[bostonaholic]

I would love to see how you all have installed your radio and antenna (cleanly) into you truck!

I just got my Ham Technician license. Ordered myself the Kenwood TM-D710G radio and Diamond antenna. Plan on using it for communications and APRS of course.

 

[outback97]

Some good info in this thread too:

Ham Radio

So i took my test monday and passed and was woundering is there any one else out here with a ham Licences.Post up Thanks Onix

www.thenewx.org

 

[XC20]

I would love to see how you all have installed your radio and antenna (cleanly) into you truck!

I just got my Ham Technician license. Ordered myself the Kenwood TM-D710G radio and Diamond antenna. Plan on using it for communications and APRS of course.

Damn that’s the radio I’ve had my eye on for a while but it’s so damn pricey!
I’d like to see how you mount it up.

 

[rm975]

I was going to say, we've got this covered from a thread from a thousand years ago.

 

[XC20]

A thousand years ago..when the photos were still available to see on most any thread on this site?

 

[SpacemanSpiff]

I used that thread as part of my research for a cb and antenna set up. I ended up getting a President McKinley unit and mounting in the useless depression at the top middle dash.

For antenna set up I needed low profile to get in to carport. I went with a suggestion by MrBills of a Breedlove mount, going with a foldable mount. Most impressed with it, very heavy duty and he shipped it the same day I talked to him. Mounted to a ubolt setup from McMasterCarr and added a super heavy duty spring and a 4ft. Fire stick.

Up front I used a Fourtreks generic clamp with a “micro” Quickfist to hold it in place. The micro wouldn’t quite clamp on it so used another fire stick tip, cut off the end and slit it length wise. Perfect fit and doesn’t move.

.l

 

[rcafcoburn]

Here's my setup. Cheap Uniden Pro505XL CB radio, and a front mounted antenna.

Main reason for going with it front mounted was to avoid it slapping the tailgate constantly, as well as using it as an overhead obstacle height judger lmao

 

[j_pnw]

Mounted to a ubolt setup from McMasterCarr and added a super heavy duty spring and a 4ft. Fire stick.

Did the mounting plate already have the third hole where you put the antenna mount? I didn't seen one like that when I was looking the other day. Any chance you still have the part number?

 

[SpacemanSpiff]

I actually used a piece of band iron, drilled holes for bolts and extra one for antenna mount. One of my customers has a family run powder coating business so she stuck it in the queue for me.

 

[j_pnw]

I actually used a piece of band iron, drilled holes for bolts and extra one for antenna mount. One of my customers has a family run powder coating business so she stuck it in the queue for me.

It's a nice set up.

 

[SpacemanSpiff]

Thanks.

 

[XC20]

Spaceman ,
How much roughly total would you say that set up cost

 

[Tlrtucker]

How are you guys doing in mountainous terrain when you have no line of sight with the other drivers? My hunting buddy and I got some cheaper Baofeng handhelds and they're only slightly better than a handheld CB. Yes, I know the larger firestick antennas are super helpful, but I'm curious about the line of sight issue. When we're in open terrain we can communicate quite a ways. If one of us is on the other side of a hill, or down in a ravine, we can only reach each other if we can see each other.

Curious if it's worth investing in considering I'll likely only use it 3-4 times/year.

 

[XC20]

It’s all about line of sight. If you’re able to both get on a local repeater you’ll have better luck

 

[Tlrtucker]

That's what I was afraid of. Not worth the investment in my situation. Thanks for the quick response.

 

[JM303]

This is what I have for CB

I keep the antenna here when not using the radio.

With this setup i get really good signal with buddies running close to the same setup here in the Colorado mountains. About a mile with not great line of sight. About 6 miles on flat terrain with good line of sight.

 

[SpacemanSpiff]

@XC20 I figure just over $450, including cb, coax with ring terminal, ground strap, clamp, Breedlove mount, spring, antenna, Fourtreks clamp/Quickfist and some misc. parts.
If you’re in the area feel free to stop by and take a look at it. Here is link to Breedlove mount:

https://breedlovemounts.com/store/ols/products/fold-over-coupling-for-your-antenna-whip

 

[rm975]

A thousand years ago..when the photos were still available to see on most any thread on this site?

LOL, correct.

 

[JM303]

This is what I have for CB


View attachment 134318
View attachment 134319
I keep the antenna here when not using the radio.

View attachment 134320

With this setup i get really good signal with buddies running close to the same setup here in the Colorado mountains. About a mile with not great line of sight. About 6 miles on flat terrain with good line of sight.

 

[XC20]

@XC20 I figure just over $450, including cb, coax with ring terminal, ground strap, clamp, Breedlove mount, spring, antenna, Fourtreks clamp/Quickfist and some misc. parts.
If you’re in the area feel free to stop by and take a look at it. Here is link to Breedlove mount:

https://breedlovemounts.com/store/ols/products/fold-over-coupling-for-your-antenna-whip

Hey thanks for The detailed reply. And it looks like I’m not too far. I’m down near Huntington Beach. Let me know if you want to wheel sometime