The Ham & CB Radio Thread

[WWII Jeeper]

A Uniden Pro-520XL is one of the most popular and at only $38 on Amazon.com now is a bargain. I've been running one for 20 years now, they're darned near bulletproof. This one... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00004VXNI/?tag=wranglerorg-20

I wish you had asked about antennas first before buying the one you did like you asked about CBs first. To put it bluntly, that particular Firestik antenna you bought, uh, well, sucks. It is a no-groundplane style of antenna which does not perform well. Period. NGP antennas are designed for use on vehicles without any steel in them, like fiberglass or wooden boats. NGP antennas are compromise designs at best.

Conventional antennas (not no-groundplane models) designed to make use of the Jeep's inherently excellent groundplane (lots of steel makes for a good groundplane) work about a million times better. Maybe not a million times but you get the idea. The one you bought will technically "work" but it won't work in marginal conditions like a conventional CB antenna will.

This is the style of antenna I would have recommended had you asked first.... a Firestik II FS series which is available in lengths from 2' to 5' though I'd go for a 2' or 3' at the tallest. http://firestik.com/CatalogFrame.htm and click on the Firestik II link. Amazon sells them. Personally I'd go for the Firestik FS-2B (black) or FS-3B which are 2' or 3' tall antennas, depending on what height you want. I prefer 2' tall since it doesn't get hung up on obstacles or need to be removed when I drive into my garage. It also works extremely well even when I am leading large groups of Jeeps around, the tail-end Jeeps always hear my CB loud and clear. You don't need a real tall antenna just to go trail riding with friends.

Hi Jerry, last year I was given a Cobra sound tracker cb radio, and a black 4' Firestick antenna. After reading this thread, I didn't know there were ground and no-ground antennas. With just the antenna stem itself, is there a way to find if it's a ground or no ground ?

 

[Jerry Bransford]

Hi Jerry, last year I was given a Cobra sound tracker cb radio, and a black 4' Firestick antenna. After reading this thread, I didn't know there were ground and no-ground antennas. With just the antenna stem itself, is there a way to find if it's a ground or no ground ?

Yes. If the antenna itself is separate and can be unscrewed from its mount, and the antenna cable is separate, that is a conventional groundplane type antenna. If it's all one module with a permanently attached coax cable, the odds are good that it's a no-groundplane (NGP) antenna.

 

[WWII Jeeper]

Yes. If the antenna itself is separate and can be unscrewed from its mount, and the antenna cable is separate, that is a conventional groundplane type antenna. If it's all one module with a permanently attached coax cable, the odds are good that it's a no-groundplane (NGP) antenna.

It's a groundplane, thank you for the info-
Ray

 

[Jerry Bransford]

It's a groundplane, thank you for the info-
Ray

Good to read it's the better conventional groundplane type.

 

[Eddie Greenlee]

Hey folks, well i installed my CB radio this afternoon. The location i choose was on the back side or rear of the console. I used a backing plate on the inside of the console to make it super strong. I like the way it worked out for now. Its easy to see and not to hard to change channels. From what I figure you just dont change channels very often anyway. I still have to get the antenna mount, coax cable and SWR meter so i can tune the antenna. That should all be in by Friday.

 

[Jerry Bransford]

If the SWR meter indicates a way-high SWR and you can't tune it downward, take a look to insure the antenna mount was properly assembled with everything, especially the white nylon insulated shoulder washer is properly positioned and in place.

And only make very small adjustments to the antenna's tuning screw. It's easy to miss the 'dip' in the SWR indicating it is tuned if you turn the screw too far between checks.

Also, the red vinyl tip cover (assuming you bought a Firestik FS series antenna) will detune the antenna when you place it on the antenna. You need to slightly detune the antenna to one side of minimum SWR so the SWR will move back down when you put the vinyl tip cap on.

 

[Eddie Greenlee]

This is pretty new to me so learning how to use the SWR will be cool. Ive watched several youtubes vids moving from channel 1 then 40 and adjusting the antenna to get the SWR as close to 1:1 as possible. But in my instructions it says tune it on channel 20 only and get the SWR as close to 1:1 as possible. Do you have a preference?

 

[Jerry Bransford]

Yes, ignore the videos saying to tune it on 1 and 40. Tune it for the lowest possible SWR only on ch 20 which is the midpoint of the band. That will also give the lowest possible SWR on 1 & 40.

