CB Radio Install?
 

hey i just bought a cb radio for my jeep...i bought it just to have one, lol, i have no clue about how to install them. Has anyone installed one in their JK? it cant be as easy as it looks can it?
anyway, im lookin for pics or easy steps to install it...

any feedback is appreciated..

Chris

Re: CB Radio Install?
 

Youtube it, you can find out anything on there. Good luck.

Re: CB Radio Install?
 

Just did mine.. didn't take any pics (sorry) but its pretty straight forward... depends where you are mounting it.. i got a cobra 29 LTD so it was too big for anywhere but on the dash above the radio. The top of the dash pops right off (you tube it) and the radio comes out with 4 screws. you can then remove the glove box by depressing the 2 side tabs and the cover on the side of the passenger door also just pops off. there is a small hole with foam to pass the wiring to the battery and you can fish everything with a wire hanger. just make sure not to crimp or pinch the wiring, specifically the coax cable for the antenna. Run the wire to the back along the passenger side under the carpet all the way to the back behind the subwoofer (if you got one) and remove the lastic panel off the rear door to pass the coax through the rubber grommet (you'll need to drill a hole almost big enought to pass the coax) and then attach it to the antenna mounted on the rear (teraflex rear jk mount). Sounds complicated but really isn't. Just make sure you follow the correct was to install the antenna with the plastic grommet (white) insulating the mount from the metal washer and lock nut (google it or try right channel radio install guide, where i bought my stuff from, great company by the way). i hope this helps somewhat and DON"T forget to tune the antenna with a SWR meter before transmitting or you'll fry your radio.
GOOD LUCK

Re: CB Radio Install?
 

Thanks for the info! appreciate it!

Where do I find a SWR meter? Do I absolutly need to use one?

Re: CB Radio Install?
 

SWR meters can be bought at the Source (they used to carry them anyeay) and yes, you do need to use it when you get the radio and antenna installed to make sure the match between the two is within nominal parameters. Idealy you want the match to be 1.5:1 or lower. and test on channel 1, 19 and 40. depending on what antenna you are running tuning is different. a mag-mount can be adjusted using an allen key, a Firestik is tuned by cutting 1/8" off the top at a time. make sure after every adjustment you make you re-test on the 3 channels i mentioned above.

good luck

Re: CB Radio Install?
 

I cant find the SWR Meter anywhere in my city!! arghh...The Source here doesnt carry them..Anyway, I might order online...would this model do this trick?

Vanco SWR1 SWR Meter

Re: CB Radio Install?
 

Are you a member of any offroading club or know of any around where you are? You might try asking one of the member if he/she has one cheaper than buying it for a 1 time use.Someone brot this to my attention this am. go to your local truck stop they carry cb's/swr meters and lots of other stuff. I know Flying J carry allot.

Re: CB Radio Install?
 

no i am not.....a guy can order me one in for $50.....but like you said Mr. White, its kind of silly to buy one for a one time use....i wish i didnt have to use one ugh

Re: CB Radio Install?
 

just go buy a new radio that has a built in SWR meter. should be able to find one for about $200 to $250. solve the meter problem and you get a new shiny radio 8o]

Re: CB Radio Install?
 

will that do the trick?

Re: CB Radio Install?
 

that should do just fine. make sure when you are buying one that it comes with the short coax piece required to go between itself and the radio. otherwise you'll have to make one

Re: CB Radio Install?
 

hey man i installed my first CB a while ago.. never used the SWR meter.. cause it works fine without it. As for install instructions .. hopefully this link works...

http://project-jk.com/jeep-jk-write-...nd-model-1001z

I installed mine step by step the same as this one.

Re: CB Radio Install?
 

Try to find someone with a CB and test it out. That will determine if u really need the meter. As for my i bought the cheapest CB and antenna.. and it works great. Even on the highway.

Re: CB Radio Install?
 

really eh? maybe i will try mine first then before I buy a SWR. Thanks for lettin me know that...

where did you mount your antenna?

Re: CB Radio Install?
 

id pics of anyone who has mounted on to the tire rack...i want to see exatly where you mount it

Re: CB Radio Install?
 

well I bought this antenna at a truck stop i think.. its a magnetic base, its mounted on the passenger side cowl.. it looks clean and stock... the wire runs under the windowshield bracket and into the jeep.. I'll see if I can go take a pic of it for you right know. Give me like 5 min.

