Write Up- CB in a 62

[CTiger]

I recently put a cobra CB into my 62, and I decided I'd do a write-up on it because it's a good setup that I don't think enough 62 guys know about (I had only seen it in 80's). The CB is a cobra 18WXSTII, and the antenna is a 3 ft. fiberglass Firestik.
These 3 pics show how I modified the stock bracket to accept the CB. I bent the bottom two tabs on the brackets outward (they had been pointing inward). Then, I got some scrap metal with holes already in it and stuck it on the side of the bracket so the two tabs would go through the holes. Next, I drilled holes for the bolts that would go into the already-existing holes in the CB. I had to lightly file the bottom half of the opening for the stock radio to get the CB to fit through (it's a little bit wider than the cd player).

 

[CTiger]

The next pics show the wiring for power and the antenna mount. I ran 14 gauge wire directly to the battery. The antenna mount is a firestik stainless steel mount for the hood channel (# SS174). I used 1/4" bolts to secured it horizontally and then the supplied self-tappers for vertical support. One one side, I used washers with the bolt to level the mount because of the hood's forward slant. It's not perfect, but it'll help. The coax cable is a firestik one with a "fire-ring" terminal for the antenna end. Overall, the mount is very stout and fits good.

 

[CTiger]

The coax and power wires were ran through a pre-existing hole in the firewall (driver's side next to the carb fan). I've still got to tweak the antenna with an SWR, but that can wait a little while...

Overall, I'm pretty happy with how this turned out... It's clean and I think everything will hold up pretty well.

Mike

 

[CTiger]

Let me know if I forgot any details...

Man do I need a star...these pics are killin me.

 

[Cruiserdrew]

That looks really great. Nice and tidy inside the cabin. Good pics!

Curious about grounding that antenna. Does it ground through the mount?

Edit: Let me add-you need to fuse the + feed wire at the battery or you have a potentially unsafe wiring issue behind the dash. As the victim of 1 engine fire, you seriously want a fuse inline with the power wire as close to the battery as possible. Maybe I just can't see it.

 

[alvarorb]

Cool and clean install.
Cruiserdrew brings up an excellent point. You should put a fuse on the positive cable as close to the battery terminal as you can. The fuse at the radio is ok to protect the radio, but you don't want unprotected hot 10' wire in your vehicle.

Regards

Alvaro

 

[CTiger]

Thanks for letting me know about that, guys. I thought that the fuse for the factory power cord would be enough, but I guess not. I'll get a fuse on it...I can probably do that tomorrow. What amp of fuse should I get? Do they have something like that at Radioshack?

 

[Cruiserdrew]

Thanks for letting me know about that, guys. I thought that the fuse for the factory power cord would be enough, but I guess not. I'll get a fuse on it...I can probably do that tomorrow. What amp of fuse should I get? Do they have something like that at Radioshack?

They make these single wire fuse holders that would be perfect. Look at the hardware store or at the marine store. I've got an extra I'll send you if you want, but it will be quicker to buy locally. Even the sleazy auto parts places like Kragen sell them.

You don't need much current to run a CB, a 10 amp fuse will protect everything nicely. I wouldn't go much higher with 14ga wire.

 

[lonelydriver]

noob questions,

what exactly do u guys use or can u use a cb radio for?

 

[mmw68]

looks Great!

If you have one - how about a wide photo of the dash.

 

[Spook50]

Very nice. I've been toying with the idea of powering my Uniden directly from the battery so that if need be, I can use it without having the ignition on in an emergency.

I've been looking at the same method for mounting my antenna, but I'm still not sure if I want to use a whip antenna that I could pull back and attach the end to a clip on my gutter for highway/road driving, or going the Firestik route and getting a removable one.

Let us know how well tuned you can get the antenna, too.

Here's a question for the CB experts on here that I think knowing would benefit all of us installing our own CBs: will the routing of the power and ground wires affect the quality of the reception/transmission of the CB, or do we only really need to be concerned about the antenna's cable?

 

[alvarorb]

noob questions,

what exactly do u guys use or can u use a cb radio for?

When traveling in groups, it's a good way to communicate between vehicles.
The range is not great. It averages maybe 2 miles. But when you are out there on the trail with several rigs, it's an essencial way to keep everyone on the loop.

Alvaro

 

[CTiger]

looks Great!

If you have one - how about a wide photo of the dash.

All my attachment space is used up now, but I can send you a wider pic through e-mail. Just let me know your address.

 

[Cruiserdrew]

>>>Very nice. I've been toying with the idea of powering my Uniden directly from the battery so that if need be, I can use it without having the ignition on in an emergency.

Good idea. Some radios (like my cheap one) reverts to Ch 9 when the power is cut off, but not when the switch is turned off. PIA but it's an $11 radio.

