Clean VHF/CB radio installs

Arguing about antenna placement on a truck is like picking the best room on the titanic.

Cali Raised LED Ditch Light Mounting Brackets Extension Kit (Brackets Only)

https://www.amazon.com/Ditch-Light-...ch+light+extension+bracket,aps,90&sr=8-4&th=1

These are the cali rasied ones.

https://caliraisedoffroad.com/produ...extension-for-cb-antenna-mount-29454204698666

 

It applies even if there isn't a radio attached to 1 antenna, it has to do with how radio waves react to 2 pieces of metal less then 1/4 wavelength apart.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Passive_radiator

 

Got it. So would it be better to put a GMRS antenna toward the rear of the truck if the 4' CB antenna is towards the front? Or does it not make any difference in the amount of hindrance?

 

As long as the CB isn't within the 9 feet whatever, I calculated for you previously, of any other antenna its fine.

 

Awesome, thank you for the help.

 

NO, it would not be better. CB and GMRS are far enough apart you won't experience many issues if the antenna are somewhat proximal.

If you are using a UHF antenna, it should be center of the roof, or you use a half wave antenna (no ground plane) and put it wherever you like.

 

That's exactly how it's done. I did something similar recently with a polling place briefcase style voting booth for an indoor portable repeater. I'll pull it out and take some pics when I'm at the comm shop again.

 

great thread gives me lots of ideas.

 

Figured I would post some pics of the Yaesu FTM-6000 I installed a few weeks back. This is my first mobile HAM setup, and for a basic analog VHF/UHF, I’m really liking it so far.

Started by cleaning up some existing wiring under the hood, and getting the radio wired to a Power Trays set up.


Removed rear panel to mount radio and rout wires as clean as possible.




Extended the mic cable to inside the center console and remote mounted the radio’s head above infotainment screen with a ram mount.



Also ran the antenna cable out an existing grommet in the back passenger side of the cab, and mounted the antenna to my roof rack.



Thanks for looking.

 

I also had the pleasure of meeting Alex of Mojave Repeater the other day, and got to check out his 2009 LC200 and it’s extremely impressive comms/SIGINT package. These pics are just from his IG, but its even more impressive in person.



Starlink mounted up top with magnet mount from Antenna Accessories out of Torrence, CA.


Comms/SIGINT package in back on top of goose gear drawers. Includes LTE router, SDR, VHF/UHF analog/DMR radio capable of AES 256 encryption and single freq. repeater, & windows PC. Also, Not shown are a 5kW battery and inverter with solar hookups, and Meshtastic Pro to be used with ATAK.

 

Holy smokes, that's awesome!

 

I may send you a pm or two. I have this same radio I plan to mount in the cab. I haven’t figured out my antenna plan yet though. I have a roof rack, but also park in the garage daily. I’ve thought about a ditch light mount. Or a tailgate. Or bed stiffies.

 

I would recommend mounting on the roof rack to get the antenna as high as possible for better signal propagation (especially with VHF). Manny mobile antennas (e.g. Comet) have a joint in them so they can be laid down, or the antenna mount I have from Front Runner can be reclined as well.

 

I’ll take a look at what platforms I have up there on the rack. I have some rear facing pods filling two rear platforms. My garage clearance is probably about 6-8” after adding the roof rack. A spring setup would work, but I don’t like the idea of daily abuse.

 

Mag mount antennas and damaged weatherstrip are anything but impressive.

 

damn, who shit in your cheerios

 

I had to look up what this even was..... And boy, the tactical instagram ridiculousness is pretty thick.

20 years ago this was called "WAR driving". And you couldn't buy any of it on Amazon. You had to make it all yourself.

And Captain Crunch came to our ham radio club meetings.

 

if you were really doing that youd call it wardialing

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zb1r_uKOew4

 

as an aside, do y'all ever go to local meet ups and wonder why there's no one new in this hobby?

wonder why

 

I have seen the Starlink antenna mag mounts from Antenna Accessories hold up well on racing trucks, but I'm sure being the cool guy you are, you're way more abusive on your gear than that...

Exactly. The HAM dorks are way more interested in self-policing, and being an exclusive little club as opposed to pushing the envelope of technology, and trying to bring more people into the hobby.