Clean VHF/CB radio installs

Curious to see any clean looking VHF and or CB mounts in the 3rd gens.

 

I've yet to see any really clean installs for ham units, the closest is someone put their Kenwood 710g on a block that friction fit into the dash pocket to the left of the steering wheel. You might find it with a search. I sold my last mobile unit, still on the fence about what I want in this truck and where to put it. Leaning towards an ICOM 2730 in the sunglasses pocket and mic plug set into the trans hump.

 

I'm seriously considering a Cobra 75WXST 40-Channel CB Radio with a control box that mounts anywhere leaving only the cord and a mic to stow or mount in the cab taking up minimal open space.

 

Is there a good way to get a large power cable into cab for an HF rig?

 

The only decent spot I found was a small grommet found to the right of the brake master cylinder. I've heard that the autos get some additional options that manuals don't, but I'll never know...

 

It's easy enough to pilot drill, then use a stepped bit to get a large enough hole and put your own grommet in. Just make sure both sides of the firewall are clear before you drill.

 

I just taped my power wire to a small drill bit and popped it through the rubber grommet for my amp.

 

The control cable for the face is now routed to the right into the dash along the steering column. I haven't decided what to do with my mic still, so it rests next to my parking brake lever.

 

Strazz, did you pucker the whole time you were drilling that NMO hole? lol

 

You have no idea... And to top it off, the screw that secures the pilot on my NMO hole saw wasn't tight enough, so the pilot bit slipped into the body and the hole saw dropped down onto the roof. Thankfully the damage was minimal and is covered by the antenna base. Lesson learned!

 

I haven't decided if i'm going to install a mobile unit in my '16 yet or not, but if I do i'll do an NMO mount. I have one on my '89 pickup and, yeah you're drilling a hole in you roof but, its sooooo much more clean looking and the SOB doesn't get knocked off going through the woods like the magnet mounts do. Has yet to leak too.

 

I always do a hood channel mount for permanent install because I'm pretty much using ham just for trail comms or the local repeater, but both are essentially easy to hit targets. It's cleaner and doesn't cause garage problems. If I'm off grid I have a breakdown Yagi that I can bust out if range is of the essence, but only when parked obviously.

 

I fondly refer to the Sti-Co I'm using as the honey badger of antennas--it slams into my garage door daily as well as concrete supports in parking garages and two years later it still looks like new. It's the only way I tolerate having an antenna on my roof because I refuse to park outside or otherwise accommodate an antenna. I keep a Comet half wave under the back seats for when I want something much more efficient, but my little quarter wave is sufficient for nearby repeaters.

 

Any other clean VHF/ham installs with photos?

Anybody used the GoPro mount to mount a detachable faceplate?

 

Holy hell, I hadn't even considered that, but it's perfect. I could easily print something that holds the faceplate wherever I need it to be fully visible and only cut into the truck enough for some RJ jumpers. Easily removeable and hidden away. How did I not think of this already? Seriously, I think you solved my entire install dilemma.

 

my Firestick II antenna set-up....mounting my CB in the glove box today with an external speaker under the drivers side dash..

 

I'd be happy to field test your printed faceplate holder.

 

I have the same mount (or similar, Relentless Fabrication) that was on my 2011, but it doesn't fit on the 2016's

 

Installed my CB in the center console today and added a small external speaker up under the drivers side dash.