In dash CB radio (1 Viewer)

[Rat Patrol]

Pulled out the OEM deck & amp. Sold the deck & amp on this site.
Kept the OEM double din mounting bracket.


Using the OEM double din bracket, the Sony deck fit right in. The Cobra CB just needed 4 tiny screws.

2 banana job.

BTW, I was using the Cobra 75WXST all in 1 CB. They work well but did not like taking my eyes of the trail/dash to fumble with the squelch and volume controls all the time. With variances in vehicle distances on the trial, needed to constantly adjust squelch/volume for optimal listening. Plus, the 75 gets really hot when transmitting for more than 30 seconds. ( I like to ratchet jaw) when wandering on off road desert trails.

Next up.........Ham Radio install. Head unit going where sunglass holder/garage door remote pocket is located. Main unit will mount remote elsewhere.

 

[consalvochris]

Damn you beat me to it! I'm doing the exact same thing next week, just waiting on parts, looks good

 

[pete100]

In dash stereo/CB

First I thought I'd go for the radio/CD unit plus CB unit, as per my first image below, but then I thought if I want music (streaming, and locally stored) and GPS Navigation, plus whatever else, then one of the cheap Google tablets seem to fit pretty well into the space - see second image, coupled with an unlimited data plan.

/Pete

 

[Rat Patrol]

First I thought I'd go for the radio/CD unit plus CB unit, as per my first image below, but then I thought if I want music (streaming, and locally stored) and GPS Navigation, plus whatever else, then one of the cheap Google tablets seem to fit pretty well into the space - see second image, coupled with an unlimited data plan.

/Pete

What cb is that?

 

[pete100]

TTi TCB-900

 

[Rat Patrol]

With your tablet and unlimited data plan, how does that work when there is no cell service?


QUOTE=pete100;8717525]First I thought I'd go for the radio/CD unit plus CB unit, as per my first image below, but then I thought if I want music (streaming, and locally stored) and GPS Navigation, plus whatever else, then one of the cheap Google tablets seem to fit pretty well into the space - see second image, coupled with an unlimited data plan.

/Pete[/QUOTE]

 

[FlammableFishie]

TTi TCB-900

I wish shipping this to the US wasn't so expensive... I like the look of this much better than the Cobra 18 I just bought.

 

[consalvochris]

I wish shipping this to the US wasn't so expensive... I like the look of this much better than the Cobra 18 I just bought.

It does look a lot better than the Cobra 18, but I picked up my Cobra 18 for $24 with shipping - kinda hard to spend $175 with shipping for a CB radio, I'd rather get my ham license

 

[FlammableFishie]

Yep, I got my Cobra 18 for $50 which is much cheaper than anything else that I could've stuck in the dash. So I'm happy with the purchase, but would've been much happier with the TTi

 

[consalvochris]

Here is my cb install. I used a Cobra 18, 2 ft firestik with a Gamiviti mount bolted right next to the stock antenna. The picture is misleading and the antenna does not stand that high, it's only a inch or two above the roof line. I used a am/fm-cb splitter to use the cb antenna as my stereo antenna as well. So far it seems really good, I can pick up Philly HD channels about 60 miles away. I wanted to disable the stock antenna and give the cb antenna a somewhat stock look.

 

[FlammableFishie]

Here is my cb install. I used a Cobra 18, 2 ft firestik with a Gamiviti mount bolted right next to the stock antenna. The picture is misleading and the antenna does not stand that high, it's only a inch or two above the roof line. I used a am/fm-cb splitter to use the cb antenna as my stereo antenna as well. So far it seems really good, I can pick up Philly HD channels about 60 miles away. I wanted to disable the stock antenna and give the cb antenna a somewhat stock look.

You might regret not having a 3'

 

[consalvochris]

You might regret not having a 3'

I think so too, but I'll have to find a better place to mount something longer

 

[FlammableFishie]

I think so too, but I'll have to find a better place to mount something longer

How bout on the back? http://shop.labrak.com/100-Series-1998-07-Toyota-Lexus-Antenna-Mount-LR-antenna-mount.htm

 

[consalvochris]

How bout on the back? http://shop.labrak.com/100-Series-1998-07-Toyota-Lexus-Antenna-Mount-LR-antenna-mount.htm

Yeah that would be ideal for tx/rx but imagine a 3 ft antenna basically standing on top of your roof. Even with a spring, i would destroy it every time i went through a parking garage. The best mount is on a aftermarket rear bumper IMO. I would rather buy the labrak mount for a VHF or similar antenna when I get bored of my cb. We'll see, I'm in the infant phase with vehicle communication. I'm a avionics guy in the AF and fix UHF/VHF and HF radios on C-17's but I have a job guide telling me what antenna to replace and which computer processor is bad, so when it comes to designing my own system - it's trial and error.

Never mind what i said about the labrak mount. It sits about level with where mine is mounted near the hood, but I still wouldn't want a antenna sticking over the roofline more than a few inches.

 

[FlammableFishie]

Well, if it's not above the roofline you're not going to have great reception. You optimally want 2/3 of the antenna above the roof, but that isn't realistic for most. I went with a 3' on the LabRak and others prefer 4'. They sell quick disconnects for the antennas so you don't have to constantly screw and unscrew the antenna. I would look into that if you're worried about clearance issues.

 

[LCHardriver_02]

I too am looking at the 3 foot (3') Firestik to attach on my LabRak mount, with the spring. From what my estimations, it looks to be above my Yakima cross bars only by a few inches (maybe 6"?).

FF can you take a measurement on your install as to how much yours extends above your rack?

BTW, Chris - I was Comm/Nav on the KC-10s back a few decades ago (late 80's early 90's)... my favorite job, even though the pay sucked. My son now is E/E on the KC-135 in England. Love trading stories with him. It brings back fond memories. Thank you for your service.

Jonathan

 

[consalvochris]

Thank you for your service as well. I'm sure you are very proud of your son too. E&E is a tough job, especially on almost 70 year old aircraft. It's nice to see a fellow pointy head on MUD.

 

[Rat Patrol]

Why would you pay $75.00 for an antenna mount??? That is like 1/12 of the cost of a ARB type bumper that has antenna tabs on it.

or buy this type: (comes with coax and connectors on both ends too!)
http://www.firestik.com/Catalog/MK-274R.htm

How bout on the back? http://shop.labrak.com/100-Series-1998-07-Toyota-Lexus-Antenna-Mount-LR-antenna-mount.htm

 

[FlammableFishie]

FF can you take a measurement on your install as to how much yours extends above your rack?

I just measured (sorry, was working on the truck) and it looks to be ABOUT 15 inches above the standard OEM roof rack. Now this is kind of a rough measurement, but it should be anywhere from 14-16" above, I just think it's 15.

 

[FlammableFishie]

Why would you pay $75.00 for an antenna mount??? That is like 1/12 of the cost of a ARB type bumper that has antenna tabs on it.

or buy this type: (comes with coax and connectors on both ends too!)
http://www.firestik.com/Catalog/MK-274R.htm

To have a robust mount that will never need replacing, won't bend, and is designed specifically for the uzj100. Not to mention supporting a MUD vendor.