base setup help

[scrapbmxrider16]

I'm new to the whole world of Cb's but i have an old Mobile laying round. in fact its a sears road talker 40 that i wanna use for this. can you guys tell me what i need to pull this off and how much it might cost

[Dakota]

Setting up a base is relatively easy. Power suply, antenna, coax, and you already have the CB. Just plug in your power suply, hook up your CB, raise your antenna, and run the coax from the antenna to your CB, easy as pie...oh, and don't forget to pick a good location in the house where you want to set up at.

Roughly this ran me.......
$85.00 for the power suply from an RV shop
$30.00 for 50' of coax from Rat Shack
$84.00 for the Antron 99 base antenna from one of the sponcers (shipping included)

The price will also varry depending on where you live too.

[231]

scrapbmxrider16 indeed it's not that hard. What is your budget? There are many ways to keep cost low and still have an effective station.

You'll need a power supply for the radio (price ranges from $5 on up to a couple hundred). Or you can use a 12v auto battery provided it's in good shape. And use a trickle charger with it.

Assuming you have room and want easy, effective, and reasonably inexpensive, the Imax and Antron99 both are decent base antennas. There are a few other choices too, but most will run under $100 new. And don't forget masting and guys wires (if you need them). The higher the better on the antenna.

Coax. Many will skimp here and frankly it's extremely important to not do that. The Radio Shack coax by far is one of the worst you can buy. I'd highly recommend you not go that route unless you absolutely have to. How much it will cost will be determined by how much you need and the brand/type. Figure between $30-$200 depending though. There are tons of good deals from our vendors on decent quality 50ohm coax...not to mention the web.

Once we have a few more details on where you plan on locating your antenna, approximate height, etc. we can probably be a little more specific on ideas for you. But generally speaking, those are the bare bone basics.

Hope that helps a little.

[scrapbmxrider16]

um to the budget I'm working with is maybe 300 dollars i wanna hook up my base in my room. i live in a single story house and might be able to mount the antenna to the roof. however my dad gets the final say on this can you recommend me some equipment. i don't wanna use a car battery

[hobbz]

Here is a good cheap setup from GI Joes, one of the sponsors:

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Then go to lowes and buy a couple of sections on antenna mast for $20 each piece.

Total $190.00

[Dakota]

What I am using for power is a MOBITRONIC 120V-AC to 13V-DC power inverter. Its just like plugging your radio into your cigarette lighter. Hooked my "GRANT" up to it. Ran 50ft of RG-8/U coax to an A-99 that I bought from one of our sponcers and mounted it to a 25ft mast that use to have a tv antenna on it. (took off the tv antenna and so my mast was free.) Gotta luv cable . And like I said, my cost was $199.00+/-.

You may have to spend a couple of dollars more, I'm not sure, on mounting brackets for your mast unless the mast comes with them but 231 is right on the money with what you need. I didn't get guy-wires for mine, I just stacked 3 tires on rims and stuck the mast down in the center of the rims for support when the wind flares up...plus the bracket about 9' up on my shed for mid support. I will however at a later date get guy-wires and redo my mast to sturdy it more. "You can always add more when the $$$ comes in."

"hobbs" is on the money as well with savings and has already priced out basicly what I have and even saved a few more dollars than what I paid for all my gadgets

Best of luck to you in getting all set up!!!

[Buckshot]

190.00 is about all it takes, you can add equipment if you wish later when your budget allows.

[unit199]

All these suggestions are great. Go for it and let us know how it turns out.
By the way, in your other post concerning your mobile, if you put that little antenna that you have DIRECTLY in the center of your roof, you will get out a TON better. Trust me. That will DEFINITELY help your output signal and SWR.