ratdude747 Posted May 8, 2021 Share Posted May 8, 2021 This week I upgraded my CB setup Swapped the Cobra 18 WX ST I had been using for a used Cobra 25LTD Classic I bought for cheap and an Astatic mic I also bought for cheap (both required rework, but both were successes). The former unit resets to channel 9 on power-on, which for my setup (radio powered off ignition-controlled radio relay), was annoying. Not to mention the "classic" looks a lot more like the rest of my interior! Wiring routed nice and cleanly: The RG58 is connected to a right angle adapter. CB and head unit powered from an isolated power/ground, an ignition relay (CB and head unit ignition input), and external noise filter (CB only). Used an existing harness, with the RG58 and radio/head unit isolated power wires snuck in through the same cable entry and routing path. Didn't have to drill the firewall! Antenna is a bumper mounted 102" 1/4 wave whip: I kinda cheated on the bumper. The left side plastic had been broken off since I bough the truck, but for performance and drive-thru accessibility reasons the whip needed to go on the right side. For some silly reason, Ford made the left and right trim pieces different.. but they only differ in the placement of one mounting stake, which I was able to correct with a utility knife. They're the same dimensions otherwise... So far, it works well... SWR testing came back perfect (nothing registering on the reflection needle) once I replaced the RG58A cable in the antenna kit (which has a non-solderable shield, no good for user-soldered plugs) with a better quality NOS Radio Shack RG58 cable. If you route the cable I did (along the RH frame rail), about 23' of cable is needed for a comfortable run (although I am concerned about heat damage; when I removed the old cable routed slightly differently, the jacketing was scorched off where it was near the cats!). Luckily it works with most drive-thru's around here. Most of them don't have awnings across the entire lane (antenna clears along the side), and the one that does has an 11'+ height (the top of the antenna is 10' 10" high). Only one that doesn't work is one lane at the local McDonalds (but only the "watch your height" bar is an issue) and the carport at my church (which can be driven around unless somebody parks the lane in as usual ). I do have a wrench and a 3/8x24 stainless bolt in the glove box in the event I need to take the whip down (whip fits diagonally in the bed). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grumpin Posted May 8, 2021 Share Posted May 8, 2021 Nice! I like the antenna. I’ve never tried one of the Astatic mics. Have you considered an antenna hold down? I think this one gutter mounts. (Edit, I read the description, it is a gutter mount!) https://www.wearecb.com/kalibur-k101x-cb-antenna-steel-whip-tie-down.html Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gary Lewis Posted May 8, 2021 Share Posted May 8, 2021 Nice! I like the antenna. I’ve never tried one of the Astatic mics. Have you considered an antenna hold down? I think this one gutter mounts. (Edit, I read the description, it is a gutter mount!) https://www.wearecb.com/kalibur-k101x-cb-antenna-steel-whip-tie-down.html Well done! The installation looks sano and the CB looks period-correct. On the RG-58 run, you could insulate it with some of the sleeve from here: https://www.delcity.net/store/T6-ThermaShield-Wrap/p_818140.h_807506. Don't know that the one that comes up is the right size, but they have several sizes. And you can put it on over the line. I have it on my dip stick that is extremely close to the headers and it is surviving. I like the antenna hold-down idea. And, being plastic, can you still use the radio? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
salans7 Posted May 8, 2021 Share Posted May 8, 2021 Well done! The installation looks sano and the CB looks period-correct. On the RG-58 run, you could insulate it with some of the sleeve from here: https://www.delcity.net/store/T6-ThermaShield-Wrap/p_818140.h_807506. Don't know that the one that comes up is the right size, but they have several sizes. And you can put it on over the line. I have it on my dip stick that is extremely close to the headers and it is surviving. I like the antenna hold-down idea. And, being plastic, can you still use the radio? You're a nicer guy than I am, I have my antenna mounted on the center edge of my toolbox, and it smacks everything. My truck also has an 8" lift, so that doesn't help. The antenna doesn't cause any damage though, and hasn't really bent too far out of shape. