Dual antennae...

Discussion in 'CB Radio Forum' started by DC CAB, Sep 12, 2010.

  1. DC CAB

    DC CAB Medium Load Member

    My truck has the dual antennae on the side mirrors. I went to hook up my CB and found that the end of the cables is missing the part that screws into the back of the radio. Can I just get that part from somewhere and put that on the end of the wires or does this have to be fixed by a CB shop?

    If I can buy that end piece, is it as simple as "crimping" it onto the end of the wires (after exposing some wire)?

    Thanks.
     
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  3. WA4GCH

    WA4GCH Road Train Member

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    Seminole Florida
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    The connector is called a PL-259 and they do make a crimp one.
     
  4. WAG

    WAG Bobtail Member

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    Cell phone replaced CB's.....

    Year's ago for talking long distance......

    With ya friend's....

    If ya CB will talk to the gaurd shack....

    Or the loader.....

    Get a warning ,,,,,,for a 10'33 up the road......

    I wouldn't worry about it.....
     
  5. josh.c

    josh.c Road Train Member

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    So you're suggesting he run his radio without an antenna? It won't do any of the things you list without it. Great advice.
     
    squirrellsgnwild Thanks this.
  6. Xcis

    Xcis Medium Load Member

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    Bridgeport, Pa
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    The best two ways to screw up the power transistors and make your CB radio a worthless piece of junk are:

    .1 Operate your radio with a very high SWR reading ie. 3.0 or higher.
    .2 Operate your radio without connecting to either an antenna or a dummy load.

    While many people really hate Radio Shack, they do have Pl-259 connectors. There are 3 types of pl259 connectors.
    One type requires soldering, another type is a crimp on connector and then there are press on connectors. I suggest you do a search on the internet for more information on PL259 connectors.
     
    Last edited: Sep 12, 2010
  7. Powder Joints

    Powder Joints Subjective Prognosticator

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    Do Your Self a Favor Stop by a Shop and have them install the connectors (solder on center conductor). Also have them check the SWR of the antenna system and tune if needed. Probably be money well spent.
     
  8. DC CAB

    DC CAB Medium Load Member

    I appreciate the input. I'll check out all my options. But being in a company day cab limits me as to when I can stop for a spell at a shop. I think I'll check into the crimp style connector and see how that works.

    Thanks.
     
  9. KE5WDP

    KE5WDP Road Train Member

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    Caddo Lake, Texas
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    You are better off taking you one of those vice grip mounts and running your own antenna and coax to your radio.

    These "duel" antennas are there for looks. Run ONE hot antenna and you will be able to have a better pattern and you will be able to hear better too.

    And the vice grip mounts are good if you are in and out of a truck like a day cab.
     
  10. DC CAB

    DC CAB Medium Load Member

    I ended up stopping by a CB shop and, for $10, he soldered on a new lead. All's well, now, lolol.
     
  11. AB7IF

    AB7IF Light Load Member

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    You mentioned dual factory antennas but not the truck model. If it was a true phasing harness (no splitter) missing the Y adapter then the CB shop failed to look at the coax type. Meaning you could now be running a 75 ohm cable between the radio and antenna. Did the cables have UHF or Motorola plugs? If so and they cut the UHF or Motorola (depending upon truck model) plug off to install a PL 259 then you should do it to the other cable, and connect them with a T which will go to the back of the radio. You would then have the proper phasing (and matching) restored.

    http://www.hyelectronics.com/TWIN-DOUBLE-FEMALE-SINGLE-MALE-CONNECTOR/productinfo/PL-275/

    http://www.wearecb.com/store/y-connector-firestick-mu9r18-p-3917.html

    http://henshaws.com/store/product1061.html
     
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