Clean VHF/CB radio installs

I was having some troubles with the cat5 cable I used so I wanted to pop it out and replace it with another one I had. That went nowhere.

this summer I’m going to set up a fuse block and probably run a new antenna cable, give it the best chance of being good. If that works then I might order another pass through block and give it a whirl but if not then I’m pulling everything and selling it all in one to someone else but this will work as is for my road trip in a few weeks. If it’s radio silence/useless there, I won’t even bother messing with the setup. Even some of the big events are going to gmrs, and “legally” I can get 1-22 on an FRS HT no license needed and would be plenty of power for wheeling at 2 watts. “Legally” I can’t use my baofeng for TX on those channels. (I also need my gmrs license too, that I will probably actually do and then just get a gmrs HT for legality reasons)

mag antenna for my baofeng is coming in supposedly today.

 

On the note of replacing your antenna wire. I ordered this

$9 Superbat SO 239 Connectors SO239 UHF Female Jack RF Coax Connector 4 Hole Flange Chassis Mount Solder Straight for LMR-400 Coaxial Cable 2Pcs

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07MNM8GS...&pd_rd_r=2cc50f9d-f362-4a30-8aac-bf229767aa02
Using these I am going to put a fitting inside the bed, and put one under the hood. That way when the weather destroys the cable that is outside the truck, I dont need to rip the inside of the truck apart to replace the whole thing. I can just cut down the new wire, put a new end on it and plug it in. Going to shrink wrap the soldered side, then just get a rubber cap for the other side.

 

Just came across this thread. Here is my install of a Midland MXT 275 with the control box hidden, magnetic mic and RJ45 coupler on a 3TPAM.

Radio set up --
https://youtu.be/8K2gd-WbyzE

Antenna re-route --
https://youtu.be/D7DotMlaXaQ

 

Use good coax, it lasts years in service on mountain tops.

 

Ive gone through 3 firestik wires in 2 years. below zero temps, salt, and snow are not kind to my cables. Usually the failure is from them freezing, then flexing a bit causing the insulation to crack.

 

That’s really good to know. I will likely replace this one with the ghost antenna using Midland’s NMO mount into a bracket attached to my ditch lights if those ever get here. But the cord will still be too long so I can take the long path under the carpet like you said. Thanks!

 

I traced the aluminum Victory antenna mount onto a template here if you'd like something quick and dirty for a mount (print on 8-1/2 x 11 at actual size). I used a kick bar for flooring from HD to make the bracket. It's steel so the magnet will stick, and it sits below the hood for a cleaner look.



Also, you might consider having extra wire at the base, so you could temporarily mount it up on the cab if you'd like a better signal.

 

This is a great idea. I actually found an old IKEA wrench that I was thinking of using. It has a small hole in it already and then a bent hex head. But is otherwise a flat piece of steel that magnetizes perfectly. (I have a giant box of IKEA stuff. I even used couch parts to mount my X-Bulls which I made a separate post about if you go looking for it). I was thinking of cutting the hex head off and just using it for the mount purpose, to avoid buying all new everything.

The slack wire idea is really good because right now it's perfectly tight but it wouldn't at all be difficult to give myself two extra feet that could coil up in the hinge compartment for this use. I'd need to slacken it up for the mount anyway. I might just need to redo the zip ties, but that's easy.

I'm definitely all about modular design vs. buying new things that do the same or similar thing. You might've just saved me $65 in duplicate parts. I've already go the ditch light kit on order from CaliRaised, I'm just hanging out waiting.

Thanks for the suggestion!

 

No problem! Keep us posted on the ikea hack progress! By the way, how's the speaker on the unit? Is it loud enough? I have the same one, but it's sitting with a gazillion other impulse mods I've yet to get to. Love that I can call this a hobby, so my wife doesn't think I'm crazy. lol

 

Haha. I haven’t gotten to check anything live except the weather channel and it’s super loud. I set it to handset + base. Vol 3 was plenty loud. But I haven’t traveled with another person yet so that might change based on signal and voice volume. The button beep is so loud I had to turn it off. So I think CaliRaised heard us because I got the shipping notice today. I’m traveling for family so when I get home it’ll all be there! Yay!

 

https://streamable.com/ya0akn

Any ideas what’s causing this?

1. power is coming in and grounded via a hacked together trailer brake controller harness.
   
2. 3’ fire stick mounted off the back of the bed using Cali raised mount
3. SWR around 1.5
4. Cmx760
5. Happens on other channels too
6. Not using the cat5 extension the mic cord is direct to the brain
7. Truck was off, happens when it’s on
8. rx is clean and clear, tx has this
9. Was able to get a good radio check on 19 with this happening

I know this is a CB and doesn’t belong here but seemed like this might be the best resources, other threads seem dead. Not super worried since I know I’m not doing the best practice in a few spots (should find a short run to ground and should direct wire to battery), and rx is clean and I don’t really plan to tx much on my trip on cb.

