Yet another CB install

[ree]

Now for a hook on the dash. I tried to get it to hand with some heavy coat hanger but I just wasn't talented enough to shape it right.

So instead it wandered the house looking for some raw material I could do something with.

Can you believe that there is an alternative use for these computer expansion slot bay covers that you just toss in a box when you add adapter cards to your computer?

[ree]

There is. This is what I made with my dremmel and pliers.

[ree]

And it mounts to the dash under one of the dash bolt heads like this:

[ree]

This is the handset hanging on that hook.

It's an aluminum hook so it could be bent if you really pushed/pulled on it, but it's pretty small and out of the way. And I filed the edges a bit so that it's not rough on you if you drag your hand across.

Best thing is I can simply remove it if I come up with a better solution.

[ree]

And this is the view of it from a bit farther back.

[ree]

That is all for now.

[DDWH]

Looks good ree... thanks for the information and pictures!

[Dave Compson]

Great job, thanks for the photos.

Dave

[RIC-H0]

Good job!
Nice detail on the install!!!
Dremmels rock!
What did the CB radio and antenna cost you?

[ree]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by RIC-H2:
What did the CB radio and antenna cost you? </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

CB = ~85 at amazon.com
Antenna,coax,mount,foldover + swr meter and patch coax = ~90 at walcottcb.com

Not the cheapest I could probably do, but easy.

BTW, with this radio the antenna was a little bit electrically short, so I had to turn out the tuning knob about a turn and a half. My final SWRs with the antenna up were:
<table border="1">
<tr><th>Channel</th><th>1</th><th>19</th><th>40</th></tr>
<tr><th>SWR</th><th>1.1</th><th>1 - 1.1</th><th>1.2-1.3</th></tr>
</table>

[Racer-X]

Looks nice. I put my CB in the same place but I don't like it. It's in the way of putting key into the ignition and I can't see the display when driving. I plan to move it soon. I'm going to fab a bracket off where you have your ipod.

[Dewi2005]

Nice install, and thanks for the pictures. Im getting ready to do my install as soon as the antenna etc arrive. May be a bit different as I cant mount the antenna where you did as I cant slide my roof racks back because they are holding my Manik roof rack.... Ill post some pics when done for alternate installs.

[ree]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Racer-X:
I put my CB in the same place but I don't like it. It's in the way of putting key into the ignition and I can't see the display when driving. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Mine hangs low enough not to be in the way of the hands when putting the key in, but visibility is poor. My hook is loose enough to allow me to reach down and swing it upward a little and see the LCD through the wheel spokes though, so it hasn't been too bad.

[ree]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Dewi2005:
...May be a bit different as I cant mount the antenna where you did as I cant slide my roof racks back because they are holding my Manik roof rack.... Ill post some pics when done for alternate installs. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>
Thanks.

One thing I noticed immediately is that the antenna howls badly when it's up. My guess is that depends on how far back it is from the front of the roof (i.e. how the air blows over it). It may have been better to mount it near the back of the truck, but then I'd have to get out to raise and lower it. Something to think about.

[Racer-X]

Good point ree! I can't hear my antenna over the howl of the gobi rack and lighting but placement is very important. I've only had it a few weeks and i've already reached through the sunroof a half a dozen times to lower it for low clearance - fast food, hotels etc.

[Racer-X]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Alec W:
<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Racer-X:
Looks nice. I put my CB in the same place but I don't like it. It's in the way of putting key into the ignition and I can't see the display when driving. I plan to move it soon. I'm going to fab a bracket off where you have your ipod. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>
It doesn’t really matter. Once you set the channel what’s to look at? </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

True for the most part. But sometimes I like to put it on scan - last weekend for instance I was scanning and listening to truckers talk about road conditions and a semi accident that had all lanes blocked. During a period of long silence I would confirm it was still scanning. A few times it had hung on a dead channel because it was getting just enough signal to stop.

But your right, and if it wasn't for the ignition/key issue I wouldn't bother moving it. Even then I'm in no hurry.

[Jeff B]

I have the 3' Firefly and a 2' Firestik II and the 3' firelfy makes a lot more wind noise... like a fake tornado sound from a B-movie. The firefly is a thinner antenna and therefore makes a higher pitch sound than the firestik II.

I had to switch to a NGP (no fround plane) version because my SWR readings were at 3 on chanels 1 and 40 after tuning. The antenna uses the same mount as Ree but is located further back, between the roof racks (above where the front and back doors meet). I have an air horn where Ree put his antenna.

I have a new roof from my rollover so that may be playing a part with grounding issues??

[H2005]

Has anyone ran any antenna coax down the passengers side yet?