Correctly Install a CB Radio
by azükiBEAN in Circuits > Electronics
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Correctly Install a CB Radio
Installing your CB radio correctly isn't difficult, and a job worth doing is worth doing well!
So get ready to enjoy the wonderful world of free communication in this super simple instructable!
So get ready to enjoy the wonderful world of free communication in this super simple instructable!
Hardware
-CB radio (Mic included)
-Antenna (may already have Coax cable)
-Coax cable (may already be connected to the Mount/Magnetic Mount)
-Tapping clips (1)
-Antenna spring (so it'll flex in lieu of snapping/shattering)
Note: All CB radios are equally powered (out of the box), but not always the same price. I've heard that you should spend $100 on your first setup; that is: $20 for the radio and $80 for the antenna. With experience and in time, you'll start refining your setup. For now, these are just instructions on How To Correctly Install what you've got.
-Antenna (may already have Coax cable)
-Coax cable (may already be connected to the Mount/Magnetic Mount)
-Tapping clips (1)
-Antenna spring (so it'll flex in lieu of snapping/shattering)
Note: All CB radios are equally powered (out of the box), but not always the same price. I've heard that you should spend $100 on your first setup; that is: $20 for the radio and $80 for the antenna. With experience and in time, you'll start refining your setup. For now, these are just instructions on How To Correctly Install what you've got.
Mount Your Radio...
Mount in a place where you can clearly see what channel you're on, and you can comfortably reach the unit.
From the driver seat (tho this picture was taken from the passenger's POV), this spot is ideal for me.
From the driver seat (tho this picture was taken from the passenger's POV), this spot is ideal for me.
Connect
-Mount your antenna onto the spring; taking care not to have the tip blocked by roof rack accessories and such. And mount the spring onto the magnet mount.
-Connect your Coax to the antenna (some antennas are grounded automatically by the car body -as is the case with magnet mounts). Connect the ground wire to anything metal -if you have one.
(Note: My Tri-Mag antenna mount is already prewired with a Coax cable. After connecting the antenna to the Spring, and the spring onto the mount, I just put the mount where the signal wouldn't be blocked or interrupted.)
-Connect the Coax to the back of the Radio. The Coax should be routed from the antenna to the radio with as little 'kinks' as possible.
-Connect your mic.
Now it's time to connect to the power supply!
I'm sparing the lengthy details on how to screw/connect things together because it's a pretty intuitive process; all connections should fit, and only require a few twists to mate the contacts (like from the antenna to the mount) ;-)
-Connect your Coax to the antenna (some antennas are grounded automatically by the car body -as is the case with magnet mounts). Connect the ground wire to anything metal -if you have one.
(Note: My Tri-Mag antenna mount is already prewired with a Coax cable. After connecting the antenna to the Spring, and the spring onto the mount, I just put the mount where the signal wouldn't be blocked or interrupted.)
-Connect the Coax to the back of the Radio. The Coax should be routed from the antenna to the radio with as little 'kinks' as possible.
-Connect your mic.
Now it's time to connect to the power supply!
I'm sparing the lengthy details on how to screw/connect things together because it's a pretty intuitive process; all connections should fit, and only require a few twists to mate the contacts (like from the antenna to the mount) ;-)
Like a Pro!
Remove any necessary panels to get to the back of your lighter plug.
Access the RED+ wire of said Plug, and (using your wire tap crimp) clip on the RED+ wire from your radio. This clip makes a clean connection with the radio and the 12V DC line.
Now, find any metal screw attached to your car's metal body panel, and crimp the end of the BLACK- wire onto that bolt.
Your radio is now ready to go!
Access the RED+ wire of said Plug, and (using your wire tap crimp) clip on the RED+ wire from your radio. This clip makes a clean connection with the radio and the 12V DC line.
Now, find any metal screw attached to your car's metal body panel, and crimp the end of the BLACK- wire onto that bolt.
Your radio is now ready to go!