After a trail ride with the handheld CB, I was convinced of two things:

• the CB is an essential tool for traveling in groups on the trail
• the handheld was a lot better than nothing, but did not have the range needed for any communication beyond several hundred yards

 

While I was pleased with trail performance under most conditions, I wanted something that had more features and could reach everyone in the group and even people beyond the group.  I had read repeated write ups about the experience people have had with the Cobra 75 WX ST compact unit, and had seen the installation - which took up no more space than the handset.   I decided this was what would work best for me.  I had also witnessed someone using one who was able to communicate with the group from 7 or 8 miles away!  That was very convincing.

So I lurked on several auctions on eBay until I was able to get one that cost me less than the cheapest price I had been able to find (including the cost of shipping). 

Controls and Indicators (Click to Enlarge)

Once it arrived, I reviewed the installation instructions and went to pick up the antenna and trimmings.  I was pressed for time and went to Radio Shack because I was pretty sure they would have everything I would need.

 

I bought:

• 21- 974 Mobile CB Antenna - Fiberglass Whip (4 feet)
• 278-967 20 ft. RG-58 Coax Cable Assembly (50 ohm with PL-259
• 21-937 CB Antenna Mirror and Luggage-Rack Mount
• 21-534 Power SWR Meter
• 21-962 Mobile CB Antenna Slim Line Steel Spring
• 278-968 2 Ft. RG-58 Coax Cable Assembly to connect SWR meter to CB

I had read several installation reviews on the web and had decided that I did not want to drill any holes.   I did not want to mount the antenna on the spare tire holder.  I had also read that the coaxial cable could be threaded through the firewall and run underneath the Jeep with other wires.  So I located a large rubber firewall plug that has nothing going through it on my Jeep.  It is located just above the gas pedal and comes out very easily

View of CB wire exiting passenger compartment through rubber plug in firewall above gas pedal

I cut an "X"-shaped cut into this plug to allow the coaxial connector to pass through.   I nipped a tiny bit off of the tip of each of the four parts that form the X so that there would be a hole in the center for the cable to pass through.  I put the cable through the plug and installed it back into place.  I sealed it up with silicon sealer so that it will not leak.

Next I routed the cable out of the engine compartment and down along the inside of the frame rail, and attached it to the other wiring with cable ties.

View of CB antenna wire emerging through rubber plug in firewall.

Next I routed the CB cable past all moving and hot parts and discovered that it fit nicely along the side of the frame in a clip left over next to the brake and fuel lines. 

View looking up at floor next to frame near front of the body tub

I made sure to route the cable through the space next to the transfer case above the skid plate so that it does not get hung up on trail junk.

View facing front of Jeep with the inside of the transfer case skid plate at the bottom of the photo and the edge of the transfer case visible to the right.

At the rear of the vehicle, I threaded the cable through the space between the inside of the rear body mount on the rear deck, and up the rear stay of the roof rack.  The cable is secured using cable ties (white shown in photos - replaced with black for cosmetic reasons...)

Side views of rear rack support on drivers side (top and bottom)

Birds-eye view of antenna mount on rack.   The antenna spring was added later.

I installed the antenna mount on the rack, centered left and right.  I put it as far forward from the rear as the 20-foot cable allowed.  Once the mount was secure, I threaded the antenna spring and antenna into it.  I added stainless steel lock washers to both the antenna spring and antenna.

Although I think the rack is well grounded, I added a 14-gauge ground wire that I connected to the antenna mount and ran to the back of the Jeep, down the rear stay.  It is attached to the bolt formerly used by the number plate holder.  This assures that the antenna bracket is well grounded.   This is necessary because the thick power coat on the rack might prevent a good grounding at the antenna mount.  Both ends of the wire have crimp-on connectors.   The wire follows the same path as the CB antenna to the antenna mount

View is looking down from above number plate on rear of Jeep.

The view (right) shows the antenna cable attached to the antenna mount.  The ground wire attached to the antenna mount.  A small loop was  introduced to the wires to relieve tension on them.

View from under rack showing connections and bracket

The part of the CB that connects to the antenna is very small and was easy to conceal underneath the leading edge of the console.  I think I may relocate it before I go fording any deep water since it will not benefit from getting wet...

