CB Radio Install

[Blackhawk]

I am in the process of installing a Uniden CB radio in my 06 4Runner SR5. It is located in the center console. Like I said, Im in the process. Its not complete yet. I'll snap some pics when I get home. ( im in school right now.)

I would love to see where you all installed your CBs and how you wired and routed the wire. Thanks guys. I'll pics up later tonight hopefully.

[Mikestang]

My Midland CB is all contained in the hand piece, so I don't have a real install. I run the coax through a grommet in the top driver side of the rear hatch, then string it through the hand holds and up to the front. I only use my CB on trails, it's not a permanant install.

http://www.mikestang.com/user/image/cbradio.JPG

[irwinsr5]

My uniden CB is mounted as shown below

http://www.plurge.net/forums/cb2.jpg

with a PA on the right wheel well as shown below:

http://www.plurge.net/forums/pa.jpg

Antenna mounted as shown:

http://www.plurge.net/forums/rear2.jpg

The wires are all tucked away much nicer now then they appear in these pictures, this was a preliminary install

[Cruiserhead]

I have the Midland 722 (same as Mikestang) which has been great in the 4 years I've owned it.
I am loving the interchangablility of it at the moment b/c I turned it into a handheld b/c I only plan to use it for trail runs where people don't have 2M.

The Midland can be a all-in-one unit (just plug into 12v and external antenna) or a handheld batt. powered cb w/ rubber ducky antenna. all the parts are included.

[Vegas Runner]

My Midland CB is all contained in the hand piece, so I don't have a real install. I run the coax through a grommet in the top driver side of the rear hatch, then string it through the hand holds and up to the front. I only use my CB on trails, it's not a permanant install.

http://www.mikestang.com/user/image/cbradio.JPG

Mikstang, where did you get the mic mount? Do you have a picture of just that?

[expat]

Mine is this little box hidden under the center console

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y93/expatozzie/CB%20instal/75wxstr.jpg

so the only thing external is the microphone

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y93/expatozzie/CB%20instal/1b366036.jpg

and the female connector for antenna in the rear

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y93/expatozzie/CB%20instal/CBconnections2023.jpg

and the magnetic antenna is obviously on the roof

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y93/expatozzie/Ham%20radio%20install/hamradioinstal006.jpg

with the lead coming in thru the rear hatch

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y93/expatozzie/Ham%20radio%20install/hamradioinstal007.jpg

Note the wires are much tidier than this - I am presently working on the HAM radio instal hence why the wires are just hanging. I like this setup because i can remove the antenna easily without have to get to the unit to unplug.

I tried these options, all of which I changed for my needs later

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y93/expatozzie/CB%20instal/CBconnections2026.jpg

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y93/expatozzie/CB%20instal/CBconnections2028.jpg

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y93/expatozzie/CB%20instal/CBantenna2.jpg

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y93/expatozzie/CB%20instal/IMGA0624.jpg

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y93/expatozzie/CB%20instal/wilsonantenna008.jpg

[Mikestang]

Mikstang, where did you get the mic mount? Do you have a picture of just that?

Have to thank Joel and Mike (K6UK) for showing me those mounts on Mojave Rd. last year. It's a ProClip (http://www.proclipusa.com/home/home.aspx) mount, this one specifically (http://www.proclipusa.com/?sectionpath=144&pageid=8323&processor=content&pcategoryid=12941&categoryid=12989&year=2004&p_origin=144&p_sectionid=144&p_pageid=8901&p_processor=asp&p_asp_processor=product&p_action=proclipcategorysearch&p_ppagecategoryid=13872&p_pagecategoryid=14172&p_pcategoryid=12941&p_categoryid=12989&p_sitecategoryid=&p_year=2004&p_countryid=0&p_leftorright=).

ProClip Angled mount
2004 Toyota 4Runner 853221 USD $29.99


They also make one for the AC vent left of the stereo, and one for the passenger side of the center console.

They have a few different face plates you can screw to them. I selected this one (http://www.proclipusa.com/?sectionpath=127&pageid=8987&processor=content&p_origin=127&p_sectionid=127&p_pageid=12627&p_processor=content&p_asp_processor=&p_action=&p_ppagecategoryid=&p_pagecategoryid=&p_pcategoryid=&p_categoryid=&p_sitecategoryid=&p_year=&p_countryid=0&p_leftorright=), because my CB has a belt-clip style clip on the back.

V-Slot Button & Clip Holder 215052 USD $11.99

It fits really snug and doesn't rattle on trails.

[Untamed]

My uniden CB is mounted as shown below

http://www.plurge.net/forums/cb2.jpg

with a PA on the right wheel well as shown below:

http://www.plurge.net/forums/pa.jpg

Antenna mounted as shown:

http://www.plurge.net/forums/rear2.jpg

The wires are all tucked away much nicer now then they appear in these pictures, this was a preliminary install

irwinsr5,
Can you tell me about your antenna and the mount you used? How do you have that installed and what mount is that? Does it work good?

