CB Install
Thread Starter
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Senior User
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 162
Likes: 1
From: Bakersfield, CA
CB Install
I installed a new Cobra 18WXST II CB into the truck this past weekend. I have not owned a CB in maybe 30 years but this unit should work nice in the SD. I especially like this model with its front firing speaker and the 10 NOAA weather channels. My brother in law installed a CB in his 2011 SD also for easy communication when we're traveling with our fifth wheels.
As the pictures show, it's a temporary install for ease of removal, but a clean look. The two fuse holders in the power wires make it easy to remove. I'm 6'-2" and have plenty of leg room with the CB hanging out side the console pocket. Drilled a hole at the front end of the pocket for the power wires (2 12v wires on this CB) and over to the large bulk wire grommet at the left side of the firewall. My antenna coax cable has a mini connector at on end to keep the hole through the floor board under the seat as small as possible. Used a rubber grommet for this hole. The last picture shows my antenna mount on the side of the tool box. I have very good SWR meter readings at this location with a four foot Firestik fiberglass tunable antenna.
I hope this helps someone else that my be considering a CB.
As the pictures show, it's a temporary install for ease of removal, but a clean look. The two fuse holders in the power wires make it easy to remove. I'm 6'-2" and have plenty of leg room with the CB hanging out side the console pocket. Drilled a hole at the front end of the pocket for the power wires (2 12v wires on this CB) and over to the large bulk wire grommet at the left side of the firewall. My antenna coax cable has a mini connector at on end to keep the hole through the floor board under the seat as small as possible. Used a rubber grommet for this hole. The last picture shows my antenna mount on the side of the tool box. I have very good SWR meter readings at this location with a four foot Firestik fiberglass tunable antenna.
I hope this helps someone else that my be considering a CB.
Elder User
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 700
Likes: 0
From: Northern Il/Cabin in Wi
I need a place and that looks like a good one. I take it the board is screwed into the console? Also, after the firewall where is the power attached?
Another note, does that cobra have the ability to pug in headphones for listening? Sometimes I like to listen on long trips, but the passengers do not. Most of the time the conservations are not PG anyway.
Anyway, nice. I need to find a place for the antenna as I have a cap and pull a TT.
Another note, does that cobra have the ability to pug in headphones for listening? Sometimes I like to listen on long trips, but the passengers do not. Most of the time the conservations are not PG anyway.
Anyway, nice. I need to find a place for the antenna as I have a cap and pull a TT.
Thread Starter
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Senior User
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 162
Likes: 1
From: Bakersfield, CA
I need a place and that looks like a good one. I take it the board is screwed into the console? Also, after the firewall where is the power attached?
Another note, does that cobra have the ability to pug in headphones for listening? Sometimes I like to listen on long trips, but the passengers do not. Most of the time the conservations are not PG anyway.
Anyway, nice. I need to find a place for the antenna as I have a cap and pull a TT.
Another note, does that cobra have the ability to pug in headphones for listening? Sometimes I like to listen on long trips, but the passengers do not. Most of the time the conservations are not PG anyway.
Anyway, nice. I need to find a place for the antenna as I have a cap and pull a TT.
I crimped flat female wire connectors to the two power wires and ran those to two 12v unused flat spade like male connectors in the main fuse box. There are several of these spade connectors in the box. The fuse box is located on the drivers side just above the tire well. Sometime you will get engine noise through the radio when connecting directly to a fuse box versus to the battery. I will have to see if that happens.
The CB does have a small external speaker jack located at the rear along with the antenna connection and the power wires. You should be able to use headphones with the right plug.
Hope this helped.
Jäger
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 5,491
Likes: 5
From: Northern Arizona
Thank you for posting and including the pics!
I really like the fact that you can remove it easily. Out of sight, out of mind. That's important in Los Angeles as thieves are very attracted to Super Dutys here. Does that setup fit in the console?
I really like the fact that you can remove it easily. Out of sight, out of mind. That's important in Los Angeles as thieves are very attracted to Super Dutys here. Does that setup fit in the console?
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Elder User
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 700
Likes: 0
From: Northern Il/Cabin in Wi
The setup simply slips over and down the outside edge of the console, so no screws. I used the metal mounting bracket that came with the CB to attach the piece of plywood. The smaller wood block takes up the space between the wood plate and the plastic console wall, so no rattling or movement of the radio. The space between the back of the radio and the wood plate is a perfect distance apart to slip over the outside wall of the console pocket.