 

[Eddie Greenlee]

SWR only on ch 20 which is the midpoint

That seems much easier to tune that way.
i think im going to order the terraflex rear light antenna mount. its not my favorite, but seems to be the most popular. and im probably going to use a SS spring.

 

[Eddie Greenlee]

Jerry is this SWR meter the best one for the job.
WORKMAN SWR-2T CB RADIO ANTENNA SWR METER W/ 3' RG8X (MINI 8) COAX JUMPER CORD

 

[Jerry Bransford]

That'll work just fine. I'd skip the spring however. They make the antenna sway too much and too easily on a rough trail and they can make the antenna harder to tune since it adds to the antenna's electrical length.

 

[Eddie Greenlee]

That'll work just fine. I'd skip the spring however. They make the antenna sway too much and too easily on a rough trail and they can make the antenna harder to tune since it adds to the antenna's electrical length.

Hey, i did skip the spring and attached the terra flex tail light mount, antenna and firestik disk coax cable ( the one that comes off at 90deg) . Ill get my SWR meter in today, but do you see anything wrong with routing the coax around the side of the inside of the jeep under the carpet and across the (back seat area floorboard under the carpet)?? or should i just take it under the seat and straight to the CB mounted on the back of the console ?

 

[Eddie Greenlee]

 

[derekmac]

View attachment 16092

That's the same spot I mounted mine. I ran my mic straight up to the roll bar, and use a retractable gear keeper similar to this one. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000SCLZNQ/?tag=wranglerorg-20

 

[Eddie Greenlee]

ok I have everything installed and my SWR meter came in. I went out to an open field turned every thing off including my cell phone closed the doors , and tested my CB. I went by the instructions and check SWR on channels 1 and 40. SO after a little tuning of my antenna i got the SWR reading 1.5 on both channel 1 and 40.
How it that for a reading?
should it be closer to 1.2 ?
thanks

 

[Jerry Bransford]

ok I have everything installed and my SWR meter came in. I went out to an open field turned every thing off including my cell phone closed the doors , and tested my CB. I went by the instructions and check SWR on channels 1 and 40. SO after a little tuning of my antenna i got the SWR reading 1.5 on both channel 1 and 40.
How it that for a reading?
should it be closer to 1.2 ?
thanks

That 1.5 is fine, you're done and good job. Next time, you can ignore 1 and 40 and just tune it for minimum SWR on ch 20 which at the very mid-point of the CB band. That'll get the SWR as low as possible across the entire band including channels 1 & 40 with less work and time required.

 

[Eddie Greenlee]

That 1.5 is fine,

Jerry, how far in miles should I be able to trans and rec. I asked for a radio check on channel 19 and didnt get a response. Im about 7Miles from interstate 55.
then i went into town and was about a mile from interstate 55 and I got a response.

 

[Jerry Bransford]

I'd never expect a CB to be able to communicate more than a mile or two except in exceptionally ideal conditions. It is mountainous where I wheel & we rarely get more than a half-mile or so. I'd only hope for 7 miles if I was on a mountain top and conditions were ideal.

Atmospheric conditions can occasionally make it possible to communicate much further, hundreds if not a thousand miles but those conditions are so (so!) rare that you can't really expect them.

 

[Bill Erickson]

I've had my HAM license longer than my first Jeep (got the TJ in January) and don't really know much about CB. Any guys out there with both CB and HAM rigs in their jeeps? How do you work out the antennas? One on each taillight? ;-) Any special guidelines for such a setup?

Would it be weird for me to use my HAM callsign (KB7WKE) on CB, or do I need to come up with a new "handle"? ;-)

 

[Jerry Bransford]

I've had my HAM license longer than my first Jeep (got the TJ in January) and don't really know much about CB. Any guys out there with both CB and HAM rigs in their jeeps? How do you work out the antennas? One on each taillight? ;-) Any special guidelines for such a setup?

Would it be weird for me to use my HAM callsign (KB7WKE) on CB, or do I need to come up with a new "handle"? ;-)

Yes I have both ham (2m) and CB in my Jeep. Don't use your ham callsign on your CB which would technically be illegal, and CB 'handles' went out with bell bottom jeans. We just use our names on the CB while Jeeping.