4 foot is max I believe.
CB Questions
- Thread starter RavenTai
- Start date
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I have a Wilson 500 mag mount that I have ran at two TLCA events this year with no problems. I like it for the range and the fact that if I do run into a low hanging tree branch, it will just be knocked over and not damage the roof. I also have a 3ft Firestik mounted on the tire carrier with a hd spring for running trails that have a lot of trees. It is no higher than the truck, so I can leave it on when going into my garage. Downside is that the range isn't nearly as good, but its ok for most trail runs.
Be wary of these shops that offer to "tweak" your rig, especially the ones that make ridiculous claims about increased power output. Many of these tweaks will result in overheating and failure of the transmit amplifier as well as creating a noisier and more distorted signal output. Use a good antenna, find a good mounting location, use high quality coax and tune the antenna for low VSWR and you'll get more improvement than any of the so-called "tweaks". Also, with some of the cheaper radios, you can get a lot of improvement in signal quality by switching to a better microphone.
Be wary of these shops that offer to "tweak" your rig, especially the ones that make ridiculous claims about increased power output. Many of these tweaks will result in overheating and failure of the transmit amplifier as well as creating a noisier and more distorted signal output. Use a good antenna, find a good mounting location, use high quality coax and tune the antenna for low VSWR and you'll get more improvement than any of the so-called "tweaks". Also, with some of the cheaper radios, you can get a lot of improvement in signal quality by switching to a better microphone.
[quote author=CDN_Cruiser link=board=2;threadid=16909;start=msg164424#msg164424 date=1085591023]
Do they ban all whips or just 102" whips? I agree that 102" are dangerous, but shorter, bottom loaded antennas should be fine I would think?
[/quote]
I believe it might be 60" with the new SOPs. I've been to quite a few TLCA events and served as the TLCA EVP (which is in charge of the events) and I've never seen anyone get out a tape measure and measure an antenna. If you have a mag mount with a shorter whip on it on your roof, I'm sure you will not be turned away. I never have been and that is what I've been running the last few events. But it is at the discretion of the host club so I would check with them prior to attending the event. The whole idea of the limitation was to prevent the crazy long whips from hitting a spectator on the trail. Chapter clubs can make whatever rules they want and I'm sure as long as your antenna is safe that they probably won't take issue with it. If you insist on running the crazy long whip make sure it tied down when you are on the trail. Nobody needs to get whipped. The idea of the revisions was to put chapters in charge and letting some common sense prevail over what is safe. Obviously, we could write a whole bunch of rules to keep folks safe but if they don't use common sense some place outside of the rules it could be much worse than some of the rule violations.
Do they ban all whips or just 102" whips? I agree that 102" are dangerous, but shorter, bottom loaded antennas should be fine I would think?
[/quote]
I believe it might be 60" with the new SOPs. I've been to quite a few TLCA events and served as the TLCA EVP (which is in charge of the events) and I've never seen anyone get out a tape measure and measure an antenna. If you have a mag mount with a shorter whip on it on your roof, I'm sure you will not be turned away. I never have been and that is what I've been running the last few events. But it is at the discretion of the host club so I would check with them prior to attending the event. The whole idea of the limitation was to prevent the crazy long whips from hitting a spectator on the trail. Chapter clubs can make whatever rules they want and I'm sure as long as your antenna is safe that they probably won't take issue with it. If you insist on running the crazy long whip make sure it tied down when you are on the trail. Nobody needs to get whipped. The idea of the revisions was to put chapters in charge and letting some common sense prevail over what is safe. Obviously, we could write a whole bunch of rules to keep folks safe but if they don't use common sense some place outside of the rules it could be much worse than some of the rule violations.
- Thread starter
- #24
any opinions on the Radio Shack SWR meter? my local store has one in stock for $34, will it do or should I look for something better?
The Slee antenna mount is quite nice. I have a 60 inch Wilson 'glass antenna that tuned to 1.1:1 quite easily.
The only drawback to the Slee mount is it is attached to his $1,800.00 rear bumper.
