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Old 02-10-08, 08:41 PM   2 links from elsewhere to this Post. Click to view. #1 (permalink)
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Product Review: CB-AM/FM Antenna Splitter (Firestik AR-1A Match-Maker)

I purchased this device because I wanted to use my CB antenna as my AM/FM antenna so I didn't have to have 2 antennas on my truck. I installed it on Saturday and I've been trying it out for the past 2 days.

Info:
walcottcb.com
AR-1A

Basically what this unit does is split your CB antenna signal into a dual-cable that hooks into the CB and stereo head unit for AM/FM signals.

CB Antenna -> Match-Maker AR-1A -> CB Radio/Stereo head unit

Installation:
Installing the unit was simple enough, and the instructions were very easy to understand. You disconnect the antenna coax from the radio and plug it into the Match-Maker, then you plug the coax cable from the Match-Maker into the CB radio and plug the standard antenna cable into the back of the AM/FM stereo head unit.

I should note a few things about tuning:

- Your SWR should be properly set for your antenna/radio setup BEFORE you even start hooking the Match-Maker up. For more info on tuning your CB radio/antenna, see Firestik's tech help section: Setting the SWR of Your Antenna© - Firestik® Antenna Company

- Once you hook up the system, put an SWR meter in between the Match-Maker and the CB radio. Using the built-in tuning screw, you must tune the Match-Maker so that the SWR is below 2.0 on CB channels 1, 19, and 40. Make sure you remove the screwdriver from the Match-Maker when measuring SWR or it can throw off the reading. Make adjustments in no more than a half-turn at a time, as it is very sensitive.

These steps are very important because when I first hooked it up the SWR was in the red on all channels because the Match-Maker hadn't been tuned to match my setup.

Performance:
I don't use AM, so I haven't tested that, but FM seems to be very clear but the range seems to be decreased. I can't catch as many stations as I could before, but what stations do come in are much clearer. However, there is occasional static "blips" but they are not very noticeable. The one reason I think that I might not be able to catch as many stations is because I only have a 3' Firestik and it is mounted fairly low, so it does not stick up above the roof of my truck. Therefore, if you have a whip or taller antenna, you will probably get much better reception.

The CB TX/RX range does not seem to be affected and I hear no interference from using both devices (CB and radio) at once.

Overall:
I am satisfied with this unit but if you listen to the radio very often and you listen to a wide variety of stations, make sure you install this unit within your first 30 days of return policy to you can make sure it works for you. Otherwise, it is a great solution for someone like me, who only listens to the radio occasionally and didn't want to have 2 antennas on my truck


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Old 02-10-08, 09:37 PM   #2 (permalink)
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Thanks for the writeup ... my power antenna needs replacing, and I've been thinking about just putting a CB antenna there and getting one of these.

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Old 02-13-08, 06:16 PM   #3 (permalink)
esh
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I have this mod and love it.

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Old 02-14-08, 12:09 PM   #4 (permalink)
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Where did you get this unit? Reccomended vendors?

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Old 02-14-08, 01:08 PM   #5 (permalink)
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They're only about $20, really anywhere that sells Firestick should work.

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Old 02-14-08, 11:30 PM   #6 (permalink)
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Quote:
Originally Posted by EricG View Post
Where did you get this unit? Reccomended vendors?
I got it from walcottcb.com - very reputable and I haven't had any problems with them.

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Old 02-14-08, 11:31 PM   #7 (permalink)
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I have this mod and love it.
If you don't mind my asking... what type/size of antenna do you have? Upon further use I'm noticing that my FM band is really pretty week (I'm only running a 3' Firestik). Do you have any tips on tuning it?

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Old 03-18-08, 05:21 PM   #8 (permalink)
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Quote:
Originally Posted by AppleTech View Post
If you don't mind my asking... what type/size of antenna do you have? Upon further use I'm noticing that my FM band is really pretty week (I'm only running a 3' Firestik). Do you have any tips on tuning it?
Anything further on this? How bad is your FM with a 3' firestik ... I know that's hard to quantify.

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Old 03-19-08, 12:05 AM   #9 (permalink)
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It only really becomes an issue when you are getting out of range of the station - it has less reach than the stock antenna.

-Phil

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Old 03-19-08, 03:00 PM   #10 (permalink)
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It only really becomes an issue when you are getting out of range of the station - it has less reach than the stock antenna.

-Phil
I'm guessing it has better reach then the 1/4" broken off stub I've been putting up with on my honda for 6 months, so I should be ok

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Old 04-01-08, 04:43 PM   #11 (permalink)
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I was going to post a thread about this, but then I ran across this one.

Just installed this splitter, and my FM is coming in better (I had a 1' rubber whip on the fender beforehand), and the CB SWR numbers have dropped considerably after tuning.

I'd recommend this, especially since it's so cheap. I'm running a 4' Firestik-type antenna on the front bumper, and nothing on the fender. I like the look with only one antenna.

I also tuned the AM, and it's working fine, too. I don't use AM that much, though.

