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Clean VHF/CB radio installs

Discussion in '3rd Gen. Tacomas (2016-2023)' started by FoleySwampPlotts, Feb 10, 2016.

  1. Nov 1, 2018 at 9:49 AM
    #801
    5nahalf

    5nahalf I build dumb things

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    Erik
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    Got my antenna cable and radio today, no antenna yet though.

    But, the antenna cable fits perfectly into the holes that are in the mount already! Yay, no more drilling the super thick metal.
     
    m603holden likes this.
  2. Nov 1, 2018 at 7:59 PM
    #802
    Cudgel

    Cudgel “Tonka”

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    ICON8 Lift -285s. upTOPoverland rack.
    91ww4%2B8QAUL._SX679_.jpg
    Ok. I’m about to take the plunge on this combo scanner/CB, as I’m a volunteer FF and because want to upgrade my CB to something with lights on it (even though my 1974 unit still works.)
    I get it this unit is a partial trade off, but it has way more features than I need in the truck so I’m ok with the trade offs of named channels recently incorporated in high end scanners.

    Anyone running this rig?
    And/or does anyone know if it preserves channel favorite lists and/or "avoids" after power cycled. (Hard question to find).

    Initially I'm going to use loaded mag-mounts until I figure out how to make my garage taller for a firestik.

    Thanks
     
    Last edited: Nov 2, 2018
    House Forsaken likes this.
  3. Nov 3, 2018 at 10:00 PM
    #803
    5nahalf

    5nahalf I build dumb things

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    Got my 3 foot fire stick yesterday. So glad I went 3 foot instead of the 4 foot I originally was looking at. Perfect fit.

    [​IMG]
     
    House Forsaken and Cudgel like this.
  4. Nov 4, 2018 at 7:06 AM
    #804
    Mtn Mike

    Mtn Mike Well-Known Member

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    Clean, I don't know, but highly functional and reliable. The whole instillation only required drilling two small holes in the plastic trim. Everything else fit using existing the holes and grommets. This radio doens't have a detachable face plate so it had to be mounted in an accessible position.

    It's not as sexy as some of the newer ham radios out there, but this radio/antenna combo has been mounted in three different trucks over the last 10 years and continues to work well:

    Radio: Icom F-5021 commercial VHF radio
    Antenna: Larson NMO 2/70 whip
    External Speaker: Motorola - 4018

    1019180854a.jpg


    1019180854.jpg


    1019180853_HDR.jpg .
     
    medic2230, 5nahalf and m603holden like this.
  5. Nov 4, 2018 at 3:31 PM
    #805
    vssman

    vssman Rocket Engineer

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    What antenna mount is that?
     
  6. Nov 4, 2018 at 5:23 PM
    #806
    Mtn Mike

    Mtn Mike Well-Known Member

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    It's a COMET-NCG CVANTPF from Ham Radio Outlet. Interestingly it's made to fit GM trucks but with some drilling and bending I got the bracket to mount using a factory hole in my Taco (didn't have to mess with the truck sheet metal). Also, interestingly, although the product info said it's an NMO size hole, it wasn't. I had to drill it out to make my NMO mount fit into it. It's working fine now but it was kind of a PITA to install.

    https://www.hamradio.com/detail.cfm?pid=H0-013677
     
    vssman[QUOTED] likes this.
  7. Nov 4, 2018 at 5:58 PM
    #807
    Cudgel

    Cudgel “Tonka”

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    ICON8 Lift -285s. upTOPoverland rack.
    Nice! How much stick up above the cab roof? I’ve been looking at 3’s but can’t get over bigger is better in my head.
     
  8. Nov 4, 2018 at 10:15 PM
    #808
    Brake Weight

    Brake Weight But it hasn't rained in weeks...I'll make it.

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    Weld on sliders, fiberglass shell, 12k winch in an Elite Offroad bumper, front Aussie Lunchbox
    Here’s a dash mounted 980. It needed a little trimming but it fits well out of the way.
    C1EF2FBF-135F-495E-A5F4-01AB0DDC802F.jpg


    FireStiks are garbage. Get a Wislson Trucker 3000 or 5000 and never look back. Mounting right next to the cab will be poor performance and it’ll also slap the cab all the time.
     
    TomTwo and Cudgel like this.
  9. Nov 5, 2018 at 7:47 AM
    #809
    Cudgel

    Cudgel “Tonka”

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    ICON8 Lift -285s. upTOPoverland rack.
    Oh, to Coil COAX or not to coil...

