MIATA CB RADIO INFORMATION

  If you enjoy driving in a group of or tend to drive long distances you may want to consider investing in a CB radio. CB radios are a great tool for communicating while on a run. They have an approximate communication range of 2 miles. You can find several models available from manufacturers such as Cobra. A favorite radio with SOCALM club members is the Cobra 75WXST CB radio. Approx. $84 to $140 as this depends on where you buy it. The Cobra is easy to use and has features that allow it to be hidden from site behind your seat. Remember that you will also need an antenna to complete the package, usually $25 and up. You will find that antennas have a magnetic base that will help it stay on the car at high speeds. The magnetic base may also scratch your paint. You can use your existing antenna by buying an antenna splitter from Jeff Anderson. This product allows you to use your existing car antenna for both your stereo and CB. –Cost $74. This setup keeps the Miata looking sporty and keeps the scratches off your paint caused by the magnetic base. If you’re like me, you may find it hard to hear the hand-set speaker due to the turbulence in the cockpit. You can buy an external speaker to overcome this for about $18.

 ANTENNA SPLITTER INFORMATION

AM/FM,CB ANTENNA SPLITTERS
(USA & Canada, only)
(for use only with a factory Mazda Miata antenna)
by Jeff Anderson Destin, FL 32501
jeffanderson@miata.net

o Allows the Miata's AM/FM antenna to also be used for CB
o Eliminates scratches from a magnetically mounted CB antenna
o Easy in-trunk installation that can be left in place
o Special made for high performance with each type Miata antenna
o Great for club drives and caravans to Miata events

FIXED ANTENNA MODELS
FA90-1 (1990 and 1991)....................... $63.75
FA92-7 (1992 thru 1997)....................... $63.75
FA99 (1999).......................................... $69.75
FA06-0*(2006 thru ----).......................  $75.75
    *Requires replacement screw-on antenna mast (not provided) see below.

POWER ANTENNA MODELS
PA92-5 (1992 thru 1995)....................... $73.75
PA96 (1996).......................................... $73.75
PA97 (1997).......................................... $73.75
PA99-05(1999 thru 2005)...................... $75.75
(prices are subject to change)

Plus shipping and insurance (payment method, in US funds):

USA -- $6.25 (Check, Postal or Bank Money Order) If in Florida, add 6% Sales Tax to Antenna Splitter cost
Canada -- $9.00 Flat Rate Envelope (USPS mailed, not UPS) cost w/$61.26 indemnity included (payment: Postal Money Order in USD)

Payment (in USD) may alternately be by PayPal (non-credit card). Your PayPal payment transaction must be funded with funds in your PayPal account, or bank account, not by a credit nor debit card.

ORDERING
Payment is not accepted in advance of availability.
Email your request and I'll get back to you with notification to send payment. Do not send payment until you've received specific notification.

DELIVERY
Once payment is received antenna splitters are customarily mailed from the local post office twice or more per week.

AVAILABILITY
I've been making Miata special antenna splitters for those on Miatafun.net and Miata.net for more than ten years. I personally make them using more than 40 years of professional electronics engineering experience in radio communications and antenna designs. I can only make them as I can find time. When I don't have immediate availability I keep a waiting list to notify you when I have one available for your Miata. I attempt to maintain immediate availability, or if not, I can usually get one built for you within 30 days of your confirmed request.

SPLITTER DETAILS
All models are supplied with detailed instructions with drawings. The cable to the CB is approximately 10 feet long with a standard CB screw-in coaxial connector (PL-259). A BNC connector (type used with some CB walkie-talkies) is sometimes available by request, or an adapter can be used, Radio Shack, #278-120.

