[Nickb1907]

Just wanted to thank yall for the help when doing my CB. Just wanted to update this with my setup.

Started by fixing up my battery. Added 2 front posts to it for my added electronics. And then added wing nut connectors to make it even easier.


Then i ran the wire, i had single wire so i cut it to length and twisted it together. Took forever to twist them up, but i think it looks better than loose dangling wires.
Also added a fuse right by the battery, and it runs through a small firewall plug into the cab.


Ran it up to the top of my dash, drilled the CB down to the dash and then started running my coax for the antenna. Runs along the drivers side and into the hardtop wiring. I also plugged my ipod headphone jack into the external speaker. It worked good, just cant talk on the cb while its on cause it makes a tone of sqeeking when you try and talk. Havent made a spot for the mic, as i will probably just throw it in my center console till needed, then just drop it in the cup holder.


One part of my install im not happy about, mostly cause you see a lose wire. But unless i drilled through my tub this about it for getting out of the cab. I plan on making a hole in the drain plug and running it through later on.


Antenna mount is basically 2 drilled holes through the tire carrier to attach it, was going to do the 4 but it doesnt move at all like this and its time consuming. The antenna wire runs from the last pic to behind the bumper and out here.


and a shot from a distance, the antenna sticks out about 3 inches above the hardtop.


Parts:
Cobra 19 CB
Wilson antenna
Antenna Mount
18 ft coax(which was exact down to the inch)
2 terminal posts
2 wingnut posts
wire
inline fuse

Would also like to thank my girlfriend for buying me the CB.

And here is my $12 air horn install, sounds like a boat horn but makes me laugh.

compressor is mounted on the lower plate by the firewall.

[Scrambler82]

Install looks good...

I like the radio on top of the dash, looks kind of Emergency Vehicle.

Make sure you add the rubber around any part going through metal.

The antenna, I believe it is a Wilson from the pic. If you haven't tuned it, disconnect the extra wire that comes out of the antenna, the one you have going to ground; this is used for special SWR cases.

The mount needs a good ground path for the antenna system to work and your hinge will impede the ground path. Add a flexible ground wire from a bolt point on the mount/tire carrier to the frame, getting to bare metal under the ring lugs and use some Anti Corrosive Paste if you have it.

Tuning the antenna, if you can't get the SWR lower than 2 to 1, after trying all other know methods, attach the extra wire from the antenna to ground.
If you get a good SWR without the extra wire attached then tape the extra wire against the antenna and leave it.

The battery, nice setup, I like the studs, add something over the positive stud to reduce any possibility of short circuits. Also, add some conductive paste to the studs to reduce corrosion, but not too much.

The fuse you added, what is the amperage rating ?

Did you leave the in-line fuse that came with the CB ?

Nice setup.

[Nickb1907]

Originally Posted by NnF

Install looks good...

I like the radio on top of the dash, looks kind of Emergency Vehicle.

Make sure you add the rubber around any part going through metal.

The antenna, I believe it is a Wilson from the pic. If you haven't tuned it, disconnect the extra wire that comes out of the antenna, the one you have going to ground; this is used for special SWR cases.

The mount needs a good ground path for the antenna system to work and your hinge will impede the ground path. Add a flexible ground wire from a bolt point on the mount/tire carrier to the frame, getting to bare metal under the ring lugs and use some Anti Corrosive Paste if you have it.

Tuning the antenna, if you can't get the SWR lower than 2 to 1, after trying all other know methods, attach the extra wire from the antenna to ground.
If you get a good SWR without the extra wire attached then tape the extra wire against the antenna and leave it.

The battery, nice setup, I like the studs, add something over the positive stud to reduce any possibility of short circuits. Also, add some conductive paste to the studs to reduce corrosion, but not too much.

The fuse you added, what is the amperage rating ?

Did you leave the in-line fuse that came with the CB ?

Nice setup.

i do have an inline fuse that came with the cb, the one i added looks identical. I think it was either 3A or 5A.

I used it during the small offroad trip i took, i literally drilled the holes for the CB and found the bolts 1 hour before i left. But it worked good, we were not spaced to far apart though.

So i shouldnt use the ground wire from the antenna? And ill be taking it to a CB shop to get the SWR right, but i might not even bother changing anything if it wont hurt anything.

And to ground the mount better should i run a wire to the frame, and have it attach similiar to how i attached the antenna ground?

For the SWR, the lower the better? I should aim between 1&2?

[UnsanePyro]

Looks like a nice install, that little "storage" spot seems pretty useless otherwise.

If you wanted to couldn't you run the wire backwards, along the windshield, down under the door by the dash and then out the back? Wouldn't have to worry about drilling but it would look a bit cleaner, maybe even drill a hole in the dash and go down through it.

[TJgreg]

looks good, i have the same radio.

[Nickb1907]

Originally Posted by UnsanePyro

Looks like a nice install, that little "storage" spot seems pretty useless otherwise.

If you wanted to couldn't you run the wire backwards, along the windshield, down under the door by the dash and then out the back? Wouldn't have to worry about drilling but it would look a bit cleaner, maybe even drill a hole in the dash and go down through it.

not really following you, i could probably bring it back out the firewall plug and just run it under the jeep. But routing that thing through the dash was a PITA. So many wires and small spaces. And if i do do that im getting another coax with a 90 degree end on it as my cb is pressed against the windshield.

[Jerry Bransford]

That ground wire is ineffective for grounding an antenna, if your antenna mount needs grounding at all. If the mount is securely mounted with a bare steel to bare steel connection, then no additional ground wire is needed. If your mount isn't solidly mounted like that, then an extra ground is needed but use a braided ground strap instead of ordinary wire. Braided ground strap is a woven wire that is highly effective with RF applications like grounding an antenna mount.

Be careful too that your CB which is pressed up against your windshield doesn't crack the windshield from vibration.

And yes, the lower the SWR the better. Closer to '1' is better than closer to '2'.

[UnsanePyro]

Haha, I was on my lunch break and came home from work, mixed up what wires I was looking at so what I said no one should understand, unless they are as confused as me

[Nickb1907]

Originally Posted by Jerry Bransford

That ground wire is ineffective for grounding an antenna, if your antenna mount needs grounding at all. If the mount is securely mounted with a bare steel to bare steel connection, then no additional ground wire is needed. If your mount isn't solidly mounted like that, then an extra ground is needed but use a braided ground strap instead of ordinary wire. Braided ground strap is a woven wire that is highly effective with RF applications like grounding an antenna mount.

Be careful too that your CB which is pressed up against your windshield doesn't crack the windshield from vibration.

And yes, the lower the SWR the better. Closer to '1' is better than closer to '2'.

so what is the point of it if they have it dangling from the antenna?

[Jerry Bransford]

Originally Posted by Nickb1907

so what is the point of it if they have it dangling from the antenna?

Designed by a well-intentioned someone who knows nothing about RF and thought it would work as a good ground?