CB specifics

I don't think they have any out for the 3rd gens yet

I really prefer this spot, I just didn't think it would work with the shell on there

 

What makes you say that? I was geared up to go with a soft topper for a long time and ended up changing gears later on but my plan was to mount it that way all along. I have a heavy duty spring on it so it's very stable the bedside rattles more than the antenna moves. It has a slight rearward lean as the fiberglass gets conditioned from the air to lean backwards.

 

Well I guess mainly I didn't consider it an option. On top of that though, to have half the length of the antenna above the "body" as most pages suggest, I would have to have a 6'+ antenna and I didn't really want to go that long.

 

For those who have PA's, what speaker do you have and where are you mounting them?
I bought a cheap speaker to even see if I'd really like to have the pa capability, but want something better.
I want to mount it in the engine bay, and preferably 80+ Watts

 

I bought a cheapy and hope it's worth a sh!t!

 

Haha, my current Pyle is 50 watts and is just a little big to be able to fit in many places in the engine bay. Haven't found much else on Amazon, though I may not be looking in the right way...

 

I'd say most people don't follow that rule, the transmission on CB is limited anyway if you're only putting out the max 4w. Why wouldn't even a 4' antenna be nearly half over the top of a shell?

 

Well now that I have the 4'er on, I think you are correct about it though. It would be plenty long. BAMF doesn't yet advertise a 3rd gen mount yet for any position. I have only found the relentless one that I have and it is the hood mount.

 

I'd bet any of the garage fabricators wouldn't mind coming up with one for you? A lot of them use existing holes in the bed sides with existing screws. All you do is lift in the screw and sandwich the mount in. I guess the only hang up would be how tight fitment is between the gate and bed side? Gotta have room for it to fit through you know?

 

Exactly on the clearance. It would be tight.

 

I don't have any pics of mine with the gate on right now but I've never had an issue with room. It was close but even after hard wheeling they never touched.

 

What PA speaker did you get? And where is it mounted? Thanks!

 

@WileECoyote bring the radio master in here.

 

Sorry for being a late reply.

Not gonna help too much because I have a 1st gen, BUT, it is an idea nonetheless... this is where I put my COBRA 19 Ultra III. I took out the ashtray because I don't smoke so it was really just empty space that I was getting tired of looking at. For the most part, there was little "modding", but I suspect there is going to be some modding done NO MATTER what! I just had to shave off some plastic at the back end of the center black center bezel so the radio fit further back the way you see it. Other than that, a pretty clean install for the most part. The radio you see above it is my Yaesu FT-1900R 2m HAM that was put in a spot that had some sort of plastic "shelf". I miss the shelf because I did have a tendency to throw stuff in it (i.e. loose change, papers, etc), but decided that that could go as well because I wanted the radio MORE, LOL!!! That particular setup has a HIGHLY customized bracket setup because there was just NO WAY of putting a OE, if you will, radio bracket to be used in that location... just NO WAY!!! So, I had to make custom brackets for each side of the radio and then attach it to the center metal framing that can be pulled out as a "unit" that the OEM Toyota radio is mounted to. Sorry that I don't have pictures, but, again, it is a 1st gen, so it really doesn't matter too much... just showing for any KIND OF possibility for yours, hopefully better!



Another option was this that I did for a friend of mine and fellow TW Tacomer (he is a 1st gen as well though), BUT the point is is that it is mounted on the driver side center console area that is very similar to the previous post that someone else made in this thread with the exception that theirs is on the passenger side. There is plenty of room for my friends leg as the radio is NOT in the way at all and it is RIGHT THERE at your side. VERY EASY install with ONLY 2x small holes drilled into the plastic and nylock nuts and bolts to hold the bracket in place. I forget what his was... I think a Midland 1001 or something like that.



Now for antenna, here is the back of my truck for the antenna. The middle is the CB (pretty obvious, BUT they do make 2m HAM antennas that look like Firestik CB antennas so beware). Also, I just realized that you wanted to put a soft topper and/or shell on... sorry, I just got up and still pretty tired!!! I do apologize. Just ideas either way though, I figure. Like @digitaLbraVo Denny's left-rear tail mount, I don't see why you can't put a soft-topper on with that setup? AND, your 4ft will be quite clear of the obstruction that you worry about, which, yes, you are correct in that you want half or more of your antenna clearence for good TX with very little problem for SWR and/or tuning. Notice that I have the 2ft, it is only because I was getting tired of having to take down the antenna day/night just to clear the damn stupid car port. Normally if I am out on the trail I would use my Francis CB-24 Hot Rod 4ft whip!!!

Finally, again, a little too late, but for future, think about a radio that has SSB capability!!! It has LEGAL 12W PEP and NOT the LEGAL 4W PEP of a typical CB. The only exception is that in order for the receiving party to "RX" your transmission, they would have to have SSB (i.e. whether LSB and/or USB) to receive your transmission! BUT, a CB radio that has SSB capability gives you that option. Also, a SSB radio, that I know of, has both a "regular" CB and the SSB CB built into the same radio. It is just a flick of the switch that does either or!!! A good example is the COBRA 148GTL. I just wanted to add that, yes, it is correct that a built-in SWR usually is NOT all that accurate for some reason. I personally don't have a radio with one, but I have read quite a few "reviews" as such. Then again, you have to "assume" the person knows what they're doing as well. I'm NO expert, but have quite some experience in the radio world.

Finally, finally, for a co-phase system, your radiating pattern is "length-wise". Meaning that you "gain" extended range front-back of your vehicle, but your side radiating pattern does NOT go as far out. This should be okay, because, well, typically you have people that are in front and/or back of you and NOT 2miles to the side of you!!! A co-phase setup would be a very nice add-on indeed for this very reason!!!



I know it doesn't help too much because 1) I have a 1st gen and 2) the antenna location is NOT where you want it. WHICH, I need to also add that the roof-center of the cab is THE MOST ideal spot for maximum radiating pattern. The next best spot is center-cab (i.e. what you see on my truck setup). Finally, the corners. Know that with the corner setups, you lose "opposite" corner signal strength (i.e. for example, if you have the CB antenna on the left-rear corner, then the front-right corner has virtually NO signal strength)!!!

I hope this post somewhat helps or, at the very least, gives some sort of idea on what to do???!!!

Btw, you CAN EASILY power a CB with a cigarette lighter port!!! That is where the Midland 1001 (my friends radio on the driver side center console setup pic) is getting its power from!!! Just to throw that out there.

 

For CBs you are supposed to run straight to battery.

 

I just got my blue sea fuse box, so I'll be running it from there!

 

That's pretty awesome man! Thanks for the help! Wish I was in SoCal and could just swing on by

 

You CAN run it from the cig lighter port as well. A CB radio does not draw that much power, even when transmitting. BUT, with that said, I have my CB setup, at the time I was doing it, tapped into a constant DC source (i.e. essentially the battery). This way, I have power to the unit whether the truck is ON/OFF! You just have to worry about turning the thing OFF if/when leaving your vehicle for hours on-end so you don't eventually drain your car battery!!! I accidentally left my CB ON for a NUMBER OF HOURS and the truck still started-up just fine!!! BUT, I don't recommend doing that consistently, LOL!!! It's all good though, I have one of those Harbor Freight jump packs and have used it twice already for a family member and a co-worker, so those things come in-handy, for sure!!! I also make sure to have jumper cables as a back-up as well, btw!!!

 

If you want, I'll take a picture of my setup today and post?

 

I did the middle ground of this: brought my CB in on accessory so it comes on with the truck but cannot accidentally stay on.

Only downside is the Midland doesn't use mechanical channel selection so it always comes up on channel 19.