The only drawback to the Slee mount is it is attached to his $1,800.00 rear bumper.
did a quick scan of the thread and didn't see it mentioned. One 4ohm speaker tied to another 4ohm speaker equals a 2 ohm load on the amp.
[quote author=Flatlander link=board=2;threadid=16909;start=msg165936#msg165936 date=1085790558]
did a quick scan of the thread and didn't see it mentioned. One 4ohm speaker tied to another 4ohm speaker equals a 2 ohm load on the amp.
[/quote]
That would be wired in parallel. Wire them in series to get 8 ohms
did a quick scan of the thread and didn't see it mentioned. One 4ohm speaker tied to another 4ohm speaker equals a 2 ohm load on the amp.
[/quote]
That would be wired in parallel. Wire them in series to get 8 ohms
[quote author=RavenTai link=board=2;threadid=16909;start=msg164599#msg164599 date=1085606435]
any opinions on the Radio Shack SWR meter? my local store has one in stock for $34, will it do or should I look for something better?
[/quote]
That one works fine for SWR measurements. I have an earlier version that I have had for aobut 5 years and still works fine. It is not a true power meter tho, so you can't use it to measure the actual transmit power.
Bob
any opinions on the Radio Shack SWR meter? my local store has one in stock for $34, will it do or should I look for something better?
[/quote]
That one works fine for SWR measurements. I have an earlier version that I have had for aobut 5 years and still works fine. It is not a true power meter tho, so you can't use it to measure the actual transmit power.
Bob
scottm
SILVER Star
I've run a Wilson 1000 mag mount with my Uniden 510XL (tweaked) for almost ten years on various vehicle's roofs. Other brands I tried got knocked off occasionally, this one has a serious magnet on it (watch your fingers). I've hit birds with it on the highway, run at over 100mph for extended periods, dragged it under various roofs. It does come off when I back into my garage, sometimes I do that on purpose when getting home in the rain after driving all night. I've tried it on other vehicles with other radios, it's always been a noticeable improvement over whatever antenna they were using. And the Uniden has done nicely in the door pockets of several vehicles.
After going on my first trail ride yesterday... after 18 years of light/med wheeling alone....
I realized that I need a CB radio.
I've just started researching what's out there for radios and I came across these "remote radios" that have all controls in the handset/mic:
http://www.radioworld.ca/cb/cobra.php#75
I guess one problem is that now I'm getting older, I'd probably need my reading glasses to see the bloody display.
Does anybody have any experience with this sort of setup? I like the clean look as it's only needed for the occasional group wheeling trip.
I'm thinking of starting out with the mag mount whip for now.
I realized that I need a CB radio.
I've just started researching what's out there for radios and I came across these "remote radios" that have all controls in the handset/mic:
http://www.radioworld.ca/cb/cobra.php#75
I guess one problem is that now I'm getting older, I'd probably need my reading glasses to see the bloody display.
Does anybody have any experience with this sort of setup? I like the clean look as it's only needed for the occasional group wheeling trip.
I'm thinking of starting out with the mag mount whip for now.
Riley,
I have that exact radio. Here is a thread from outfitting discussing it and some others:
https://forum.ih8mud.com/showthread.php?t=16132
I have that exact radio. Here is a thread from outfitting discussing it and some others:
https://forum.ih8mud.com/showthread.php?t=16132
Thanks Dan. I guess I should have done more searching on that specific model... don't tell the Wulf.
Following your lead has worked very well for me on a number of mods so thanks.
Following your lead has worked very well for me on a number of mods so thanks.
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Hi Riley: Yes, that was a fun ride yesterday. I was also considering the all-in-one Cobra CB that you are considering before picking up the one I have. I have heard that most people like them except for the poor quality of the sound from the small speaker. This is a very important feature for me since what good is a communication tool if you can't make out what the other person is saying? For what it's worth, the Cobra 19 DLXIII that I picked up is probably one of the least expensive and best performing CB that I've tried. All the features that you need, no extra gimmicks, and the sound is great.
As far as the magnetic base antennas are concerned, you only have to drive under brush at a good clip once and have a wayward branch flick that antenna off your roof or hood and onto a body panel or window once before you'll be wanting a fixed mount.
