CB Radio Recommendations

[Skywagon]

Nomadcat-
I mounted my ham radio antenna (Diamond) on a bracket (also Diamond) that attaches to the top outside corner of the rear door above the spare tire. I ran the wire through the gap between door and frame and then under the gasket until I got it to the flexible tube that leads wires from the door into the body. I ran it through the tube and from there it was a matter of routing it to the front of the cab. The radio itself is mounted to the ceiling of the cabinet behind the sink, (RB50), and the faceplate is mounted below my CB on a bracket that I fabricated. The speaker is a large remote that I mounted in the shelf/tray above the counter just behind the solar panel meter. (right behind my head and deaf ears).
Bill

[macmcintire]

My CB antenna is attached on the back of my van, as can be seen in this photo.



I also have a magnetic cell phone booster antenna on the front next to my satellite radio antenna .

[Nomadcat]

Originally Posted by Skywagon

Nomadcat-
I ran the wire through the gap between door and frame and then under the gasket until I got it to the flexible tube that leads wires from the door into the body.

Bill and Mac, thanks for your words and experience. Still trying to visualize what you described, Bill, but I think I'll get a better idea when I go and look at the van with your description in my head.

I'm leaning towards twin Firestiks now on the rear, but maybe only one, and going in through a grommet I'd install, but I'd much rather not drill, so I'll see how much play I have between the door and the frame.

I'll keep you all posted.

I turned on the radio with no antenna attached for 30 seconds yesterday - no load - and then came home and read about how deadly that was. I have a lot to learn about CB.

[daveb]

Turning it on won't hurt, but transmitting without a dummy load or antenna will. At least back in my ham/cb days. Has something changed?

[Beak]

Nope

[Nomadcat]

Thanks, guys. That's a relief.

[Beak]

What type of radio did you end up with?

[Nomadcat]

I got a Uniden PC78 Elite. Seemed like a decent unit.

[Beak]

Oh yea...that is a good reliable radio for sure.

[Nomadcat]

Got the radio hooked up, the antenna hooked up, the antenna tuned. I'll know soon how well it's working, once I'm on the road. The Weather channels came in perfectly, that's for sure, but there may not be a lot of CB traffic by the West Side Highway, here in New York.

Here's another question: is it useful to put a lightning arrestor in line between the antenna and the mount? Just curious.

Paul