GX 470 CB Antenna Mount Rear Door (1 Viewer)

[BlueSteelGX470]

Here is a antenna mount I built for my GX 470 using a framing bracket I found in my local Home Depot isle. It was made from a flat angle bracket. Part# may be in pic stamped into the metal. I made measurements and precision bends. The nice part is it bolts under the existing door bracket in between the door frame near the door handle. Here are some pics, it's made of galvanized steel. I still have to drill the hole for the antenna stud. Then I will finish it with a matte black plastic-dip spray. Stay tuned...

Angle bracket cost $7
Antenna stud $8

 

[GXO]

Cool! I keep trying to convince everyone to go HAM though

 

[BlueSteelGX470]

Haha, I'm a novice when it comes to radios! I just wanted something for emergency situations when your out in the desert far from towns and cell towers. Driving through Yuma in Arizona and not having a 4G connection say good bye to google maps and cell signal is non existent at parts.

 

[ppc]

CB is going to be worthless to communicate any distance. It is only 4 watts of power on AM. Ham is up to 50 watts on the 2-meter FM band and Ham also uses mountain top repeaters so the distance is not an issue.

The CLARA repeater located on Santiago Peak in Orange County. This is what they say the coverage is: Wide area: This repeater covers down into San Diego on the south all the way up towards Santa Barbara on the north and everything in the middle. This repeater location is above Orange County and is one of the best coverage repeters in the area. That is consevative. I always heard 7 counties and into Mexico. In your area that is what Inwouls use to communicate.

Here you can find a map Lake Forest, Santiago Peak145.22000 N6SLD California Repeater

 

[GXO]

Given your use case, I would say you need HAM, not CB. CB is severely limited on range. HAM can do 30+ miles line of sight and as ppc says way further on a repeater.

 

[GXO]

oh yeah, you can also setup a HAM rig for your truck for less than $100, including the test fees for the license!

 

[BlueSteelGX470]

DanKunz, thanks for the info. I'm interested can you provide me with details. I have no clue in regards to ham radio. Does it use the same antenna as a CB? Can I use a Wilson Trucker 2000? That is the antenna I had in mind. Also, can you recommend a radio? I would be interested at the $100 range price. Fill me in on license information aswell. Thanks!!

 

[wingysataday]

Blue steel you opened up a canna worms you should go on YouTube and start researching ham radios they're pretty awesome but you have to get a license to operate one

 

[BlueSteelGX470]

Looks like I have done just that WingySaturday, I have been reading up and researching....my question is don't most truckers use CB instead of ham? And most people on the road with any radios be truckers? In most cases I've seen CB be more common personally....what's everyone's input?

 

[GXO]

Can of worms indeed. CB is common for truckers, but they run high output CBs with antennas that are powered to boost signal.

Some have moved to HAM in addition. HAM is easier to setup, maintain, and has enormous range.

HAM is becoming more common, especially at formal offroad events.

the license costs $20 and it takes about an hour to study for. It isn't "hard" at all and lasts 10 years.

I ran a CB for years. I have a handheld HAM for $30 on amazon, a bracket to hold it, and an external antenna with a cable to the handheld. It took all of 20 minutes to setup and I get 15-20 miles range depending on time of day and weather. A CB can't do any of that.

 

[BlueSteelGX470]

Dankunz,

You relieved me about the test. Looking up online I saw something like 10 days to study etc....

Can anyone recommend a set up for me under $200 would be appreciated. Fixed unit rather than handheld. And antenna recommendations that would be compatible with the mount I made.

I'd like to thank everyone for chiming in and filling me in!

- Dan.

 

[Kofoed]

The Santiago Peak machine covers at least 10 million people, no joke.

For $200 get a Yaesu 1900 radio. Ham Radio Outlet has a store in SD to look at it, and other models, in person. They can help with mounting ideas, too.

No disrespect, but mounting an antenna on the bumper like that will seriously impede (no pun intended) its performance. Get a Wilson 2M 5/8 magnet mount for the roof and you will be close to $200. Note that Amazon sells the Wilson with the mag mount and base--the whip is extra, make sure you buy it, too.

You can also look at a Diamond to mount the ant in the rear hatch area and get it up quite a bit higher. That will blow your $200 range, though

 

[BlueSteelGX470]

The Santiago Peak machine covers at least 10 million people, no joke.

For $200 get a Yaesu 1900 radio. Ham Radio Outlet has a store in SD to look at it, and other models, in person. They can help with mounting ideas, too.

No disrespect, but mounting an antenna on the bumper like that will seriously impede (no pun intended) its performance. Get a Wilson 2M 5/8 magnet mount for the roof and you will be close to $200. Note that Amazon sells the Wilson with the mag mount and base--the whip is extra, make sure you buy it, too.

You can also look at a Diamond to mount the ant in the rear hatch area and get it up quite a bit higher. That will blow your $200 range, though

Does that radio have a PA function? Thanks for the recommendations!

 

[Kofoed]

IDK about the PA

The 1900 is really small, the 2900 is a bit bigger, and put out more power.