[irwinsr5]

The mount is a ring mount that goes around the taillight guard, like many I don't like making permanent holes on the outside of my 4runner if I an help it. It is very stable and the wire for it goes around the side into the back.

http://www.plurge.net/forums/mount.jpg

Thats the best image I have of how it is mounted, it stays nicely out of the way but is still very secure.

Oh, and the antenna is a 4' fiberglass FGT wilson antenna as shown:

http://www.wilsonantenna.com/fg.htm

[expat]

Just be aware that a antenna should have a good ground plane to work from and should not be blocked from recieving signals.

Mounting on the rear corner by the tailight means you might have reasonable reception from anyone to your right and towards the front, but will be pretty poor to the left and the rear.

Also antennas radiate signals (transmitting) and an antenna mounted close to a blockage (eg the body of the car/truck) will cause re-radiated signals which can cause unnecessary heat and scrambled signals.

Plenty of info on-line about this.

I changed from my fibreglass whip to the s/s whip because of these issues. Qulaity is miles apart and makes a difference when you want good comm.s while on the trails. Nothing more frustrating (well short of a breakdown) is losing or having low quality comms in group runs and even worse if you are travelling solo and are relying on cb for aid if stranded or lost.

My opinion - get a good magnetic mount and place it right in the middle of your roof. No holes needed and removed in minutes.

Just some thoughts. Not trying to dis anyone's setup. Just cb basics.

Cheers
Mark

[irwinsr5]

At the moment i'm not a big enough CB junkie for that but I think as mods progress and trips increase I will upgrade

[Blackhawk]

I can't believe its taken me so long to update this. The cb radio is in the center console, it looks awesome I must say. The only this i have left to do is tune my antenna. My pa is awesome too. I'll post pics when I get home.

Does anyone know where I can get a good cheap SWR meter?

[expat]

Radio Shack sells them for about $20.

[Photog]

Well, you were going to post pics, when you got home.

Are you home yet?:spank:

I would like to see how you mounted the CB into your center console.

[JohnD]

hey guys i need some help on a Cb antenna, and i dont know a thing about em!? is this a good antenna choice? im using a 75wx-st cobra!!

http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2430281&cp=2032052.2032075.2032078.2032098&parentPage=family

[Joel]

You'll probably end up with better comm's with a Wilson..

http://www.rfwiz.com/Wilson1000.htm

[Photog]

First, start with the mounting location. Antennas depend on a good ground-plane to function properly. This is not the same a an electrical ground. The absolute best place to mount the antenna, is the center of the roof. Unless you want to drill a hole in your roof, the mount of choice is magnetic.

Then you chose how you want to run your cable, to your CB. Under the windshield weather strip, into the engine bay, through the fire wall, and to your CB, seems to be the cleanest route.

If it is to be used on an occasional basis, you can run the cable in a more temporary manner.

As for antennas, Joel is correct:

The Wilson antennas are much better than the Radio Shack equipment.

The Wilson 1000 that Joel linked to, is 62.5" long. If this is mounted on your roof, it will be very tall. This is great for highway communications; but unnecessary for most trail running. Your handheld Cobra is not set up for high-power freeway communications anyway.

Willson makes a shorter 36" antenna, called the Lil Will. When mounted on the roof, this antenna works great with a CB like yours.

The Little Will is magnetic, and it doesn't reach into the trees, and works great for trail communications.
http://www.rfwiz.com/WilsonLittleWil.htm

Here are all of them.
http://www.rfwiz.com/Wilson_InfoDat.htm

Once you receive and mount your antenna, it will need to be tuned. This is done using an SWR meter, and trimming the length of the antenna. A good CB shop (not Radio Shack), will be able to do this for you ($15). It won't change your radio's reception(Rx); but it will greatly improve your transmission(Tx) signal quality. Other CB users will hear you much better.

If everyone would get their antennas tuned, we could all hear each other much better.

Hope this helps. I know this seems like a lot of info.

[expat]

I'd agree with Joel based soley on what I have seen working well. People with the Wilson brand seem to get really good comms, both reception and transmission. Many others I have travelled with in groups who have Firestick also get good comms but a lot of it is in the mounting location too.

I have been really surprised how bad many other antenna brands are and how poor comms can be with mounting antennas off of corners of a truck (eg bullbar, fender and bumper mounts.

My recommendation would be a magnetic Wilson 1000 or Wilson 5000 (This one I have). Both seem to be really good especially when mounted in the central area of the roof.

The Firestick fibreglass antennas are excellent if you choose to go with a more permanent mount.

I'd also agree that if you intend on doing lots of wooded trail running the long antenna can be a bit of a pain but out in the deserts (lots of SoCal) the long antenna gets much better comms in my experience.

