CB Radio Hints and Tips, Installing guidance.

[Rob]

That sounds ideal!

I am still thinking about where I install mine.  I would like to have it in hand before I make a decision.

[Rob]

OK, I got some time to do my install over the weekend.

Here is what I ended up with (Truck is an F350 Super Duty crew cab):
• CB: Cobra 75 All Roads
• Primary Antenna:  Firestik FS3-B ( 3`Foot ) FS Series Tunable Tip CB Antenna With Extra Black Tip  650 watts max
• Backup Antenna: FireStik FS-4BK 4' (r) Ii Fs Series Tunable Tip Cb Antenna - 900 Watts Black
• Ford hood mount - supports a 4 foot max antenna length.
• FireStick FIRESTIK K4-8R18 FIRE-Ring 18`Foot Coax with Stud and SS-3H Spring
• SWR meter: Astatic PDC2 100 watt power and SWR meter

I connected the power directly to the battery and ran the power and the antenna cable thru the firewall into the cab. 
The CB black box I mounted behind the rear seat, drivers side.

After tuning the 3 foot antenna, I was only able to get a 1.9 reading on the SWR meter (on 1 and 40 - it was about 1.6 on 20). 
I removed and tuned the 4 foot antenna as well so I can use it in situations where I want a bit more reach.  I was able to get that SWR reading down to 1.6 for both 1 and 40.

While that is probably good enough as it is sub 2.0, I think my issue is likely an sub-optimal ground.  I did not sand away any of the paint under the hood mount as I really do not want to do that if it can be avoided.  I may try a grounding strap directly to the frame before I sand away paint. 

[Rob]

Also, while I was rooting around under the dash, I decided to replace the broken cup holder...  I am not sure what sadist decided that replacing the cup holder should require the removal of not 1, not 2, not 3, not 4, not 5, but SIX dash panels/cutouts, but they did...  That took longer than the entire CB install.

I also replaced the cigarette lighter with a four plug USB/USB C port cluster that I think I will like!

[Rat44]

Scraping paint to get a good ground is not pretty but a good ground is Required to operate the radio to its fullest potential.
Saves you from burning out the radio in extreme cases of a mis match.
Well worth the effort in the long run.