Clean VHF/CB radio installs

I have this mounted to a ditch light, no additional grounding, and can hit a repeater 10-15 miles away in a suburban environment. Good enough for me.

 

You are correct. You'll need a ground plane for the roof. They used to be commonly available, but I haven't seen one in a while. Essentially it's a copper or aluminum foil that is attached to the bottom side of the roof.

 

I have put antennas in the top of the cab on fiberglass trucks by epoxying an 18" square of copper mesh on the bottom side of the fiberglass. I then drilled a hole through the fiberglass and mesh to mount the NMO. A piece of sheet metal should work just as well.

 

That's pretty good. Theoretical LOS max transmission distance for UHF is 4-6 miles.

 

I'm not sure I follow. Both expose bare metal. Why exactly does sheer stress from a punch induce further corrosion?

 

I wasn't aware of that. I plotted from my house to the flagship, and it's 32 miles. I can rx on my handhelds at that distance, but can't tx clearly.

 

There are a few factors involved such as antenna height. Google around and you can find LOS calculators.

 

Thank you...and what mount is that?

 

For a fiberglass topper, use a half wave antenna. Doesn't need a ground plane.

 

Dang - that’s clean. Nice.

I am looking at doing sort of the same thing but maybe just GMRS or a VHF UHF dual band instead. + Adding some lights up there. Thinking about taking off the ditch lights and putting them on the roof rack instead. Waiting to have the roof rack for a while and make sure it’s something I want to keep long term though.

What kind of range do you get with these antennas?

PS @5nahalf too

I used that when I mounted my CB back a year ago or so for a road trip. Cool idea, and it was nice, but I had to take it out for some reason - I think I needed to replace the source cable.

That thing does NOT like to be removed. If you need to get to the back, you’re taking the whole center stack piece out. Otherwise, it’s not going to survive being removed. Mine…unfortunately did not survive being removed. I was setting mine up for a CB

$155 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.

Great thing, but just know that it’s kind of a cheapo build and not meant to be taken back out easily.

 

I hit a GMRS repeter at 15 miles with just a little static. I'm happy with it for my needs.

 

Good to know, thanks. Hopefully, I won't ever have to remove it...and if I do.. it's because I'm taking the system out of the truck lol.

 

To be fair, getting at it from the back isn’t the end of the world should you need to. Not the end of the world. but, if you ever do need to replace the source cable, you’re going to need to come in from the back

 

Did you have the 3d print one or the molded one? Ive had both and the 3d print want got destroyed on removal. I have not tried to take out the molded one though.

 

Installed Icom f5023H, with a 36” antenna whip . Anybody else running the ic f5923h ? Cheap , but worthy, does the trick well .

 

If you had the 6023H you could have had 70 CM and GMRS freqs. set up in different banks.

 

What is the device with the large screen? Is that remote head for the Icom?

 

No it’s a Garmin overlander , I have it hooked up to my Garmin PowerSwitch. It keeps the inside clean . Beside I have nowhere to put any rocker switches. All used up !

 

I barely know about radios . I should clearly state / I paid for a shop to program the radio , so I can safely travel the logging roads . It has proven it’s worth!! Also I had it installed by the same shop that I bought the radio, and what ever the correct words are but programmed so it’s useable .

So any help is greatly appreciate!
So in your hmo it’s a good radio ?
I wish it had a option to scan to the closest signal . Or if it does if you know lol .

 

How are you liking the antenna bracket? Any rubbing when you open or close the tailgate?