So my tech team at work pitched in and got me a CB Radio and Magnet-mounted antenna for my birthday. Woohoo!

I guess I'll be installing my CB this weekend and testing it out.

 

Happy B'Day Al. Nice bunch of guys you work with there!

 

Yup, they are a great bunch of people.

I'm thinking about returning the magnetic antenna and replacing it with a bolt on one though...not sure yet.

 

Hey there, happy B-Day that was auwful nice of them to take care of you like that. Tell them mine is in Sept and I am really looking at some Hellas!!

Take care, have a great day!!

 

happy bday al!

 

That was nice of them to bet you the CB Al.
Corey
PS, I was just on Firestik's website doing a little reseaching when I ran across a new antenna they just came out with.

It's based on the Firestik II antenna like I have now, but available in the US flag colors.
Comes in a 3 & 4 foot model.
I like, I may have to order it.

 

Cool. Thx for the birthday wishes boys.

 

I must say the only thing I don't really like about the magnet-mounted antenna is routing the coax.

It's not long enough to route down the hatch and all the way to the front passenger seat so I'm going to have to bring it down along the side of the rear door and then inside. I hope the door doesn't dig into the coax, it seems to be fine though.

I bought an SWR meter too, so I can tune the antenna and see how it does.

 

Happy Bday Boss...4Runners like Bday presents too eh?
butnut

 

Exactly butnut All ready to go, will install it and test tomorrow. I have to wake up early to go to the stealer and get my plugs changed out.

Hey Corey: which fuse did you tap into (originally) for your CB? I only want it on when the key is in the "ON" position, not "ACC". Which should I use and should I change the fuse that it will be on too?

 

Just sent you an email a bit ago.
I'd just play taps on the radio fuse. Don't change the fuse.
That will work for now, but if you keep adding stuff, it's going to get junglized like mine did.

Best to think about the fuse box mod sometime.
It's very easy to do.
Corey

 

Well, installation is now complete. I ended up mounting the bracket for the CB at the bottom of my glove compartment. When you remove it, you can't even tell I drilled holes when you're sitting in the passenger seat so that's good.

For power I tapped into the 20A fuse for the windshield wipers, that seems to work fine.

Lastly, I bought a 2 wire wiring harnass and cut the cables. Now when I don't need the CB, I simply unplug the plastic harnass piece and take the CB and antenna inside. The other half of the harness tucks nicely out of the way behind the center console, leaving no trace except for the mounting bracket.

Going out for a b-day dinner soon, so I'll plug it all in and tune the antenna tomorrow, and take it for a spin.

 

Thx man. Actually my b-day isn't until tomorrow (7 July).

 

Happy B.Day man! Sounds like you have some nice co-workers...
One suggestion... i'd get a thin piece of cloth or some kind to stick to the bottom of the magnet. Otherwise its really easy to scccccratch the paint.
Just looking out...

 

Thanks for the tip. I've wrapped the magnet base w/duct tape. I think that will lower the paint scratching chances. Speaking of which, I'm taking in the Runner tommorow to have the roof fixed. I'll be w/o it for 2 whole days!

 

Happy Birthday Boss!

 

Happy Birthday!

 

OK, Happy birthday for real today. To avoid scratching the roof, Sherpa4Runner over on ODW lays a small round piece of felt down first, then sets the magnetic base on that. I just wonder if this will affect reception. Is there supposed to be a ground at the base or something, I have no idea. He seems to get good reception with it.

 

Thx guys.

The magnetic bases are pretty much self-grounding. As long as you place it on a large metal surface such as your roof, it uses that as it's ground as far as I know. There are no additional wires or components with it.

I was thinking duct tape because it's more smooth than the plain magnet base, and I don't think it will interfere with my reception.

Either way, I'm no expert so feel free to give me more suggestions.

 

Hey, don't forget to check out the two URLs on Firestik's website too:

FAQ section

Tech documents

In the Tech section there, is a lot of valuble information such as how to hook up an exteranl SWR meter to adjust your antenna.



I can tell you, yesterdays run we went on was way cool, and having a CB makes the run all that much more interesting.

I was yakking with about 3 other Toyota clubs that were up in our area, but on the Naches trail above us, and a little more Eastward.
I was surprised we were able to communicate at all with so many peaks seperating us.
But yes, the CB is a very cool invenstment for when you are in the mountains with your rig.
Corey