CB Radio/Atenna setup's - Post yours, looking for ideas to follow

[1loudLX]

Well I tried to be as specific as possible in the thread title. Im thinking of going with a Uniden 520xl and some sort of antenna mount. I want to have one hard-wired into the vehicle so the portable idea is a no go. I'm jealous of my friends FJ since he will be able to do his easy with the bandi-mount.


What kind of Radio units are you using? Antennas? Where did you run the cable?

There are a few people here that I've seen with nice setups but I cant for the life of me remember who they are.


Also, if anyone has other types of radio's(HAM and whatnot) in their 100 your input on those would be nice too.



Thanks guys!

(oh yeah, and i searched but anything with radio/antenna popped up with the nak system breaking and the power antenna replacement)

 

[rusty_tlc]

Try searching here Electronic-Toys tons of stuff.

Go for the Ham Tech license, 2M kicks CB ass.

 

[1loudLX]

o there are other sections to mud then the 100 series? I'm actually looking there right now i just wanted to see some 100 specific stuff.

 

[ginericLC]

Yaesu 7800 mounted under the PS seat with head unit in the flip down compartment overhead. The mic comes out under the PS dash next to the glove box.

I have yet to find a decent CB mounting location in the 100. I wish you could buy detachable face CBs in the US.

The Cobra 75WX would work pretty nice under the PS seat and the controls and display are in the mic handle.

Right now I'm running a 3.5 foot fiberglass antenna mounted on the swingout of my Slee Rear bumper. Originally I had it on his antenna mount but could only send and receive behind me. I'm thinking of going to a whip style. For radios I'm running a Cobra 19 in the upper console lid but I don't like it. The cable runs under the carpet through the PS rear panel and then out the body through the rear plastic panel near the exhaust where it meets up with the rear bumper.

The K400 mount for ham radio antennas on the hatch is the hot setup and you could theoretically use this mount for a CB antenna if you bought a whip style antenna.

 

[Travis351]

I went with the Cobra 75WX in the center console and the antenna on the front bumper. The antenna wire goes through the firewall just above the left foot rest and the power comes from the 12volt plug inside of the console. I am very happy with the Cobra, but my antenna mount sucks, in both form and function.

It was a cheapo quick job rushed for an FLCA event. The antenna wire was only long enough to make it to the DS light mount, so it is in my line of sight. I am used to it now, but still a little goofy. I really like alvirob's setup in the 80 section, but I havent been able to track down a nice, clean looking lip mount like his. I will ramp up my search later this year when I go for dual batteries, inverters and an engel fridge. Maybe this thread will get to the bottom of that.

Eventually I may change the plug location for the Cobra. I had the little pocket in the console, but converted back to the old cover plate for the mount, since it was really just trash anyway. I miss that pocket and the plug is kind of in the way sometimes.

 

[moooooooo]

i've got the GME TX3440 (Aussie made)

and it's mounted above the passenger front side kick panel

GME Electrophone - UHF CB Transceivers
for more info.

And the unit itself, the installers ran the mic / handset under the centre console and i mounted the mic bracket using the supplied fixtures (mind is blank after a stressful day, sorry) on the centre console, but slightly behind the drivers seat so you can't actually see it if you look in via the drivers door.

works well, 5W output...already saved me from a major traffic jam so i am happy so far.
cheers
peter

 

[slimbuddha]

i've got the GME TX3440 (Aussie made)

and it's mounted above the passenger front side kick panel

GME Electrophone - UHF CB Transceivers
for more info.

And the unit itself, the installers ran the mic / handset under the centre console and i mounted the mic bracket using the supplied fixtures (mind is blank after a stressful day, sorry) on the centre console, but slightly behind the drivers seat so you can't actually see it if you look in via the drivers door.

works well, 5W output...already saved me from a major traffic jam so i am happy so far.
cheers
peter

That's pretty sweet, but here we are limited to 4w, and a quick google search shows they are only available online in AU. Someone correct me, but I think it is also against the rules to run a CB not previously "authorized" by the fcc.

Has anyone checked if a small cobra will fit in the ashtray like in the 80 series?

 

[ginericLC]

It won't fit in the ashtray. It isn't deep enough. It would stick out way too far. I measured it.

Yep it is illegal to run non-authorized CBs. That Australian radio would do you no good in the US on CB bands though. CB is way down low I think it is 26.5-28 Mhz which is AM. That radios is on what Hams in the US call 440.

 

[EdsCruisin]

Regardless, there are lots of over powered CBs out there. One more watt is nothing. And who is checking? For a good CB, you need to talk to a trucker.

