Here's the owners manual, she's 5W:
http://www.uniden.com.au/RESOURCES_MAIN/pdfs/UH089.pdf
In the specifications it says it's an M-type antenna? So I go to an auto parts store and ask for an M-type antenna tuned for the CB band. The speaker is only 3W but hopefully it will do the trick. So is this the kind of SWR meter I'm after?
http://www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/geebung/other-parts-accessories/opek-swr-meter-2t/1047120428
It also says the "Antenna Impedence" is 50 ohms in the specs, if that matters?
Thanks for the help guys
That swr meter is for lower bands--it says 1.7-30mhz. You will need a swr meter specific to the UHF frequency of the band you're looking at. (476 MHz). The radio has a 'UHF' connector which is also known as PL259/SO239 (the male and female ends have different names). So generally speaking, you will need the following:
- a mounting bracket for the antenna
- a mount adapter for the antenna. Sometimes these two are sold together, but not always. The first is a physical bracket that bolts to your truck, the second is a electrical connection that bolts to the bracket, it has an antenna mount on one end and either a built in cable, or a socket a cable attached to. There are three common mount types: UHF, NMO, and 3/8-24. I would go with a NMO, but UHF would be ok for your use as well. I doubt 3/8-24 is rated for UHF frequencies.
- if your mount adapter doesn't have a built in cable, you'll need a long enough cable to run from the antenna to the back of the radio. Get RG8X. RG58 is common, but it will have more loss at higher frequencies.
- an antenna. Specifically, you need an antenna tuned to the UHF CB frequencies, that uses the same mount you decided on.
That will get you a usable system. Add the SWR meter if you want to tune the antenna more exactly.
Not included the swr meter, all the above would cost $75-$100 in the U.S. You only need the swr meter once, so see if you can borrow one.
Edit: something like this might give you everything you need:
http://www.prestigecom.net.au/gme-ae4018-k2-6-6-dbi-uhf-cb-antenna