Disco2Guy Posted April 10, 2008 Report Share Posted April 10, 2008 Hello everyone-I'm getting ready to purchase a cb soon and want to make sure I'm getting the the correct parts. Here's my list so far: Cobra 75WXSTFirestik II Firefly 4' CB Antenna FS4-BFirestik Antenna Bracket SS-174SFirestik Combo Spring & Stud Mount SS-34AHFirestik Antenna Quick Disconnect K1AFirestik Fire-Flex 18ft Single Antenna Coaxial Cable K-8AI'll also need to get some electrical wire to connect to the fuse box. Ron, if the offer still stands for those grommets I'll take them off your hands at Mexxi's. I'd like to mount the junction box under the drivers seat and connect the handset through the plastic seat trim like this. My biggest question is about wiring everything together. Can someone give me some pointers for the wiring, maybe show me their setup at Mexxi's? Thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
astateofmike Posted April 10, 2008 Report Share Posted April 10, 2008 Wiring is very simple as the CB should only come with hot and ground. Then just decide where you want it wired to! I'd wire it direct to the battery with an inline fuse for protection as this allows you to have the CB on wether the car is running or not. My HAM is this way, the CB is keyed to the ignition, which I would like to change. It never retains the channel it is on. The underseat idea with the connector is very clean and will mean that when not in use, you can store the mike and not have anything visible. However, I would suggest seeing if you can get a plug cover to put over the recept. when not in use, as it's upward location means it will catch anything you spill/dirt etc.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jantiz Posted April 10, 2008 Report Share Posted April 10, 2008 You know, I hear a lot of conversation lately about radios in the trucks. Some go CB (these I've heard of before, though never used one) some mention HAM (these I've never heard of) some mention even other types. Could someone break it down "radios for dummies" level and explain the diference so I can make a decision on which to purchase? Thank you! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Disco2Guy Posted April 10, 2008 Author Report Share Posted April 10, 2008 More than likely you'll want to go with the cb (citizen's band), HAM radios require a federal license to operate. That setup gives you much more range than a cb can, hence the reason for the license to operate. I'm sure others will chime who are more in the know. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
astateofmike Posted April 10, 2008 Report Share Posted April 10, 2008 Yes, HAM requires a license. The quality of the transmission is clearer. What do you want to do? Off road with a group of people? CB will do what you need to do, which is talk to each other. HAM would allow you to talk over miles, where as CB will give you less distance. Want to go out into the backcountry with a group or by yourself. Except for a Sat Phone, HAM is the way to go at a minimum low frequency and better hi freq. With Hi, which I can't do yet, I understand that you can talk around the world from your truck. But either of these will give you better radio options than CB. One of the people that needs to answer this would be Gary (PC Rover) and I know he will chime in. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ROVRMAN2 Posted April 10, 2008 Report Share Posted April 10, 2008 FRS---Family Radio System(?). Cheap, easy to use, handheld, universal, therefore everyone is crowding the channels. Good for close spaced convoys,transmissions degrade in canyons. CB---Citizens Band. Higher priced. Easy to use, also universal use by truckers therefore may get crowded channels. Transmissions good for open space areas, canyon areas up to 1/4mi. Transmissions also dependent on antenna placement and being "tuned". Transmissions 2+ or more miles if conditions right. Ham---Amateur Radio. License required. True radio equipment, versatile. Affordable,but expensive. Best in transmissions. Good for expedition travel, even better if you have upgrade license(talk to the world & bypasses the satellite phone). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Desertcrawler Posted April 10, 2008 Report Share Posted April 10, 2008 CB is pretty much what all the rigs in the NCLR club run. I also carry a cheap, $20 FRS radio to talk to people who don't have a CB. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jantiz Posted April 10, 2008 Report Share Posted April 10, 2008 Ok, that much is settled then. Thanks to all who replied. Guess I'll take a peak at the CBs in some of our rigs at Mexxi's to see what works well and where. Please feel free when you see me to pull me aside and show off your set up Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Disco2Guy Posted April 11, 2008 Author Report Share Posted April 11, 2008 Out of curiousity, are the tips of this cable removable so I can pass it through the grommet on the cargo door? Or should I buy the parts and make my own cable? Thanks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PCRover Posted April 11, 2008 Report Share Posted April 11, 2008 Yes and No on that question. I have seen cables with removable ends, but they are hard to find. If you go with Mini-UHF connectors they are small enough that they might go through the grommet. Then use a MiniUHF to Regular UHF adapter on the Radio or Antenna end. Look me up at the meeting and we can talk about it. Out of curiousity, are the tips of this cable removable so I can pass it through the grommet on the cargo door? Or should I buy the parts and make my own cable? Thanks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrVideo Posted April 11, 2008 Report Share Posted April 11, 2008 If you buy a pre-made cable, chances are it will be fully assembled. I used a 18' cable and it was a perfect length. I had to cut one end off to feed through the grommet, then solder the ends back. Be sure you know where all your parts are before beginning. After I stripped the cable back, I went looking for my soldering iron. I searched for almost 20 minutes before I remembered leaving it at the kid's school (I re-wired their auditorium audio). I then resorted to using my wife's stained glass soldering iron (huge tip). My driveway still bears solder puddles from my install. Good luck. Jim Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Disco2Guy Posted April 11, 2008 Author Report Share Posted April 11, 2008 Sounds easy enough, the MrVideo. