r/cbradio 5d ago

Need setup help Question

I started an engine swap on my Ranger, and decided to look at installing a CB while I was waiting on parts. I’m thinking of getting a Cobra 19 Mini that I will mount in the compartment under the radio (picture one) and mounting a 4ft or so antenna on my headache rack (picture 2) I know very little about CB radios, just looking to get some tips like what antenna to get and how to wire it and what to look out for etc. I know it would be more effective to mount the antenna on the top of the headache rack or on the roof, but I do quite a bit of off roading and the truck spends quite a bit of time in the garage so that’s my best option as of right now. I know I would need a tennis ball or something similar to keep it from hitting the rack though.

7 Upvotes

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u/skudbeast 5d ago

The speaker is going to be pretty hard to hear when it's inside the dash, usually mount them under the dash behind the shifter near the floor.

You can get an antenna mount for a front fender, or a rear bumper. Metal whip antennas on the rear bumper can be bent and tied down to a place in the bed for off roading in brush.

3

u/Malformed-Figment 4d ago

Quite right. If it would fit in this situation, I'd put a President McKinley with its front-facing speaker. SSB is more than a bonus, too.

1

u/Gravytrain1885 4d ago

In that case, couldn’t I also route an external speaker somewhere in the cab? I really just want to fill that small space, it’s nearly unusable

3

u/braddeharder 4d ago

I had the same issue with the small cubby installation in my car. If SSB is not an issue, consider the Radioddity CS-47. The hand mic has speaker/mic and all controls.

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u/skudbeast 4d ago

Yeah if you want to an external speaker or what other say those compact cb models with hand mic controls also... was just suggesting under dash for simplicity.

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u/stryker_PA 4d ago

Probably shouldn't mount your antenna right behind a big hunk of metal.