CB Radio Set Up Advice

[americanmadeford]

Alright, I recently put in a cheap $35 Cobra
and an inexpensive radio shack magnet mount antenna into my Ford Focus for some long stretches of interstate id be driving. To me it seems to work great...

Then i found this site which talks about stuff like grounding the antenna... SWR... tuning..., and i go "Holy Crap".

I just purchased an 85' Fl150 and id like to install a CB into it also. This time however, Id like to do it right, and with better components.

I figured Id just go to radio shack and buy one of their mid level radios and either one of their best antennas or puchase a Wilson Silver Load off the internet (seems to be highly recomended here)

One of my questions is where to mount it and how do I get the cable inside the cab?!?!? On my focus i ran it in through a door, but thats mutilating the wire. This truck has aluminum roll bars in the bed. Would affect the reception if i bolted a mirror mount antenna up there? Still not sure how im going to get the coax into the cab. Is it customary to drill a hole?


Also, what does "tuning" the CB do, and how to i properly ground the antenna?

thanks for any help.

[Rook]

Grounding is not something you should be concerned with so much with a vehicle. The radio should be hard wired to an always on power source and fused. The important thing is to have a good antenna and a quality coax. Having a radio peaked and tuned is just having it turned up to max output power. Anything over 4 or 5 watts (factory) is against federal regulations for citizens band radios. The Wilsons are good antennas. As far as mounting it would work fine on the bed rail, roof, or mirror.

[tfisher63]

I agree with Rook, I wouldnt worry much about the grounding unless you experience some strange effects, feedback, weird noise, etc, If your swr checks out, the ground is usually ok. As for getting the coax out, if it is ling enough, try using a grommet in already in the firewall. There are usually already some there that you can sneak the coax out next to another wire. If that wont work, drill one in the back of the cab and use a grommet to protect the coax and seal it with silicone to keep it from rusting.

[americanmadeford]

Thanks for the replies yall.

After some more research I bought a Uniden PC68XL and a 5ft Wilson Silver Load. I figured Id buy an inexpensive SWR meter from Radio Shack and tune it my self, and do like you said a drill a hole in the back of the cab.


Now for another question. If I can judge my engine RPM from the sound of the CB would that mean it needs better grounding?

Also, is the OE coax that comes with this radio good enough?

[tfisher63]

Possibly add a chassis ground from the radio case to a good ground.You might try hooking tho power to a different place (possibly right to the battery) to eliminate the alternator noise, if that doesnt do it, pick up an alternator noise filter at Radio shack or a stereo shop, If I remember correctly it is a 500 micro farad capacitor is all it is. Not sure what kind of coax you have, but Belden is a good brand, but I cant find any near me, but you can orderit off the net. Maybe someone else can chime in and help with that one.

[Rook]

To eliminate alternator noise connect the CB directly to the battery by the shortest path. You can also get engine noise suppressors commercially. Your antenna shouldn't be an issue.

[kd5drx]

to properly tell where the problem is you first need to determine how it is getting there. Try takeing the coax loose from the radio do you still hear the noise if it goes away the problem is in the antenna sysytem and you need to work on the source of the noise ie altenator and filter it out. If the noise is still there with out the antenna conected then you need to get another power source like some have said direct to the battery. Grounds are never something to not worry about grounding is your freind you can never have to many grounds. ground the antenna mount to the frame if possaable the radio to the mount bracket for the radio and the mount braket to the cab and then ground the cab to the frame in as many places as you can and you will notice a big differance in your noise and also your transmit and recieve will be better.

[kc0rey]

I am so proud of you guys................

Everybody helping everybody and the advice is good, though conflicting. The grounding argument is a tough one. I like to ground everything................I grounded Stevie for a week just the other day........LOL

There are many different opinions and schools of thought where grounding is concerned......I like to play it safe.....

[americanmadeford]

My radio came in today. I hope the antenna comes in tomorow so I can get it set up.
I guess Ill be wiring it directly to the battery. Will this fuse on the OE radio power wires be enough or to I need one closer to the battery?


BTW, welcome back kc0rey. I hope your doin well.

[BUZZSAW]

I don't run a ground wire unless it is NEEDED. Sometimes grounds can be too long for example & create a " NOISE generator " as a ground loop. Todays trucks are a NOISE problem ! The electronics sometimes create so much interference it takes the fun out operating your radio set!
IMO, the factory coax usually is not a very high quality & I've found replacing it helps in a lot of cases.
One of my favorites :I love it & can't help but laugh when a driver comes in , & he's unsrewed his antenna from the stud & fastened a ground wire to the base of the antenna ; creating a DIRECT SHORT & wonders why his radio ain't gettin' out ! LOL !!!
Firestick antenna company has put out some great information for newbies , that is on the net & is VERY helpful. I suggest anyone new to the hobby to take the time & read some of their publications . B_Saw