3:

Mike :artist2:

 

[Stankie Finger]

Nice job on the CB ant. write up, Antman.
Did you sell your ant farm and become a big sexy truck driver yet? So Gay

You know who this is..... I clogged your toilet. :trophy:

 

[Antman]

Great. This forum isn't ready for you. Everyone- meet "toiletclogger" from Tacoma World Forums. He's actually pretty funny!!!

 

[SeattleMike]

Thanks to antman, I installed my antenna today. Have to wait for the UPS man to deliver the CB, but I wanted to share:
CB install, part 1:
4' Firestik II

This mount's holes happened to match up to the awning tracks. I still have to run a ground wire, but the mount is solid. I have a quick disconnect attached to an HD spring attached to the antenna. It bobs a bit around turns and on rough roads, but it stayed in place. I'm not sure about the order of things but I'll try it out "as is" for a while.

Coax comes down through the rain channel, and across the hinge, then tied to the washer fluid tube (low point when door is closed, for drainage) before entering into the vehicle.

I made the smallest hole possible and stretched it over the cable. It's very snug, no rips, and the factory wiring remains protected.

Thanks again for the inspiration and write-up.

 

[Antman]

Awesome!! I'm glad I helped you out- this forum gets better every day!! That turned out really sweet, I like the mount alot! Lessons learned from my install: put some wire loom ( I used the kind that wraps around kinda like a spring) around that coax from the point Where it comes out of the rain channel until it enters your grommet. Mine was starting to show some wear. I actually took a grinder to my antenna spring. I cut 3 coils out of it, heated up the spring a little bit, and hammered out the end. Then I reinstalled it into the shorter spring. Helped alot with the crazy flopping around! Can't wait to see the cb installed.

 

[wanderer33y]

Great post Ant, got me wanting to install one myself for future, like search and rescue down here for Clark County, and some maybe in Clackamas County.
SeattleMike, where did you mount the receiver box for the CB 75 and I have to find the post again but im thinking of putting a connector in the center console for a complete concealed look until needed.

 

[SeattleMike]

SeattleMike, where did you mount the receiver box for the CB 75 and I have to find the post again but im thinking of putting a connector in the center console for a complete concealed look until needed.

I shoved it under the center console, in between the passenger side plastic and the rectangular slot in the center console. If was a tight fit, but some 3M tape holds it securely. I used one of the bolts holding down the the yaw sensor to ground it and as a result I get zero interference from the ignition system (thanks random tip on the internet!). I used an add-a-circuit in the spot reserved for seat heaters since I don't have any. I'm still debating the final placement of the handset and I need to clean up the wiring a bit, hence the lack of pictures. I did buy a stereo mini plug and routed it up and behind the AUX input panel, drilled a hole to allow it to pass through back into the cabin, and plugged into the AUX input. Works great, but you can't just unplug it from the AUX and use the speaker on the handset because the other end of the plug is still in the CB. I'm pondering that decision, but I'll probably just leave the cable unplugged at both ends unless I know I will be using the CB constantly.

Antman, did you tap into a power cable or the fuse box?

 

[Antman]

I used a mini-fuse tap as well for my power straight from the drivers side fuse box. Funny thing you mention the ground- I have interference whenever I shift into park ( door locks trigger it) and when the rear wiper is on. It's pretty bad, and I was suspecting a ground loop. The instructions say the box should be grounded, and mine isn't- but then again it doesn't sound like yours is either. I want to try your ground first. How do I ID the yaw sensor?
As far as the mini plug thing- I think if I get back in there I'm gonna take that receiver box apart and see if I can rig a switch that disables the circuit- with the plug still in- which will send the signal back to the handset speaker. Mine is mounted permanently like yours and its a pita sometimes when you can't listen to the stereo and use the CB at the same time. Stay tuned...