Basic install of CB radio, Antenna, and SWR check for beginners. 

I'm no beginner but I'm glad this information is being made available for those who are new to the hobby!

I put a little wil on my truck, tuned it and spoke to a home based radio 7 miles away. Great little antenna.

I used to have a CB a long time ago. I had mobile and Base and loved it. I have been missing it and I finally made it back to the east coast again: Virginia and I feel the fever coming back . You have given me alot to think about . Thank you

Thank you for taking the time to put this content out to us. Very much appreciated.

Great video! I found the segment on how to tune your antenna very helpful!

I finally installed my cobra 25 with a Wilson 1000. 😁👍

Always run your hot(positive) directly to the battery with a fuse, and the ground directly to the frame with a fuse! Next run a ground from the radio chassis to another good ground. You’ll never fry your radio!

I've got a HAM license. ( Local repraters are down)... So...not busy on the air. Bought a CB radio ten years ago...I think it's time to take it out of the box. Great video...thanks.

Thanks for the beginners cb radio videos

Thank you for creating this series.

Love the hobby, and your videos...keep 'em coming

Thanks for vids. I have cobra. Cb and mic checks out no problems. Using swr meter. Using Wilson 2000 on a bird perch. Good ground and checked with a meter. Started with 3.5 on ch 40 and 3.1 on ch1 cut 1/4 in 4 or 5 times now at like 2.8 on both ch1 and chew gone up and down on on antenna. I have not got a good reading to keep cutting. I did buy a new 9 ft cb cable and used with the start of new antenna install. Thanks mark

Greetings and salutations Mr. J Rich Truckin & CB Tips, First, I would like to thank you for providing the Back-to-Basics series for CB radios. I am 25ish years removed from using one myself and found the information quite informative. After watching your videos, I decided to purchase a Uniden PRO505XL and the Little Wil magnet mount antenna. While I do plan on eventually using 4’ FireStik Fireflies in my truck’s stake holes, I have yet to figure out how I want to run the coax. Needless to say, I will get two, though only one may be connected. The rule of cool applies here; that’s why I would need one on each side. Getting back on topic, I got the radio and antenna installed (I ran the coax just the same as you did in your video), but I cannot get decent SWR readings, and I’m not sure how to proceed. I moved the antenna all over the top of the cab and checked the readings; however, once I hit 3.4 on channel 1, I stopped keeping track until I found the best location. Which happens to be just forward of the center taillight/bed light. The final SWR readings I was able to obtain were: Ch. 1 - 2.6, Ch. 40 - 2.5, and Ch. 20 - 2.2. I was under the impression that 20 should be in between channels 1 and 40, though it was when I first started with 3.1/2.2/2.4, followed by 3.1/2.3/2.6. I can no longer raise the antenna as I am at the retaining pin, and any higher, I will not be able to secure it. I did check the coax for any visible damage, and there is only a small dent where I have it running through the weather stripping and floor plate. However comma I know that the goal is to get channels 1 and 40 as close as possible, but in my case, even though they are close, I cannot pick up any chatter except for some Spanish on channel 9, otherwise it’s static or nothing. I would love to hear your thoughts on what I can do to get better results. Otherwise, I just might tape a coat hanger (maybe solder too for a better hold) to see if the results are better. Please help me Mr. J Rich Truckin & CB Tips, you’re my only hope. Respectfully, GR

Funny you have the same "temp" set up that is in my father pickup. He's running a much older cobra 29 (modded), has an amplifier, and the "Little Wil." We were testing out the range of our equipment and due to altitude change/terrain change we managed to get around 6-7 miles. With a better antenna could go much farther!

Appreciate you brother, I never knew a lot of this. It’s a wander I never fried a radio.

Like the videos, I purchased a Cobra 29 NW LTD Classic, Stryker antenna, Ranger mic, I just need to check SWR, Lots of open space in the desert.

if adding your own cable 18 feet of rg58u is the recomended length if using rg8u the cable can be shorter but only cut cable in very small increments at first and only after grounds and propper location of antenna

Learning the stuff needed to get the ham radio license will serve anyone well,- and kids down to 11 years is capable to pass the test. You also get access to an enormous amount of radio spectrum, and exiting possibilities like sending emails by radio,pictures and APRS. One can even bounce signals off the moon! The complete list is too long to mention here. We licensed radioamateurs have for the most no issues with CB'ers. The real issue we licensed ham radio persons have is people who act rude on the ham radio repeaters and bands. They are breaking the gentlemans agreement that states: No rude behaviour,drunken shenanigans or foul language on the hamradio bands or repeaters,- no jamming, no politics. If anyone has any issues with other persons,- that business is to be discussed per phone, in person or per email/mail.

I'm binge watching all your videos.

that antenna would be perfect for my truck because if pulling a fifth wheel if on the roof the trailer wont interfere

Another great video thank you bud very informational love these kind of productions have a great day bud

It is VOLTAGE STANDING WAVE RATIO. VSWR. Accuracy is not important as long as you dither the high and low end of whatever band you are tunning for.

