Installing CB radio
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Junior User
Joined: Nov 2008
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Installing CB radio
Hello, I am installing a CB radio in my 2012 F150, what would be the best way to run the antenna coaxial to the inside of the cab?
Thanks in advance
Forgot to add, installing antenna on the rear bumper!!
Thanks in advance
Forgot to add, installing antenna on the rear bumper!!
Posting Guru
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 2,295
Likes: 2
Antenna coax... or coaxial cable... not antenna coax.
Where are you planning to mount the antenna? There is an unused grommet on the driver's side of the firewall if you're doing something up front (although lip mounts are nearly impossible due to the tight tolerances). You can bring coax down the A, B, or C pillars (with proper cable management) if you're doing something on the roof. From the back, the options are a bit more limited.
My personal F150 has 17 antennas on it (not including the AM/FM or the Sirius puck). But I've also got a 4.5" hole cut in the front of the bed and back of the cab, which makes wiring quite a bit easier!
Where are you planning to mount the antenna? There is an unused grommet on the driver's side of the firewall if you're doing something up front (although lip mounts are nearly impossible due to the tight tolerances). You can bring coax down the A, B, or C pillars (with proper cable management) if you're doing something on the roof. From the back, the options are a bit more limited.
My personal F150 has 17 antennas on it (not including the AM/FM or the Sirius puck). But I've also got a 4.5" hole cut in the front of the bed and back of the cab, which makes wiring quite a bit easier!
Elder User
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 804
Likes: 1
From: sunnyvale
Antenna coax... or coaxial cable... not antenna coax.
Where are you planning to mount the antenna? There is an unused grommet on the driver's side of the firewall if you're doing something up front (although lip mounts are nearly impossible due to the tight tolerances). You can bring coax down the A, B, or C pillars (with proper cable management) if you're doing something on the roof. From the back, the options are a bit more limited.
My personal F150 has 17 antennas on it (not including the AM/FM or the Sirius puck). But I've also got a 4.5" hole cut in the front of the bed and back of the cab, which makes wiring quite a bit easier!
Where are you planning to mount the antenna? There is an unused grommet on the driver's side of the firewall if you're doing something up front (although lip mounts are nearly impossible due to the tight tolerances). You can bring coax down the A, B, or C pillars (with proper cable management) if you're doing something on the roof. From the back, the options are a bit more limited.
My personal F150 has 17 antennas on it (not including the AM/FM or the Sirius puck). But I've also got a 4.5" hole cut in the front of the bed and back of the cab, which makes wiring quite a bit easier!
Laughing Gas
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 759
Likes: 95
I ran mine through the rear cab vent (Crew Cab). I left a small downward loop outside, so any water drips down, instead of running into the cab.
I currently have a 3' Firestik with a Stakehole Pocket mount. Eventually, I want to get some type of bumper mount, that I don't have to drill into the visible part of the bumper.
I currently have a 3' Firestik with a Stakehole Pocket mount. Eventually, I want to get some type of bumper mount, that I don't have to drill into the visible part of the bumper.
Elder User
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 790
Likes: 3
From: Ontario, OH
if you remove the rocker panel plastic cover there is a trough for the oem wires to run through.
my super cab had a hole with a rubber plug towards the rear of the cab.
all i did was cut a slit and hole into the plug to make a grommet for the coax cable so it wouldn't chafe on the edge of the metal. I installed some wire loom on the cable that was exposed under the truck to protect it from debris and chafing and fastened it with cable ties where possible. Have had it installed for over a year and no problems yet.
here is the finished product.
my super cab had a hole with a rubber plug towards the rear of the cab.
all i did was cut a slit and hole into the plug to make a grommet for the coax cable so it wouldn't chafe on the edge of the metal. I installed some wire loom on the cable that was exposed under the truck to protect it from debris and chafing and fastened it with cable ties where possible. Have had it installed for over a year and no problems yet.
here is the finished product.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 759
Likes: 95
If you're running the hi-way, which I do for work, you get lots of info from the truckers (police, accidents, road conditions, etc).
The only speaking I do on it is to share what milemarker the 'bear' is sitting at.
awq134, I have the same mount, but I was able to get it underneath the bed-cap. I then took a drill to the plastic stakepocket cover for the antenna to stick out.
