Clean VHF/CB radio installs

Here you go: https://www.shapeways.com/product/EZEV47KE6/ftm-400-mount?

 

Yeah works great. Paired with my Kenwood it treats me real well

 

Classic shitty Chinese parts. We need to stop supporting this globally so we can get back to actually having sources of anything where the people who make them can afford to use them so they don’t build them like crap on purpose to rip us off.

 

How's this still working out for you?? I'm about to pull the trigger on one of these, i have the exact same components (3ft firestik, fire ring cable and HD spring) Can you share how and where you ran the wires into the cab to control the unit?

Thanks in advance!!

 

Pretty well, few issues I ran into though.
The fire ring cable is a bit too big to fit correctly in the k9000 "wire channel" so I had to dremel out the hole bigger.
Grounding is kinda a pain where I put the antenna (on the bed rail) I had to run 4 ground wires from the k9000 to the frame. I plan to run a single large 8 gauge grounding wire, but its still too long for my liking.
When its cold, the fire ring wire is not designed to be folded and unfolded by a power antenna, so I have developed a break in the shielding... It still works, but I will have to replace the cable soon.

As for how I ran the wires, I put the antenna at the forward most part of the bed rail, then I just ran the wires over the top of the bed (there is a little channel that they fit into) then down along the frame rail to a plug under the drivers seat (you can get to it without taking the seat out) then just under the carpet and under the dash.
I plan this summer to redo most of my wiring, CB, amplifier, dashcam ect. because I installed it all when it was very cold out, so its run pretty poorly. I will be running power for the antenna down the passenger side, then the coax down the center, then amps on the driver side to under the seat. All the CB wires will be run through the cab to one of the plugs behind the rear seats. I also plan to run a extra coax and power wires if I get a ham radio.

 

Thank you so much for the reply!!!

Where did you develop a break in the shielding? I looked at your video (a lot) and it looks like there's enough slack. I plan on mounting mine to my bed rack, so I'll make sure there's enough slack in the line. I'm glad you mentioned the grounding wire, I also grounded my fire ring via a wire to the bed rail, but will definitely need to run a longer and probably larger gauge ground wire. I may not even need a ground wire depending on the SWR readings I get when it gets mounted higher up on the bed rack.

Did you have to add additional wire to the unit to have enough length to run it from the bed to the cab? Did you keep the original hideous remote or did you change it?

How much material did you have to dremel out? Did you just use one of the sandpaper attachments?

Have you had any issues using it with the weight of the antenna and spring?

Thanks in advance!!!!

 

Ill get you some pictures today of where the break in the wire is and where I used the dremel.

No issues with weight of the antenna, goes up and down smooth as butter

I replaced the switch with a DPDT switch, it doesnt match the OEM switches, but its better than the switch that comes with it. I actually cooked my switch that came with it, I reversed polarity on the wires when trying to hardwire it in

No additional wire needed, the diamond antenna comes with like 20 feet of cable.

When mounting to the bed rails, keep in mind that if you have a 2nd or 3rd gen, the bed rails are not grounded, you have to run grounds straight to the frame rails. You can install a 4 gauge wire from the bedrail to the frame, I plan to do this, but I am going to be grounding it from the inside of the quarter panel so the grounding cable is hidden.

 

Success! Was able to install the 9' firering and had no clearance issues. Used a ground strap between the hood bolt and ditch light bracket to ground to the fender. SWR still gave me issues with the tuning screw installed, but once I completely removed it, I was at 1.25 on channel 1 and about 1.8 on channel 40 which is good enough for me I think. I really like the setup I have now. The head unit is hidden and I used this 4' extension cable to route everything up and over the steering column. The mic/speaker comes out along my right leg between the trim for the center console. Now I just need to find a way to mount it. For now it can fit into the center console but I'd like it mounted on the dash somewhere. Anyone have any suggestions? I wanted to use the Hondo un-holey cb clip but it looks like with their new design that clip won't work and they stopped selling it.

Also, I will touch up the paint on the bracket where I chipped it off during my messing around during installation. However, what can I do to prevent rust between the firering and the bracket where I had to scrape off paint to make a good ground? Surely that is going to rust and cause me issues soon.

 

What is that tan antenna for?

 

Repost
See thread pages 54-55 this thread.

 

I have an Icom 2730 main unit mounted under drivers seat. The head unit is remote to a Lido suction cup mount on dash (no drilling) with the head held on by magnet disks. Diamond antenna out back of cab. Seems to work fine all clean no exposed wires.

 

Nice. Someone who understands ground plane theory!

 

Thanks! That helps a lot!!!

 

I chose to mount mine like this. I got a hondo mount and then took the cb portion and added it to my existing mount. Then went from there. I like it. It keeps everything in one place.

 

So finally finished my "clean" install for my vhf. I have the brick mounted under thd driver seat, then i have a quarterwave stubby antenna that goes on the victory 4x4 hood bracket. I kinked my line though so im waiting on a new one to arrive until then though i have a mag mount installed. But heres some pictures of my dash. Mic goes next to my ect button when im using it, and the head unit cable slides back behind the trim to where just the rj45 shows. Hope you guys like.

 

Just a simple GMRS radio, Midland MX275, tucked in the cubby. Power is tapped into the power socket above. Antenna wire runs under the console, under the passenger seat and out the rear right door to the roof. I'm just using the included magnetic base antenna for now. I might upgrade to Midland's optional 6DB antenna later on if needed. RAM mounts are on a Tech Deck.

 

Cool set up.
How do you like that radio thus far? Have you used any other GMRS radios prior to that one? If so, how does it stack up?
Sorry for bunch of questions, I like the form factor of this radio, but I'm curious about its 15W max power.

 

I have tested for power and weatherband. I haven't tried it yet with talking to someone else. A couple buddies bought the Midland MX400. We'll try them out in the next couple of weeks. All I have used before now is cheap handheld units. This Midland unit will be useful when venturing into the North Maine Woods with the lads... That's Canada beyond in the distance.

 

What center console organizer is that? I'm thinking about doing a Cobra C75WXST and was planning on having it reside in the center console and just pull it out when I'm wheeling. Having it divided like that would keep things more organized if I do go that route.