Hi! My name is Ed Wilson. I have been involved with CB, Amateur and Commercial Communications for 22 years and it remains a big part of my everyday life. For the past 9 years I've also been an active off roader, working with Jeep Jamboree Canada and trekking down to Moab, Utah. As an off roader, I appreciate the no nonsense articles in CANADIAN FOUR WHEEL DRIVE MAGAZINE. I have read many similar magazines in the past and feel their coverage of practical CB installations and communications has been very poor. Seeing the latest CB listed in the "What's new" column doesn't answer the question of why CB's often can't be heard. Good communications between vehicles is not only a safety issue but can lead to further enjoyment of off roading. I hear a lot of talk about Amateur Radio being the answer to poor communications. However, if the Amateur Radio system is installed and maintained as poorly as some CB installations I have seen, disappointments will continue.

My goal in this column is to give you the information needed to properly install, maintain and operate communications equipment in your off road vehicle. I plan to do this in a simple and direct manner, explaining options that may apply to your specific needs and are within your own capabilities. I'm a great believer in keeping things simple! I want to take the mystery out of CB radio and later explore Amateur Radio. Most of the same principles are shared by both.

Coax cables	How healthy is your CB radio's drivetrain?
SWR Meters	How to tune your CB for maximum performance
Antenna Mounting	Where best to mount an antenna