Clean VHF/CB radio installs

Another rookie question- it stated best place was to wire straight to battery- red to red, black to black?

or should black be grounded somewhere?

 

I ran my power for my CB to a switched add a fuse in the fuse box under the dash. I used the 12v cigarette lighter fuse. Then I grounded it to the fuse box bolt.

 

Ran my power side to a battery connection behind a 50 amp breaker, in line fuse.

Grounded black wire (negative) to the body. Strapped the mounting bracket via a braided ground strap to another bolt into the body.

Overkill? Perhaps, but history has taught me, many noise or intermittent issues steam from a lousy ground connection.

 

I read through most of this thread and figured out how I wanted to mount my radio. Here it is.

Kenwood TM-D710G mounted under the passenger seat
Diamond NR770 on a CBI offroad antenna bracket near the passenger A-pillar
The faceplate is attached to the dash with a Track Mount from Expedition Essentials
Power comes from a fuze box mounted on a power tray behind the main fuze box

All the cables run under the inboard seat rail. Power, coax, and faceplate data cables run under the shifter cover molding and come out at the front of the footwell. The faceplate data goes up over the radio and out a hole in the radio molding. Power and coax are routed through the A/C drain hose grommet. The handmic comes up between the seat and center console, to be stored in the console or cupholder. A small external speaker is in the rear seat cupholders.

 

Awesome setup! I love my Icom 2730 but I do dream of that Kenwood. On the antenna mount, is there any issue with opening the hood?

 

No issue opening the hood. The mount uses the hood hinge bolts so it leans back with the hood, but the antenna doesn't touch the windshield with the hood lifted or anything.

 

Nice and clean! But how did you mount the radio bracket to the seat? i would like to do the same.. Thank you,

 

In my previous truck when I had my 2730 mounted under a seat I just zip-tied the mobile bracket to some support brackets under the seat, then screwed in the body to the mount. Zip ties work great!!

 

That's a great idea, and easy.. I will try that.. Thank you Sir,

 

I mounted my radio and aux speaker to a section of plexi, then I hang it upside down cable tied to the bottom of the seat;

 

I like this. I have this same radio double sided taped on the dash. I know what I'm doing this weekend...

 

I’m up and running. I think, the weather comes in perfect, does that mean I’m ok? I came out here on the highway and am running scan. There are actually almost no trucks.

So my question is if I’m picking up the weather very clear, am I good? I adjusted my fire stick at 1,19,40 and I’m all in range on the meter.

Thanks.

 

Looking to add a fuse to power outlet #2 and I have a couple of questions. I do not want constant power and want power to be cut when truck is off. Looking to power a

$165 midland mxt275 micromobile GMRS radio - 15 watts two-way radio with integrated control microphone - overland caravanning tractors - detachable external magnetic mount antenna - 8 repeater channels

midland mxt275.

1) confirming power outlet 2 is the one inside the center console?

2) Any issues adding a fuse to this?

 

Got a nice little radio that I was able to fit just above the mirror. Tight fit, but still able to adjust mirror where I need it. Used the small hole behind the rear drivers cubby to route a cable back to an antenna mount on my back rack.

 

Whats going on just wanted to show my setup i think its a clean setup it is a kenwood tk-790h i got everything installed from a place called Wise Electronics in Brawley Ca. I use it mostly for Baja races and trips and am able to switch between indoor speaker and outdoor!

 

Had this remote speaker sitting in cup holder for the past year trying to figure out where to mount it. Finally clipped it up here. Not ideal but seems ok for now. Better than the cup holder.

 

Interesting speaker location. Ever kick it?

 

I have a Victory 4x4 VT3CB-BARE antenna mount with a 1/4 wave length 2 meter antenna. It works great. Most people will never notice it.




I highly recommend it. Here's a link:

https://www.victory4x4.com/product/VT3CB-BARE.html

 

No never kicked it! Ive had it for around 2 years looks like there isnt any shoe prints it

 

Same. Works great and almost unnoticeable. Actually, I use the same mount but a different antenna. I’m using a modified commercial antenna and installed a switch so I can switch between either my yeasu ham rig or my Icom commercial rig.