Anderson AM/FM/CB antenna splitter/tuner

[5/31/2012] Reviewed by: Brian Amirault

Applicable to: '06+ 1.8 liter

A device allowing the OEM Miata antenna (NA and NB)to connect both to the existing radio and a CB radio at the same time. For NC models an after market antenna of 30" is recommended. This eliminates the need for a separate CB antenna.

My splitter arrived without incident. It did sit on a table until the first Miata Club tech night of the 2012 season (held at a local commercial garage in Ottawa) where with the help of several members familiar with the process I was able to successfully remove trim panels, snake cables, swap antennae and put all back to original spec. This took 2.5 hours to complete. I used my new radio/splitter last night for the first time on a club weekly "ice cream run" and the results more than warranted the cost. With this replacement of my portable, short antenna hand-held I can now clearly hear both the tour leader and sweep within a 15 car tour.

The install is tedious but not rocket science for the unskilled such as me. It proved NOT a one person job as the snaking of cable needs a person at both ends to properly guide it. This product represents value. It provides excellent performance while maintaining the clean appearance of the vehicle.

Over 30 minutes to remove completely

Jeff Anderson's antenna splitter--Mazda Miata

[6/27/2011] Reviewed by: Erlene Schuck

Applicable to: '90 - '97 '99-'05 '06+ 1.6 liter 1.8 liter

Antenna splitter for Miatas that allows use of the factory Mazda Miata antenna for CB/AM/FM radio. Requires separately purchased replacement screw-on antenna mast 30+‰ tall.

Having done nothing like this before, I found the instructions of installing this product to be straight forward, and the actual installation of same very simple. And it works!

Just installed Jeff Anderson‚s antenna splitter in my 2010 MX-5 Miata (PRHT) for my Cobra 75 WX ST CB radio. The end result is rewarding to say the least. After much trepidation, I found installation of this project to be very simple with only two obstacles 1) Mazda dealer had to loosen the passenger seat‚s inside rear mounting bolt for grounding the CB radio and 2) I had to purchase a short Phillips screwdriver with a bulbous handle in order to remove the amplifier box‚s mounting screw. Jeff was extremely supportive responding promptly to each and every email I sent to him. If you are looking for a very neat and unobtrusive setup for your CB radio in your Miata, I heartily recommend that you seriously consider contacting Jeff.

Under 5 minutes to remove

Jeff Anderson's CB/AM/FM antenna splitter

[11/30/2008] Reviewed by: Alan Kalish

Applicable to: '90 - '97 1.6 liter 1.8 liter

Jeff Anderson provides an antenna splitter that takes advantage of the existing factory-installed mast antenna that comes with the '91 Miata. The splitter allows me to operate a standard CB radio without having to have a second antenna.

The CB/AM/FM splitter instructions were clear and we were able to install it without problems. Only 3 wires to connect in the trunk (power, ground, antenna) and one antenna wire to connect to the CB. Performance seems uncompromised on the AM/FM radio, and the CB works as expected - with no complications.

We installed an all-in-handset CB in the car, with the connection box behind the passenger seat. With this configuration there is no way for anyone to know that there is a CB in the car, except when I hold the handset. This is exactly what I was looking for, and the performance of the car stereo and the CB are just fine. Jeff Anderson designed and built the splitter. He was immediately responsive prior to the sale and then sent the splitter right away. Top notch operation. Thanks, Jeff.

Under 30 minutes to remove completely

Jeff Anderson AM/FM/CB Antenna splitter

[6/8/2003] Reviewed by: Jeff Bell - miata@twitchmedia.com

Applicable to: '90 - '97 '99 + 1.6 liter 1.8 liter

The Jeff Anderson CB splitter is a small box, approximately the size of a pack of cards, with cords/connections for a) the Miata antenna b) the AM/FM radio antenna cord, and c) a CB radio antenna cord. It also includes vampire taps, prewired to allow you to keep the power antenna up whenever the ignition is in the on position. The product is intended to replace a fixed, dedicated CB antenna, or a non-fixed, magnetic mount antenna. Comes with very thorough and complete instructions, and is very easy to install. Pull off the AM/FM antenna cord from the power antenna, hookup the appropriate cable from the splitter, reconnect the AM/FM antenna cord from the radio to the splitter, and run the CB cord into the cockpit, through one of the tunnels in the trunk. Took all of 10mins to install.

