Who has installed a cb?

[loveracing1988]

Nevermind, I found it on their website.

It's tempting, but I want the model that has the screen on the mic, and it looks like that one isn't part of the promo.

Midland MicroMobile Two-Way Radios | Midland Radio

Shop the Midland MicroMobile collection that features the most powerful GMRS 2-way radios on the market. These radios are ideal for outdoor communication.

midlandusa.com

Yeah I wanted one with higher wattage but none of those were included. I needed radios anyway so it was kind of a win win timing wise.

 

[jadmt]

Yeah I wanted one with higher wattage but none of those were included. I needed radios anyway so it was kind of a win win timing wise.

I have the mxt105 and it is pretty amazing range wise for something so small. I only have it in the truck when offroading or traveling with buddies who have them.

 

[Xflight29]

Rugged Radios have a rear suction cup mount that attaches to the rear glass.
Works and holds quite well.

 

[SFAngus]

Here you go. Measured from my Limited driver side.

There's a bump in that's just over 2" wide for the first 2" in the front, then it narrows to 1" all the way back.

I just realized I didn't think to measure the depth, I can grab that in a bit.

If you need more detailed measurements, let me know what you're looking for.

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Has anyone installed a radio in that pocket? I was just eyeing it and thinking that it might work...

 

[EK701]

I put mine in the back of the center console.

I’m looking at doing the same. Where did you route the power wires and coax?

Thanks!

 

[FFL348]

I don't have CB experience, but here are some thoughts on Amateur/GMRS antenna mounts, in case it's helpful.

My last couple trucks I've drilled a hole in the center of the cab, and installed a Larsen NMO mount. I'll probably do the same for the new truck also. The downside is it's a commitment, and a bit of a pain, but it's a relatively straightforward process with a stepper drill bit and a magnet wand to get the shavings from out of the hole, which fall on the headliner. A ziploc bag rubber banded over the magnet wand makes it easier to get the metal shavings off the magnet. And once you have it done, it's good for the span of the truck. If you don't need it, or sell truck, you can put a rubber screwcap on the mount.

The upside is you get a much better groundplane, because the cab of the truck is the groundplane, so signal radiates "better". I'm not an RF expert here, but I've simply been convinced enough via various people in radio clubs that bedstake mounts or glassmounts have limitations. I tend to consider two radio scenarios, and two bands. You can use an amateur dual-band (144/440mhz) setup and radio, or you can use it with commercial VHF/UHF radios or GMRS. I've used that type Larsen mount with both types of radios (Amateur dual banders, and commercial part 90 VHF). That mount also lets you place a taller amateur VHF antenna when you need it, but primarily use shorter antennas to clear garage doors. The UHF frequency ranges are a bit different for Ham 70cm vs GMRS, so you can pick or swap those short antennas as needed, based on preference and judgement. Some links below for reference.

Larsen NMO magmounts are good too, and antennas can be interchanged the same ways, if the wavelength doesn't conflict with groundplane needs. I always have to look that up when I'm selecting the antenna, depending on the radio/band/project.

Brass 3/4 inch Thru Hole NMO Mount with 17 Ft of RG-58A/U Cable and UHF Male (PL-259) Connector Installed

This RFMAX 3/4 inch Thru-Hole NMO Mount is optimized for vehicular roof mounting of an NMO type antenna. Typically used with VHF or UHF antennas, the RNMOT-58A-SUM-B-17I includes a 17 Ft. RG-58A/U (Stranded Copper Conductor) Cable & UHF Male (PL 259) Installed If this is not the NMO Mount you...

www.arcantenna.com

Comet Antennas B-10NMO Comet Mobile VHF/UHF Vertical Antennas | DX Engineering

Free Shipping - Comet Mobile VHF/UHF Vertical Antennas with qualifying orders of $99. Shop VHF/UHF Mobile Vertical Antennas at DX Engineering.

www.dxengineering.com

TRAB4503 | Phantom Omni Antenna- 450-470 MHz - NMO - Ground Plane Reqd

This unit is a Black 'Phantom' style Omni-directional antenna with NMO-mobile mount operating at 450-470 MHz range. This antenna offers a powerful punch with up to 3 dBi of gain. Please note that this model REQUIRES mounting on metallic ground plane for best performance. The Phantom series...

www.arcantenna.com

NMOCAPB : Rain Cap for NMO Mount

Single Rain Cap for NMO Mount. SAVE MONEY - BUY A 50 PACK. CLICK HERE.

www.arcantenna.com

 

[The HOFF]

Here is one I used.

Cobra 75 WX ST Compact/Remote Mount CB Radio with Weather and SoundTracker https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000IIY0XM/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_i_7GMPZPMMS5QR7Q474EVX

Then this for antenna.

