My CB Install: 510XL in an 02 Monte Carlo

Finally got everything together and finished up my install. All told it turned out pretty nice looking. I used a FireStik II 3 foot antenna mounted in a hole at the center of the trunk. I routed the cable from the trunk behind the quarter panel, under the door sill, and then across the dash underneath the glove box. For power I used a fuse tap off of the "AUX" fuse (20A, but I used a 3A for the radio's circuit) and grounded it to the firewall right next to the fuse compartment on the passenger side. Haven't checked my SWR yet, but when I get a hold of a meter I will definitely do so.

As far as performance I'm pretty happy thus far. I've had no problems with people hearing me, although during rush hour in the city I don't even bother trying. My first impression is that this thing will only be useful either late at night or on less-traveled highways. On my daily commute I can never hear anything but static and the occasional person that can punch through. Several bears went unreported (or at least I couldn't make it out). I did get a chance to use it to and from MSU last weekend (3.5 hour drive) and was VERY impressed with how easily I could ask for bear reports and talk to people. Several warnings were 15-20 miles in advance.

Next Project: Replacing my broken factory horn with the electronic air horn from a police siren

Yeah, I've found the CB to be useless in Chicago, but it's absolute gold driving to and from Champaign on I-57.

Its looks like and RC car now :D. I still need a better way to solidly mount an antenna to my car.

I think it will look slightly better once I get around to spray-painting the tip for the antenna black. The red kinda screams "look how geeky I am" or "look how redneck I am" depending on where you happen to be driving.

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Originally Posted by BreakfastPirate

Haven't checked my SWR yet, but when I get a hold of a meter I will definitely do so.

As far as performance I'm pretty happy thus far.

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DO NOT TRANSMIT with this thing until you get the SWRs checked! This is not some optional step that you skip until you get around to it. You have been warned!

Remember to FREQUENTLY check and tighten that antenna mount. It is not a good situation, and it is going to wiggle loose very quickly if you don't keep an eye on it.

Nice install, you will love it. I would get on Ebay and buy a SWR meter so you can check it anytime you want. It is not that hard to do.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by fire65

Nice install, you will love it. I would get on Ebay and buy a SWR meter so you can check it anytime you want. It is not that hard to do.

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x2 ebay ftw

Quote:

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Originally Posted by BreakfastPirate

Finally got everything together and finished up my install. All told it turned out pretty nice looking. I used a FireStik II 3 foot antenna mounted in a hole at the center of the trunk. I routed the cable from the trunk behind the quarter panel, under the door sill, and then across the dash underneath the glove box. For power I used a fuse tap off of the "AUX" fuse (20A, but I used a 3A for the radio's circuit) and grounded it to the firewall right next to the fuse compartment on the passenger side. Haven't checked my SWR yet, but when I get a hold of a meter I will definitely do so.

As far as performance I'm pretty happy thus far. I've had no problems with people hearing me, although during rush hour in the city I don't even bother trying. My first impression is that this thing will only be useful either late at night or on less-traveled highways. On my daily commute I can never hear anything but static and the occasional person that can punch through. Several bears went unreported (or at least I couldn't make it out). I did get a chance to use it to and from MSU last weekend (3.5 hour drive) and was VERY impressed with how easily I could ask for bear reports and talk to people. Several warnings were 15-20 miles in advance.

Next Project: Replacing my broken factory horn with the electronic air horn from a police siren

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Looks nice, your antenna is definitely way more solid than a magnetic mount. Would you mind filling me in as to how I could do the same too? I've no experience in drilling holes through the car body.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by fire65

Nice install, you will love it. I would get on Ebay and buy a SWR meter so you can check it anytime you want. It is not that hard to do.

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Or Sparky's down in Joliet, or Fry's in Oak Brook, in addition to the radio shacks that still carry the stuff (some are still good stock wise regardless of slipping service).

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Stealth Stalker

Quote:

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Originally Posted by BreakfastPirate

Haven't checked my SWR yet, but when I get a hold of a meter I will definitely do so.

As far as performance I'm pretty happy thus far.

---

DO NOT TRANSMIT with this thing until you get the SWRs checked! This is not some optional step that you skip until you get around to it. You have been warned!

Remember to FREQUENTLY check and tighten that antenna mount. It is not a good situation, and it is going to wiggle loose very quickly if you don't keep an eye on it.

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I have been keeping an eye on the mount like you suggested earlier in the other thread. It's not terrible from what I've seen, but I've gotten the point that it will need to be tightened frequently.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by chriskohtc

Looks nice, your antenna is definitely way more solid than a magnetic mount. Would you mind filling me in as to how I could do the same too? I've no experience in drilling holes through the car body.

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It was pretty straightforward. Used a center punch where I wanted to drill, then just gradually used bigger and bigger bits until I reached the size required for my antenna.

I would not key that mic one more time until you set the SWR! Yes it's that important!