Ok so ive got multiple questions about the cb, antenna and all. Ive done alot of digging around the site and just didnt find the exact answers I was looking for.

Here is the cb im looking at using, im pretty sure its at walmart for like $40.
https://www.cobra.com/detail/19-dx-iv-compact-cb-radio.cfm

Im looking at installing it were drbandkgb istalled his. In the ash tray/ trash can thing on the 2000 model.

Im also looking at getting a 4' antenna but I will either need some type of quick disconnect or spring because I will be parking in parking garages and such often when college rolls around next year.

So what antenna, spring/quick disconnect, and antenna mount would you suggest?

Im also open to mounting locations and such, I just thought it would be time to get a cb, that is if it is around the amount of $$ im thinking.....

The cb is actually the cobra 19 ultra III it's $34.96 at walmart

Get a spring and an easy over, instead of a disconect. A 4ft antenna will hit on everything like drive threws, atm's ect...

Do you plan on leaving it up all of the time, or only when you are going to be using it.

As a ham radio operator and former truck driver, I can tell you the antenna is the most important part of the system. The rule everyone states is if you have $100.00 to spend, buy a $10.00 radio and a $90.00 antenna. I've never followed that rule but it shows how important it is. The coax (antenna wire) should also be good quality and as close to 21 feet long as you can get. Mine is 20 feet with most of that coiled under the seat.

For your needs I wouldn't recommend a terribly expensive antenna because of the tendency for bad things to happen to them when you play in the woods. As far as brands, a lot depends on if you want steel or fiberglass and where and how you plan to mount it. I have a magnetic mount steel antenna on my roof. When I have to go into a low parking garage I hop out and lay it down in the roof basket. If you go with fiberglass you would probably be better off with a spring mount. The more likely it is to hit stuff, the more you need a spring. Just remember that it will also spring back. Keep that in mind when choosing where to mount it. They can be rough on windows.

I've seen alot of people going with the colored firestiks and the read hatch jam. That's what I'm thinking is most logical. I think it I mount it above the tail light an have a spring mount I might be able to bend it and tie it to the roof rack when I'm in a garage and places. That would save me money.

Aaron I paid 18 for my Cobra on ebay.. :) deals are to be had...
I regret on my last instal that I didnt use the spring.. and cracked the antenna...

If you have time and want to drive here i can help you do the install..

Like others have said... buy the firestik.. dont go cheap on the antenna

SUPER NOOB here I understand very little about cb but have always wanted to have one on the X for those road trips across Kansas. Anyone wanna break it down for me? I understand that truckers use them, but what is practical application for me, and how exactly would I go about installing forementioned 20 feet of antenna? :urthebest:

Aaron that sounds like a good plan. I've always had good luck with Firestiks.

Cameron, it's 20 feet of antenna cable, or coax. The coaxial cable that connects the radio to the antenna. Not 20 feet of antenna.

As far as practical application, I generally only use mine on road trips and when off road with others. Where I wheel, there are a lot of areas where there is no cell phone signal. That's pretty common in the mountains. It's also a great way to communicate when you have a group of vehicles traveling together whether on or off road.

The antennas are only like a couple feet not 20 feet. They can be very very handy offroad.

Drb: Not sure when I'd be able to come down but I might have to take you up on the offer. I know one guy here that was a former truck driver and he might be able to help, most likely not.

On a side note, advanced auto didn't have bump stops. I'll be ordering those sometime soon.

when you guys say spring or quick release, I know what a quick release is but is the spring like how military hummers have their antennas like pinned down, or what do you mean? sorry for thread jacking a bit.

I use a Cobra 75. All of the controls are on the mic and the actual transmitter and receiver can be mounted in an out of the way/hidden location. Mine is under the driver side seat and my mic is mounted just in front of the seat where it's out of the way but I can still get to it quickly if needed. If I used it more I would have gone with a more conventional cb and mounted it under my radio like mentioned here.

http://i1217.photobucket.com/albums/dd388/Xterraforce/2011-08-11_17-26-41_819.jpg

The antenna sits on a spring attached to the base so it's just not stiff the antenna can move and bend to to the spring base.

The springs function much like the military ones you've seen but are much smaller. Probably around four inches long or so. They install between the antenna and the antenna mount.

Antennas like the Firestik discussed here are basically a solid fiberglass rod. They have a copper wire wrapped around them for the actual transmit and receive function of the antenna and are normally covered in vinyl or rubber to protect them and give color options. They are somewhat flexible but if they bend too far the fiberglass will break. That's not an issue sometimes, but when it's likely to hit things often it's best to use a spring. The antennas usually have a threaded part at the base that screws into the antenna mount. Most antenna spring mounts have threaded holes on both ends. They normally come with a threaded piece that screws into one end of the spring and into the antenna mount then you just screw the antenna into the other end of the spring.