How did y'all get your antenna coax inside the cab?

[Tim]

Eh, so I didn't get an A in spelling, get over it.



That info was very helpful.



I did take the console out, and there was nowhere to pass the coax without drilling.

 

[JHardwick]

Eh, so I didn't get an A in spelling, get over it.



That info was very helpful.



I did take the console out, and there was nowhere to pass the coax without drilling.

No kiddin, I'd have thought there would be plenty of room once you finally got it up.



My bad, I've never taken mine up.

 

[Tim]

Nah, all the holes are sealed up pretty good. I actually hid the coax under it quite well though.

 

[BIG BOB]

Well, I broke down and extended the coax. I installed big bob's custom bracket and my $12 CB radio temporarily until I can get me a REAL radio.



I've got some serious reception with 5 footers, too.

What kind of SWR reading do you have on your antennas?

 

[Tim]

This $12 radio doesn't have a meter. Stay tuned, there will be antenna tuning to follow when I get a real radio, don't worry.

 

[JVolpe]

I used a cheap Midland window mount. I have used this setup on my previous truck and it work fine for my needs. Midland window mount $19. CB 16 year old Radio Shack, dont remember the cost.



SWR Readings with new SWR Meter. I took these twice, because I didnt really believe them. Not bad for a $19 Window mount and a 16 year old Radio Shack TRC-484.



Channel 1 SWR 1. 7 Transmit Power 2. 8

Channel 19 SWR 1. 5 Transmit Power 3. 5

Channel 40 SWR 1. 7 Transmit Power 2. 9

 

[Tim]

Cobra 148gtl is a great rig.

That's actually what I had in mind.

 

[Crunch]

That's actually what I had in mind.

I'm running a Cobra 148 and love the performance. I seldom use any of the added features, and don't ever recall switching from channel 19. It's one radio you don't want to risk burning out with a high SWR, though. Like the local CB shop told me: You tune the antenna to the vehicle, then hook up the CB of your choice. I'm also using the Firestick stake-hole mount with a Firestick antenna. Guaranteed 5 years. My one disappointment is that I bought this radio because of the side bands and their added range, but have never found anyone on the road that is also using them. Recently I was told that the best way to use the upper and lower side bands is if you are traveling with someone else who also has side band capability in their radio, giving you the added range and "private channels" in that regard. For what it's worth, I've never been able to raise the highway patrol on channel 9 when I needed to, either. *55 on the cell phone seems to be the best way for that.

 

[Tim]

If there's no use for sideband I might as well get a Cobra 29. Proven, and functional.



Lots of people on HAM radio though.

 

[Crunch]

If there's no use for sideband I might as well get a Cobra 29. Proven, and functional.



Lots of people on HAM radio though.

Don't let that scare you off. The 148 is still a great radio, and in the future more people may use the sidebands. Plus, if you're stuck out in the sticks and need help you might be able to raise someone on the sidebands who would otherwise be out of range. Like anything else, I prefer to purchase products with future uses in mind instead of what I need right then. Heck, for 90% of what I do with a truck I could get by with a 1/2 ton. But for that other 10% it's worth it to have the Heavy Duty, and I've never seen the diesel engine as a drawback. I say get the 148 with the understanding that the side bands are something to use in the future. You never know when the next CB craze will roll around and the standard 40 channels get cluttered with yahoos who also bought Harleys for weekend riding. It's already bad enough sometimes with truckstops advertising truck washes, paint detailing or chrome work, and truckers challenging each other to fights, not to mention the idiots who play those obnoxious recorded messages: "What that sumbitch say?", "Eat more chicken", and "I've got my panties on, I've got my little red nightie on and I'm a ready to go to bed. "