i got an old cobra 19 i think got it for free so im just gonna wire it up and get it workin

 

Cobra 19s and uniden 510s are perfect lil CBs for what most people are gonna use them for. Funny thing about CBs is its not really the radio but the quality of the antenna that counts. You have a crappy radio and a good antenna, it sound great. A $400 plus radio with a cheap antenna is still gonna sound cheap.

The key thing is to get a SWR meter and tune your antenna. I normally don't suggest anything but 2 products from radio shack and one is their $50ish SWR meter. Its really a great product ans works well, just don't get the cheaper one as its crap.

As for antennas I understand most people are not gonna want a 102" but IMHO its the best out there. I really don't like mag mounts as they can have real tuning problems but wilson makes an ok one I guess if I had to make a suggestion on one.

Stay away from most if not all truck stops with CB purchases. It might might seem like a good idea to get stuff but 99% of the time all they sale is over priced junk.

 

so a set up like this (parts shown for clarification's sake) while cheap is acceptable for most common applications? (begging for a tow since you are burried in a lake and such?)
Base Spring
102" Whip
Radio
Speaker

 

Yes sir, seems like a pretty good starter set up. Once the bug bites you can always upgrade radios at a later date.

 

good deal! thanks man.

 

If anyone wants to know, i have a pc 78 elite mounted under the dash to the right of the steering wheel. I also have a k-40 quick disconnect antenna with a mag mount. From my understanding, you have to mount the antenna where you get the best ground and surface area, ie the center of your car because your whole roof will act as a conductor. you also need to check your swr reading when you hook up the antenna. I know a lot of people mount it on the back of the roof or on the back fenders. I heard this setup does not give you the best range. your antenna should be at least two or three feet above the roof of your car to get good range. I get about 6-10 miles with my setup depending on conditions which i tested on the highway talking to truckers.

 

I know the connections are different but is there any way you can Tap into your Radio Antenna, not looking for long range, just enough to get warnings from others or give out warnings about whats ahead.

 

The deal with antenna mounting is where its located makes it directional unless the same amount of vehicle is on each side of it (ground plane). So yes the dead center is best but if you really wanting to get nit picky you also need to make sure each movable body panel and exhaust (its rubber isolated from the body) is also grounded. This includes doors, hood, and tailgate. Ground strap anything and everything. For the most part anybody that is running legal watts won't ever notice this not being done. I do have mine mounted to the rear bumper, its well over 5 feet over the roof, and it is still slightly directional to the rear but not so bad I will ever need to be concerned. 5 miles is about the normal receiving range anyways. Kickers, amps, linear, footwarmer, or whatever is only helps broadcast out but nothing really helps receive very well unless you like lots more static.


No you do not want to try to tap into the radio antenna or even waste your money on one that is supposed to be an am/fm/cb combo. You also want to stay away from any glass mount fake cell looking ones. Read what I already said about antennas. I understand you said you don't want long range but when you cant understand people or they cant understand you from further than 100 yards you will care.


I really hate like I'm coming across as a know it all about this stuff but most of it I learned the hard way. If you guys want to do your own research please go join up over at www.cbradioforum.com. They are a great bunch of guys and very newb friendly.

 

Thanks Neo! Just thought i'd ask figuring it might have been an option for people that didn't want to put a whip on their truck if they don't use it much.