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Old 05-31-08, 02:15 AM   #12 (permalink)
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I am about to order the 3' Firestik but I noticed some options, for the complete CB newb, which of the firestiks do you recommend AND how to mount them on an externally stock truck? I have seen some cool mounts that fit between the hood and the fender but no idea what was used. Back bumper is ok too if I knew what other 80 owners used.

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Old 06-01-08, 12:44 AM   #13 (permalink)
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Quote:
Originally Posted by NLXTACY View Post
I am about to order the 3' Firestik but I noticed some options, for the complete CB newb, which of the firestiks do you recommend AND how to mount them on an externally stock truck? I have seen some cool mounts that fit between the hood and the fender but no idea what was used. Back bumper is ok too if I knew what other 80 owners used.
Here is WalcottCB's page with a list of hood-channel mounts:
WalcottCB.com: Hood/Fender/Door Groove -

The Firestik II with the tunable tip is fantastic. I love my 3' one - has plenty of reach and fits in my garage (it's mounted on my front bumper:

Make sure whatever you order that you get a spring and a good Coax cable - this is imperative for a good setup. I just buy the Firestik kit as it comes with great directions... This kit may actually work for you - includes the hood groove mount and coax - just add a spring to your order as well and you should be all set to go. I don't know if this hood mount would fit our trucks but I've seen a similar one used.

Firestik MK174 - Hood Groove Mini Kit

Also, DO NOT USE YOUR RADIO UNTIL YOU HAVE TUNED IT! You can damage the radio! PM me if you wanna work out a time that you can stop by my place and we can tune your antenna (EDIT - I know this sounds gross... but I should have clarified and said your "CB" antenna lol) - I've got an SWR meter and we can get it all set up for you. Set it and forget it!

-Phil

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Old 06-02-08, 01:12 AM   #14 (permalink)
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Phil you rock!

As soon as I get this ordered and in my hot little hands I'll let you know.

Joey

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Old 07-04-09, 05:58 PM   #15 (permalink)
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Bringing this up to the top because I used this thread to do my CB install.

So I set up my CB today and tuned it, got it to a SWR of 1.9 on all channels ( have some more tweaking to do ). Either way, I wanted to hook up my Matchmaker, which I know needs to be tuned as well, but when I hooked it up, my SWR meter was pegged in the red zone, indicating a short in the system. I unhooked it and tested the antenna + cb alone again, and it still read 1.9 on all channels.

I'm thinking that the AR-1A must be faulty because I only read a short in the system when it's hooked up. Does that sound right? Should I go order a new AR-1A?

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Old 07-04-09, 08:17 PM   #16 (permalink)
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Originally Posted by GLTHFJ60 View Post
Bringing this up to the top because I used this thread to do my CB install.

So I set up my CB today and tuned it, got it to a SWR of 1.9 on all channels ( have some more tweaking to do ). Either way, I wanted to hook up my Matchmaker, which I know needs to be tuned as well, but when I hooked it up, my SWR meter was pegged in the red zone, indicating a short in the system. I unhooked it and tested the antenna + cb alone again, and it still read 1.9 on all channels.

I'm thinking that the AR-1A must be faulty because I only read a short in the system when it's hooked up. Does that sound right? Should I go order a new AR-1A?
To be honest with you I pulled the Matchmaker out of my system a couple months ago. I was getting reports from others that my voice quality was bad and it sounded like I was over-modulating (I don't have GAIN on my radio and my SWRs were really high). I pulled the MatchMaker after being unable to properly tune it with it installed and I'm just running with my stock antenna now :(

-Phil

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Old 07-04-09, 11:12 PM   #17 (permalink)
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Quote:
Originally Posted by AppleTech View Post
To be honest with you I pulled the Matchmaker out of my system a couple months ago. I was getting reports from others that my voice quality was bad and it sounded like I was over-modulating (I don't have GAIN on my radio and my SWRs were really high). I pulled the MatchMaker after being unable to properly tune it with it installed and I'm just running with my stock antenna now :(

-Phil
Well that's not the answer I wanted.

kevinmrowland has been running one for a couple of years now with no problems and great reception, so I have faith in the unit. I want to try it either way because I really don't want to run 2 antennas. I wanted to know if you guys thought if my particular unit was broken.

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Old 10-26-09, 08:14 PM   #18 (permalink)
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Quote:
Originally Posted by GLTHFJ60 View Post
Well that's not the answer I wanted.

kevinmrowland has been running one for a couple of years now with no problems and great reception, so I have faith in the unit. I want to try it either way because I really don't want to run 2 antennas. I wanted to know if you guys thought if my particular unit was broken.

I'm having a problem with this splitter. I know a lot of people don't listen to AM radio, but I do and you'd think you'd get decent reception with a 3' firestik antenna. I followed the instructions and I'm getting really bad reception.

I did check to make sure there is no short with the antenna per the Firstik instructions and diagram.

I did clean all the ground connections so I know it's not that. Using the same ground connections that I used with my o.e. antenna and I never had issues with it.

Any thoughts?

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