Also, in relation to tuning (SWR) I'd suggest buy your own meter from Radio Shack. Antennas do get out of tune so the cost (~$40) is worth it. You can always borrow mine if you wanted to as well.

[Photog]

Here is a tidbit I just found on the Wilson Antenna website.

8. Where can I mount the antenna on my mini-van (blazer, suburban)?
Normally the best place to mount the antenna is on the center of the roof. However, due to the large ground plane area that is presented to the antenna on this type of vehicle, the center of the roof is not always the best place. Efficient operation is often achieved when the antenna is placed 6-12" from the front of the windshield. This especially holds true when the roof is equipped with a luggage rack. If the luggage rack is metal, keep the antenna as far away as possible to avoid de-tuning effects.

http://www.wilsonantenna.com/tsgeneral.htm

I may move my mount forward, and move the roof-rack cross-bar, back, and check my SWR, for improvements.

edit: Duh, there is a sunroof (glass) in the forward position. So; I will move my cross bar forward, away from the antenna, and check the SWR.

[JohnD]

awesome! exactly what I needed to hear...Wilson lil wil it is.. thanks fellas, lets hit a trail this weekend close one?? any takers? Mark maybe icould roll by and you could show me howd use a swr?? ?!! Woot Lol..

peace

[expat]

awesome! exactly what I needed to hear...Wilson lil wil it is.. thanks fellas, lets hit a trail this weekend close one?? any takers? Mark maybe icould roll by and you could show me howd use a swr?? ?!! Woot Lol..

peace


I can't roll this weekend. I have end of year reports to write all weekend. I will be home if you need to swing by to get the SWR done.

[Photog]

Here is my CB mounted to the center console. It is attached with about 8 square inches of industrial velcro. No holes drilled, and no rattles. It is snug against the console, and does not get in the way. The mic is just behind my knee, and I don't have to lean over to get to it, or to adjust the controls.

When I use my CB, I remove the worthless door/tray in front of the cup holders. This is where the CB speaker sits, held in place by velcro. I can still use the cup holders, with the speaker in this position.

http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p53/bsp3122/CB0001a.jpg

Of all the things in this picture, the only thing that gets in my way is the cell phone antenna. Because of this, the cell phone usually sits in the cubby hole next to the shift lever. A different phone would be just fine where this one is.

http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p53/bsp3122/CB0006a.jpg

http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p53/bsp3122/CB0005a.jpg

[JohnD]

nice Brian! Hey that shifter looks pretty good and tall??


peace

[Photog]

Hey that shifter looks pretty good and tall??

That is just a standard industrial lever knob, threaded onto the factory shaft. It is easy, and only costs about $12. Very comfotable on the long trails.

Here is a link to some info I posted elsewhere.
http://www.yotatech.com/f123/shift-knob-reccomendations-99547/

[Photog]

A question came up about how my CB is mounted. Here it is.

I remove the worthless junk tray, when I mount my CB & speaker. When the tray is in place, it covers 2 of the velcro pieces.
http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p53/bsp3122/CB0010a.jpg


http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p53/bsp3122/CB0011a.jpg


http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p53/bsp3122/CB0012a.jpg


http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p53/bsp3122/CB0013a.jpg


http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p53/bsp3122/CB0018a.jpg


http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p53/bsp3122/CB0017a.jpg

This setup worked great on our last two expeditions. One to Death Valley, and another through the Cascade mountains of Washington. Washboard roads, rocky back roads, highway, etc. Nothing comes loose, and everything is accessable, without being in the way.

If I used the standard mounting bracket, or a larger CB, this location would be a problem. Velcro to the rescue.:D

Click on the Build Thread, in the signature line, for details on the CB.


Ready for our last expedition, except for the coffee cups.:)

http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p53/bsp3122/CB0006a.jpg

[Photog]

Alex,
You are looking for a place to put a Cobra 29? That is a big box CB.

There is not much room for a box that big. Some folks have mounted that size to the passenger side of the console, or to the glove box. But; these choices really crowd the passenger.

I once saw a CB mounted in/on the driver's door panel.

I purchased the Mini Magnum, because it has the functionality and power of the big box CB, except for a couple of the fine tuning dials or weather channel. It was the only size I could fit easily into the cockpit.

[BillBrasky]

Man, those Mini Magnums are some nice small radios. They will really talk for such a small unit.

I think they discontinued them.

[Photog]

If you click on the link, in my signature line, it will take you to a place to purchase one. The system has 10 meter ability, and side bands; but also standard CB. It has more power than is legal for CB's; but the FCC doesn't bother with the occasional mobile user. Besides, a moving target seems to be impossible to track.

[Photog]

Uniden and Midland also make small box CB's. Our Gen4 4Runners, just don't have an ashtray to stick them in.