CB Coax
#1
CB Coax
So I got my CB system the other day and i have some questions.
I need to know what to do with all the excess coax. Mine is 18 feet long, I only need about 5 feet, but it only came in 18'. I know you cant cut it OR roll it up, so how do you guys deal with all this excess wire?
Next, I heard that the coax that i bought is no good. I just got it at the local truck stop and it looked good to me, its made by firestik the company that makes the antenna that I got. Heres a link to the coax I found:
http://www.walcottcb.com/firestik-k4...tud-p-199.html
Heres a pic of my coax all hooked to the antenna:
I was talikng to another member on here and he said that I have the crapy coax. He also said I need to ground it, but there is no ground wire, WTF?
Any help with this stuff would be great, I dont want to install it and then have it not work properly due to the wrong parts. Thanks
I need to know what to do with all the excess coax. Mine is 18 feet long, I only need about 5 feet, but it only came in 18'. I know you cant cut it OR roll it up, so how do you guys deal with all this excess wire?
Next, I heard that the coax that i bought is no good. I just got it at the local truck stop and it looked good to me, its made by firestik the company that makes the antenna that I got. Heres a link to the coax I found:
http://www.walcottcb.com/firestik-k4...tud-p-199.html
Heres a pic of my coax all hooked to the antenna:
I was talikng to another member on here and he said that I have the crapy coax. He also said I need to ground it, but there is no ground wire, WTF?
Any help with this stuff would be great, I dont want to install it and then have it not work properly due to the wrong parts. Thanks
#4
trippy..yes. never seen that before...
Excess coax : DO NOT coil it up. I've been instructed that feeding a loop into your hood/cowl channel molding is a proper way to get rid of excess. OR, under your carpet/vinyl, weiving it back and forth w/o touching or really getting near your amp power wire.
Excess coax : DO NOT coil it up. I've been instructed that feeding a loop into your hood/cowl channel molding is a proper way to get rid of excess. OR, under your carpet/vinyl, weiving it back and forth w/o touching or really getting near your amp power wire.
#5
#6
^^ What W1CKY said.
The only times you shouldn't shorten the coax is when co-phasing or running a 102" whip antenna.
Usually you can just loop it back and forth under the floor mat , which is a better idea , since one day you may decide to remount the antenna in a different location and need the extra cable length .
The only times you shouldn't shorten the coax is when co-phasing or running a 102" whip antenna.
Usually you can just loop it back and forth under the floor mat , which is a better idea , since one day you may decide to remount the antenna in a different location and need the extra cable length .
#9
#11
first of all.. firesticks and anything they make are junk... the inside of the fiberglass whips break, etc... ive seen alot of truckers buy them for a last resort to get home.. but throw them away once they get home...
That coax at a 90 degree is junk... you need to have a male and a female end, not a loop...
And the excess coax.... go to a cb shop, with the coax marked... and have them cut, put a new end on, and tune your swr.... for like 10$..
You shouldnt wrap your coax around anything.. it should go strait from your radio to your antenna...
Rocky
That coax at a 90 degree is junk... you need to have a male and a female end, not a loop...
And the excess coax.... go to a cb shop, with the coax marked... and have them cut, put a new end on, and tune your swr.... for like 10$..
You shouldnt wrap your coax around anything.. it should go strait from your radio to your antenna...
Rocky
#12
I swear up and down 18ft. I can't get nearly the range with a short coax. I get out a good 15mi down the highway both ways.
I have 2 connectors on mine, both are on the bottom stud for the antenna, one ground and one going through the antenna. Agreed, wrapping the coax is bad, but I've been shown by the shop how to run my wires, that's why I'm suggesting it on here.
I have 2 connectors on mine, both are on the bottom stud for the antenna, one ground and one going through the antenna. Agreed, wrapping the coax is bad, but I've been shown by the shop how to run my wires, that's why I'm suggesting it on here.
#13
This topic sure seems debatable, lol! i thought Firestik was like the standard CB antenna and coax which everyone uses. I hope it works, this CB radio thing is becoming a huge pain in the *** to figure out. So much conflicting information.
Anyway, thanks Trevor for the pics. Im gonna rout the coax like you did and i will post in here how it works.
Now I just gotta figure out where to mount the radio... There is absolutely nowhere in my truck that I can bolt it to. Im thinking under the saet is the only place it will fit. maybe the roof, but I have that explorer OHC, so Im limited there as well.
Maybe Ill attempt to make a fiberglass console
Anyway, thanks Trevor for the pics. Im gonna rout the coax like you did and i will post in here how it works.
Now I just gotta figure out where to mount the radio... There is absolutely nowhere in my truck that I can bolt it to. Im thinking under the saet is the only place it will fit. maybe the roof, but I have that explorer OHC, so Im limited there as well.
Maybe Ill attempt to make a fiberglass console
#14
#17
The best thing to do is cut off the excess and put a new connector on the end. 18ft of coax is useless despite what "CB experts" say about it being "optimal". The optimal length for a single standard two way radio installation is the shortest length possible. You can get new PL-259 connectors for RG-58 coax at your nearest radio shack or CB shop. Or you can have a local CB shop do it for you. Leave yourself enough to have some slack and flexibility and get rid of everything else.
If you don't want to cut it, then play it out around the cab or under the hood. Just don't coil it up in a loop and avoid really sharp bends.
If you don't want to cut it, then play it out around the cab or under the hood. Just don't coil it up in a loop and avoid really sharp bends.
#18
For a 6yr old RadioShack radio... and a $40 tune... It ain't bad. I've got maybe $150 into my whole setup with 2 antenna's. You probably have a lil more. It gets the job done when I need it, that's all I care about.
And Keith, if you want to run a good fiberglass, Francis makes a good and affordable antenna. I've got their 5.5ft one. Firesticks are all talked up, I wouldn't run it.
And Keith, if you want to run a good fiberglass, Francis makes a good and affordable antenna. I've got their 5.5ft one. Firesticks are all talked up, I wouldn't run it.
#19
I have around $200 in to mine, soon to be a little more.
Cobra 25 with an Astatic D104-M6 minute man II mic. The radio has been peaked and tuned, swing kit, bigger finals, it has everything other then extra channels and sound toys.
Thennn, I'm running a Palomar250, soon to be a fatboy600.
I love my Wilson 5000. I need to get the roof mount for it and ditch the magnet.
As far as distance goes, I can talk to people in LA, GA and OK (1000+ miles) on a good night.
Cobra 25 with an Astatic D104-M6 minute man II mic. The radio has been peaked and tuned, swing kit, bigger finals, it has everything other then extra channels and sound toys.
Thennn, I'm running a Palomar250, soon to be a fatboy600.
I love my Wilson 5000. I need to get the roof mount for it and ditch the magnet.
As far as distance goes, I can talk to people in LA, GA and OK (1000+ miles) on a good night.
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