Midland 18-258 40-Channel Glass-Mount CB Antenna https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00000K2YV/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_i_KKT1JEX27C6922XAB9K7

But what’s most disappointing is nobody uses them as much anymore. No one talks.


2019 RAM 3500 Longhorn Megacab
2021 RAM 3500 Blackout Megacab
2019 OpenRange 3X427BHS
2020 Jayco NorthPoint 382FL
2021 Luxe Elite 42FL
2022 Grand Design Solitude 380FL-R

 

[purebred]

I remember when I got my first cb radio about 40 years ago and had cb's in every vehicle i owned. Driving in Texas in our Ram i sometimes missed the old chatter box also. We were on a trip from Austin to the RGV when we were detoured through a town. The traffic was horrendous and being without a cb to communicate with the truckers was frustrating. I looked at the options of mounting a cb and just didn't feel like tackling it. I ended up buying a Cobra handheld HHRT50 with small magnetic antenna just for the scenarios i just described. I keep it in the center console and if i need it I merely plug it into the 12 volt receptacle and use it for close up talking to trucks in traffic jams. If i need more range i attach the magnetic antenna. Already it has payed off for alerting me of a wreck on I35 when traffic was backed up and heard the accident from a close trucker. I got off the nearest exit and went in to cracker barrel and had a cup of coffee while the traffic subsided. Works for me.

 

[Sleepyweasel]

This is my set up. I've got a 35 mile commute that is mostly highway. Between this and Waze, it helps avoid the inevitable traffic hang ups. The radio is a President Johnny III and the antenna is President Iowa. I have it mounted by my right leg while in the driver's seat. If there's a bunch of crap going on the radio, I can rest my leg against to mute it. I have no trouble hearing it even with my hearing, have spent many years in an artillery battery. I do not remember where I ordered the GMRS antenna mount or the actual mount for the truck. I'll try to go back through my emails to find that info. This is the fender mount: https://www.americanradiosupply.com...0-2500-3500-no-hole-antenna-mounting-bracket/

 

[purebred]

Like your setup sleepy.I have seen those fender mounts and people said they have to fit perfect or your hood or fender gets scratched. Have you had those problems? Also how does the cable fit going under the hood? Also did you drill a hole in the clutch cover plate for entrance in the cab? Thanks

 

[Sleepyweasel]

Like your setup sleepy.I have seen those fender mounts and people said they have to fit perfect or your hood or fender gets scratched. Have you had those problems? Also how does the cable fit going under the hood? Also did you drill a hole in the clutch cover plate for entrance in the cab? Thanks

I have no issues with the antenna cable getting pinched by the hood. I also added some clear 3M tape to the hood and fender to prevent any problems with rubbing on the paint. I can get a closer picture if you would like. As for running the cable into the cab, I cut a small slit into the rubber cover that the steering shaft goes through and pulled it through there. The radio is wired into my Aux switches.

 

[purebred]

I have no issues with the antenna cable getting pinched by the hood. I also added some clear 3M tape to the hood and fender to prevent any problems with rubbing on the paint. I can get a closer picture if you would like. As for running the cable into the cab, I cut a small slit into the rubber cover that the steering shaft goes through and pulled it through there. The radio is wired into my Aux switches.

Thanks appreciate the info. Might go the fender mounted antenna, I have to baby my magnetic antenna when using on cab, don't want to scratch it.

 

[farmallboy]

Don’t think I’ve posted on this thread. But I too have the fender NMO mounts.

Yes. Plural. I bent the secondary to fit the passenger side and currently run a wide band ~20” whip and a ~39” loaded split dual band on the drivers side. I didn’t have the commitment of drilling into the roof. But I’m getting 45 mile repeater tone responses at 25w. More than sufficient for me.

I did a cutch plate grommet.

 

[joelp]

im running the midland mxt275 wired into the area below the ram charger in the center console. when i'm using it, just set it on the ramcharger thing and slide the console forward to hold it in place. antenna is mounted on my rack on my shell. with the wire run up between the cab and the shell. use the stealth antenna around town and the 18"(?) whip when we go out into the boonies to fish. i've found the range to be excellent. we all got hams before a trip a couple years ago and it was overly complicated and without an external antenna the range was awful in the vehicles.

i'd say if you're looking for off road out of cell phone range ability to communicate with your buddies, the GMRS is going to do you solid. we use the privacy channels and chit chat as we go up the 395 as well. one buddy has the mount that sneaks out from under his hood on his 4runner and that works pretty well. roof mount seems better for us with the rams given how much that hood bounces around.