CB radios - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

JHZR2 · #1 08-05-2002, 11:18 AM

Hi,

When I was younger, my family would drive a lot, and we had a cb radio, which I always thought was a great thing to listen to. Now since I have been driving my 83 300D so much, I thought it would be fun, so I got out the old CB radio and antenna to take with me on trips. the problem is the antenna... It looks kind of lousy to have a thrid antenna on my car, especially since the CB antenna will be a 18" cirlyque wire antenna. I guess Ill have to put it on the roof, just behind or in front of the sunroof, and hope it holds as I cruise at 75 mph (never used to worry about these things when my father set it all up).

I am just wondering if anyone has a cb radio in their car, and if so, how the antennas are set up. I am kind of curious if I could somehow make the cellular antenna attached to the rear glass into a cb antenna. The wire connector looks different, and Im not sure if it is possible. Perhaps someone here has done it?

Any info is most appreciated.
Thanks

JMH

190D22 · #2 08-05-2002, 11:24 AM

I would imagine that the antennas do not work for each other. I don't know anything about CBs really... But I'd be willing to bet that the cell antenna will not work for the CB reciever/transmitter. I left my car's cell antenna on that the PO had cause it looks kinda cool! But I don't use it.

richard u · #3 08-05-2002, 10:11 PM

As a ham radio operator I have a huge antenna attached to a trailer hitch on my e-300td

I don’t think you need to go that far however. You do need a CB specific antenna.

Your best bet would be one with a magnetic base that you would place on in the middle of the roof. Make sure the mag mount has a non-scratch base. A cigarette lighter plug would work to power the rig. You probably would only want to use it on longer trips.

#4 08-06-2002, 12:16 AM

I concur on the cell phone antenna. It will not be of the proper length to work with the AM band of the CB. Get a good magnet mount and wire a cigarette lighter plug to your CB to power it. If you want to maximize your range, get a SWR meter and tune the antenna to the car. Most magnet mounts come with an allen wrench to adjust the antenna lenght. You want to get the lowest possible SWR ratio while maintaining as flat as possible curve between all of the channels.

It's been quite a while since I've tuned one, so you'll have to go by trial and error.

#5 08-08-2002, 10:03 PM

Hey,

I am familiar with the operation of Citizens Band Radio. I used to have a magenetic mount on my mothers car. I didn't like it because it did harm the finish on the top of her car. Got that out with a little rubbing compound though, she never knew

. They do make CB antennas that look like cell phone antennas; that mount on the back glass. And if this type of antenna is tuneable then just a little tip make sure you are out in the open with no obstructions to get a proper SWR read.

Hope this helps

Ty

Fisherman · #6 08-09-2002, 06:32 PM

My wife doesn't want an antenna on her car so I went through the plug behind the rear seat in my 115 and then threaded the coax through the plug. Replaced it as bset I could and then use a magnetic mount Cobra antenna that I pull out of the trunk and plop down when I'm travelling. Whwen the wife has the car in town I take teh antenna and put it back into the trunk.
A couple of things of note. CB is line of sight so the higher your mount point the better reception you will have. The through glass antennas lose much of their signal by having to pass through the glass so most people don't like them unless you are just caravaning and talking to the guy behind you. A good antenna mounted to your rear bumper or somethign to that effect woud be much better and you could get a 6' whip but the looks might be a little too much in my opinion.
Even if you get the mag mount antenna you can usually take it by a CB shop and though they will pooh, pooh your purchase of such a cheap antenna they will tune it for about $15.00.
if you have a choice of radios go with the Uniden pro 15 I think is the brand. It is small and has a metal case so it doesn;t pick up nearly as much background interferrence as the new plastic case models. Often you can get them at the local lost and found shop in town (read Pawn). A Uniden of this model can be tuned (15.00 again) to put out much more than "normal" 2 watt signal alhtough, I would never do it becasue it is illegal by FCC standards...

Ever someone pull over a car and put a swr and other meters on their CB radio? I think not!