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ratdude747 Posted May 8, 2021 Author Share Posted May 8, 2021 Nice! I like the antenna. I’ve never tried one of the Astatic mics. Have you considered an antenna hold down? I think this one gutter mounts. (Edit, I read the description, it is a gutter mount!) https://www.wearecb.com/kalibur-k101x-cb-antenna-steel-whip-tie-down.html I've heard they're nice... Found this one lightly used for $15 shipped on eBay. Only the seller listed as a 4 pin, it actually was a 5 pin. Thankfully, these mics are "universal" and I was able to solder on a new connector. I have considered a hold down, didn't know where to get one. Might do that... Well done! The installation looks sano and the CB looks period-correct. On the RG-58 run, you could insulate it with some of the sleeve from here: https://www.delcity.net/store/T6-ThermaShield-Wrap/p_818140.h_807506. Don't know that the one that comes up is the right size, but they have several sizes. And you can put it on over the line. I have it on my dip stick that is extremely close to the headers and it is surviving. I like the antenna hold-down idea. And, being plastic, can you still use the radio? Might have to get some of that insulation... I do have a second length of RG58 (I bought a 50' NOS cable, and cut it in half) so if the one installed burns up, this will be my countermeasure. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grumpin Posted May 8, 2021 Share Posted May 8, 2021 You're a nicer guy than I am, I have my antenna mounted on the center edge of my toolbox, and it smacks everything. My truck also has an 8" lift, so that doesn't help. The antenna doesn't cause any damage though, and hasn't really bent too far out of shape. That cracks me up Shaun! I have a Wilson 1000 mag mount, it’s a 62 inch whip, had it on the roof of my truck for awhile. I thought that hit stuff! Been thinking of putting it on my tool box. Get good swr’s with it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ratdude747 Posted May 8, 2021 Author Share Posted May 8, 2021 You're a nicer guy than I am, I have my antenna mounted on the center edge of my toolbox, and it smacks everything. My truck also has an 8" lift, so that doesn't help. The antenna doesn't cause any damage though, and hasn't really bent too far out of shape. That cracks me up Shaun! I have a Wilson 1000 mag mount, it’s a 62 inch whip, had it on the roof of my truck for awhile. I thought that hit stuff! Been thinking of putting it on my tool box. Get good swr’s with it. My 1995 ranger has a wilson 1000 (roof mounted) with a short-load whip. Once tuned, very good SWRs (effectively perfect, no reflection detected). I only have to take it down (swap for the rain cap) if doing a carwash or parking garage. Does catch super-low trees though. https://www.rightchannelradios.com/products/wilson-short-load-whip Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
salans7 Posted May 8, 2021 Share Posted May 8, 2021 You're a nicer guy than I am, I have my antenna mounted on the center edge of my toolbox, and it smacks everything. My truck also has an 8" lift, so that doesn't help. The antenna doesn't cause any damage though, and hasn't really bent too far out of shape. That cracks me up Shaun! I have a Wilson 1000 mag mount, it’s a 62 inch whip, had it on the roof of my truck for awhile. I thought that hit stuff! Been thinking of putting it on my tool box. Get good swr’s with it. I sit right between 1 and 1.5 with my setup, and I tuned nothing. I imagine if I had a professional optimize my setup, I could be right at 1. It's as dead center to the top as I can get the antenna. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grumpin Posted May 8, 2021 Share Posted May 8, 2021 My 1995 ranger has a wilson 1000 (roof mounted) with a short-load whip. Once tuned, very good SWRs (effectively perfect, no reflection detected). I only have to take it down (swap for the rain cap) if doing a carwash or parking garage. Does catch super-low trees though. https://www.rightchannelradios.com/products/wilson-short-load-whip That’s good to know about the short whip! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rusty_S85 Posted May 9, 2021 Share Posted May 9, 2021 Nice, I had a reman modified Cobra with weather. Worked great then near the end of the first year the thing just failed, I could receive but couldnt transmit. Sent it back to Florida and had it fixed by the original builder. Then another 6 months later the thing failed again this time it wouldnt even turn on. Tried to see if I could send it back the builder refused stating he has too much work and he has ceased online orders/repairs. So I tried to fix it myself with a new pot switch and it still didnt work so I upgraded to a Galaxy CB with side band. Doesnt have the weather feature which I liked but at least it worked when I was still driving the truck. Going to see if the model is still made going to buy another one cause sitting in the sun the sun bleached the red off my scale. If not, they arent too hard I hear to swap the scale out but for the cost, I could just buy another one and get another warranty period lol. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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