Options for a permanent cable for a magnetic antenna mount?

I'm working on getting my amateur license and was thinking for the short term at least to just use a handheld with a magnetic roof antenna for the times when I want to use it on the road.

What I don't want is a bunch of wire all over when using the magnetic antenna so I'm wondering if there's a good way to get a wire through the back of the cab and maybe along the middle of the floor to the center console. That way I could have the wire out of the way when not in use but handy when needed. I have a camper shell on though and can't really see if there's any way to get a wire in through the back.

Another option would be to come through the firewall somewhere but not sure where to run the wire from the roof and down without it being in the way.

Anyone find a solution for something like this?

Thanks.

 

Bump. Anyone figure out a good solution?

 

Do any of these floor grommets work for you?

 

Backside of the cab behind the storage bins, there is a small grommet you can use (one on each side). Here you can see I ran my antenna wire through it. You can then run it under the carpet to the front of the truck.

 

Maybe. I had no idea all that was there. Curious. Is that a during production photo or did you strip the inside.

 

That might work too. Thanks. I'll check it out. Is that from under the truck?

 

Yeah, if you look under the truck, there is a grommet between the bed and the cab. its the perfect spot for running wires that need to go near the bed.

 

Thanks. What do I need to pull out on the inside to find it?

 

You will have to remove the drivers side rear cubby, then you can fit your hand behind the trim that covers the seat belt. The hole is right behind the panel that covers the seat belt, but you can reach it by just removing the cubby.

 

Cool. Thanks.

 

this was during sound deadening.

 

As a temporary fix I just ran mine through the rear slider and put a strip of weather stripping foam on the edge of the slider so I don't have to close it all the way to have it seal which may pinch the coax. The rest of the coax is routed under the seat and floor mat to the front cubby where my radio is.

 

I installed a weboost antenna recently and ran the wire down the A-pillar, under the hood, and through a similar rubber plug on the firewall. However, I’d been thinking that having more slack on the antenna cable would be nice in case I want to move the booster some while camping (such as to stretch the rebroadcast antenna from the cab to camper).

I may relocate the wiring to the rear like your example if that slack is needed. Thanks for the tip.

 

Sorry, one more question on this. How did you run the wire outside the truck? Is it just more or less loose running down the back of the cab or did you route it in some way to sort of hide/protect it? Thanks.

 

I ran it up to the top of the bed, there is a gap between the side rail and the front rail. Then I put the cable under the plastic trim (sitting on top of the mounting rails)

Its like 95% hidden leading all the way to the tail light.

 

Ah, your antenna is in the back. Is that ham antenna or CB? I'm still learning, but I thought for ham it sort of needs metal under it and higher is better. I was going to do a roof mount like a magnet base so I can take it off when not using it and leave the wire.

 

CB, it gets grounded to the rear part of the bed where it is metal.