 

[wingysataday]

4th gen 4Runner Ditch Light Brackets | CBI Offroad Fab. Get these mount some lights and an antenna on one side or the other.

I have a cb radio but did not install it in my rig yet. On the few off road runs I have been on people use the CB's to communicate. That's where CB's can be fun.

 

[The Great Him]

i have ham and would never go back to CB, its like buying a model car when you can buy the real thing, sure it looks the same, and has similarities but its night and day different. CB you are limited to 40 channels, ham you have thousands and thousands of channels, you can talk to the space station if you want(not even joking). CBs have a range of like 10 miles at best, i think i got about 30 miles out of a CB once when i was up on top of a mountain and had good overlook and clear line of sight, ham i could have 10 miles at the bottom of the grand canyon.

if you get a mobile radio(one that goes in the truck) get one that puts out at least 40w ideally a 50w. http://www.amazon.com/AnyTone-Transceiver-AT-5888UV-Amateur-Radio/dp/B00B1F7IEE thats the one i have, and everyone i know in my SAR group runs the same radio. its a awesome radio and the ability to monitor two freqs at the same time is awesome as well as have two different bands at once. something like that will be able to get you help way out in the middle of no where. there are always people scanning and listening to radio traffic on hams, a lot more than CBs. the only reason CBs are so popular with truckers is they are all on the interstate, so they really are not spread out, and they are used for local info on conditions and roads etc.

one thing i always recommend to people who get hams in their vehicles is keep a spare antenna with a mag mount incase you roll, you hard mount antenna will get ripped off or broken/damaged and or it will be stuffed in the dirt under your rig and give you no signal out. you can put that mag mount anywhere and get out even if you roll -slapp it to the frame, or skidplate and you are good to go.

when i took my ham test i was sure i would fail the test, i went to a class and learned a little, but really only confused the heck out of me and frustrated me to the point of almost not showing back up to take the test the next week. anyhow i took the test and passed the test was a lot easier than all the practice tests i took online. dont waste your time or money on getting a book either just start taking practice tests online learn from that, and once you get to where you are passing the practice tests consistantly then go find a place that is offering the test (where i live it seams about once a week someone is offering a testing session) and pay the $15 to take the test and never look back

 

[JLee]

i have ham and would never go back to CB, its like buying a model car when you can buy the real thing, sure it looks the same, and has similarities but its night and day different. CB you are limited to 40 channels, ham you have thousands and thousands of channels, you can talk to the space station if you want(not even joking). CBs have a range of like 10 miles at best, i think i got about 30 miles out of a CB once when i was up on top of a mountain and had good overlook and clear line of sight, ham i could have 10 miles at the bottom of the grand canyon.

if you get a mobile radio(one that goes in the truck) get one that puts out at least 40w ideally a 50w. http://www.amazon.com/AnyTone-Transceiver-AT-5888UV-Amateur-Radio/dp/B00B1F7IEE thats the one i have, and everyone i know in my SAR group runs the same radio. its a awesome radio and the ability to monitor two freqs at the same time is awesome as well as have two different bands at once. something like that will be able to get you help way out in the middle of no where. there are always people scanning and listening to radio traffic on hams, a lot more than CBs. the only reason CBs are so popular with truckers is they are all on the interstate, so they really are not spread out, and they are used for local info on conditions and roads etc.

one thing i always recommend to people who get hams in their vehicles is keep a spare antenna with a mag mount incase you roll, you hard mount antenna will get ripped off or broken/damaged and or it will be stuffed in the dirt under your rig and give you no signal out. you can put that mag mount anywhere and get out even if you roll -slapp it to the frame, or skidplate and you are good to go.

when i took my ham test i was sure i would fail the test, i went to a class and learned a little, but really only confused the heck out of me and frustrated me to the point of almost not showing back up to take the test the next week. anyhow i took the test and passed the test was a lot easier than all the practice tests i took online. dont waste your time or money on getting a book either just start taking practice tests online learn from that, and once you get to where you are passing the practice tests consistantly then go find a place that is offering the test (where i live it seams about once a week someone is offering a testing session) and pay the $15 to take the test and never look back

Will a handheld UHF/VHF be usable in most cases (re: range)? I have one of these guys, just haven't used it because I haven't taken the test yet.

 

[The Great Him]

Is it possible yes, likely no. Handhelds don't have the power that mobiles do. I think most handhelds are like 5-10w(max) and mobiles are 40-50w. And using you handheld at max power will eat the battery faster dog with a bacon strip. Will your radio work, yes, but it could be limiting depending on where you are. I would not take one into the back country personally.

Sent from my XT1585

 

[JLee]

With CB being ~4 watts, am I still likely better off (or at least equivalent) with this one, or should it be relegated to car-to-car use?

 

[The Great Him]

With CB being ~4 watts, am I still likely better off (or at least equivalent) with this one, or should it be relegated to car-to-car use?

Oh you are much better off, as the possibility of being heard by others is much greater. Ham is way more monitored than cb... And will go much further

Sent from my XT1585