Re: CB Radio Install?
 

ahhh i bought a 3 foot antenna and was planning on mounting it to the tire rack...id like to see yours though...ill wait for ya

Re: CB Radio Install?
 

ok so I hope this worked. Sorry but its snowing here, and its pretty dark.. but I tried my best. The wire doesnt stick out that much i just pulled it a bit to show you.. i usually have it flush with the mount. I'm happy with it. antenna was like $60

Re: CB Radio Install?
 

PS even after spray painting it black it still works fine.

Re: CB Radio Install?
 

ahhh right on mann....i have to figure out how to get mine mounted to my tire rack....

thanks for the pics and the info...appreciate it

Re: CB Radio Install?
 

If you ever have any other questions, or need some info.. try to msg or email me I guess on here, I own a copy of the Jeep Service manual. The expensive one the mechanics use.

Re: CB Radio Install?
 

beautiful....ill keep ya to it bro....thanks again

Re: CB Radio Install?
 

if i were you i'd get someone to test it with a meter before you use it. if you install the antenna and radio and use it without having the match tested you can fry your radio. when i installed mine i tested it with the 4ft firestik and the match was over the maximum limit. i put on my 9ft steel antenna and the match was better, not great but useable. even using a mag mount i would still test it. just because it works for one guy doesn't mean it'll work for another guy.

Re: CB Radio Install?
 

Did you mount your antenna on the back of your jeep? Do you mount it to the black plastic piece that is beside the tail light(part of the hinge i guess)?

Re: CB Radio Install?
 

No. I don't have plastic hinges. My hinges are metal. However I didn't mount it to the hinge or tail light. the YJ's have a metal bracket used as a stop for the tail gate.

Attachment 4083

I will be moving mine in the next couple of days to see if the match is any better

Re: CB Radio Install?
 

Guess I lucked out.

Re: CB Radio Install?
 

have you had the match checked since you installed? I would imagine that you are probably border line. But you might be in the 5% that get lucky the first time and have a less than 1.5:1 match.

Re: CB Radio Install?
 

I'm sure you can find a mounting bracket for it online. Google "Jeep JK antenna mounting bracket", bet you'll find something your looking for with a little research.

Re: CB Radio Install?
 

I'll check it out when I can find a the meter to use for free.

Re: CB Radio Install?
 

go buy a meter and then charge everyone $10 to check their junk. you'll pay for the meter in no time

Re: CB Radio Install?
 

I'm penny pinching at the moment.. but its a good idea.

Re: CB Radio Install?
 

for installations go thru the manual. by the way that radio is pretty crappy.

Re: CB Radio Install?
 

thanks smartass....any input on why i just get air on all channels and am not picking up anyone on it? i have it tuned right, but can not hear anyone, just air

Re: CB Radio Install?
 

is the antenna attached at both ends? check your squelch, do you atleast get squelch when you turn it counter-clockwise? are you just calling on random channels to see if someone answers? have someone else with a radio close by and do a test of receiving and transmitting. you might have to still get an SWR meter and have it checked. the match could be so out to lunch that you won't be able to hear or talk to anyone

Re: CB Radio Install?
 

Yes the antenna is attached at both ends. The only time I actually get squelch is counter clockwise, once i turn it just before half way, i lose it. I've tried on pretty much all channels now, lol. I just did the SWR. Did it last night, then did it again today to make sure it was acurate. Tuned it on ch 1, 20 & 40.

Im going to try to get someone here tomorrow with another radio to see. But i shouldnt hear AIR on all the channels, should i? Like it sounds like a tv station that is off air...

Thanks for your reply island, appreciate the feedback

Re: CB Radio Install?
 

what did you get for your match when you checked with the meter? was it under 3? for a good tune it should be less than 2 all over. and yes you will get "dead air" on all channels if nobody is transmitting. its the way it goes. having squelch is a good thing, you should turn it until it just goes away then turn the knob another degree or two just to be sure you don't get squelch burps when you are out driving around, most commercial security systems will give you burps when you pass by

Re: CB Radio Install?
 

it was between 1 and 1.5 on the meter on all channels...i believe ch 1 was just under 1.5, chanel 20 was just just over 1, and ch 40 i would say was about 1.25....

Re: CB Radio Install?
 

perfect! can't ask for too much more really. now find someone else with a radio and test the dang thing out :D grats on the great install

Re: CB Radio Install?
 

Thanks man...really appreciate your help...will update ya on how it goes...cheers!