External Antenna wiring for handled CB

[NorthShoreLC]

I have found lots of CB posts and I apologize if I missed what I'm looking for in my search.

I have a Midland 75-822 (handheld cb) on its way to me. I have a TJM T13 arriving this week. I plan to mount a 3' firestik to one of the tabs on the bumper hoop.

Anyone have pictures or descriptions of where you mounted or how you routed the cable to the dash or console? I'd like a nice clean semi permanent location.

Power for this thing is the 12v outlet, so I just need a location for the coax to come in.

Thanks for your help.

 

[REZARF]

You'll likely need a coax that you attach the terminal to after you run the cable. The simplest way to pass through the firewall on most vehicles is to chase the main wiring harness, add a slit in the rubber pass through grommet and poke your cable through.

As far as mounts www.gamaviti.com sells a slick antenna mount for 100 series and Tim, is a guru when it comes to mobile communications. I'm sure he'd be able to get you squared away on your installation.

 

[DJWUZJ]

I used the fire ring from firestik... Ran mine to the back with a LabRak mount. This is the best way to go to keep the hole to pass into the cabin to the smallest diameter. You will have just one solder to make to get the center copper wire fused to the plug. There are photos in my build thread below.

 

[NorthShoreLC]

I appreciate your comments and feedback, and I'll look at your build thread.

Given that I have a handheld, I'm wondering where I can run the cable to inside the truck - is it worth mounting it somewhere in the dash and having it run to a little faceplate or something like that? Maybe come out the ashtray or up into the console?

 

[mcgaskins]

Since you're using a handheld and not hard wiring it, I'd suggest a magnet mount like this one. It's what I use, and it works very well for the 5-6 times per year I need it. I had an antenna permanently mounted on the fender, but I found that it hitting parking garages multiple times per day wasn't worth the couple times per year I needed the antenna. http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000H2W270/?tag=ihco-20

This is the only picture I have where you can clearly see it - I just roll down the window a little and put it up there for the day. You can still close the window enough to keep out wind and rain, so I definitely like it.

 

[fireball]

Here's a link to the antenna mount: http://www.gamiviti.com/html/products_antennamounts.html

If you're mounting it to your front bumper then I'd bring the wire through the OEM grommet high on the passenger side of the firewall. You can then bring it behind the glove box and tuck it up under the center console just to the right of the t-case shifter. You can stuff it up there when not in use, then reach in and pull it down and connect it whenever you need it.

 

[DJWUZJ]

I came up through the center console with mine, and the hand held resides there

 

[staggrlee]

I came up through the center console with mine, and the hand held resides there

Ditto. Firestick on the rear swing out built-in mount and I have my 2m on a LabRak mount.

For a CB with its limited power, the highest mounting with no front/rear obstruction by the vehicle is best, and a location with 360 degree ground-plane of about a foot square. So for reception your best bet is probably the magnetic, but for permanent mounting then the LabRak. Just make sure to get a "no ground plane" antenna if you go that route. Get a Radio Shack SWR meter and tune your antenna for the most frequently used frequency or for the middle of the band if you use both high/low frequencies.