I crimped flat female wire connectors to the two power wires and ran those to two 12v unused flat spade like male connectors in the main fuse box. There are several of these spade connectors in the box. The fuse box is located on the drivers side just above the tire well. Sometime you will get engine noise through the radio when connecting directly to a fuse box versus to the battery. I will have to see if that happens.
The CB does have a small external speaker jack located at the rear along the antenna connection and the power wires. You should be able to use headphones with the correct jack plug.
Hope this helped.
I crimped flat female wire connectors to the two power wires and ran those to two 12v unused flat spade like male connectors in the main fuse box. There are several of these spade connectors in the box. The fuse box is located on the drivers side just above the tire well. Sometime you will get engine noise through the radio when connecting directly to a fuse box versus to the battery. I will have to see if that happens.
The CB does have a small external speaker jack located at the rear along the antenna connection and the power wires. You should be able to use headphones with the correct jack plug.
Hope this helped.
Thanks, I will give it a shot when truck gets here. May PM you in the fall, if you don't mind. Be well.
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Thread Starter
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Senior User
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 162
Likes: 1
From: Bakersfield, CA
I hope this helps.
Junior User
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 59
Likes: 0
From: Bend, OR
Thanks for sharing, I was wondering how a set up like that would look. I think that is the best spot you could put a CB. I like that there is no drilling and you can remove it easily. Nice and simple, I like it!
Maybe that's something my family can do to the truck when it gets here. We are about four weeks in waiting for the order. Just like you we tow our fifth wheel with our friends, forever we just used walkie-talkies but you know they don't have as good range and they go through batteries pretty quick. Cell phones don't always have reception and they are not as convenient as just picking up the mic on the CB and talking.
Maybe that's something my family can do to the truck when it gets here. We are about four weeks in waiting for the order. Just like you we tow our fifth wheel with our friends, forever we just used walkie-talkies but you know they don't have as good range and they go through batteries pretty quick. Cell phones don't always have reception and they are not as convenient as just picking up the mic on the CB and talking.
Posting Guru
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 1,777
Likes: 0
Since we are talking about CBs, what are considered the "hot" models these days? When I was younger I actually had a Cobra and an actual FCC license. I suspect those licenses are no longer required, correct? Also, I noticed that the power output is 4W. Wasn't it once 5W?
I see 5 manufacturers seem to be the primary ones (Cobra, Uniden, Galaxy, Midland and Radio Shack). Any considered better than another?
As for antennae, are there preferred setups? I'll have to refresh my memory a bit on some of the features, but it would be good to hear what you active users are doing these days.i figure since cell phones were introduced, CBs had gone by the wayside, guess again...
I see 5 manufacturers seem to be the primary ones (Cobra, Uniden, Galaxy, Midland and Radio Shack). Any considered better than another?
As for antennae, are there preferred setups? I'll have to refresh my memory a bit on some of the features, but it would be good to hear what you active users are doing these days.i figure since cell phones were introduced, CBs had gone by the wayside, guess again...
Elder User
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 700
Likes: 0
From: Northern Il/Cabin in Wi
Since we are talking about CBs, what are considered the "hot" models these days? When I was younger I actually had a Cobra and an actual FCC license. I suspect those licenses are no longer required, correct? Also, I noticed that the power output is 4W. Wasn't it once 5W?
I see 5 manufacturers seem to be the primary ones (Cobra, Uniden, Galaxy, Midland and Radio Shack). Any considered better than another?
As for antennae, are there preferred setups? I'll have to refresh my memory a bit on some of the features, but it would be good to hear what you active users are doing these days.i figure since cell phones were introduced, CBs had gone by the wayside, guess again...
I see 5 manufacturers seem to be the primary ones (Cobra, Uniden, Galaxy, Midland and Radio Shack). Any considered better than another?
As for antennae, are there preferred setups? I'll have to refresh my memory a bit on some of the features, but it would be good to hear what you active users are doing these days.i figure since cell phones were introduced, CBs had gone by the wayside, guess again...
My current antenna is a magnetic on the roof but would like something smaller in the new truck. What are the options?