    Ok I'm sure this will engage the RF gurus lurking...I have a ground plane 1/4 wavelength tuned CB antenna with 18' of 50 ohm coax per spec.
    I only need about 1/2 the coax (9') to reach my unit. I am hesitant to cut and solder just yet as it works and, well you know, if it aint broke don't fix it.
    Who has an opinion:
    1. Should I bundle and zip it loosely in 24" zig zags with a 2" radial u-turn bend much like ribbon candy?
    2. Should I do ~three 8" coils?
    3. Should I stuff it under the rear seat/behind (much like the lures at the bottom of my tackle box (loosely random)) and hope to hell I never have to rummage around for lost coins/tools there some day?
     
  10. Nov 5, 2018 at 8:19 AM
    #810
    Brake Weight

    Brake Weight But it hasn't rained in weeks...I'll make it.

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    Weld on sliders, fiberglass shell, 12k winch in an Elite Offroad bumper, front Aussie Lunchbox
    I’d cut it to fit if you are satisfied with the antenna location. Voodoo and truck stop black magic say you need 18’ for 11meter.


    I run a fiberglass topper so the interference isn’t near as bad as next to the metal cab. See how the base is high and the antenna is above the roof by a good half length. This is as good or better than the 102” whip I ran for a few months. Cleaner and less conspicuous as well.
    EE7429B0-9BC3-4C50-BE57-6A1F1CA2942B.jpg
     
    Last edited: Nov 5, 2018
  11. Nov 5, 2018 at 9:10 AM
    #811
    foy1der

    foy1der Well-Known Member

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    If it you know it works and you like the way its set up, do it right. Grow a pair and cut the coax to the right length. Coiling is going to add inductance to the system and any benefit that might have is pure BS. Laying the coax down in ribbons is just silly, I can't see it causing problems, but come on, just do it right.
     
    Cudgel[QUOTED] and m603holden like this.
  12. Nov 5, 2018 at 9:55 AM
    #812
    Cudgel

    Cudgel “Tonka”

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    ICON8 Lift -285s. upTOPoverland rack.
    Thanks for the dope-slap.
     
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  13. Nov 5, 2018 at 11:00 AM
    #813
    Gunshot-6A

    Gunshot-6A Prime Beef

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    I did the soldering on my ham connection off a cheap soldering iron, youtube, and how to use a soldering iron lessons from my dad like 15 years ago. You'll do great.
     
  14. Nov 5, 2018 at 11:03 AM
    #814
    m603holden

    m603holden @Koditten Pirate Radio member #063

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    Use the cut coax section for practice with soldering.
     
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  15. Nov 5, 2018 at 12:08 PM
    #815
    Brake Weight

    Brake Weight But it hasn't rained in weeks...I'll make it.

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    You can solder the coax connections with a blow torch almost. Super easy to do. Make a jumper with a section and you can keep a meter inline if you wanted to do such.
     
  16. Nov 5, 2018 at 1:04 PM
    #816
    Cudgel

    Cudgel “Tonka”

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    ICON8 Lift -285s. upTOPoverland rack.
    I’m good. Was more lazy than unskilled. I have the back seat, console and trim rugs in a heap in my garage. Will post it all up when I’m done!
     
  17. Nov 5, 2018 at 2:18 PM
    #817
    Brake Weight

    Brake Weight But it hasn't rained in weeks...I'll make it.

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    Weld on sliders, fiberglass shell, 12k winch in an Elite Offroad bumper, front Aussie Lunchbox
    Damn. Never noticed this was a 3rd gen thread. LOL. Wondered why I had never posted in it before. Later.
     
  18. Nov 5, 2018 at 5:32 PM
    #818
    Cudgel

    Cudgel “Tonka”

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    ICON8 Lift -285s. upTOPoverland rack.
    Ok, hope I don't usurp the thread but started my mounts today...will take a few days for more parts. I'm going for nothing showing. Beartracker 885 + remote amplified speaker and PA. Got it all laid out, got the console apart and the power line in. Next few nights I'll do the two antennas and the speakers. While I'm at it I'm throwing in a rear seat dual USB port. When done I'll rewrite it all in the build thread, including the wiring diagram.

    Console mount so far:IMG_6236.jpg
     
  19. Nov 6, 2018 at 6:06 AM
    #819
    m603holden

    m603holden @Koditten Pirate Radio member #063

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    I'll join you on this adventure. I need to re-route my coax and leads, and finally install my extension kit.
     
    Cudgel[QUOTED] likes this.
  20. Nov 6, 2018 at 7:20 PM
    #820
    Cudgel

    Cudgel “Tonka”

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    ICON8 Lift -285s. upTOPoverland rack.
    FF2A5842-00C7-46BF-BC8D-593DD36F38FB.jpg Night two: mounted and tested - it all works, the antennas and all connections. The scanner has a gps antenna I tried hiding on top of the radio head behind the shroud but the signal was flaky. Will tuck it up in the corner of windshield to get line to sky.
    Tomorrow I put in all the new trims around the scanner/CB and wire up the external speaker and PA horn.
     
    foy1der and m603holden like this.

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