Okay, So Im going to be installing my CB tonight but Im not sure what wire to get to run to my rear bumper for the antenna. For now, I will just be running the wire from the CB unit back to the rear bumper so that I can mount it later(I still need the mounting bracket). They had 2 diff. ones at Radio shack. One had a plug on either end and the other had a plub for the CB and at the other end split into two seperate wires. Which one do I need? I dont know how the antenna will hook up so Im not sure which one to buy. Anyone have pics. or can help? thanks!
I searched lots of posts but didnt see what I was looking for, incase anyone is wondering.

 

You need the one with the 2 plugs on the end and it's best to get it in an 18ft length, at least for fiberglass antennas. Even with 18 feet though mine still wasn't long enough to reach my rear bumper on my truck. It's an extened cab though so it's pretty long.

 

Yes get the 2 connector type. The other is used for ball mount applications.

 

okay, so the one with a connection(plug) at both ends is the one I need(just to clarify). Thanks for the help guys.

oh, BTW, do you think 20ft. will be enough to route it to my bumper? I hope because the only other chord was 50ft and thats way too much.

 

20 feet should be fine. I ran mine under my carpet and still have alot of footage left over. 50 feet would leave you with more extra wiring than you could possibly ever need.

 

If I had a runner 18 ft would have proabably worked. The only reason my 18 wasnt long enough was that 1) The CB is mounted in dash so the cable had to run around in the dash 2) I had to take it through a through hole in the floor and run it down the frame rail up around the wheel and then up to the top of the tail light where I was going to mount it. I would hav needed like 5 more feet

 

i think the length of the coax cable is specific to help keep the antenna tuned properly. if memory serves correctly, 6' is the multipier. take a piece of heavy string, starting at the antenna location and working to the radio, see how much you actually need. you can always coil the extra under the passenger front seat. when i installed my cb, the antenna base is on the left rear of the hood, i routed the coax across the top of the firewall, in through the a/c drain hole, coiled up the balance of the 12' under the passenger seat and brought the end up by the passenger seat belt next to the console. i ran the power and ground under the carpet along the tunnel to the same location. the cb hides between the seat and console. when i need it, i just tilt it up, plug in the mic, mount the antenna and im good to go. neat and tidy and out of site.

lee

 

get whatever will work for your application, some mounts use the dual eyelet style and soem dont.....

 

That sounds nice Leebee. I decided to cut out my ashtray since I never use it and nobody ever will while I own it. I have some more cutting to do but the wiring to CB itself is good and it turns on. I still dont know what Antenna Im going to run, So I will wait on the wire for that. Is the fiberglass whip antenna at Radio Shack pretty crappy or will it work just fine? Its like 15 bucks I think. Thanks for all the help.

 

pretty much any antenna will do the job if you tune it properly. you will need an swr meter to tune the antenna, it goes between the cb and the antenna when tuning. check it on channel 1, 10 and 40 or whatever is your highest channel. check a few electronics outlets and see if they have someone who will tune it for you, it wont take long and they shouldnt charge too much to do it. swr stands for 'standing wave ratio'.

lee