Clean VHF/CB radio installs

Thanks for sharing! Could you also share info on that beefy NMO mount?

 

I've been liking mine a lot. It has performed better than I expected.

 

It's just a standard NMO mount, I think it's a Larson. I did add a large sheet metal "washer" below the NMO in an attempt to make it a little stronger, I made it using a 4" hole saw. I have no idea if it does anything.

 

Where did you get that mount around (or replacement 3rd brake light?) And that antenna?

 

@MESO makes (limited runs currently) these bad boys.

https://mesocustoms.com/collections/all/products/tacoma-3rd-gen-3rd-brake-light

 

Meso Customs:

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/super-ultimate-3rd-brake-light-build.522181/

 

For beefy NMO mounts, check out Breedlove machine shop. I was running #503 on my previous vehicle, but installed the #505 on my Tacoma, only because I am running a cr8900 antenna. For a typical (< 20") dual band antenna, stick with the #503.

https://www.breedlovemounts.com/nmo-mounts.html

 

Thanks for the link and info This time around I'll save it in favorites!

 

FTM-400XDR installed with Comet SBB-1 on a MESO brake light.

 

Got any more pictures of how the unit is mounted?

 

MAGIC.

...I mean magnets.

 

Ha! thats great, I never would of even though about using magnets to hold something like that on.

 

It lets me quickly remove it and put it in the glovebox if I want. They are strong niodymium magnets so it doesn't move while mounted and it would have otherwise been difficult to get it this flush.

 

That looks like a 1/4 wave on a plastic mount. Did you ground the NMO to the chassis? Did you check the SWR?

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-2hAgkfaENU&feature=youtu.be&t=125
Just magnets

 

Any issues seeing while driving?

 

It's grounded. It has been performing better than I expected, I have an SWR meter on the way. One thing I didn't think about before installing is the RFI from those LEDs in the brake/cargo light. I'm going to have to try some ferrite chokes.

The other issue I'm having now is that I just bought a MLS-200-M10 external speaker and even with the stereo>mono adapter I'm getting no audio now from Sub (B) Band.

It's not the optimal position if you're constantly needing to see the screen while driving but I can see it with a slight tilt of the head.

 

Is this an issue only when the lights are on? Bad? Still haven't finished wiring up my GMRS radio, hoping I won't have to take the light back off to install chokes...

 

It's whenever the lights are on. If I hit the brakes or turn on the cargo lights there is some serious RFI on a wide range of frequencies.

 

I had the same issue with my install, but I was not any where near the brake lights. Never figured out what was causing it, but it seemed to come from the electric brake system as it would happen when I apply the breaks, then go away after I stopped.