Take that Stryker antenna apart and put some dielectric grease on the cover. It’ll help keep it water proof for a while, and if needed you can still take it apart. Another idea to customize it, you can see how to change the leds to a different color. 😂 I’m looking at installing a few Uv Christmas lights in mine to make it look purple. When you key up. I had mine for a while before I even realized it lit up when you keyed the mic. Crazy huh

Thank for the information it really helps

Whoops, I am typing to check if I can comment in RU-vid. This is Paul here. Yes, Pawell Gronkowski. The guy whose name is difficult to pronounce according to some people. Thank you to J Rich Truckin & CB Tips. For making some videos available for me to sort of access. or view. I a not sure what the correct word is to type. Stay safe. I hear that the U.S. dollar is taking a beating. I do not know what to think about it. I make transactions in Canadian dollars. Apart from that I personally like the sound of Cobra CB radios. Again, my apologies here if you do not want a stranger typing into J Ricj Truckin & CB Tips on RU-vid.

Thank you for sharing your knowledge with everyone

People don’t realize,you’re better off having a mediocre radio with a well tuned good antenna than vice versa.

If affordable or a friend has one to borrow an analyzer is best when doing an install.

Hey Jay I’ve got a question, I hooked up my Cobra ltd classic! It was working great, got a radio check. Said it was sounding good! But now when I key the mic the ex/tx is lighting up red instead of green! Can you help please and thank you!

I’m not new to the hobby just like to learn a little more. I haven’t heard you mention anything about springs. I’m asking if you were to run one where would it be on or a truck. What’s the pros and cons of using a spring. I run a 102 whip with heavy duty spring

I noticed my radio is sitting just at the end of the green and beginning of the red on my meter during normal S/RF is that normal?….my Swr is below a 2 on 1 and 40 …noticed yours is pretty much all the way to the left

Thank u

Great video keep her tween the ditches

What happens if you have dual antennas? How do you know which one is high or low?

I have a cobra 29Ltd i installed in my older big rig. It has the original old coex cables. I installed dual antennas 4ft tall 1000watt. Something's dont seem right. My swr is 2.5 on channel 40 and 2 on channel 1. I'm also wondering if my coex cables are not good i think i should replace them. Do yku think i need to cut a little off the tip of antennas? With a dual antenna set up do you think i have certain cables like a 2 into 1? Thanks

I have a car radio that I want to use at my house my antenna is going to be about 30ft high what antenna would be the best to use for this setup. Right now I can't afford to go with a Base unit yet .

You should check it in your driveway and see if the SWR changes. They all say this about surrounding objects, but unless you're parked right next to a metallic object like your garage door or a low overhead power line, it's not going to alter much. I've seen this one bloke drive out into the middle of the desert! He reckoned the mountains were going to affect the antenna impedance. What a joke. Does he drive in the desert only? What if he tuned it on top of a mountain? Should he avoid all hills because he tuned it in the desert? What about when you're driving residential, through towns and suburbs on narrow roads. Guess what? You're surrounded by objects, including other cars.

I have enjoyed your shows. I am mounting a antenna on top of a 73 33 foot airstream for in the mountains . I have a 3 foot fire stick laying around and thought about using that to mount up top. Any advice on coax length to use. Thanks again

Good videos man!

Yes a free antenna I could always use one.

Your antenna is 75 percent of the radio.once I had 3 different swr meters hooked up at one time for my base, and I would get 3 different swr readings, it drove me crazy.lol.

Im getting a Stryker A10 Mag mount . Is it imperative to magnet to the veh. body? I have a steel plate with double sided tape right behind the driver side of cab on my pick up truck bed rail. its plastic along the steak bed rail. I also have a rugged radio suction cup mount I could use with a piece of steel fastened to it as well. just wondering about grounding and ground plain issues? thanks

I just got a cobra 19 mini and am researching antennas. I have an old used magnet type but knew absolutely nothing about tuning it. It probably seems silly to you but what does SWR stand for?

I thought use do the S w r calibration 1 19 and 40?

Loved the video dude, but how did you have the radio mounted, or is it jammed in between the seat and center console? I’ve got a 2013 Ram and I had to go small with a uniden 520 pro jammed between the seat and console but would rather have a cobra 29?

Great review

Thanks

What angle should I have a 4t 1000w Wilson antenna. That's on the driver side. I get a lot on noise on the cb and everyone can hear me really good but everybody sounds really bad

So question I have a fire stick II 650w 5/8 wave on a mag mount , current swr is 1.0 on ch1 and 1.29 on ch 40 , I want to try the wilson 1000 watt flex 5/8 wave but it has a pre wired ground wire what do I do with that, ge9und wire ( hear people cut it off but I don't wanna spend the money and make a mistake and ruin antenna, FYI it is mag mounted to the trunk of my 2020 Ford fusion car and is run to bearcat 980 ssb with wireless mic

I am in a company truck and it is set up for two antennas already I can't get my CB to pick anything up with just one antenna do I need to have to because that's how the system is set up?