Reception is much improved over the small magnetic mount antenna that I was previously using. I love the fact that the installation is completely "stealth". When I put the seat back to cover the CB radio, it's impossible to tell that the car has a CB installed. Also eliminates any possibility of scratching paint with the mag mount I was using. Does not seem to affect AM/FM reception at all (or at least, not in any noticable way). Only drawback: overall performance is probably not as good as a fixed, long whip CB antenna, but this is a price I'm willing to pay to get good performance, a stealthy install, and ease of use. In some ways, once it's tuned with an SWR meter, you may get more "repeatable" performance than a whip antenna that's removed and replaced every use (complete conjecture on my part - have not verified this).

Jeff Anderson was a pleasure to deal with: professional, courteous, and prompt. I have no hesitation in recommending this product.

Under 5 minutes to remove

[4/14/2002] Reviewed by: Gordon Stafford - Chet2001@infinet.com

Applicable to: '90 - '97 '99 + 1.6 liter 1.8 liter

Specially designed antenna splitter for Miata's that permits use of the standard car antenna for CB reception/transmissions while maintaining AM/FM radio reception.

Instructions provided were clear and easy to follow. The materials/construction quality appeared to be very good. The actual install took about ten minutes and required no cutting of wires or any other destructive modification to the car. The small electronics box fits next to the antenna motor in the trunk and simply "disappears" once installed. It's a plug and play device. Reception was very good on both CB and AM/FM modes. You couldn't tell the difference in radio reception before/after install.

I didn't want the hassle of connecting a standard CB antenna each time I wanted to use CB in the car. Also, I was concerned about damage to the paint using a magnetic mount. The Anderson antenna splitter was the answer I was looking for. Order took 4 days to arrive via Priority Mail. The product does the job well for its intended use. Price of $65 is reasonable for the convenience it provides. No one will know you have CB in the car by looking for a CB antenna! Order from jeffanderson@mial.miata.net.

Under 5 minutes to remove

[5/31/2001] Reviewed by: John Baird - baird@accnorwalk.com

Applicable to: '90 - '97 '99 +

This is a unit, about the size of a deck of cards, which allows the use of your Miata's antenna when you are using a CB unit. Included are the unit, antenna cable and a switch. You turn on your radio - if you have a power antenna - then flip the included switch. Now, when you turn off your radio the antenna stays up and the antenna cable from the trunk-mounted splitter is plugged into your CB. The switch isn't needed if you don't have a power antenna. You can still use your tape player or CD while the CB is in use, but not your AM/FM radio. Before shipment, Jeff tunes each splitter to match the antenna peculiar to your model year.

Installation of the splitter, cable and switch is fast. The instructions are clear with illustrations, plus Jeff's phone number and email address in case you get stuck. Removing trim pieces to route the antenna cable and switch from the trunk to the cockpit is tedious and fiddly, but not difficult. The entire unit can be easily removed.

I purchased my splitter in March of '98 when we leased our '99 M2. It performed flawlessly. When we purchased our '01 three years later, I made sure to remove the unit and install it in the new Miata. Again, flawless performance, especially during an April 2001 run thru West Virginia's mountains with our club. Outstanding reception and transmission characteristics. I checked the antenna with my own SWR meter just to make sure it was compatible with the '01 and it was right on the money. If you do much driving with your friends in their Miatas and you like to use a CB but hate the tangle of cables and wires snaking around the cockpit and an antenna scratching your paint and a half-opened window where the antenna cable goes outside, Jeff's product is for you. Now if I could just get him to fashion a disintegrator ray gun to use on those mouth breather left lane bandits...

Over 30 minutes to remove completely

[9/1/2000] Reviewed by Dave Lynch - dlynch@attcanada.net

Applicable to '90 - '97 '99 +

Match box replaces CB antenna. The match box has antenna connections for a CB and AM/FM car radio, and a switch used to keep the power antenna up when the car radio is turned off.

Excellent performs extremely well (as long as the power antenna is up!)

Directions for installation are very complete, and matched to the car and antenna type (fixed, power antennas.)

No scratched paint from magnet mount antenna; no visible sign that there is a CB in the car.

This match box works so well I wonder why anyone would want an external CB antenna.

Thanks Jeff!

Under 5 minutes to remove