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Disco2Guy Posted April 16, 2008 Author Report Share Posted April 16, 2008 Just an FYI, Tony mentioned Scanners Unlimited to me on Monday as another place to get your antenna tuned. I just looked up their site but they are "closed for good" as of March 12. How long does it take to usually tune the antenna btw? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PCRover Posted April 16, 2008 Report Share Posted April 16, 2008 I have the equipment to tune your Antenna (assuming it is the tuneable type). We can do it at a MORG or when ever our paths cross. It should only take a few minutes to do. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Disco2Guy Posted April 16, 2008 Author Report Share Posted April 16, 2008 Right on Gary, if you're at the May MORG let's try and do it then, I plan to attend again. And yes I'm getting a tunable tipped antenna. I'll hit you up with a reminder as the MORG approaches. Thanks again. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PCRover Posted April 16, 2008 Report Share Posted April 16, 2008 Sounds good Brenton. I plan on attending the May MORG in my D90! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Disco2Guy Posted April 16, 2008 Author Report Share Posted April 16, 2008 Nice Gary!! Can I get a ride in the D90? I've never been in one. Actually, RovrFlo is the only LR I've been in for that matter. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LandRonB Posted April 16, 2008 Report Share Posted April 16, 2008 Hey Brenton, I missed the get together @ Mexxis; had Search and Rescue volunteer work to do that day! In the mail today, I am sending you 3 grommets: one for the rear (for the coax to antenna), and two for front (one for coax from the chasis to inside the cab, and the other for power/to battery). And about a dozen mini tie wraps (to tie down the coax on the chasis) if you choose to run the coax thru the chasis like I did. Or if you choose to run the coax inside the cab, you would only need two grommets (one for the rear (coax) and and one for the front (for power/battery), and no tie wraps! Anyways, looks like you have a handle on the CB parts/accessories. I will post pics and details on how I wired the coax, power and CB. I also have a SWR meter; have not had time to tune it; seems to work fine during April's MORG, but want to make sure it's tune very least ch 7 (which we use the most). You are more than welcome to use my SWR meter perhaps during the First Aid Training or next month's MORG. Takes 10-15 mins to tune. C yah! Hello everyone-I'm getting ready to purchase a cb soon and want to make sure I'm getting the the correct parts. Here's my list so far: Cobra 75WXSTFirestik II Firefly 4' CB Antenna FS4-BFirestik Antenna Bracket SS-174SFirestik Combo Spring & Stud Mount SS-34AHFirestik Antenna Quick Disconnect K1AFirestik Fire-Flex 18ft Single Antenna Coaxial Cable K-8AI'll also need to get some electrical wire to connect to the fuse box. Ron, if the offer still stands for those grommets I'll take them off your hands at Mexxi's. I'd like to mount the junction box under the drivers seat and connect the handset through the plastic seat trim like this. My biggest question is about wiring everything together. Can someone give me some pointers for the wiring, maybe show me their setup at Mexxi's? Thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Disco2Guy Posted April 16, 2008 Author Report Share Posted April 16, 2008 Thanks Ron, I hope to have the cb installed by the Wilderness Training so we can tune it then. If not Gary has also offered to tune my antenna during May's MORG. I'll keep you and Gary posted. For anyone looking at a cb setup, my purchase list has changed to the NGP kit (9040 from Ron's link in his original post). Firestick's site is a little confusing as they list the parts installed on a Disco (from and Expedition Exchange how-to), but fail to mention the fact the the NGP is the better choice. Unless your mounting the antenna to the middle of the roof. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
esteban Posted April 18, 2008 Report Share Posted April 18, 2008 I have the equipment to tune your Antenna (assuming it is the tuneable type). We can do it at a MORG or when ever our paths cross. It should only take a few minutes to do. Gary, I'm going to have a CB installed in mine also, and I will have a tuneable type antenna. I think I might need your help..... Steve Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PCRover Posted April 18, 2008 Report Share Posted April 18, 2008 No problem, we can take care of any tuning required. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrVideo Posted April 18, 2008 Report Share Posted April 18, 2008 I thought I'd pass along my experience with my tuneable antenna. When I purchased my unit, I also bought an 18 ft. length of antenna cable. Cliff, the guy at Clyde's Electronics said with my 4-ft Firestick antenna, Turn the knob 8 times and you'll be set. Now I don't own a SWR meter anymore, so I took his word for it, made the 8 turns, put the cap on tested my new unit. I went up to Merritt college in the Oakland hills and reached someone in San Mateo. I figured Cliff was right. On the last MORG, I was in constant communication with the pack even though I was in the rear. What I'm really interested in is finding out just how close to perfect those 8 turns were. Gary, I'll have to wait until the June MORG to catch up with you. Hope you keep that meter on board. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
esteban Posted April 19, 2008 Report Share Posted April 19, 2008 No problem, we can take care of any tuning required. Sweeeeet!! Steve Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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