Thanks good info.....Having issues tuning mine with SWR.......I have followed all processes it wont tune below like 5 or 6 on ch 1 20 or 40

Is checking the swr dependent on the radio too or is this just tuning the antenna?

I can’t find any video that shows this, what am I connecting to my pdc1? The coax from the antenna goes to the “ant”, what am I connecting to the “trans”? Do I need another short cable that goes from the radio antenna to the meter?

I drive an 04 Pete 379. I believe the cab is fiberglass. The only thing I can mount my lil will on is the small mirror above the passenger window. The one you can see the step and fog line. Will the lil will be ok if I mount it there? I can also slide a longer whip on it and test the swr but is that an ok place to mount with the exhaust stack right next to it?

Looking at getting a cobra ultra cb

Honest question cause I’m just kinda tryin to get all the info and all that to put a cb in my pickup to get the best results should you have that external meter hooked up all the time or just when your tuning your antenna to your CB and would it change the calibration once you take out the external meter ?

I'm running a cobra LTD29 Bluetooth with a little wil with my SWR's at a 1.2 on my radio shack SWR meter but I'm only getting about 2 miles max, my son has the president Thompson radio with a solid mounted firestick and he is getting out about 10 miles, is there a magnet mounted antenna that will work that well?

Do you take off the external meter or leave it plugged in and when you take off the antenna do you have to re adjust it

Why does swr change when elevating from ground level 18:22 18:22 18:22

I got a brand new bearcat880 with a 3ft fiberglass fire stick mounted to the center of my truck box and I’m reading 2.5 on lower channels and 1.5 on the higher channels what do I need to do adjust my antenna I’m all knew to this and I’m confused

I know the video wasn’t really about the Lil wil but what are your thoughts on the antenna? Maybe for a connex 3300hp

Check check!

So if i am using a Francis 6 foot antenna, and my swr is 1.5 on 40 and 1.3 on 1 my Antenna needs to be shortened right? I've been told the 102 in the best whip you can buy and its not even close. So how is getting a "longer" Antenna going to help me? Thank you

Great

How do you know if you fried a radio. Will it not have any static at all if you mess with squelch all the way counter clock wise idk what’s up with my radio lol

So the swr on mine on both channels 1 and 40 it’s really high the needle goes all the way to the right till it hits basically. What do I need to do?

I have a 2006 Toyota Tacoma and is it safe to hook up a cb and antenna to my truck and it won't mess up the computer?

Both my reading are high on 1 and 40 is this down to ground earth or Ariel to long it's a. Little wii . Using swr meter moonracker

I have a new company owned kw900, is it worth upgrading the factory antennas but keeping the factory coax, I don't want to tear apart the dash until I have to

I've got a 29 ltd chrome that's less than 1.6 on both ends but throwing antenna light? Any ideas? The old 29 classic same wires no light

Is the Francis Hot Rod 4’ antenna any good? I’m running one with my Cobra 19 it seems ok, but it’s the only setup I know lol.

I just purchased a CB for my pickup. Just in case……..

How do you power the cb and speaker? im trying to install one in my car.

I want ask, if you do this and the needle goes up to red, is the radio still at risk of damage or is it the swr meter who will take the punch?

Truck engine on or off or does it matter?

Hello Rich , what model number is your dose meter ? I want to purchase one , many thanks.

I have a Wilson 2000 with a 5” shaft with total length of 4’9”. I need it down to 4’. If I cut it down to to 4’ will this negatively effect me setting the swr’s or antenna performance .

What antenna would u suggest for a 05 international 9900 mid roof mounted to top of mirror arm Stryker cb and good coax I seem to get alot of interference nothing through power it's 10 guage straight to battery and door is grounded we'll do i need a ground plane ??? What is that my antenna was predator but the tree won I give it to predator tho only center section was damaged and wanted to know if I should go with predator again

What is the best antenna for my striker cb

J rich I have a question please, I have a 2018 Chevy Silverado z71 with a driver side fender hood mount using a Francis 5.5 antenna. Should I be using 18 or 9 feet? Thank you !

I have a starting swr setting of channel 1= 2.2 and channel 40= 3.2. I have the antenna all the way down. Do I need to start trimming?

Why is my antenna light on?

My SWR reads 2.75 across ch 1,20, and 40. all adjustments long or sort do not make any change in my SWR readings. What to do?

You didn’t show us how to connect the cord to the antenna

What if your truck have a built in antenna 🤷🏾‍♂️

Where did you find that dose meter. I’ve been trying to find one of them.

How do install a stryker fm cb?

Thanks for sharing 🍸. (Did I win?)

way not buy Amp1500 watts better resepcion is good idea or not

Just war did you get your swr meter and do you have a link

How you can title your video CB install and didnt even show how to connect the power of the CB lol