These Miata antenna splitters are special made and performance optimized for easy plug-in installation in the Miata's trunk. They can be left installed in the car with no noticeable effect on AM/FM radio reception. They are not suitable for use with another type antenna -- THEY ARE ONLY FOR THE MIATA'S FACTORY ANTENNAS. Because of this they provide high-performance equal to or better than many commonly used types of magnetically mounted CB antennas, and do not noticeably degrade reception of AM or FM. They are built for the CB radio's 4-watt legal power limit to provide long life and very dependable operation in a nicely constructed sheet metal box approximately 2-7/8" X 1-11/16" X 13/16" inches.

They are made and preset for each specific Miata antenna type; however, due to variances in the Miata antenna from one sample to another, they may require resetting to precisely best match the antenna on your specific Miata. Without resetting, the preset user adjustment provides quite effective performance. They can best be set with a SWR meter. Instructions are provided to enable setting the splitter without using a SWR meter by just listening for maximum CB reception. SWR at band edges is less than 3:1 and typically around 1.1:1 at best-set center band CB channel.

For pre-2006's the antenna splitter's cable to the CB radio can be run directly into the car by simply folding the vertical carpet down behind a seat (for 1999 - 2005's temporarily unfastening some of the trunk's interior trim may make running the cable easier).  The upper outside corner of the carpet is held in place by Velcro.  Once the carpet is pulled down a hole into the trunk is exposed.  The area behind the Velcro-held carpet makes a nice pocket for storing the CB
cable when it's not being used.  For 2006's and later, interior panels must be temporarily removed.

2006 AND LATER, ANTENNA MAST SWAP and TRIM PANELS
The short antenna on 2006 and later Miatas is too short for capturing enough CB radio wavelength for effective CB communications range.  So, for Miata antenna splitter use you'll need to replace your Miata's short screw-on antenna mast with an aftermarket mast, e.g. Metra AW-RM22 (AW-RM22B for black) 30 11/16" tall.  In early 2007 they were found available for $3.99, or $4.99 in black, from O'Reilly Auto Parts.  An OEM antenna mast for any 1990-99 Miata, 31 1/2" tall, can be used adequately with the antenna splitter's preset setting, or with the user setting slightly reset to best optimize.  Simply rotate the Miata's short antenna mast to unscrew, and then screw on the longer fixed antenna mast.  It can be left in place, or the Miata's short antenna mast can be reinstalled when not using CB radio.  Running the coaxial cable antenna line from the antenna splitter in the trunk to your CB radio in the car requires
temporarily removing and unfastening some trim panels in the trunk and in the car.

POWER ANTENNA STAY-UP METHODS
To maintain the Miata's power antenna extended for CB radio use while the Miata's radio is turned "off" or while its tape or CD is played:

PRE-97's
The power antenna splitter models for pre-97 Miatas include diode-connected clamp-type wire taps that install at the antenna's plug. The antenna extends when the car's key-switch is in its "on" and accessory positions and retracts when not.

97's
The power antenna splitter model for 97 Miata's includes a jumper wire and wire taps that connects a wire at the antenna's plug to one that's behind the trunk's rear trim panel. The antenna extends when the car's key-switch is fully "on" and retracts when "off".

1999 - 2005
The power antenna splitter model for 99 and later Miata's includes a switch, connecting wires, and wire taps. The switch  connects in series with a wire to the power antenna's plug. Once the antenna is extended, switching the switch will maintain the antenna extended until the switch is returned to its normal position and the next up/down signal is sent by the Miata radio. The switch nicely installs, out of normal view, in an easy to access existing through-hole into the trunk that's under the upper corner of the Velcro-held vertical carpet behind the driver's seat.

ALTERNATE POWER ANTENNA STAY-UP METHODS
The splitter can be used with the power antenna without making any wiring changes if when using CB the Miata AM/FM radio is left "on" to keep the power antenna extended; or, by unplugging the antenna's power connector in the trunk while the antenna is in its extended position. For pre-97's a switch can be added to enable selecting the Miata's automatic radio/tape/CD control of the power antenna -- add the switch in series with the diode-connected wire taps (observe wire tap's color coded polarity when connecting) or for 97's, add a switch in series with the jumper wire.