>>>I've been looking at the same method for mounting my antenna, but I'm still not sure if I want to use a whip antenna that I could pull back and attach the end to a clip on my gutter for highway/road driving, or going the Firestik route and getting a removable one.

Do not use a long whip. It's a good antenna, but you'll hurt someone spotting you on a trail one day. Most events have a 48 inch maximum length rule they enforce. In Death Valley, one of our guys got whacked by the whip from a Wilson 5000 on top of an 80 series.

>>>Here's a question for the CB experts on here that I think knowing would benefit all of us installing our own CBs: will the routing of the power and ground wires affect the quality of the reception/transmission of the CB, or do we only really need to be concerned about the antenna's cable?

I'm no expert and not a purest either, but the answer is; not enough to matter. A real radio person would shield the wire, or use (shielded) coax as a power supply wire, but it doesn't make much difference on CB. I would run at least 14 ga from the battery and run the ground wire back to the battery as well. Make certain there are no loops in the coax to the antenna-that kills the signal and makes your output sound terrible.

Some other tips. Spend your money on the antenna, not the radio. Mount the antenna as high as you can. Tune the antenna with an SWR meter and you'll be happy with your reception. Pay attention to grounding the antenna mount. People seem to be happier with the Wilson whip type antennas than any others. The Wilson 5000 is really great for a mag mount.

One last tip-check out the Ham radio threads in the Outfitting section. There's your next step right there.

 

[Spook50]

>>>Very nice. I've been toying with the idea of powering my Uniden directly from the battery so that if need be, I can use it without having the ignition on in an emergency.

Good idea. Some radios (like my cheap one) reverts to Ch 9 when the power is cut off, but not when the switch is turned off. PIA but it's an $11 radio.

I was thinking it'd be good, but a concern of mine is leaving the radio on like an idiot and coming out the next day to a dead battery. Granted it wouldn't be as much of an issue with dual batteries, but either way, when I'm the one taking care of the vehicle I like to idiot-proof it as much as possible

I'm no expert and not a purest either, but the answer is; not enough to matter. A real radio person would shield the wire, or use (shielded) coax as a power supply wire, but it doesn't make much difference on CB. I would run at least 14 ga from the battery and run the ground wire back to the battery as well. Make certain there are no loops in the coax to the antenna-that kills the signal and makes your output sound terrible.

Some other tips. Spend your money on the antenna, not the radio. Mount the antenna as high as you can. Tune the antenna with an SWR meter and you'll be happy with your reception. Pay attention to grounding the antenna mount. People seem to be happier with the Wilson whip type antennas than any others. The Wilson 5000 is really great for a mag mount.

One last tip-check out the Ham radio threads in the Outfitting section. There's your next step right there.

I've already got a really good Uniden that my folks got my for my birthday last year. It's mounted and ready to go inside the Tuffy, but not yet wired up. If I don't deploy this summer I'll be tearing apart the interior and doing some much needed work (heater cores, wiring CB, better mount for the amp, yadda yadda yadda...). I think once I can get this readio up and running I'll be much more comfortable going on wheeling trips with some of the local clubs.

 

[89s rule]

My antenna is mounted the exact same way. Been up for over a year. I lined it up with my radip antenna but on the oposit side of the hood, so it looks somewhat uniform.

I like the CB mount under the radio. The one I have now will prob fit in the ash tray if I wanna go that route. But I do like the din mount.

Thanks for the write-up!

 

[jgordon]

I have a cb in the 911 (installed for cross country trip), and I just tapped a fuse that's always hot, but not critical (power seats or something). With that available, what's the argument of going straight to the battery? Is it as obvious as "that fuse could blow?"

 

[CTiger]

I have a cb in the 911 (installed for cross country trip), and I just tapped a fuse that's always hot, but not critical (power seats or something). With that available, what's the argument of going straight to the battery? Is it as obvious as "that fuse could blow?"

From another thread (same concept)----->

Running the cb from the cigarette lighter may cause you to pick up more electrical interference. You will also get lower output from the cb transmitter due to the voltage loss. I prefer to run the cb power directly from the battery...

 

[BigSur]

I am shipping my truck your way so you can do mine

Nice job. This is the exact kinda setup i want in my truck.

Question on the radio bracket...is that the OEM bracket that you used to mount that sony or did you fab that up?

 

[CTiger]

I am shipping my truck your way so you can do mine

Nice job. This is the exact kinda setup i want in my truck.

Question on the radio bracket...is that the OEM bracket that you used to mount that sony or did you fab that up?

Thanks, BigSur. Ya, that is the OEM bracket. All I had to do was bolt that metal to it because there was no metal on the bracket where the hole in the CB was.

Mike