Thanks for the excellent detailed info Rich. I now know what I'm doing on Sunday afternoon.
Custom Mounting for Cobra 75 WX ST
- Thread starter Safado
- Start date
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Well I picked up the Cobra 75 this weekend and got it installed today. I ended up mounting the "base" unit under the console like Rich did.
I spent a fair amount of time running a seperate fused 10 gauge power line from the battery back to the center dash area to power the unit. Doing this work has lead me to a lot of questions that I'll search out and/or post in another thread (things like where to put a power distribution block, how and where to run power lines in the engine bay). Some things do come to mind right away like:
- the Cobra 75 WX ST manual suggested connecting the radio to an unswitched power source. I'm wondering how much power this thing draws then it's off (likely not much but it does keep the memory alive I think). I guess most guys have this on their second battery but has anybody had issues with it draining the battery with the radio off but always powered from unswitched power?
I wired it to unswitch power.
I don't have the antenna mounting sorted out yet. I'm going to go with quickly removable antenna system with a bracket that I'm going to fab up to mount to my Outback rack. I'm hoping I can quickly bolt it on when in wheeling season and then when not, coil up the cable and place in the rear stash box (out of sight). I'll take pic once I've got it completed.
I have yet to check the VSWR.
I spent a fair amount of time running a seperate fused 10 gauge power line from the battery back to the center dash area to power the unit. Doing this work has lead me to a lot of questions that I'll search out and/or post in another thread (things like where to put a power distribution block, how and where to run power lines in the engine bay). Some things do come to mind right away like:
- the Cobra 75 WX ST manual suggested connecting the radio to an unswitched power source. I'm wondering how much power this thing draws then it's off (likely not much but it does keep the memory alive I think). I guess most guys have this on their second battery but has anybody had issues with it draining the battery with the radio off but always powered from unswitched power?
I wired it to unswitch power.
I don't have the antenna mounting sorted out yet. I'm going to go with quickly removable antenna system with a bracket that I'm going to fab up to mount to my Outback rack. I'm hoping I can quickly bolt it on when in wheeling season and then when not, coil up the cable and place in the rear stash box (out of sight). I'll take pic once I've got it completed.
I have yet to check the VSWR.
semlin
curmudgeon
good stuff riley. I would prefer to have been inside the truck than under it this weekend although I did finally install my CDL switch. for the antenna connection to the rack this is just an idea, but my rear sliding window on the driver's side has a cell phone antenna mounted right through it in the top rear corner from the p.o. . I wonder if you could mount an antenna junction box through the window like that and just bolt on the antenna cable when you needed it?
>> has a cell phone antenna mounted right through it in the top rear corner <<
Simon - I'm not sure what you mean here. Is there a hole there or is it one of the antennas that just feed thru the glass? I saw that style for CB but didn't think it would work very well.
Too late now anyway, the cable has been run and I'm going to stay the course for now. If I can get my 2 foot stick mounted and grounded to my rack, I think it will perform well on both the road and off-road. I can also screw on a short rubber ducky for heavily wooded areas.
I know what you mean about spending time in/on/under a guy's truck today. It was absolutely an awesome day. I was feeling a little gulity it was so nice out. I'm starting to believe in global warming (and I love it).
Hope the cats work out.
R
Simon - I'm not sure what you mean here. Is there a hole there or is it one of the antennas that just feed thru the glass? I saw that style for CB but didn't think it would work very well.
Too late now anyway, the cable has been run and I'm going to stay the course for now. If I can get my 2 foot stick mounted and grounded to my rack, I think it will perform well on both the road and off-road. I can also screw on a short rubber ducky for heavily wooded areas.
I know what you mean about spending time in/on/under a guy's truck today. It was absolutely an awesome day. I was feeling a little gulity it was so nice out. I'm starting to believe in global warming (and I love it).
Hope the cats work out.
R
- Thread starter
- #25
Riley, I appologize for not responding earlier...but not for being in Moad and Lake Powell all weekend! 
So I have the "box" currently installed in the same location the PO left it...just to the right of the drivers right leg, under the dash. The cord then runs under the transmission cover and out the back by the e-brake. I also leave it in there all the time. I recently added a clip to hold the CB that I really like. Mine used to flop around, but as Rich stated, it can end up lots of places depending on the trail. I mounted the clip to the side of the cup holder and used 2 small nuts and bolts to hold it on. I'll take a pic today and post it up for you.
The only problem with my current setup is that I think the cable is too short. I plan on moving it where Rich indicated, or under the transfer cover at some point...but it hasn't been that big of an issue yet.
I have a 5' Wilson 1000 on top of the roof that gives great ground plane and works extreemly well....when tuned.
So I have the "box" currently installed in the same location the PO left it...just to the right of the drivers right leg, under the dash. The cord then runs under the transmission cover and out the back by the e-brake. I also leave it in there all the time. I recently added a clip to hold the CB that I really like. Mine used to flop around, but as Rich stated, it can end up lots of places depending on the trail. I mounted the clip to the side of the cup holder and used 2 small nuts and bolts to hold it on. I'll take a pic today and post it up for you.
The only problem with my current setup is that I think the cable is too short. I plan on moving it where Rich indicated, or under the transfer cover at some point...but it hasn't been that big of an issue yet.
I have a 5' Wilson 1000 on top of the roof that gives great ground plane and works extreemly well....when tuned.
- Thread starter
- #26
Not the greatest pics, but you get the idea...
Thanks Safado, I've got mine in now and as I mentioned it's under the console (like Rich). Only problem is that it's going to be a pain to measure the VSWR down there on the connector.
I like it there as the cable is nice and long. I was gonna put the clip on but mount it 90 degrees to yours so that it's facing the side of the seat (screw it to the console). I'm not sure that will work.
How did you attach your antenna to the roof?
Did you drill holes in the roof? I'm just going to do a temp install onto my rack for now and see how well it works.
Boy those truckers talk weird....
I like it there as the cable is nice and long. I was gonna put the clip on but mount it 90 degrees to yours so that it's facing the side of the seat (screw it to the console). I'm not sure that will work.
How did you attach your antenna to the roof?
Did you drill holes in the roof? I'm just going to do a temp install onto my rack for now and see how well it works.
Boy those truckers talk weird....
- Thread starter
- #28
Riley,
I also was going to do it on the side of the console, but the e-brake will come up and hit it. Plus it's more comfortable to grab it straight back IMO.
As far as the antenna is concerned, yeah, there's a big hole in my roof. The PO did it, so I didn't have much say in replacing the antenna. But it works well, and the antenna only goes on when I'm going out on the trail.
I also was going to do it on the side of the console, but the e-brake will come up and hit it. Plus it's more comfortable to grab it straight back IMO.
As far as the antenna is concerned, yeah, there's a big hole in my roof. The PO did it, so I didn't have much say in replacing the antenna. But it works well, and the antenna only goes on when I'm going out on the trail.
