CB radio wiring

[citynissan22]

Hi all,

 

Let me first start out by saying I'm new to the forum, so I apologize if I'm not going about this the right way.

 

Santa brought me a Cobra 19 Ultra III with a magnetic mount antenna (this is my first cb radio ever). I've been looking through the various threads re: cb radio and instillation and I was wondering if people had a preferred location for connecting the power wire and grounding wire (i.e. aux fuse, existing wire, direct to battery, etc) that is relatively easy. I know getting the adapter for a cigarette lighter is a lot easier but I've heard that that method doesn't work so well. I'm somewhat inexperienced when it comes to wiring so any help (and pictures) would be greatly appreciated.

 

Happy Holidays!

 

 

P.S. I have a 2000 SE with a manual transmission.

[ahardb0dy]

Welcome to the forum, PICS !!!

 

A cobra 19 isn't a high powered CB so you would be fine going into the cigarette lighter. Or you could eliminate the lighter plug and connect the CB to the wires that go to the lighter.

 

If the CB was higher powered I would say to run the positive directly to the battery and I usually will ground the CB as close to the unit as possible.

 

Make sure you have someone check the SWR's of the antenna, either a CB shop or if you know someone who may have a SWR meter.

[5523Pathfinder]

Be sure not to run your cable to the antenna near any control unit. I got power from my cig lighter(t pinned), and used a ground on the dash. As stated, be sure to have your antenna tuned! Makes a huge difference!

[ahardb0dy]

makes a huge difference, especially running legal power of only 4 watts !!!

[vagabond]

I don't believe your unit has a built in s.w.r meter in it, so have the antenna checked and probably the match set. The lower the match the better the radio will work, also a bad match could fry the finals in the radio,

 

Welcome to the forums :welcome:

Edited December 27, 2012 by vagabond

[citynissan22]

Thanks for all the advice!