As for the cb, I want something I can listen to int eh truck (headphones) while the rest are sleeping...
Junior User
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 59
Likes: 0
From: Bend, OR
CB Radios & CB Antennas - Cobra, Uniden, Wilson, K40 & Firestik
I would check out this website. Also if you are sorta new and not exactly sure on what to buy, there are kits or packages you can buy.
I have the links of a couple packages for pickups in descending order by price.
There are several more radio's you can buy, these are just a couple links.
http://www.rightchannelradios.com/pi...ckage-487.html <<< this one is pretty cheap but doesn't have weather channels. However it is a good place to start, it gets good reviews.
http://www.rightchannelradios.com/pi...ckage-488.html <<< this one has a cobra 29 and has more features.
Again, these are just a couple packages, there are several radios and antennas you can use. This website seems to have the best prices and some radios come with a year or two year warranty.
If you are completly new and want to learn more about CB radios, here is a video on the website that shows all the basics on what you should look for.
http://www.rightchannelradios.com/pa...-pv-c0-71.html
Another one video more on picking the right equipment.
http://www.rightchannelradios.com/pa...-pv-c0-72.html
Hope this helps.
I would check out this website. Also if you are sorta new and not exactly sure on what to buy, there are kits or packages you can buy.
I have the links of a couple packages for pickups in descending order by price.
There are several more radio's you can buy, these are just a couple links.
http://www.rightchannelradios.com/pi...ckage-487.html <<< this one is pretty cheap but doesn't have weather channels. However it is a good place to start, it gets good reviews.
http://www.rightchannelradios.com/pi...ckage-488.html <<< this one has a cobra 29 and has more features.
Again, these are just a couple packages, there are several radios and antennas you can use. This website seems to have the best prices and some radios come with a year or two year warranty.
If you are completly new and want to learn more about CB radios, here is a video on the website that shows all the basics on what you should look for.
http://www.rightchannelradios.com/pa...-pv-c0-71.html
Another one video more on picking the right equipment.
http://www.rightchannelradios.com/pa...-pv-c0-72.html
Hope this helps.
Posting Guru
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 1,777
Likes: 0
CB Radios & CB Antennas - Cobra, Uniden, Wilson, K40 & Firestik
I would check out this website. Also if you are sorta new and not exactly sure on what to buy, there are kits or packages you can buy.
I have the links of a couple packages for pickups in descending order by price.
There are several more radio's you can buy, these are just a couple links.
Uniden Pro510XL Pickup Truck Package - $64.95 <<< this one is pretty cheap but doesn't have weather channels. However it is a good place to start, it gets good reviews.
Cobra 29 LTD Complete Pickup Package - $169.95 <<< this one has a cobra 29 and has more features.
Again, these are just a couple packages, there are several radios and antennas you can use. This website seems to have the best prices and some radios come with a year or two year warranty.
If you are completly new and want to learn more about CB radios, here is a video on the website that shows all the basics on what you should look for.
Key CB Radio Concepts : CB Radios & CB Antennas - Cobra, Uniden, Wilson, K40 & Firestik
Another one video more on picking the right equipment.
Picking The Right Equipment : CB Radios & CB Antennas - Cobra, Uniden, Wilson, K40 & Firestik
Hope this helps.
I would check out this website. Also if you are sorta new and not exactly sure on what to buy, there are kits or packages you can buy.
I have the links of a couple packages for pickups in descending order by price.
There are several more radio's you can buy, these are just a couple links.
Uniden Pro510XL Pickup Truck Package - $64.95 <<< this one is pretty cheap but doesn't have weather channels. However it is a good place to start, it gets good reviews.
Cobra 29 LTD Complete Pickup Package - $169.95 <<< this one has a cobra 29 and has more features.
Again, these are just a couple packages, there are several radios and antennas you can use. This website seems to have the best prices and some radios come with a year or two year warranty.
If you are completly new and want to learn more about CB radios, here is a video on the website that shows all the basics on what you should look for.
Key CB Radio Concepts : CB Radios & CB Antennas - Cobra, Uniden, Wilson, K40 & Firestik
Another one video more on picking the right equipment.
Picking The Right Equipment : CB Radios & CB Antennas - Cobra, Uniden, Wilson, K40 & Firestik
Hope this helps.