 

[ginericLC]

The problem with the really good CBs is their size. The build them for big rigs, not to be hidden in a nice cushy 100 interior. Most of the smaller ones are pressed out POS made in China models.

 

[1loudLX]

if i do a CB and or ham radio they will likely go in the center-console along with some other stuff mounted like this switchbox is.

 

[geordie]

Sorry, I'm still at the 40/60/80/100 decision stage, so I am accumulating specific info. However I am an extra class HAM, so I've done some radio work.

Is there cooling in that center console? My Kenwood D700 and Icom 7000 both burn a lot of Watts and get warm.

Modern radios do not need to be large, the combined 802.11 a/b/g/n access points we make are the size of a paperback and include a very decent multicore processor running Linux and three separate radios. A CB is a very simple radio compared to that. My ICOM 7000 is smaller than many CBs... which are mostly empty space.

 

[rusty_tlc]

Sorry, I'm still at the 40/60/80/100 decision stage, so I am accumulating specific info. However I am an extra class HAM, so I've done some radio work.

Is there cooling in that center console? My Kenwood D700 and Icom 7000 both burn a lot of Watts and get warm.

Modern radios do not need to be large, the combined 802.11 a/b/g/n access points we make are the size of a paperback and include a very decent multicore processor running Linux and three separate radios. A CB is a very simple radio compared to that. My ICOM 7000 is smaller than many CBs... which are mostly empty space.

40/60/80/100 is quite a range, the 40 is a whole different animal than the rest of them.

There is no cooling in the center console of the 100. It wouldn't be a tough job to add a 12V muffin fan. The bad news is there is very little storage in the cockpit of the 100 series, you really don't want to lose the center console. The ideal thing is to get a rig with a removable face plate and mount the radio in one of the rear quarter panel compartments. I'm considering the FT-8900R with the remote head mounted as in the post above for the FT-7800.

For CB in the 100 I have a cheap Radio shack unit that is pretty small, I mount it with command strips and use a mag mount antenna, power is a lighter plug. CB is pretty worthless for the kind of driving we do in the 100. I doubt I'll even bring it along unless we go with a group that uses CB.

The 40 is the complete opposite of the 100, most times I'm with groups that use CB. I use the same RS POS CB because you stay in a pretty tight group, no need for a good radio. I use my VX-7R HT when I go with groups that use Ham.

AD7NW

 

[geordie]

Yes, that is an unreasonable list, in some ways. But it reflects the range of luxury and hardship I am willing to pay for/accept as well as the range of capability I think I might need. There are even other brands. I got stuck at a land slide in Nevada last year and I was thinking right then that with a 40 I could have gone on, maybe just as well I didn't try. Backing up a mile was irritating.

In the past I have used the D700 with APRS so I could be tracked, just in case. But in central Nevada there's not much 2m coverage. With the ICOM 7000 I get round the range issue but antennas become a real problem. If I get something older I'll be more willing to cut a hole in it so I can use an antenna tuner for HF. Since I have found APRS useful in the past, if I was buying a 2m rig now it would be a Kenwood TM-D710A, or an Alinco DJ135 (I think) with a plug in APRS card. I too would remote the head unit to the overhead console, the 7000 is excellent for that because it has speaker and mic connections on the remote. I have a VX-5R HT and with a mag mount antenna it has surprisingly good reach.

 

[ginericLC]

You need a SPOT then you don't need to worry about APRS coverage. Satellite, the wave of the future!

 

[geordie]

You need a SPOT then you don't need to worry about APRS coverage. Satellite, the wave of the future!

I was, initially, enthusiastic about SPOT but then a few of the details didn't work for me. Either I didn't read the pricing right, or they changed the pricing in the last six months. To get tracking I have to pay $100/year for the basic service plus another $50/year for the tracking upgrade. With the $170 purchase price that's $320 in the first year.

Well, OK, it would be unreasonable to complain about that on top of things like $1000 for a half way decent set of tires.

But there's usability issues too. No external power, so far as I can tell, it's battery powered. I see no provision for an external antenna either.

With a TM-D710A I can talk to anyone else who is using APRS at the same time as my tracking information is forwarded for free. But no guarantees anyone will hear.

How else could I achieve the SAR part of SPOT? Well, I could get a 406MHz EPIRB with built in GPS for about $500. A lot more money but a lot better built.

I'm still not convinced about SPOT.

 

[rusty_tlc]

Yes, that is an unreasonable list, in some ways. But it reflects the range of luxury and hardship I am willing to pay for/accept as well as the range of capability I think I might need. There are even other brands. I got stuck at a land slide in Nevada last year and I was thinking right then that with a 40 I could have gone on, maybe just as well I didn't try. Backing up a mile was irritating.

