[Planes77ca]

Congrats on the Tech. Been in the hobby 32 years, having a blast. Trying to figure out how in install the rig in my truck when it gets here in June.
VE1CHL.

 

[Arctic Cat ZRT]

I really want to be a Uniden Bearcat CB for my truck when I take delivery as I like to monitor traffic when traveling and also like having the option of NOAA weather. I am wondering where people are mounting their radios in their trucks! Pics anyone?

 

[DarkGriffin]

Forgot to update. I did pass and am a newly licensed Technician. :smile2: Bought a Yaseu FT-60R and a Yaseu FT-7800 with a mag mount antenna (both used from the family of a recently deceased Extra). Haven't talked yet, but been listening to a couple of local RACES nets. Awaiting word on a vanity call sign.

Nice job! Welcome to the hobby. The best way to learn is just jump onto a repeater and talk. At first you will feel strange but you will get over it. If you start to talk let me know and I will see if the repeater has ECOLINK and I will try to get in.

 

[n9cv]

That is the way to do it. It it the best location and you now have a choice of antennas to use that can easily be switched as desired. I have a very short 2m/440 antenna on mine so it will clear my garage door. I also carry a 5/8 wave antenna that I occasionally install when I'm on the road for an extended trips so sparsely populated areas.

 

[DarkGriffin]

That is the way to do it. It it the best location and you now have a choice of antennas to use that can easily be switched as desired. I have a very short 2m/440 antenna on mine so it will clear my garage door. I also carry a 5/8 wave antenna that I occasionally install when I'm on the road for an extended trips so sparsely populated areas.

I have been looking for a short antenna and I cannot find one. They seem to be on back order both Comet and Diamond. Never thought of the larger antenna when needed.

 

[n9cv]

I think mine is a NMO mount Comet. It has been on there a long time and I have forgotten. Let me research this and I let you know for sure.

 

[n9cv]

Yes, It is a Comet SBB-1NMO. I measured it and it is 15.25 inches long. It has 2.15 db gain on 440 and I believe is 1.5 db on 2 meters.

Most ham stores should have it like HRO, Universal, Ham Station, or AES. AES shows it in stock in all 4 of their stores. I forget where I bought mine because I buy most of my stuff at the Dayton Hamfest each year.

 

[rondeausk843]

If it's hard for you to think about drilling anywhere on your vehicle and you haven't received any licensing yet I would personally suggest going with handhelds. They're cheaper, work good with the limited license, and you certainly won't have to drill anything! That's just my opinion though. Let me know what you get as I'm interested in getting my ham license as well and work in communications for the army currently.

 

[DarkGriffin]

Yes, It is a Comet SBB-1NMO. I measured it and it is 15.25 inches long. It has 2.15 db gain on 440 and I believe is 1.5 db on 2 meters.

Most ham stores should have it like HRO, Universal, Ham Station, or AES. AES shows it in stock in all 4 of their stores. I forget where I bought mine because I buy most of my stuff at the Dayton Hamfest each year.

Good to hear. I was looking into that antenna. I was not sure about it since it flexes easily. I will need to buy it and try it out. I currently have the Yaesu Ftm-400 and now waiting for my Yaesu digital repeater to come in so I can hook it up.

 

[n9cv]

Yes it flexes a bit but only if you hit something It will not move in the wind but you will appreciate the flex if you happen to accidentally hit a parking garage with low clearance. Mine clears my 7 foot garage door at home on my Z71 but not by much.

 

[DarkGriffin]

Yes it flexes a bit but only if you hit something It will not move in the wind but you will appreciate the flex if you happen to accidentally hit a parking garage with low clearance. Mine clears my 7 foot garage door at home on my Z71 but not by much.

Thanks for the tip. I have to get out and screw my antenna off every time i go into the garage. I will have to check out this antenna an see if she works. Thanks.

 

[blmerrill]

Hi Gents;

I had a 2005 Chevy Colorado and had a Truxedo Tonneau cover installed. I used a Comet CP-5M antenna mount on the tailgate. I left a loop of coax at the gate so it would open properly and drilled double 1/8” holes down the tonneau cover rail and wire tied the coax underneath. I routed the coax down the stake pocket and drilled a hole in the back of the cab to route the cable through.
I just purchased a new GMC Canyon and have had the same tonneau cover installed and plan to use the same mount on it. Issue now is getting through the firewall with power.

Bob
WI1O

 

[davn]

Do you really think you need to go to the tailgate? My 5/8 whip is about ten inches from the cab on the drivers side clamped to the top of the bed rail and sandwiched in place by the tonneau. After 7 years I never have felt that being this close to the cab has been detrimental.

 

[blmerrill]

One of the hams at HRO Salem NH gave me the idea as I had not had good luck with mag-mounts. I didn't think of your idea at the time and have had good luck with my installations. I understand it gives a little gain diagonally across the truck from that point, but I have never really seen much difference. I think your idea is a good alternative

Thanks
Bob

 

[DarkGriffin]

(blmerrill) I can show you my NMO mount in the truck sometime if you would like. I ended up getting a comet antenna that flexes.

