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Post by 1BadTJ on Mar 18, 2004 13:38:07 GMT -3
How long does my cable need to be for my CB? The CB will be under the dash and the antenna will be on the rear bumper. I figured a 9' coax would work. Any suggestions?
Matt
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Paul
New Member
Posts: 45
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Post by Paul on Mar 18, 2004 13:53:30 GMT -3
I have always read for best results no matter how long it has to be 18' works best. If you could hide the excess under a seat or behind the dash. That is supposed to give you the best performance
-Paul
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Post by jps4jeep on Mar 18, 2004 14:12:56 GMT -3
I remember when I installed my Firestik antenna, it came with a 20' cable and in bold letters it stated " DO NOT CUT " as Paul stated, I believe this is needed for best performance. I just coiled all the excess up under the seat under the carpet.
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Post by muddytj on Mar 18, 2004 14:13:23 GMT -3
I'v also read that, and that's how mine is. ;D
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Post by slab42 on Mar 18, 2004 15:14:10 GMT -3
the shorter the cable, the better performance. The longer the cable is, the more the resistance on the wire, the less clean the signal is. the firesticks come with a 20' cable for a reason, and it is not performance. It is because most trucks need about 20' to reach the front of the dash. It also says "do not cut" because some morons don't realize it is a coax, and that you need a special end, and a special crimp tool to put the end on correctly, otherwise you lose signal big time. a 9' cable will work if you are just draping it over the tailgate, and on top of the carpet. It you wanna do it right, get a 16'-20' cable, and snake it, then just coil the extra couple of feet inside the dash. **note, when coiling coax, the bigger the circle you can make with it, the less signal you lose, because coiling a cable in tight circles will create interference.
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BG
New Member
Posts: 97
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Post by BG on Mar 18, 2004 15:27:15 GMT -3
A 9' cable will just "barely" reach the front dash, you will have zero slack in the cable and it will only really go in one way. I would definatly not recommend getting the 9', Get something longer.
-b
93 YJ 2.5L Black...mods coming soon as i find some money to spend....
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Post by cheech on Mar 18, 2004 19:23:47 GMT -3
Ive had CBs since 1974 and Eric you are right.
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Post by 1BadTJ on Mar 18, 2004 19:38:38 GMT -3
Thanks for the advice. I was going to order the lower end Cobra CB online. Radio, cable, 5' Firestick and Quick release for the antenna. $120 to my door. Does the Firestick come with a cable? That would save me another $10. Where can I go in Mass that has an SWR meter? So many Questions!!!!!
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Post by jwebb1998 on Mar 18, 2004 21:24:42 GMT -3
Not to sure where you can go, but if you run into Matt, I know he has one, he tuned mine for me at Billy Mt.
Later, J
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Post by jps4jeep on Mar 19, 2004 14:06:55 GMT -3
I carry my SWR meter with me in my jeep, If you can wait, you can useit the next time we meet up.
Most tunable antenna's will come with the instructions to tune the antenna, if not there are a number of good sources on the net, even firestik lists them on there web site. so there is no need to type them here.
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Post by 1BadTJ on Mar 19, 2004 23:49:11 GMT -3
Thanks for the advice, again. See (and talk) to you on the trail soon!!!!
Matt
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Post by slab42 on Mar 20, 2004 4:36:06 GMT -3
erik, thanks for the added info, I did not know about the multiples of 3' thing... I know you dont "need" speacial tools to cut it, that is obvious, but I meant you need a special kind of crimper to crimp coaxial cable, otherwise you do get a poor signal. the screw on ends are ok, but I bet you would agree that a properly crimped end is just as good. and yes, you do need to know how coax is constructed, or else you might be connecting both conductors together (which will kill your signal) hehe, thanks again for the help!
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Post by slab42 on Mar 20, 2004 4:40:43 GMT -3
also, as for the whip antenna, they are useful, but if not secured properly, can possibly be dangerous, which is why NEJ greatly discourages them, and requires that if they are to be used, they must be properly tied down, to prevent any harm to a person, or vehicle. (Article 3, Section 5 of the Bylaws)
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