So, in preparation for hopfully going to Centralia in the spring, I got to looking for a CB. I was browsing on radioshack.com and couldn't make up my mind. I then remembered, my dad got a new CB for his semi a couple years ago...maybe he still has his old one. I remembered seeing a box of his old trucking stuff in the basement, so, I went looking through it. To my surprise, look what I found in the bottom of the box.



Its a little dirty, but I think, and hope, it still works. I know absolutly NOTHING when it comes to CB's, so I googled the name of it and got this...
Can somebody explain to me what this all means? lol. I have all the cords and the mount for it too. I just need an antenna. Thats what my question is.

What type, and size, antenna would you guys recommend? I don't want anything ginormous. I'm thinking maybe 3 or 4 foot tall. Any help is great! Thanks in advance!

 

The Cobra 148GTL "Old Style" is one of the best AM/SSB radios ever built !!!!
With that said..... I know there are better radios out now adays, but for the money..... this radio was the most versatile radio for modifications, performance and durability.....
For my own edification.... Look on the back of the radio and there will be a metal tag with production information; where and when it was built.
The early production Taiwan model (1980-85) was GOOD, the mid production Philippines model (1986-93) was GREAT and the later production Malaysian model (1994-1998) was GOOD !!!! The key to the quality of the radio was the UNIDEN components and the quality assurance during assembly. Any of the above years of production were definite KEEPERS....
The models built in late 1998 and there after was of LESSER quality and prone to problems.....
In the hands of a GOOD technician..... When I say GOOD technician; I mean...... NOT a golden screwdriver !!!!! A golden screwdriver is a reference for a HACK.... or someone that THINKS they are qualified to work on these radios, but are not !!!!
This radio in the hands of a GOOD tech..... will perform amazingly well with a Wilson 1000 or 5000. You can get away with using a Wilson 500, but dont settle for less of an antenna !!!!!
Remember the words.... ANTENNA, ANTENNA, ANTENNA !!!! A quality antenna will make a cheap radio perform OK, but a cheap antenna will make a quality radio perform poorly......
If your Ranger will see trail use..... then DONT go with a fiberglass antenna..... I have seen way too many K40 and Firestiks shattered after hitting a tree branch or boulder.....
I have talked to Canada, Australia, and all over the USA with this radio and a Wilson 1000 magnet mount on SSB......

IF you are lucky and the radio was not abused and no one has hacked it up.... You have made a find and have a great radio in your possession.

OR 4x4

PS. IF you want more questions answered about your radio.... PM me !!!!

 

The tag on the back says it was built in Aug. of '91. Woot!

I guess it is a good thing my dad's a truck driver. lol. I just really hope it still works. But, if my dad kept it for all this time, I don't understand why it wouldn't.

My truck won't see A LOT of trail use but it will see some.

Now, where would I go about wiring this power cord to?

Thanks for all the help man. I really apreciate it. :)

 

The best place to connect the wires would be to run some 14 gauge wires directly to the battery with an inline 10A fuse. This will provide plenty of power for the radio. The radio should draw a maximum of 5-7A.
With that build date.... I would guess that the radio was made in the Philippines. GREAT quality radio !!!!
Remember..... DONOT settle for a cheap antenna !!!!

OR 4x4

 

i got an old midland from my dad with no where to mount it...lol its like from the 70's ill get up pics in a lil bit

 

I'm trying to think of a place to mount this. I don't think I want to put it on the ceiling. I was thinking of putting it on the glove box but then I'm worried about legroom for the passenger and/or hitting their legs off of it.

 

After much consideration I decided to mount my Cobra 148 GTL diagonally to the outside of the glove compartment door and inserted the frequency counter in the small compartment below the passenger air bag lock.
For me it is very functional.

OR 4x4

 

I will take some pictures of my cb mount and my antenna mount, and post them tonight, im going to wash the truck, so ill get some pics up...

Rocky

 

If your heading to the Centralia meet in the spring we may have a couple trucks in a convoy. I will be back to Erie next weekend if you need some help installing that thing. Chances are if it was in a rig it was already peaked and tuned.

 

Awesome. Now I won't get lost getting to Centralia! I can just follow you guys. LOL

I should be able to get it all installed myself. I just need to get an antenna and I'll be set. Thanks for the help.

 

Here's a link to a users manual for your radio: http://www.cobra.com/pdf/CBs/148GTL.pdf

Might help you understand it.

 

Looking forward to meeting you, John! The "big" spring Centralia meet is now a highlight of my year, lol.

 

Mine sits between the seats, this explains it... with how i mounted it...

Bent a street sign and cut it to size, it slides up under the middle of the seat and doesnt move anywhere....i would mount it down but then the seat wouldnt be able to move forward....but it doesnt move at all, and its right at your hand when its on the arm wrest...


Just my .02!!!

Rocky

 

Very clever! And ergonomic. I like it.

I hope nobody got lost when the street sign disappeared though...

 

Rocky, thats a great spot to mount it...if you have an auto. My Ranger is a stick so I think that would get in the way when I shift to 2nd, 4th, or rev. I'm thinking about mounting it to the glove box now. Seems like its the only logical spot. I don't want to put it on the headliner either.

 

Yeah, I'm looking forward to meeting everyone. I just really hope I can get off work for it. That seems to be my only problem. Lets hope for good things.

 

I may be at the centralia meet also, depends on if i can get someone from columbus to go.....since im not good with directions...It doesnt sit up as far in that picture, i pulled it out to show the mounting stuff....this is how much room it has.... Well Thats the only picture i have of it, i think you'll have enough room...if not, i did have it on the pass side of the tranny hump....Just some ideas...better than having it in the way of the passengers knee's....

No i hope no one gets lost because of the sign...lol when i was younger i use to collect signs, and didnt have any other metal that big / thin, so i cut it and used it :-) ill still probably take it out and paint it, but it works VERY well..


Rocky

 

For a antenna go to exit 27 off of 90. Thats not too far from you. There is a Pilot Truck stop and they have the Firestick II which has a tunable tip for 20 bucks. Thats a good antenna for a pretty good price. Get the 4ft one too. The extra length over the 3ft makes a difference. I also recommend getting a spring for it too and don't transmit until you get the antenna tuned. Like I said, let me know if you need a hand.

Also, IMO I would mount it on the passenger side of the tranny hump, even tho I don't think you would have a clearence problem putting it in the middle with the stick shift.

 

Alright. I just mocked up the CB mounting it in the center. It seems to be able to fit and doesn't interfere with my shifting. Now I just need to find something to mount it to. :x