Clean VHF/CB radio installs

That is a 3 gen. 2020 TRD Pro with manual transmission. Different cubby than auto's. Power is supplied by the 12V port in photo. No dimmer light wired or required for my taste. My antenna is inside the back window with coax routed under center console and under back seat. Changing to a roof mount in a few days. Got a COMPACtenna SCAN-III to try out. Coax will be routed through my DAI which should be a first for any Tacoma!

 

Thanks. I like the dimmer, so I'll try to figure out where to hook into that. Did you take the cubby out at any point? I'm curious as to how many other parts of console or dash panels might need to be removed. I have to ask what a DAI is?

Thanks for the answers. The SDS are great scanners. I only wish that they had designed it with a remote head like most of the ham radios have these days. Even in my Tundra, it was a tight fit.

 

Which NMO cable did you use for your mount? I have the Laird and I am worried about water intrusion on the underside of the mount over time. I had another thick-mount NMO cable before purchasing the Laird and drilled out the VT3CB-BARE mount to accommodate it since it had a bigger shaft. Now the Laird fits very loose in the mount until I tighten down the top ring.

 

I used a Laird Technologies Part #: MABTO.

 

Water intrusion/corrosion has always been a long term problem in my case. I had my 2006 for 13 years and replaced the cable once in that time. Mine was fairly well protected, so your experience might be different.

There are two types of NMO mount as you found out. The original is the 3/4" mount developed in the mid 1970s or so. The 3/8" mount used to come with lower loss coax and was mostly used for cell phones (when they were permanently mounted) and 800 trunking systems. Those are much easier to mount are usually better sealed, but do cost more. If I can find one for my new Tacoma, I plan to use that for the permanent mount.

Does the VT3CB-BARE mount require the thick roof mount or will a regular thickness mount fit?

 

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

 

That definitely wants the 3/8" cable, the 3/4" would be a PITA.

BTW, I don't know if it still applies with new vehicles, but back when I was doing work that occasionally required removing the hood, I was was taught to scribe a line around the hinge before loosening bolts. That way it was easier to line everything back up without having to do a lot of adjusting.

When the hood is opened, does the antenna tend to whack the windshield or any part of the truck?

 

I used the version on the Laird that already had the cable attached. (https://www.theantennafarm.com/catalog/laird-technologies-mabt8-1154) It's on my to-do list to take the mount back off and wrap where the cable connects with "X-Treme Tape" as preventative maintenance.

It's a thick mount and they reference two different type thick mounts that work in that location. The original thick mount I purchased extended too far below the mount and would hit the window cowl. No problems after switching to the Laird NMO thick mount.

 

No. Plenty of clearance on mine.

 

Thanks again. I'm trying to figure out as much as possible in advance to make the install easier. That said, how did you route the antenna cable? Even if I go with a fender mount instead of the hood mount, I expect that the routing will essentially be the same other than having to make sure the cable doesn't bind or get pinched by the hood.

 

I'll try to get some pictures. Later today hopefully.

 

Thanks. I'll be interested in your impressions of the COMPACtenna too. I've been user Hustler Mxx scanner antennas for years now. Inexpensive and better than any other antenna I've ever used including the Austin Spectra.

 

What's the details on that mic hanger? I like that.

 

Very nice job mounting the control head.

 

Ill be installing this

$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 under the passenger seat. I think its awesome that the GMRS mic uses cat5e as the cable. The radio box is just the brains, and all of the buttons are on the mic.

I plan on using this RJ45 by drilling a small hole in my dash.

$14 CERRXIAN RJ45 Male to Female LAN Ethernet Network Cat 5e Panel Mount Cable (Black)(2m)

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01MRZAN3...olid=2L5LSV7JABSIO&psc=1&ref_=lv_ov_lig_dp_it

I also have a

$25 TRAM 140MHz-170MHz + 430MHz-470MHz Dual Band NMO Antenna (1181)

Tram antenna that I will be mounting on my Prinsu on the passenger side. Hopefully all the wires will be hidden. There are some grommets on the passenger firewall and under the passenger seat that I will use to get into the engine bay and out of the cab.

I will be selling the antenna that came with the Midland radio.

 

I don't know anything about the COMPACtenna. Can't help you there.

Close up hood closed:


Close up hood open:


Under hood:


I ran my coax in through the A/C grommet on the passenger's side:


Ya' hardly notice the antenna:

 

Sorry, it's Mercedes 1988 getting the antenna. Thanks for the pictures they should be very helpful.

 

Check post #1412 - I ran mine thru the condenser hose outlet and and plenty of room to get the PL-259 with out cutting and attaching a new one.

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/clean-vhf-cb-radio-installs.415584/page-71#post-22322316

 

Thanks. I'll take a look once I have the truck in my driveway.Which should be tomorrow! The scanner uses a BNC, so it's even smaller than the

$38 PL259 USA Made PL-259 Improved Double Shielded RG-58u for FireStik Antenna K-8A 18-Foot Single CB/Ham Coax Cable

PL259. I'll still probably put that on after I run the cable. I've got the tools and know how to do BNCs. At this point I'm planning to use the hood hinge mount as it's pretty inconspicuous, especially if I remove the antenna or go to a shorter one from time to time.

I've started to write up a list of parts for the new installs. Panavise dash mount for the cell phone. I might reuse my Akron gooseneck mount that bolts to a seat bolt for the ham radio control head. Then I just have to figure out the details of the scanner installation.

All of you guys have been a lot of help with ideas, product suggestions, and pictures.

My wife told me to spend as much as I want on accessories. If she only knew.

The ham radio, when I get to that, has PL259. I plan to continue with a mag mount on the roof. It's easier to remove when I have to park in a garage.

 

Interested in this project.
I figure if I get around to doing a similar set up, I'll use a switch blank for the RJ45 plug.