CB radio

[mmjosh]

hi there i wondered if any of you could tell me how do i wire a cb radio up the wires that i have is a red with a inline fuse in it and a black wire on its own

thank you

Josh[frame][/frame]

[MarkyB]

Breaker breaker do you copy?
As long as the car is negative earth black wire to earth and fused wire to a 12 volt supply.

[mmjosh]

yes the car is negative earth,so i could put the black on the body and then the red onto the starter solenoid

[PSL184]

DO NOT try to transmit on the radio unless you have the aerial properly SWR'd. You will fry the output transistor and then it will have to go off to a rig doctor for a new one. There is much more to a CB radio than just a positive and negative connection.....

[mmjosh]

tell e mor rich

[PSL184]

You need to "tune" the aerial to get the lowest possible SWR (standing wave ratio). The lower the SWR, the better.... CB aerials are usually adjusted by altering their length but you cannot "guess" at it - you have to use a meter. Also, different radio's use different microphone wiring, so you need to make sure the mic is wired correctly for your radio. The one pictured has a "cybernet" chassis so do a search on google for info. I'll copy a couple of links for you below.....

http://www.cbtricks.com/

http://m0ysu.com/

http://www.transmission1.co.uk/

I've forgotton more than I can remember about these things.......

[mmjosh]

i have got the mic with it an the seperate speaker and also my dad is going to get me a mini cb areil with the coil spring like this on ebay http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/MINI-SPRINGER-CB- ... 439745b83f

[PSL184]

Yep, they aren't too bad. The straight piece above the coil is the adjustable bit. You will also need either a mag mount or a gutter mount to attach it to the car..... Don't expect miracles though - on top of a big hill you will only get out a couple of miles at best if running standard rig power (4 watts). However, you could be very naughty and run a big 100 watt burner but then you'll kill the cars electrical system and melt the aerial

[RobMoore]

I guess CB has changed since I was using them.
I had a DV 27 in the loft and was chatting to people all over the world without a burner.
I wish I had kept my old rigs now (Cobra 148 GTL and superstar 2000)
I think I do have my old legal rig someplace wiht 2 extra bands added. maybe I'll get it out again one day

That antenna will not give much range, If your going for magmount get something like a firestick or DV 27 gutter mounts are ok but both mag and gutter damage the car (mag will take off your paint and gutter mount will likely bend the guttering.

Optimal location is dead centre of the car to give a better omni directional radius, located at the rear will give you a better range forwards etc

[PSL184]

If you were on sideband on those rigs Rob you would get out well with the right atmospherics. Josh just has a legal 4w FM rig which as we all know are only "acceptable" at the best of times.... especially mobile.....

[RobMoore]

If you were on sideband on those rigs Rob you would get out well with the right atmospherics. Josh just has a legal 4w FM rig which as we all know are only "acceptable" at the best of times.... especially mobile.....

Yes a lot of time spent on side band but still managed to speak to a guy in the states flying a cesna lol
More recently on my taxi driving days we used the FM rigs and the few of us who knew how to get the most out of them managed some long ranges above 50 miles.
So with a good antenna tuned to the max it is still easy enough to get decent range.

[PSL184]

Indeed, a good antenna is the key to sucess....

[bmcecosse]

I'm amazed anyone still uses these things.........Haven't used my CBs in about 25 years - mind you, haven't used my Amateur Radio sets in 20 years either! And NO - do not connect the red wire to the starter solenoid - connect it to a fused output! Even though it has an -inline fuse of it's own - the cable to that fuse should be protected, especially with your rather slim electrical abilities!!!!!!

[mmjosh]

so can i connect the red wire to the fuse box

[bmcecosse]

Yes! Be sure to connect it on the side that goes dead when you pull the fuse out. And you can decide if you want it on all the time - or just when the ignition is on.

[PSL184]

CB's are best conected directly across the battery with suitable in line fuse. You need as much of that 4 watts you can get

[RobMoore]

CB's are best conected directly across the battery with suitable in line fuse. You need as much of that 4 watts you can get

Absolutely the best way indeed.
Run the cables from the battery into the cabin then add a female connector or lighter socket, use a male connector or lighter plug and wire from the CB, this way you can simply remove and refit with ease

[mmjosh]

Absolutely the best way indeed.
Run the cables from the battery into the cabin then add a female connector or lighter socket, use a male connector or lighter plug and wire from the CB, this way you can simply remove and refit with ease

Hi what do you mean

[RobMoore]

Absolutely the best way indeed.
Run the cables from the battery into the cabin then add a female connector or lighter socket, use a male connector or lighter plug and wire from the CB, this way you can simply remove and refit with ease

Hi what do you mean

I mean just what I said.
Run the cable direct from the battery to the inside of the cabin area

[mmjosh]

oh yes sorry i never read all of it my mistake