Finally got a chance to install my CB and the new receiver. I went with the Cobra 18 WXSTII for the CB. I coupled that with a Clarion CZ309 receiver. Both mounted in the double DIN mount that I got from Crutchfields.
My antenna is a Wilson 4’ Flex. I put it on a Bandi mount (I was going to build one myself but because I bought the CB, antenna, parts and pieces from Walcott, I had enough for free shipping.).
I didn’t put a spring on it because the Flex antenna does just that, flex…quite a bit. I wanted to be able to bend the antenna over and loop it under the roof rack for pulling into my garage. I had a few people tell me it wouldn’t work and that I’d need a spring. It works.
I routed the antenna cable through the door and up under all the plastic on the side. The only thing I had to remove was the sill strip which popped right out. I taped a length of wire to a coat hanger then taped the wire to the antenna cable and just snaked it all through. I had to split the rubber grommet that I bought because it wouldn't fit over the end of the antenna coax. I bought the Fire Ring coax that had the plug attached at the other end already. I'm going to get some black silicone sealer and just put a little on the grommet and the cable to waterproof it where it meets the door.
I ground off the paint on the Bandi mount on the underside of the antenna lug hole and also where the bolt meets the mount. To keep the area from rusting and to help with the connection I used some Ox-gard anti-oxidant on it. It's really made for aluminum wiring but I figured it would work. I also used a little dielectric grease on the threads of the antenna to help keep that from rusting.
I tuned the antenna and I think I got it right. I had to move the tip out about ½ an inch. For those CB experts out there let me know if I tuned it wrong. I hooked the antenna to the left side of the meter (TX side) and the jumper to the right side (Ant) then to the radio. I turned the knob all the way to the left per the instructions, then turned on the radio with the switch in the FWD position. I keyed up the mike and adjusted the needle all the way to 10 on the right. Moved the switch to REF and the needle went way back over to the left. When I got done tuning, both Ch1 and Ch40 were about 1.2 to 1.3 on the meter (numbers on the underside of the upper scale). Did I do that right? The instructions that came with the unit were not all that clear.
I’m a few miles away from the highway so I didn’t pick up any truck traffic on the CB but I hit the Weather button and it receives the weather report loud and clear.
I replaced the crappy speakers in the doors with a set of 6 3/4" Kicker speakers. I got the mounts and wiring harness for free from Crutchfield when I got the speakers. Just a quick note on Crutchfields...they have some very good documentation that goes with the products they sell. With the instructions for the Clarion head unit and the instructions that came with the free wiring harness from Crutchfields, mating the wires was very easy and they plugged right into the OEM harness in the dash.
Now all I had to do is read the book that came with the Clarion unit to figure out how it works.
My antenna is a Wilson 4’ Flex. I put it on a Bandi mount (I was going to build one myself but because I bought the CB, antenna, parts and pieces from Walcott, I had enough for free shipping.).
I didn’t put a spring on it because the Flex antenna does just that, flex…quite a bit. I wanted to be able to bend the antenna over and loop it under the roof rack for pulling into my garage. I had a few people tell me it wouldn’t work and that I’d need a spring. It works.
I routed the antenna cable through the door and up under all the plastic on the side. The only thing I had to remove was the sill strip which popped right out. I taped a length of wire to a coat hanger then taped the wire to the antenna cable and just snaked it all through. I had to split the rubber grommet that I bought because it wouldn't fit over the end of the antenna coax. I bought the Fire Ring coax that had the plug attached at the other end already. I'm going to get some black silicone sealer and just put a little on the grommet and the cable to waterproof it where it meets the door.
I ground off the paint on the Bandi mount on the underside of the antenna lug hole and also where the bolt meets the mount. To keep the area from rusting and to help with the connection I used some Ox-gard anti-oxidant on it. It's really made for aluminum wiring but I figured it would work. I also used a little dielectric grease on the threads of the antenna to help keep that from rusting.
I tuned the antenna and I think I got it right. I had to move the tip out about ½ an inch. For those CB experts out there let me know if I tuned it wrong. I hooked the antenna to the left side of the meter (TX side) and the jumper to the right side (Ant) then to the radio. I turned the knob all the way to the left per the instructions, then turned on the radio with the switch in the FWD position. I keyed up the mike and adjusted the needle all the way to 10 on the right. Moved the switch to REF and the needle went way back over to the left. When I got done tuning, both Ch1 and Ch40 were about 1.2 to 1.3 on the meter (numbers on the underside of the upper scale). Did I do that right? The instructions that came with the unit were not all that clear.
I’m a few miles away from the highway so I didn’t pick up any truck traffic on the CB but I hit the Weather button and it receives the weather report loud and clear.
I replaced the crappy speakers in the doors with a set of 6 3/4" Kicker speakers. I got the mounts and wiring harness for free from Crutchfield when I got the speakers. Just a quick note on Crutchfields...they have some very good documentation that goes with the products they sell. With the instructions for the Clarion head unit and the instructions that came with the free wiring harness from Crutchfields, mating the wires was very easy and they plugged right into the OEM harness in the dash.
Now all I had to do is read the book that came with the Clarion unit to figure out how it works.