First CB radio for Christmas.....many questions.....help!

Buy a Wilson 500 or 1000 magnetic mount and mount it on the roof. If height is an issue by a Lil Wil from Wilson. Or to make you look law-inforcementish mount the antenna on the trunk.
Buy a cigarette lighter plug for the radio and connect the red wire to + hole and black to - hole.

Most antennas are set up for stock 4 watt radios so you really shouldnt have to worry about the swr adjustment.

 

The only thing I disagree with is you do want to get the SWR set as low as possible.
With high SWR you will not talk or receive as far as when they are low.

 

Both good antennas...

 

I agree with you about the swr but trying to save him money by doing it himself and just about all antennas I've come across are factory set for 4 watts 11 meters. (with whip bottom out on mount)
I googled his radio (nice radio) and it does have a swr function so he can check his swr after installing the antenna. We know the radios meters arent as accurate as a separate swr meter or analyzer but it should get him an idea if he swr is bad or not after installing the antenna.

 

If you live in columbus, get on I70 and head East until you get to SR37. Take that exit and turn left, just past the Pilot you'll see a gray building with a CB Shop sign. Stop in there and he will have everything you need, and if you want it installed, he can do that for you too. Honestly, he's the best around as far as I'm concerned.

 

There's really nothing to installing a CB Radio...It only has two wires to hook-up, RED to Positive and BLACK to ground...I would not recommend using a cigarette lighter adapter because they can cause the radio to pick-up unwanted noise...Or can also cause fuses to blow.

If you want a antenna that's a little better than the Wilson line, look into the Sirio 5000's.

 

Cigarette lighter plugs are fine for people who don't know how to properly wire into their car's electrical system.

I wouldn't use a magnet mount for anything long term. They're fine for a rental car, or throwing the radio into the car for a trip, but after a while, they will play havoc with the car's finish.

"Trunk lip" mounts work pretty well. They can cause a couple of dimples from the set screws, but that is usually not noticeable.

As for me, I drill a 3/4" hole and install a Larsen NMO-27 antenna. It works very well, and just screams "law enforcement".

 

Never used one but I have heard they are a good antenna. I may buy one next time and give it a try.

I agree, drill a hole and be done with it. Unless you trade every year, it won't hurt the value if you plug it with one of those little rubber plugs when you go to trade. (duct tape might draw some frowns though. )

I've used the Larsen for about a year. It doesn't get out as far as the Wilson 1000 did. Same car, same everything except antenna/mount. (SWR good on both too.) Course the Larsen is shorter than the Wilson too so there you go..........