The only speaking I do on it is to share what milemarker the 'bear' is sitting at.
awq134, I have the same mount, but I was able to get it underneath the bed-cap. I then took a drill to the plastic stakepocket cover for the antenna to stick out.
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Cargo Master
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 2,762
Likes: 536
From: barton city mi
I got a Little Wilson magnet mount for an antenna, and stuck it just in front the high mount brake light, ran the coax thru the left rear door, [SCAB], and under the plastic thing like the previous poster. I checked it with my SWR meter, and with no adjustment, am at 1.3/1. Ya can't get much better than that. I really don't open the rear doors very much, so I felt safe doing that without crushing the coax.
No, CB's haven't gone the way of the Dodo, only with most 4wheelers. I use my radio daily, but have noticed the "new" generation of drivers don't use them, or likely don't know how. They're too busy staring straight ahead with their mouths hanging open. Nothing but "seat meat"! LOL
No, CB's haven't gone the way of the Dodo, only with most 4wheelers. I use my radio daily, but have noticed the "new" generation of drivers don't use them, or likely don't know how. They're too busy staring straight ahead with their mouths hanging open. Nothing but "seat meat"! LOL
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Elder User
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 790
Likes: 3
From: Ontario, OH
If you're running the hi-way, which I do for work, you get lots of info from the truckers (police, accidents, road conditions, etc).
The only speaking I do on it is to share what milemarker the 'bear' is sitting at.
awq134, I have the same mount, but I was able to get it underneath the bed-cap. I then took a drill to the plastic stakepocket cover for the antenna to stick out.
The only speaking I do on it is to share what milemarker the 'bear' is sitting at.
awq134, I have the same mount, but I was able to get it underneath the bed-cap. I then took a drill to the plastic stakepocket cover for the antenna to stick out.
thanks for the idea.
Cargo Master
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 3,049
Likes: 1
if you remove the rocker panel plastic cover there is a trough for the oem wires to run through.
my super cab had a hole with a rubber plug towards the rear of the cab.
all i did was cut a slit and hole into the plug to make a grommet for the coax cable so it wouldn't chafe on the edge of the metal. I installed some wire loom on the cable that was exposed under the truck to protect it from debris and chafing and fastened it with cable ties where possible. Have had it installed for over a year and no problems yet.
here is the finished product.
my super cab had a hole with a rubber plug towards the rear of the cab.
all i did was cut a slit and hole into the plug to make a grommet for the coax cable so it wouldn't chafe on the edge of the metal. I installed some wire loom on the cable that was exposed under the truck to protect it from debris and chafing and fastened it with cable ties where possible. Have had it installed for over a year and no problems yet.
here is the finished product.
Elder User
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 790
Likes: 3
From: Ontario, OH
i bought everything online. I'm not sure what website i used for the actual CB, but for the 3' fire stick antenna, the stake pocket mount, and the 18' coax cable i used amazon.com. I wish i would have put a 4" spring at the base. I have almost tore the antenna off a few times when i try to pull the truck in the garage.
I went to the truck stop as well, but they cater to the truckers mostly. All of the mounting brackets they had were meant to be attached to a semi's mirror so none of them worked.
With the stake pocket mount i wasn't getting a very good ground so a separate bonding wire had to be added.
here is a list of everything i used from amazon.com:
Here is a link to the CB i have. I Know it's not the most powerful radio out there, but it's small, convenient, and easy to remove.
https://www.cobra.com/detail/75-wx-s...aa-weather.cfm
I went to the truck stop as well, but they cater to the truckers mostly. All of the mounting brackets they had were meant to be attached to a semi's mirror so none of them worked.
With the stake pocket mount i wasn't getting a very good ground so a separate bonding wire had to be added.
here is a list of everything i used from amazon.com:
Here is a link to the CB i have. I Know it's not the most powerful radio out there, but it's small, convenient, and easy to remove.
https://www.cobra.com/detail/75-wx-s...aa-weather.cfm
Elder User
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 790
Likes: 3
From: Ontario, OH
forgot, i also put an external speaker behind the kick panel under the steering wheel. I believe i just got the cheapest one amazon had to offer. it is much clearer than the speaker in the handset.