 

[hamride]

I installed two SO239 antenna mounts in the bed of the truck just behind the cab. Originally I wanted to use lip mounts on the side rails about a foot back, but I couldn't get those to tighten securely. So I opted to take the lip mount bracket off the antenna mount and use two of the bed tie down rings to mount them. (see attached)

The left antenna is a Comet HP-32, the right one (not pictured) is temporary. Eventually the twin mounted antennas (for my twin) behind the cab will both be the same model/look for VHF/UHF. I'll most likely replace them with black 5/8wave Comet or Diamond. Depends on how high they are since I park in a deck at work. The HP-32 barely taps the hanging sign as I enter the deck. I used a short NMO mount antenna in the center of the roof on my old Ranger and it would scrape the main beams by about 2".

If I put a camper shell on the back, I can simply unscrew the antennas and connect the shell mounted antennas to the SO239 mounts. If I install a tonneau cover, then I'll have to do something different. Either way, I plan to purchase a Little Tarheel and mount it just forward of the bumper on the side by the left tail light.

In the attached photos, I still need to tiewrap the coax loop out of the way.

I'll try and follow up soon with photos on how I mounted the FT-857 and FT8800 control heads on the dash/console without any holes or drilling. Two radios installed, no holes for anything. The coax runs into the cab under the rear passenger seat through the plastic plug. The radio bodies for now are laying under the back seat on the driver's side. I'll also follow up with how I did the power.

Tom

 

[Casey Whitman]

I installed two SO239 antenna mounts in the bed of the truck just behind the cab. Originally I wanted to use lip mounts on the side rails about a foot back, but I couldn't get those to tighten securely. So I opted to take the lip mount bracket off the antenna mount and use two of the bed tie down rings to mount them. (see attached)

The left antenna is a Comet HP-32, the right one (not pictured) is temporary. Eventually the twin mounted antennas (for my twin) behind the cab will both be the same model/look for VHF/UHF. I'll most likely replace them with black 5/8wave Comet or Diamond. Depends on how high they are since I park in a deck at work. The HP-32 barely taps the hanging sign as I enter the deck. I used a short NMO mount antenna in the center of the roof on my old Ranger and it would scrape the main beams by about 2".

If I put a camper shell on the back, I can simply unscrew the antennas and connect the shell mounted antennas to the SO239 mounts. If I install a tonneau cover, then I'll have to do something different. Either way, I plan to purchase a Little Tarheel and mount it just forward of the bumper on the side by the left tail light.

In the attached photos, I still need to tiewrap the coax loop out of the way.

I'll try and follow up soon with photos on how I mounted the FT-857 and FT8800 control heads on the dash/console without any holes or drilling. Two radios installed, no holes for anything. The coax runs into the cab under the rear passenger seat through the plastic plug. The radio bodies for now are laying under the back seat on the driver's side. I'll also follow up with how I did the power.

Tom

I've got an ICOM IC2300 I'd like to get installed in my 2015 Colorado - Can you share more on how and where the coax passed through into the bed?

- Any hints on how to get the power cable through the firewall?

 

[hamride]

I've got an ICOM IC2300 I'd like to get installed in my 2015 Colorado - Can you share more on how and where the coax passed through into the bed?

- Any hints on how to get the power cable through the firewall?

Yes, I still have to take photos and I will be glad to post them.

Real quick though, under the dash where you see the big wire harness come in, I cut the tip off that little tit and ran the power cable through there, then behind the kick panel and along side the driver door sill to under the driver seat (that's all the 8AWG wire I had. That's where I will use a WestMountain Radio Power Pole distribution panel to split to my rigs. Right now I just have a Power Pole Y adapter.

The power connects through fuses on Pos to the distribution block under the hood. There are spare studs there. The Neg also connects through a fuse to the Ground stud on the front above the radiator. It has a big "Ground" label there. Don't connect the ground directly to the battery.

The coax for both antennas run to the right passenger side of the bed, then straight down under the cab on the passenger side. If you look underneath under the rear passenger seat, there is a plastic plug. I cut the center out instead of removing it. The coax goes through that plug then straight back where there is a cut/splice in the carpet, then tucked under the back seat compartment plastic to the driver side. That's where the bodies are laying right now but when I have more time, I might try to mount them against the back behind the seat if there will still be enough room for cooling. I didn't put them back there yet because my custom cut separation kit wires weren't long enough.

I'll get you more photos, I know everyone likes to look at pictures. :nerd:

Tom

 

[Casey Whitman]

Awesome! Appreciate any pics you can share.

 

[bama coloardo]

cb radio

I did mine wt exc cobra 75 the wireing isat driver kick panel I used trailor breake wires radio shack stick on tru the glass ant picks up 20 mils