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  • #1

    CB Radio Install

    Searched the forums but could not find anything on this subject.
    I'm installing a CB radio in Junkyard Save and was wondering if anyone could give me some ideas about antenna mounting.
    The unit will fits tightly in the ashtray cutout after I removed the ashtray metal slider, but it sticks out more than I would like. Would be perfect except the antenna connector in the rear take up about an inch of space.
    I have the power wired into the fuse block and that works OK.

    The magnetic mount antenna has a long connector wire.
    I need ideas about where to mount the antenna on the car and how to hide the antenna wire inside the car.
    Last edited by 1990new; 04-27-2011, 07:18 AM. Reason: grammar
    Tags: cb radio, citizens band
  • #2
    Are you dead set on using the magnetic antenna? I have seen some that stick to the side of the glass, both inside and outside, and I have heard they work decent. If you do get one, I would run it under the dash, to DS lower kick panel, under door frame trim, under / behind rear seat plastic side panel, up through to the wing window, and stick it right to the wing window. That's just me...
    The normal is not always normal... MOST is not ALL... And any job can be hard if you don't have the right tools!!!

    My Fleet:
    89 L 4spd (Daily Driver(if it isn't broke down)) "Spanky"

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    • #3
      Had already bought the magnetic antenna.
      Your suggestion worked perfectly.
      I stuck the antenna on the roof on the left side just in front of the hatch.
      I routed the wired down the outside of the window seal to the bottom and then up from the bottom into the inside. I then routed it through the rear shoulder belt slit under the speaker shelf, then behind the plastic on the left side to the floor, under the door channel cover, behind the left kick plate and across to the radio under the dash.
      The only place you can see the cable is about 2 inches from the antenna to the window seal channel on the outside, and about an inch on the inside before it disappears down the rear shoulder belt slit.
      As for the space behind the radio where the antenna screws on, I ordered an L connector to use there so the antenna connection doesn't have to go straight back.
      This should allow the radio to slide back another 3/4 inch or so which should be perfect.
      Thanks for your help.
      Last edited by 1990new; 04-27-2011, 04:17 PM. Reason: grammar

      Comment

      • #4
        1990new, I'm glad to see you've got the CB in. If you hear a weird whining sound, a ground-loop-isolator fixes that. Not sure if you knew or not, but I thought I'd mention it. Also, to tune your radio antenna, you can take it to a shop (for around $25) or do it yourself.

        Simple:
        Switch to CH40. Check meter.
        Switch to Ch19. Check meter.
        Switch to Ch1. Check meter.

        You want 40 and 1 to be as low and as close to the same level as possible. Raising and/or lowering the antenna inside the mount will assist in this. If you can't lower the resistance, at least try to balance it between 40 and 1. If you can't get it just right, that's okay. However, if you've done all you can and you still have issues with this, a shop may again be your answer. Several truck stops have them.

        Note:
        Avoid hills, urban areas, electrical wiring, and other CB users while tuning your antenna.

        EDIT: The magnetic antenna makes for easy removal when the CB's not desired. 1990new, I'd like to see pictures of your install if that's alright with you.
        Last edited by DriverOne; 04-27-2011, 04:40 PM.
        In love with a MadScientist!:thumbright:
        There's a fine line between breathtaking ingenuity and "That's the stupidest thing I've ever seen!"

        Comment

        • #5
          I'm thinking they used to sell a system where you could intergrate the CB radio to use the same antenna as your regular radio, anyone have any thoughts? I think that'd also go great with your setup too 'New....
          Andrew Walker

          Current Daily Driver:
          89 Nissan D21 SE V6 5 speed 4x4
          Projects in the works:
          84 Mercedes Benz 300D(T)(Baby) currently awaiting transmission transplant/ full on restoration

          Comment

          • #6
            Originally posted by DrMaxwellEdison View Post
            I'm thinking they used to sell a system where you could intergrate the CB radio to use the same antenna as your regular radio, anyone have any thoughts? I think that'd also go great with your setup too 'New....
            Finding an AM/FM look-a-like 3-way antenna today is a difficult task because the marketplace sent them packing after discovering the poor performance they deliver.-firestick.com
            .
            Last edited by DriverOne; 04-27-2011, 04:55 PM.
            In love with a MadScientist!:thumbright:
            There's a fine line between breathtaking ingenuity and "That's the stupidest thing I've ever seen!"

