CB Wiring Basics

On the wiring of the CB, your radio will come with a red and black wire which are power input supply wires. The red wire will usually have a fuse holder as part of it. If does not, I would recommend you attach one. Make sure you have a fuse in it, and that the fuse is good. Most will take a simple 2.5 -3amp auto fuse that you can purchase at any auto supply or even K-mart and Wal-Marts. Keep some extras in your glove box. Sometimes fuses quit for no reason.

Ideally, we would wire our CB directly to the battery. There are a couple of ways to accomplish this that I'm going to throw out there. Either should work fine, but my own personal preference is "A." Simply put, electrical noises (RFI) are seeking a path of least resistance to ground. Using the shielding as the ground insulates the positive wire (+) from allowing noise to enter into the radio (at least from the power wires) and the shield takes it to the ground (-) post on the battery. Therefor reducing noise. Option "B" is just pulling a couple of 14-18 gauge wires through the firewall and making the connection.

Wiring directly to the battery; (Preferred Method)
Pros: Reduces external noises such as engine (not necessarily your engine), some electrical, etc. (This is the preferred method)
Cons: Takes more time, energy, and a little more materials.

Wiring up to the fuse block; (Will work fine, but not as good as above)
Pros: Much easier to do, especially on newer TJ (Wranglers).
Cons: Likely to get some electrical noise, which can be very annoying when you are trying to listen to a transmission that is further away. In other words, you might not be able to hear them because of electrical noise.

Wiring up to other available devices, etc.; (Will work, but would be my last choice)
Pros; I can't think of even one…other than using a lighter plug for quick removal.
Cons: Setting up for serious noise problems. I've heard some guys tap into to their cigarette lighter, and in all honesty I've done it, but only as a temporary set up, as in if I rented a car or something. It works, but serious noise problems can be expected…at least a good portion of the time.

Option A Using a piece of RG mini 8 coax (the same I'll be recommending later on).

Using a piece of RG mini 8 coax (the same I'll be recommending later on).

Fish through a plug on your firewall and feed enough through to attach to the battery later on.

I usually will use a wire hanger or fish tool and punch through from the firewall side under the hood, and pull the coax or wire through the plug.

Strip the plastic jacket back a few inches to reveal the shielding. This shielding will be your ground (-) connection.

Begin to pull back and unravel the shielding for about 3-4" or so.

Now, twist the shielding until it looks sort of like a stranded one piece of wire. Trim back an inch or less of the center lead wire to expose the center lead wire.

Pull the coax slack through, and drape it in a safe manner away from the battery for now.

Assuming your CB radio is mounted in the location you chose earlier, go ahead and make your electrical connections as follow:
(+) Red CB radio wire Center lead of coax
(-) Black CB radio wire à Shielding
Note: Make sure they are not touching each other in any way. This will cause a short.

Make sure your connections are tight, clean, and will take some abuse if you are planning on going off road with it.

Leaving yourself a bit of slack (6-12" or so) of wire by the radio, begin to drape the under the hood portion along the inside fender and firewall, and cut to size with about 12" more than you think you'll need.

Stretch the cut end from the (+) battery post/terminal to the (-) ground post/terminal, and mark or slightly cut the jacketing on the coax. This is your cut mark ( I'd suggest giving yourself a few extra inches to work with)

Strip the plastic jacketing off the shielding just as we did on the radio side. This one is much longer though, and much more time consuming.

Once the jacketing is off that portion, you'll be able to cut most of the shielding off…leaving about 4" or so. This is where our (-) ground will hook up to the battery. We are basically repeating what we did on the radio, only larger to fit the battery.

Strip back about ½" of the center lead of the coax, and install a connection for the battery.

Attach to the (+) positive (hot) post/terminal / NOTE: Make sure the CB radio is in the 'Off' mode.

Turn your CB 'On' and make sure it lights up. DO NOT KEY THE MICROPHONE YET.

< Option B > Using (2) wires directly to the battery

1.) Follow the same procedure as using coax, only using unshielded stranded wire (14-18 gauge)

< Option C > Wiring to the fuse box

1.) Using connectors, secure the positive (+) wire to the fuse box as shown in picture
2.) Using connectors, secure the ground (-) wire to a good ground as shown in picture

< Option D > Using an alternative power source

Let's look at using the lighter plug on this one. Very common, and will work…provided your lighter works.

1.) Purchase an "accessory lighter plug" from your local auto parts store or discount store
2.) Follow the instructions for the wiring, keeping in mind the following;
Red is (+) or hot
Black is (-) or ground
3.) Insert into the lighter socket

We hope this CB radio selection and basic wiring section has been helpful. I realize there are other ways to accomplish what we've done here, and would enjoy hearing from you if you have input, questions, etc. We will now move on next to the line of business.

** Turn on the radio and make sure it works. Don't key the microphone yet.

You've complete the wiring portion. Make sure all your connections and wires are secure and clean.