Installation C/B & Antenna

[OHFIVETJ]

Installation C/B & Antenna:

Curious how big of a job / project is this ? What's involved ? Any specific brands better vs others for both C/B's & Antenna's ? Suggestions ?
Thanks in advance.

 

[DavidBT]

I just installed a Radioddity QT40 10 meter radio in my TJR a month or so ago. The antenna is on the driver rear corner. You're going to want the tip of the antenna at least 2' above the roof. I ran the power to the battery and ground is at a bolt for the little hook that holds the door strap. Most of these WTJF members have or are switching over to GMRS. I'm running both.

I'm currently running a Radioddity db20 gmrs radio on the other side of the console plugged into a cig power outlet.

 

[Harold&Cat]

Numerous options on cb radios . President and Uniden make some nice smaller radios . I like the Firestik top loaded antennas . I'm currently running a 2 foot Firestik on a custom mount behind the spare tire . You'll have to look at different radios and then decide where you want to mount it , same with the antenna . Also after mounting the antenna it's important to check the SWR and tune the antenna if necessary .
Most folks are running GMRS or FRS radios trail riding .

 

[OHFIVETJ]

I see Antenna's mounted on both the drivers side & passengers side. Preference ? Reason ? One easier install ?
So many abbreviations, I gotta lookem all up
GMRS
FRS
SWR
WTJF

 

[DavidBT]

I see Antenna's mounted on both the drivers side & passengers side. Preference ? Reason ? One easier install ?
So many abbreviations, I gotta lookem all up
GMRS
FRS
SWR
WTJF

WTJF Wrangler tj forum I was told a long time ago to run the antenna on driver side to clear interference from houses and businesses on the passenger side, just what I was told. My antenna in the picture above is a 4' Firestik with a quick disconnect and spring, which helps get it above the roof. Getting into radios is another rabbit whole.

 

[Zorba]

I see Antenna's mounted on both the drivers side & passengers side. Preference ? Reason ? One easier install ?
So many abbreviations, I gotta lookem all up
GMRS
FRS
SWR
WTJF

I was taught to always put antennas on the driver's side if at all possible to avoid trees, shrubs, etc when parking or driving narrow roads.

As for CB radio, I have a Uniden:

Antenna mount:

Trail antenna:

I also have GMRS and dual band VHF/UHF Ham radios as well.

The 5 foot firestik is a damn good antenna, but I currently have the trail antenna on the Jeep as I need to get a 4 foot "road antenna", probably another firestik as the 5 footer won't fit under my new carport. Firestik is also VERY heavy, which is why I'm running a HD spring setup.

 

[OHFIVETJ]

Zorb, this is a sweet set up !!!

 

[Zorba]

View attachment 578658

Zorb, this is a sweet set up !!!

Frankly, it was a pain in the ass, but I got it done. Better than wasting this space on some bullshit PHOOOOOONNE stereo thing.

 

[OHFIVETJ]

I like the shifter too / is that a little extension on it as well ?

 

[Zorba]

I like the shifter too / is that a little extension on it as well ?

Yes. I put it on to get the knob a bit further away from the CB radio.

 

[MFMauceri]

I see Antenna's mounted on both the drivers side & passengers side. Preference ? Reason ? One easier install ?
So many abbreviations, I gotta lookem all up
GMRS
FRS
SWR
WTJF

I put mine on the driver's side purely for aesthetics. Two antennas on the passenger side seemed like antennae overkill.

 

[MikekiM]

I had a 4' Fire Stick mounted at the traditional drivers rear taillight. And a Cobra all-in-one with the handset on the center stack and the guts under the steering column. I don't have any pics but it was basically a retro-fit from my old JK.

Replaced it with a Midland MXT275 with the guts in the same place under the steering column, and an RJ45 outlet in the center stack so I can disconnect it all. Here in the NE, if you don't disconnect it, someone else very likely will. The Midland Ghost antenna is mounted on the front bumper. Not the best location but it works for my needs.

 

[Harold&Cat]

The driver's side is less likely to hit tree limbs , unless you are on a narrow trail .
I put mine in the middle to try and avoid limbs . That's also why I went with the two foot Firestik . It works well for trail riding . The short antenna is fine for talking short distances like trail riding . For talking long distance , the taller the antenna the better . The antenna is the most crucial part of the system . A good properly working antenna with an inexpensive cb is much better than a high dollar cb with a crappy antenna . It's also very important to have the antenna tuned to keep the Standing Wave Ratio (SWR) as close to 1:1 as possible . This lets the radio transmit power through the antenna properly . Very few people actually use the cb for trails anymore . Most are using General Mobile Radio Service (GMRS) which shares some frequencies with Family Radio Service (FRS) FRS radios are the little inexpensive handheld radios you see at Walmart . The are fine for close proximity but only putt out .5 watts to 2 watts depending on frequency.
GMRS requires a license from the FCC and allows higher power on selected frequencies and allows for mobile radios along with handheld radios . The GMRS license is only $35 there is no test and it covers your immediate family . It is good for ten years .
With GMRS you can get by with a much smaller antenna and generally it is a superior radio for trail riding due to clarity and the availability and ease of use of the handhelds .

 

[SSTJ]

You can see my setup here. If you want to do something similar, the product links might be helpful.

In answer to your original question, CB is not a very complicated setup. But, take the time to determine whether your local area, favorite trail stations, or riding crew still use CB, or whether they use GMRS.

 

[OHFIVETJ]

The driver's side is less likely to hit tree limbs , unless you are on a narrow trail .
I put mine in the middle to try and avoid limbs . That's also why I went with the two foot Firestik . It works well for trail riding . The short antenna is fine for talking short distances like trail riding . For talking long distance , the taller the antenna the better . The antenna is the most crucial part of the system . A good properly working antenna with an inexpensive cb is much better than a high dollar cb with a crappy antenna . It's also very important to have the antenna tuned to keep the Standing Wave Ratio (SWR) as close to 1:1 as possible . This lets the radio transmit power through the antenna properly . Very few people actually use the cb for trails anymore . Most are using General Mobile Radio Service (GMRS) which shares some frequencies with Family Radio Service (FRS) FRS radios are the little inexpensive handheld radios you see at Walmart . The are fine for close proximity but only putt out .5 watts to 2 watts depending on frequency.
GMRS requires a license from the FCC and allows higher power on selected frequencies and allows for mobile radios along with handheld radios . The GMRS license is only $35 there is no test and it covers your immediate family . It is good for ten years .
With GMRS you can get by with a much smaller antenna and generally it is a superior radio for trail riding due to clarity and the availability and ease of use of the handhelds .

Thanks for the abbreviation decoding & info.

 

[OHFIVETJ]

You can see my setup here. If you want to do something similar, the product links might be helpful.

In answer to your original question, CB is not a very complicated setup. But, take the time to determine whether your local area, favorite trail stations, or riding crew still use CB, or whether they use GMRS.

Thanks for the detailed photo's, it helps with some ideas.

 

[NashvilleTJ]

Installation C/B & Antenna:

Curious how big of a job / project is this ? What's involved ? Any specific brands better vs others for both C/B's & Antenna's ? Suggestions ?
Thanks in advance.

Just curious - why are you going with a CB?

 

[OHFIVETJ]

Just curious - why are you going with a CB?

Looks like that's what the masses have / use & are in most jeeps I see in my area. Had a C/B base in my house as a kid in the 70's & it was fun !
You know................."Breaker ................ Breaker" ..................

 

[Plumber1]

 

[Zorba]

View attachment 578998

I remember when CB used call signs - and I still use my late father's.