 | | 
10-02-2003, 08:04 PM
|
#1 (permalink)
| | Registered User
Join Date: Sep 1999 Location: KBAD-Bossier City LA
Posts: 7,487
|  » 
Anyone know anything about CB radios?
Hi everybody!
First, thanks in advance for any help! I appreciate any advice as I am a complete newbie when it comes to CBs.
My Jeep came with a Cobra 19DXII in the rear floorboard. The guy said it worked and that he used it on the trails. It needs an antenna. Is this thing (Cobra 19DXII) worth spending money on an antenna?
I would rather spend any money on my Jeep, as I have a lot of work to do on it. But, if I can find a decent antenna that is inexpensive, I might play around with the CB. What should I look for in an antenna and about how much $$?
Also, what is the "ground plane" in my 87 XJ?
Thanks a bunch!
Dave
CB Link: http://www.millionbuy.com/cob19dx.html
| 
|  | |
10-02-2003, 08:08 PM
|
#2 (permalink)
| | Registered User
Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: MSU- E. Lansing, MI
Posts: 1,504
|
Get a cheapy magnet mount fiberglass whip from radioshack ($20). Put it in the center of your roof. Find someone with an SWR meter or buy one ($20) and tune the antenna. It will work fine while you figure out if you really want to get into things and if the radio works.
I log about 400 miles a weekend on the interstate and I use that sort of antenna with a little uniden walmart special. It gets out (transmits) and receives just fine. It is invaluable as both a radar detector (I know where the Bears are long before I get to them) and as a means of knowing when to seek alternate routes as well as what route to take. Two semi's jacknife I know where to get off well in advance of getting to them.
| |
| | |
10-02-2003, 08:10 PM
|
#3 (permalink)
| | Registered User
Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: MSU- E. Lansing, MI
Posts: 1,504
| | |
| | |
10-02-2003, 08:15 PM
|
#4 (permalink)
| | Registered User
Join Date: Sep 1999 Location: KBAD-Bossier City LA
Posts: 7,487
|
Sweet! I have a large metal roof rack. Will that interfere, do you think?  | |
| | |
10-02-2003, 08:34 PM
|
#5 (permalink)
| | Registered User
Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: MSU- E. Lansing, MI
Posts: 1,504
|
The magnet needs to interact directly with the roof. Quote: |
A ground plane is the surface under the antenna system. The quality of the ground plane determines the impedance of the antenna and also has an effect on the radiation pattern of the system. A perfect ground plane is a metal surface extending out horizontally from the base of a vertical. The length would ideally be at least ¼ wavelength in all directions. This is a characteristic where more is better.
| I doubt that rack will interfere as long as the base fits between it and the roof, it needs to sit directly on the roof. Otherwise I would seek an antenna that has a built in ground plane and that is out of my area of knowledge. Those would typically mount to the bumper or mirror assembly. http://www.alfenterprises.com/cb_rad...s/noground.htm
Last edited by Gomer; 10-02-2003 at 08:36 PM.
| |
| | |
10-02-2003, 08:39 PM
|
#6 (permalink)
| | Registered User
Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: mInN3$0t@
Posts: 1,303
|
IF the rack is grounded ( or you ground it to the jeep ), you should be able to mount an antennae and get good reception.
Best position is in the middle of the vehicle so you can transmit and receive omnidirectally. Otherwise, you end up with a ground plane that favors one direction...
You can get a cheap fiberglass whip just about anywhere...the longer isn't necessarily the better, although you will find that longer is better than shorter as a general rule.
__________________
do it right, do it yourself. If that doesn't work, prepare to pay for your mistakes.
| |
| | |
10-02-2003, 09:25 PM
|
#7 (permalink)
| | Registered User
Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Monett Missouri
Posts: 3,900
| Quote: |
You can get a cheap fiberglass whip just about anywhere...the longer isn't necessarily the better, although you will find that longer is better than shorter as a general rule.
| the whip is by far the best.Be sure to check and correct the SWRs or it will damage the cb  Plus the lower the SWRs are the better the transmission will be.
HTH
__________________
Cheers
B.C.
Hug your kids, you never know:D
| |
| | |
10-02-2003, 10:31 PM
|
#8 (permalink)
| | Registered User
Join Date: Sep 1999 Location: KBAD-Bossier City LA
Posts: 7,487
|
Do you set the SWR and leave it, or do you have to reset it from time to time? Is setting the SWR easy with the right tools?
| |
| | |
10-02-2003, 11:07 PM
|
#9 (permalink)
| | Registered User
Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: 4.3 miles(U.S.) from
Posts: 1,163
|
imo,
1.by a whip. 102" is about the right length. (although one of the best i had was a 92" fiberglass whip mounted to the back bumper of a dodge omni.) the extra length will help if your stuck in the middle of nowhere.
2. once the swr is set there is no need to reset it. unless you use a magnet mount and move it. i had a magnet mount moving it around the car seemed to change the standing wave.(i wound up drawing a circle around it with a permanent marker and even that wasn't perfect.)
3. don't bother using it around town. if its anything like it is around here you will run into alot of trash talking ID10ts'.
they can be a valuable tool in the right situation. not having one when off road is one less way to call for help.
4. you will never get the swr perfect.
pick a channel near the middle and get as close as you can. if you have to cut the metal antena down in size take a little at a time.
5. if you decide you like to use your cb radio invest in a good anttena it will make all the difference in the world.
__________________
www.clanimo.com
| |
| | |
10-03-2003, 08:19 PM
|
#10 (permalink)
| | Registered User
Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: mInN3$0t@
Posts: 1,303
|
I agree with Nunya, if you plan on getting more serious about owning and operating a CB, plan on spending good money on an antennae as some have coils that will help you transmit/receive better. Of course, having the CB itself "peaked and tweaked" helps a ton. You can even "overclock" a CB and get a few more watts outta them, but by law you are only allowed to transmit at like 3-5w max. All I'm sayin' is that it's possible to get more outta the CB 
I used to have a really nice set up til it got stolen. Uniden 2510 ( quarter Dime ) and a fiberglass whip ( 92" ). We'd talk on sideband, FM and AM bands if IRC....that thing was even HAM ready, although you obviously need a license for that.
__________________
do it right, do it yourself. If that doesn't work, prepare to pay for your mistakes.
| |
| | |
Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests) | | | | Thread Tools | | | | Display Modes |  Linear Mode | 
Posting Rules
| You may not post new threads You may not post replies You may not post attachments You may not edit your posts
HTML code is Off
| | | | Most Active Discussions  | | | | |
Recent Discussions | | | | | |
