CB Installation Help

I can't answer your question on how much shops charge, but I can help you install the radio.

First the radio has a red wire and a black wire. Hook red to a positive lead and black to a negative. Running directly to a battery is the best if you can. If not the cig lighter will suffice, unless your radio has the RFX75 mod done to it.

Then you hook an external SWR meter in line between the radio and the coax. Make sure your truck's antenna is hooked up. And get the truck in an open parking lot or someplace away from poles, trees, buildings and other objects.

Flip to channel 20, and calibrate SWR meter per instructions, then take a reading by keying up but not talking into the mic. Watch the meter while you do this...you want the SWR reading as low as you can. I recommend 1.5:1 on the SWR meter. A 2.0:1 SWR is ok, not as good as a 1.5:1 but it's satisfactory.

Now repeat this on channels 1 and 40.

If your SWR is higher on channel 1 than 40 your antenna is too long. If your SWR is higher on 40 than 1 your antenna is too short.

Some antennas have tuneable ends on the tip of the antenna. Others you snip the whip to get it right.

Hopefully this gets you started in the right direction.

Also make sure you use good coax (I like RG8X for mobiles) and a good antenna (I prefer the Wilson 2000) as this makes or breaks any radio even the best ones. As for an SWR meter I like the Radio Shack one. Although an antenna analyzer (expensive...maybe find someone who has one) would work even better.

HTH

 

I have a 2011 Freightliner Cascadia it already has built in wires run for a CB behind one of the storage compartments above the drivers seat. The wires are labled CB power and CB ground hook the red CB cable to the one labled power. I don't know if the 2010 has the same thing or not but I found the info in the owners manual and how to access it. Mine even has a built in holder for the CB.

As far as paying for CB install I don't know prices what is good or bad. However, the only problem I have had with my Cascadia has been all electric. When I had anything new that is not built in it cause problems with computer and electric system. I installed a new power inverter myself and it caused all kinds of problems. When I took it to the dealer they fixed the problem and they said I installed the inverter right it is just there system.