For a power supply I located the two labeled leads tucked up into the Jeep wire harness near the fuse box behind the glove box, one is switched and shares the fuse with the cigarette lighter.  The other is unswitched (always on) and has its own fuse (no fuse in there on my Jeep).  I connected the power lead to the "Switched" connection since I have repeatedly drained my battery by forgetting to turn off my stereo power amp.  No sense tempting fate anymore.  And this unit stays set to the last selected channel so it is not a major problem.

View shows both auxiliary power lead options (paper labels), behind the glove box (removed).  The CB power lead is attached to the "Switched" lead with crimp-on spade connectors and then taped with friction tape to prevent shorting.

I put spade connectors on both ends of the hot leads so that I could easily disconnect the CB power from the power supply and attach other devices, without using tools.  I put a loop connector on the ground wire and bolted it to the metal mounting strip that has holes in it that were handy.  I tucked the excess wires up under the dash and consolidated them with a cable tie.

View of ground wire from CB bolted to fusebox mounting frame.

I mounted the mike holder clip to the screw on the dash that holds a trim panel in place, just over the pedal area.

View from driver's seat facing dash below steering wheel.

The CB came on first try.   A quick test with my handheld CB showed that the unit works.  I connected the SWR meter to the unit and, following the instructions, tested my CB to get an SWR reading.  I was amazed to discover that SWR readings on all channels were below 1.2, which is very good.  This leads me to be suspicious that the SWR meter is not working right because nothing is ever this easy for me....!

After using the unit for a few days, I added an Auxillary Speaker.  Click here to see the details. 

I also made a storage tube for the antenna since it is too high to fit into the parking garage at work.  Click here to see the details.

After a trip to Second Mountain and Old Long Run I found that the 4-foot antenna was too tall to use in the woods.  It constantly whacked the overhead branches and anything else that was less than 10-feet off the ground.  And I was getting tired of unscrewing it every day so I could get into the parking garage at work.

So it was back to the drawing board.   I asked around and was referred to Auto Outfitters in Manassas, VA.  I drove down there and picked out the following items:

• Wilson Silver Load FGT-2, 5/8 Wave, 2-FT - 400 Watts fiberglass whip antenna
• Valor 203EZ E-Z Over Antenna Adapter
• Aires Technology A-44B Metal Mic Hook
• 3/8 Stud Cap
• Silver Load Cap

Tom Marros at Auto Outfitters was nice enough to let me borrow his SWR Meter to set up the antenna.  I checked the set-up with and without the E-Z Over Antenna Adapter and found no difference, so I installed it.   This allows me to flip the antenna down quickly without removing it.  This solved my parking garage clearance problem...  See my update below.

I bought the Stud Cap just in case I need to remove the antenna.  This will give me something to put in the empty hole to keep the junk out.  The spare antenna tip is to provide something in case it happens again that I lose one.  The Mic Hook is meant to make it easy to hang up the CB Mic but I found that it isn't much more than a pre-packed piece of coat hanger and does not work well with my mic.  It was cheap enough that it's one of those "nothing ventured nothing gained" kind of things.

The 4-foot antenna is now housed in the antenna storage tube for when I go on the road.

E-Z Over Update 10/08/01:  The E-Z Over Antenna Adapter has proven to be a very worthwhile piece of gear.  The problem of low antenna clearance has been largely eliminated by a quick flip of the antenna when I need to lower it.

However, I ran into trouble with the E-Z Over.  The pin that provides the hinging function is held in place by the sliding collar that holds the antenna in the upright position.  When the antenna is flipped down, the pin is no longer held in place and can fall out.  The first time the pin fell out, someone behind me retrieved and returned my antenna and the pin happened to be still in the hole, held by some grease.  The second time the antenna was down and the pin fell out, I was not so lucky.  I lost the antenna, retaining pin and the top half of the E-Z Over.  Net loss:  $30 and the time for one trip to Manassas to replace the lost parts.

The new E-Z Over appears to have the pin more securely retained with the ends of the pin being made wider by a blow with a drift punch, but as an added precaution, I added a tether using some wire ties.  Should the antenna come loose, it will at least be tied to the rack and not get lost.  Live and learn...

Antenna Spring Update 4/2002:

After almost a year of being exposed to the elements, the Radio Shack antenna spring had lost most of the chrome and was rusting badly.  I painted it black temporarily but it really looked crappy.  So when I was down at Auto Outfitters with Carl when he bought an antenna, I bought a new spring made out of stainless steel.  End of problem.  It was pretty much the only bare metal showing on my Jeep that wasn't stainless!  Not anymore!

Wilson Antenna Home Page | Buy the Cobra CB Here