            Comment

            • #7
              Yes pics of this install would be sweeeeeeeeeeeet I'd like to see how you have it mounted in the ashtray slot. I have been wanting to put in a CB for awhile- think it would look gnarly w/ a big ol RC Pro-AM 4' whip :tongue3:
              Send An Invite If Ya Want




              1991 Ford Festiva GL- Auto

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              • #8
                Simon, I thought I saw a post from you about that antenna but now it's gone... It's available at walmart...
                Robot or human?
                http://www.walmart.com/ip/Midland-Window-Mount-CB-Antenna/10966173
                Last edited by doylerl; 04-27-2011, 07:43 PM.
                The normal is not always normal... MOST is not ALL... And any job can be hard if you don't have the right tools!!!

                My Fleet:
                89 L 4spd (Daily Driver(if it isn't broke down)) "Spanky"

                Comment

                • #9
                  Originally posted by doylerl View Post
                  Simon, I thought I saw a post from you about that antenna but now it's gone... It's available at walmart...
                  http://www.walmart.com/ip/Midland-Wi...tenna/10966173
                  Those antennas don't work very well at all. There's no way to adjust them, so what you get is what you get, plus they're tiny and not amplified in any way.
                  In love with a MadScientist!:thumbright:
                  There's a fine line between breathtaking ingenuity and "That's the stupidest thing I've ever seen!"

                  Comment

                  • #10
                    Exactly why I had a post there and then removed it.... I was going to go that route, but will probably end up doing something drilled in the roof or something. I've asked over on the Scoob boards for their suggestions.
                    Simon - pimptiva.com

                    Comment

                    • #11
                      Originally posted by DriverOne View Post
                      1990new, I'm glad to see you've got the CB in. If you hear a weird whining sound, a ground-loop-isolator fixes that. Not sure if you knew or not, but I thought I'd mention it. Also, to tune your radio antenna, you can take it to a shop (for around $25) or do it yourself.

                      Simple:
                      Switch to CH40. Check meter.
                      Switch to Ch19. Check meter.
                      Switch to Ch1. Check meter.

                      You want 40 and 1 to be as low and as close to the same level as possible. Raising and/or lowering the antenna inside the mount will assist in this. If you can't lower the resistance, at least try to balance it between 40 and 1. If you can't get it just right, that's okay. However, if you've done all you can and you still have issues with this, a shop may again be your answer. Several truck stops have them.

                      Note:
                      Avoid hills, urban areas, electrical wiring, and other CB users while tuning your antenna.

                      EDIT: The magnetic antenna makes for easy removal when the CB's not desired. 1990new, I'd like to see pictures of your install if that's alright with you.

                      Here are pictures.
                      Didn't put the storage console back yet because I'm waiting to get the L connector to put on the back so I can attach the antenna at an angle in order to push the radio farther in to the ash tray hole. It fits really tight in there.

                      I ordered the radio and antenna on Amazon. They were pretty cheap so they probably aren't the highest quality. There doesn't appear to be any way to tune the antenna.
                      Haven't noticed any weird whining sound yet. Haven't been out on the highway with it since I installed the radio, but was able to pick up conversations on Channel 6 pretty clearly here at home.

                      Comment

                      • #12
                        Originally posted by SuperDaveGulvak View Post
                        Yes pics of this install would be sweeeeeeeeeeeet I'd like to see how you have it mounted in the ashtray slot. I have been wanting to put in a CB for awhile- think it would look gnarly w/ a big ol RC Pro-AM 4' whip :tongue3:
                        Here are Pictures (Didn't take any while routing the wire but I just followed instructions as told to me and it was really pretty easy.)
                        Raido will be pushed in another 3/4 inches when I get my L connector for the antenna at the rear of the radio.

                        Comment

                        • #13
                          right now I have a Wilson "Lil Will" on top of the car
                          Andrew Walker

                          Current Daily Driver:
                          89 Nissan D21 SE V6 5 speed 4x4
                          Projects in the works:
                          84 Mercedes Benz 300D(T)(Baby) currently awaiting transmission transplant/ full on restoration

                          Comment

                          • #14
                            I'm worried about the rear window. Does it seal?
                            In love with a MadScientist!:thumbright:
                            There's a fine line between breathtaking ingenuity and "That's the stupidest thing I've ever seen!"

                            Comment

                            • #15
                              Originally posted by DriverOne View Post
                              I'm worried about the rear window. Does it seal?
                              I took a water hose to it to make sure it sealed.

                              There was a little wicking of water up the cable from the bottom so I made the bottom loop a little longer and it fixed the problem.

                              The picture shows the wire going down and in. I changed it to go all the way to the bottom on the outsize and then up.
                              Last edited by 1990new; 04-30-2011, 02:41 PM. Reason: Additional info

                              Comment

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