Clean VHF/CB radio installs

I have a base truck. They came in the holes where everyone else has switches! That said, they should be available as a part order from the dealer.

 

Awesome, good thinking. Thanks man!

 

Enjoying this thread taking me back to my CB/SSB base station and mobile days in the late 70's in high school and the early 80's while in the Navy! Real Smokey and the Bandit shit "good buddy"!

 

Finally got around to installing my CB today. Ran the cable from the back, through the drain hole and into the cab behind the plastic storage compartments. It took a while to make it look good but I'm pretty happy with how it turned out

 

I just passed my tech exam this weekend and installed this FTM-100.


I went with a Comet RS-730 mount on the hood with a Surmen antenna.


I mounted the main body in the center console with some heavy duty Velcro.

 

Looks good man. Got any pictures of the truck with the antenna? Where does your mic hide?

 

Thanks!

Here is a pic of the antenna, I have it angled back to get in and out of the garage without issues. Since I can't TX yet, so I am not sure how it will impact performance. At the moment my mic is in the cup holder, I am planning on running an extension similar to what @GPLarge has.

Ill try to get a better pic in the sunlight tomorrow.

 

Awesome man, looks good! I might mount mine up there once I get my licence squared away.

 

Looking good, I'm taking my tech exam next weekend. Not sure what mobile ham rig to install yet, is that face easily detachable?

 

The face is easily detachable from both the body and mount. The mount uses double sided tape and the face plate has one screw holding it to the mount. The FTM-100 was recommend to me by the local ham radio supply store, over the 8900 I had originally picked out. I didn't realize that the 8900 only supported 6 and 10m on FM.

 

Selling my mobile and HT HAM -

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/fs-icom-ham-mobile-and-kenwood-ham-portable-ht-rigs.487035/

and NMO antenna base -

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/fs-cali-raised-leds-nib-and-cb-ham-antenna-mount.486874/

 

I'm thinking about adding a CB to my 3rd gen for overlanding communications, though I want a clean looking install....want to see options for set-ups.

Post pix of your head unit and antenna locations!

 

There's numerous threads with this info.

HERE is a place to start.

 

4ft Firestick Bell Tuned

$65 pro520xl pro series 40-channel CB radio. compact design. ANL switch and PA/CB switch. 7 watts of audio output and instant emergency channel 9. - black

pro520xl w/talk back and Palomar SL41

 

Can you still use your cup holders?

 

yeah, a regular cup would fit, but not a big yeti cup or something. I DID have to cut out some of the back of cubby to allow the connections to push back into the holes.

 

Over the years and many, many trips I have learned that having a permanently attached communication system is not the best idea. Having a easy to detach CB/HAM comes in handy when you need to get out to help direct people over obstacles or walk out a bit to see the obstacles.

With that in mind I have chosen this for my CB:

Midland 75-822 40 Channel CB-Way Radio

$90 Midland 75-822 Handheld CB Radio & Mobile CB Radio – Walkie Talkie with 40 Channels, NOAA Weather Alerts, Long Range, Compatible with CB Antennas

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00000K2YR

It gives me the option to attach an external antenna as I show in the photo below as well as as battery pack and small antenna if I need to get out the car. Once you use an SWR tuner and set it up properly it works great.


and for HAM we use the Baofengs with or without external antenna and car charger adapter. and we love them.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00HX03AMA

 

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/clean-vhf-cb-radio-installs.415584/page-11#post-14953214