K40 makes a great base loaded whip that is removable simply by twisting the base off and they even supply a rain cap to keep the connector clean while the antenna is off. One of those with a hood bracket would be a fairly unobstrusive install and would be a heck of a lot better antenna than a magnetic one. Just a thought.
Cheers.
As far as the magnetic base antennas are concerned, you only have to drive under brush at a good clip once and have a wayward branch flick that antenna off your roof or hood and onto a body panel or window once before you'll be wanting a fixed mount.
K40 makes a great base loaded whip that is removable simply by twisting the base off and they even supply a rain cap to keep the connector clean while the antenna is off. One of those with a hood bracket would be a fairly unobstrusive install and would be a heck of a lot better antenna than a magnetic one. Just a thought.Cheers.
Yea the hood bracket is another option that I'm gonna checkout but the Wilson mag mount seems to working for other guys. Also before using the all in 1 hand unit, I guess I'll need to figure out an external speaker.
Has anybody tried to use the DS tweater as discussed earlier? I'm thinking of adding a DTDP switch and I can change it from the stereo to the CB. Sounds like a very slick setup if I'd ever get it done.
Seems like before doing any mods, I need to spend a month of researching.
Has anybody tried to use the DS tweater as discussed earlier? I'm thinking of adding a DTDP switch and I can change it from the stereo to the CB. Sounds like a very slick setup if I'd ever get it done.
Seems like before doing any mods, I need to spend a month of researching.
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MoJ
Moderator
I used an aluminum mirror mount and mounted it to the luggage rack on the rear passenger side. I'm using a Wilson 4ft fiberglass tuneable. It comes with a ground lead which was necessary for me to use in order to get the SWR in tune. With the antenna that high up my carry distance on-road is excellent. For wheeling around trees I use a 12 inch rubber antenna which is completely flexible. THe carry isn't anywhere near as far with the rubber antenna but then again if I'm just talking to fellow wheelers they're all close enough that about any setup works.
Riley,
If you go with the mag mount you can rig some type of attachment that secures the antenna to your rack. That way it is still portable and you'd have to hit something pretty hard to knock it off.
-B-
If you go with the mag mount you can rig some type of attachment that secures the antenna to your rack. That way it is still portable and you'd have to hit something pretty hard to knock it off.
-B-
CDN_Cruiser said:
Hugh - I'm interested in your practice of running the cable out the rear sliding windows. So do you do this when on the highway? Hows the wind noise.
what about the dust when on the trail?
Others - I'm trying to avoid drilling holes in my rook to run the antenna cable. Any other ideas of where to run out a "temp mount" antenna?
95% of the time I don't need the antenna and need a clean look. When wheeling or on camping trips I'd like to be able to quickly hook up the antenna.
Can I run the cable out the rear hatch door and up to my roof rack without wrecking the cable?
I still haven't bought anything but need to soon.
Thanks.
I just feed the Wilson 1000 magmount wire thru the rear hatch, then along the inside all tucked out of the way.
One question, is it possible to cut the wire at the rear hatch area and add a connector or does that screw up the antenna?
I would like to do that to leave the wire in the truck instead of tucking the wire in everytime...
btw, the wilson also unscrews from the magmount base and comes with a raincap... but I would like to remove the base too thus the question above.
One question, is it possible to cut the wire at the rear hatch area and add a connector or does that screw up the antenna?
I would like to do that to leave the wire in the truck instead of tucking the wire in everytime...
btw, the wilson also unscrews from the magmount base and comes with a raincap... but I would like to remove the base too thus the question above.
Riley, in the past I have run antenna wire out through the passenger side doors with no issues. If you want to be cautious, go to the electronics store and buy a short length of the same coax as your antennas has. Close the door on it and see how well it fairs.
Pskhaat
Tourer
You loose some efficiency when adding connectors; certainly is possible and doable. If you do add a connector do one that generally does not involve impedence mismatch like a BNC connector. The standard PL/SO-239 connectors do affect impedence.