In the past I have used the D700 with APRS so I could be tracked, just in case. But in central Nevada there's not much 2m coverage. With the ICOM 7000 I get round the range issue but antennas become a real problem. If I get something older I'll be more willing to cut a hole in it so I can use an antenna tuner for HF. Since I have found APRS useful in the past, if I was buying a 2m rig now it would be a Kenwood TM-D710A, or an Alinco DJ135 (I think) with a plug in APRS card. I too would remote the head unit to the overhead console, the 7000 is excellent for that because it has speaker and mic connections on the remote. I have a VX-5R HT and with a mag mount antenna it has surprisingly good reach.

You probably need to look at where you want to go and what kind of roads you want to travel.
We have the 40 for more technical trails but I'd never use it for central Nevada trips. It just doesn't have the capacity to carry gear for extended travel, unless you like a very spartan life on the trail. Which is why we have the 100. A 60 or 80 would probably suit our needs just as well. But didn't want another older vehicle.

2M coverage was one reason I went with the FT8900 rather than the FT8800. I like the idea of having 6M available. The fact that with rebates it was only $40 more didn't hurt either. Initially I'm just going with a dual 144/440MHz antenna, the cost of a quad was out of sight and I just couldn't see a quad band being that efficient. I'll probably pick up a Buddipole or a couple of Hamsticks to cover the other bands. I haven't looked at tuners yet.

As far as APRS, . We've been beating around Nevada for over thirty years with out it, I think we can get by with out it a few more.

 

[geordie]

Yes, range and capacity are issues, especially capacity. If only I could get a Defender 110, but the few here were going for $65k in 1998 and have gone up since. Sorry, but the big Defender gives the capacity without acres of plastic, leather seats, carpet and automatic transmission... which I detest but have learned to suffer on modern vehicles here. In the UK driving an automatic is almost a 'disabled' badge in itself (lost a leg son? no coordination? brain damage? well why are you driving an auto then?).

The APRS is more for the entertainment and peace of mind of those not traveling really. I took a 3000ish mile trip (Yellowstone) one weekend and a couple of people were watching 90% of the time. Strange to be in northern Montana (returned via Canada... seemed reasonable at the time) asking if I had stopped for a particular reason (gas) or just got tired.

Yes, I have a collection of hamsticks and a budipole, but I was thinking of the AH4/AH2b for a more robust and flexible installation, though the efficiency is 'not good'. I hardly ever seem to hear anyone on 6m.

 

[rusty_tlc]

Yes, range and capacity are issues, especially capacity. If only I could get a Defender 110, but the few here were going for $65k in 1998 and have gone up since. Sorry, but the big Defender gives the capacity without acres of plastic, leather seats, carpet and automatic transmission... which I detest but have learned to suffer on modern vehicles here. In the UK driving an automatic is almost a 'disabled' badge in itself (lost a leg son? no coordination? brain damage? well why are you driving an auto then?).

The APRS is more for the entertainment and peace of mind of those not traveling really. I took a 3000ish mile trip (Yellowstone) one weekend and a couple of people were watching 90% of the time. Strange to be in northern Montana (returned via Canada... seemed reasonable at the time) asking if I had stopped for a particular reason (gas) or just got tired.

Yes, I have a collection of hamsticks and a budipole, but I was thinking of the AH4/AH2b for a more robust and flexible installation, though the efficiency is 'not good'. I hardly ever seem to hear anyone on 6m.

I got over worrying about the interior a long time ago. As far as the auto goes, they have advantages if you learn to use them to their potential. The IFS on the 100 is considered to be it's biggest draw back, I love it for driving in Nevada.

My reasoning behind the Buddipole or Hamstick was as a back up when we are solo and needed help. I'm not much for chatting while I drive unless I'm with a group. In that case 2M works fine. Right now the only radio I have is my VX-7R which while capable of 6M operation isn't really well adapted to that application.

Just to kind of keep this a little on topic, CB actually works fine unless you get spread out. Which is often the case when traveling in a group on long stretches of open road like you find in Death Valley or Central NV. In that case you all keep a good distance back of the next vehicle to avoid eating massive amounts of dust. Last spring in central NV we got far enough apart with three rigs that we had to relay messages using CB. Imagine if you were in a group of six or seven. On trails like Rubicon the group rarely gets further than .25 miles apart and CB works fine.

 

[TXLX470]

Does anybody knows the real life range of Cobra 75WXST ??? I just about to order one from Amazon.

By the way what is the main differance between CB and HAM??