 

Based on comments seen is some radio forums, i recommend connecting the ground directly to the vehicle and try it with say a magnetic mount CB antenna and see if problem persist. There were three common areas for this problem. First the ground, second the antenna and finally unfortunately the radio was bad.

 

Not 100% sure what’s going on there, but how hacked is the power? Maybe just run one single wire for power with an inline fuse to battery. Where did you get your SWR reading from? The CB itself or and actual SWR meter? If it’s CB SWR meter, use a real meter. They work much much better! Might have to run another ground too. Is your wire all coiled up? They should never be coiled. Run it around the cab, and don’t cut them shorter. They are that length for a reason. Hopefully I helped you somewhat.

 

it’s not a mag mount antenna but I did check for ground. I used an SWR meter not one on the radio. That said I don’t think the

$142 cmx760 bearcat off road series compact mobile CB radio, 40-channel operation, ultra-compact for easy mounting, large 7-color backlit LCD display on mic with built-in speaker mic, black

cmx760 has one.

I used a trailer brake harness and cut off the end and used butt connectors for radio power for 12v and ground.

I am assuming it’s related to my power source - that’s my guess and just was curious if others had seen it before with more experience than me and could just say it straight away.

antenna cable isn’t cooled up it’s 20ft length and is pretty much a slack inch or two at the radio.

over the summer when it’s not 12 degrees out and I don’t hate working outside I’ll rewire it and I’ll update y’all if that fixes it.

just drove a bit on the highways today rx is clean so no big deal.

 

I was suggesting you try a different antenna such as a mag mount if you have access to one. The radio’s ground may be the issue. Suggest you research on www.radioreference.com.

 

After reading 93 pages of posts, I'm convinced of 2 things. You guys are a wealth of knowledge, and my brain is about to explode from confusion. Help a girl out and give me some pointers, please (said in my best pleading voice, of course). I just ordered the President Bill cb and am thinking of putting it in that useless cubby to the left of the steering wheel. I realize I'll have to modify the cubby but it looks like there's room. Any thoughts as to why this might not be a good idea? Also, I really like the Victory 4x4 antenna mount, but it seems the NMO antennas are mostly for Ham? I did find an adapter that goes from NMO to 3/8 to accept a spring which in turn takes a firestick. Too much, you think? My expectation of communication is only for a mile or two and I'd like to go more for a classy look, if possible. I don't like the roof magnets as the exposed wire would drive me crazy.

 

I recently installed a

$142 Uniden CMX760 Bearcat Off Road Series Compact Mobile CB Radio, 40-Channel Operation, Ultra-Compact for Easy Mounting, Large 7-Color Backlit LCD Display on Mic with Built-in Speaker Mic, Black

Uniden CMX760 Bearcat CB since CB is required for Cruise Moab. The CMX 760 has a small body for power and antenna connections that is easily hidden and all the controls/speaker are integrated into the mic. Given the limited mounting space in the 3rd Gen this proved to be one of the cleanest option I could find aside from a hand held. Went with a 3’ firestik antenna mounted to the rear of the bed rack. Ohm’d out the coax and mount and everything checked out.

SWR tuning specs for future reference:
Chan__Value
1______1.5
20_____1.1
40_____1.8

I probably could have gotten lower SWR across the board by using a 4’ antenna but then would have it catching on every trail limb out here. Time will tell if I keep the 3’ or swap it out after I get some real usage with it.

 

So went out this weekend with a friend. She used one of my Midland GXT walkies and I had the

$157 MXT275 MicroMobile GMRS Radio - 15 watts Two-Way Radio with Integrated Control Microphone - Overland Caravanning Tractors - Detachable External Magnetic Mount Antenna - 8 Repeater Channels

MXT275. The volume was lower when she talked than the weather guy. But it was also crystal clear. I could hear here OK when it was down by my leg on the holster at Vol. 8 and I could hear her great when the mic/speaker was either in my lap or in the console square change box (it actually amplified it like when you stick your phone in a bowl at the beach). And then of course if the mic was still in my hand, I could hear her more than fine. This was all going down the highway at 75 so with lots of road noise and all that. And like I said I turned on the base and the mic speaker which sync perfectly, I can't even tell they're both on. When we were at the state park or driving in the city it was perfect without all the road noise. I've been thinking a lot about adding some sound dampening to my truck anyway because it's hard to hear my wife when we're on road trips, so I think that would assist. A speaker on the ceiling would probably be like crazy good (and cheaper but uglier) but likely unnecessary. That seems like it's meant more for farm equipment that's too loud.

I did have a weird issue I'm researching though, whenever the truck was on and I opened up the car doors, the static suddenly came out of the speakers like mad. Then when the doors closed, it was quiet again. Has anyone else seen this?

 

It sounds like your power circuit is tied into the interior/cabin lights. Try turning the overhead lights on and see if it does the same thing.