I've read thread after thread about which CB or antenna to get and where to mount them. Now I need to know how to wire them. I no very little about wiring things in vehicles. For example if I am mounting the radio on the center console, where under the dash would I wire the power. I've got a good idea about the antenna, but help in that department wouldn't hurt either. I'm thinking of mounting the antenna on the side rails of the bed, or the rear bumper. Thanks for any help.

 

Do you want it to be powered only with the key on? ...or all the time?

A nice place to get power if you want it on all the time is the "power point" connector to the right of the radio. For switched power, there's enough juice going to the radio to tap a wire there.

Edit: Wire to tap is yellow/black behind the radio for switched power.

 

Or just hardwire to the battery with a fuse in the line. It'll be on all the time so make sure that you turn it off before you get out of your truck.

 

Yeah, that's fine except that CB's take SO little power a direct line isn't really necessary. Better (or more useful is a better way to say it) option for amplifiers and higher power stuff. Too much trouble for a CB, IMO.

 

ok since everyones asking cb questions. I have one of my own.

Mr. Griggs or anyone who can answer. Do the cell phone style, through window cb antennas work well at all.....or should i just stick it out and get the firestik. And also does anyone make a CB mount for the bed right behind the cab.....?

 

Do they work? Yes. Do they work well? Up close they do :) You'll get a better signal and more distance the higher up you go and the window mount CB's I've seen aren't very tall.
There is always a way to mount a CB :)

 

Through-glass antennas are much better for higher frequencies. Those antennas are fine for short range vehicle-to-vehicle communications -- but they have no range as Bryan suggested.

A "real" antenna for CB would be about 8 feet long. Not practical for most people so shorter helically wound and coil-loaded antenna's are used. Still, the ones shorter than about 4 feet in length are pretty marginal.

 

I picked up a pair of firestiks, cable, y harness, and mounts for both at work for 18 bux. I just haven't figured out where I want to mount my cb lol

 

O yeah, does anyone make mounts for the antennae that go in the holes in the bedsides? That would be awesome if they did.

 

Yes, they do.

Why two? You can't space them enough to get gain out of them. You're going to get a messed up radiation pattern. They need to be 1/4 wave apart to work properly and that's about 8 feet. Works for big trucks, but not on a Ranger.

 

Well i wanna mount my antenna to the bed. I have finally decided that much. BUT i wanna do it right behind my slide window. Right to the bed, But the thing is i cant find a clip or a device to hold it there.....maybe they make one? No, yes.......i dont know cant ifnd one!

 

you mean like this??
Firestik stake hole mount with a 3" spring and a 4' Firestik antenna.....

 

i think sonic edge wants that particular thing.

Im looking for directly behind the slide window

 

There are ways but at the moment I can only think of one. I bought my mount at Radio Shack. It would involved drilling into the bed but it would be secure. I can tell you one thing to think about tho is when you're driving along that antenna whips around a lot. If it's too close to your cab it may scratch the hell out of the.

 

yeah i understand what your saying....and no drilling wouldnt be a bad thing but i might be interested in say a mount that has i dunno how to explain it but more like a short arm that goes into the bed so it is a short short distance back.....make sense?

 

Ooooo kinda like this.....

 

and i think this is what you need to park in your parkind garage!

 

ooooooooooooooooooooooooooh The one you found for you is good and the one you found for me is super! Gonna check it out now. Gracias!

 

oh and i just bought my antenna and the mount off that web site.....Got a pretty good deal too!

 

My concern is how strong it is. I mean after a few months of waving around is it going to get loose and not stay..um...up...

 

looks like a hinged lock design to me Bryan
twist, pull up then fold down
reverse the proceedure to lock up
I doubt the spring on mine will ever fail
there used to be a small flag on it and it went down while driving
now it is naked, but at highway speeds it still tilts back in the wind stream
you could get a spring mount and just clip it down before entering the garage, but that hinge mount looks sweet
similar to what Q used to have when Janna had a back bumper....
if it is stainless it should last forever with very minimal care

 

Sweet! I am gonna order those mounts today at work!!! I guess work doesn't have the most up to date catalog.

 

That would be almost perfect! I want one I can flip up or down and the flip of a switch :) But this is definately a plus! Thanx!

 

MMM I found a 7 foot antenna :)

 

If I could conveniently hide an 8' I would definately get that....