The CB thread
Tuned
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 398
Likes: 3
From: Vancouver Island BC
I used a Firestik Medium, as I tried a Firestik light spring and it was flapping all over the place just driving around town.
Around town with the medium it doesnt move unles going over big bumps, but I know EXACTLY when I hit 70MPH as the wind drag on my antenna starts to overcome the spring and it angles back... And in heavy winds it still moves around pretty good if youre at highway speeds... I think with the light spring it would be hitting the windshield...
Tuned
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 398
Likes: 3
From: Vancouver Island BC
Island'r, that truck is beautiful.
Found what I was looking for!
CB Install: Replaced AM/FM w/ CB Antenna (done) 56k No way! - Ford Ranger Forums - The Ultimate Ford Ranger Resource
Any reason this wouldn't work with our trucks?
Found what I was looking for!
CB Install: Replaced AM/FM w/ CB Antenna (done) 56k No way! - Ford Ranger Forums - The Ultimate Ford Ranger Resource
Any reason this wouldn't work with our trucks?
Im pretty happy with her... Shes in great shape, and runs & drives amazing for an old girl.
New User
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 13
Likes: 0
Hello folks, an interesting discussion. I've recently become interested in mobile HAM radio, and am looking into the activity (I know next to nothing about it at the moment except it's valuable in an emergency when the cell towers go down). I have a 1996 F150 XLT extended cab that I've been restoring slowly, and I think it would make a good "Mobil Ham" truck.
So I'm looking into what all the terminology means, and how to get my licence, but in the meantime I've decided that it's going to require I custom fabricate a center console to hold the radio, and other items. Has anyone custom fabricated a mobile HAM/CB center console?
I was looking into perhaps using a PVC pipe skeleton, with PVC foam board screwed into it to form the box. With only three mounting screws down there it's got to remain as light as possible, but also strong enough to bring it up to height and push it out far enough so you can use the radio easily. Any suggestions or experience would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.
So I'm looking into what all the terminology means, and how to get my licence, but in the meantime I've decided that it's going to require I custom fabricate a center console to hold the radio, and other items. Has anyone custom fabricated a mobile HAM/CB center console?
I was looking into perhaps using a PVC pipe skeleton, with PVC foam board screwed into it to form the box. With only three mounting screws down there it's got to remain as light as possible, but also strong enough to bring it up to height and push it out far enough so you can use the radio easily. Any suggestions or experience would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.
Postmaster
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 3,066
Likes: 7
From: Over There
Wow been long time since I've seen a thread that I'm so interested in and yet is so over my head. Subscribing to pick your brains later.
I got a couple CBs, nothing nice and mounted a 6ft whip in the left front corner of the cowl on my 87.
But the airwaves around here are really empty so I haven't done much more until I can get into HAM.
I got a couple CBs, nothing nice and mounted a 6ft whip in the left front corner of the cowl on my 87.
But the airwaves around here are really empty so I haven't done much more until I can get into HAM.
Senior User
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 305
Likes: 0
From: Somewhere West of Laramie
Here's a link to some hump mounts,they fit on the trans hump.There are tons of them available if you look around some.
cb hump mounts | Price comparison and reviews at best-price.com
cb hump mounts | Price comparison and reviews at best-price.com
Posting Guru
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 1,146
Likes: 17
From: Central Indiana
Oy Vey!
Well, I have a Cobra 148GTL in my possession, and tomorrow after our ARES/RACES exercise, I'm going to the 'Candy Store' (Ham Radio Outlet) to pick up a Yaesu 7900. I'll skip the 8800 for now, since I don't think I'll need cross band repeat.
So, I'll try to take a few pics and document the carnage, I mean, installation.
To anyone thinking of getting an Amateur Radio license, go do some reading over at Amateur Radio Relay League.
Pretty easy stuff, Technician's ticket test has 35 questions, you can miss 9 and still pass.
73''s,
Ray
So, I'll try to take a few pics and document the carnage, I mean, installation.
To anyone thinking of getting an Amateur Radio license, go do some reading over at Amateur Radio Relay League.
Pretty easy stuff, Technician's ticket test has 35 questions, you can miss 9 and still pass.
73''s,
Ray
New User
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 13
Likes: 0
Here's a link to some hump mounts,they fit on the trans hump.There are tons of them available if you look around some.
cb hump mounts | Price comparison and reviews at best-price.com
cb hump mounts | Price comparison and reviews at best-price.com
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New User
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 13
Likes: 0
Well, I have a Cobra 148GTL in my possession, and tomorrow after our ARES/RACES exercise, I'm going to the 'Candy Store' (Ham Radio Outlet) to pick up a Yaesu 7900. I'll skip the 8800 for now, since I don't think I'll need cross band repeat.
So, I'll try to take a few pics and document the carnage, I mean, installation.
To anyone thinking of getting an Amateur Radio license, go do some reading over at Amateur Radio Relay League.
Pretty easy stuff, Technician's ticket test has 35 questions, you can miss 9 and still pass.
73''s,
Ray
So, I'll try to take a few pics and document the carnage, I mean, installation.
To anyone thinking of getting an Amateur Radio license, go do some reading over at Amateur Radio Relay League.
Pretty easy stuff, Technician's ticket test has 35 questions, you can miss 9 and still pass.
73''s,
Ray
Senior User
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 305
Likes: 0
From: Somewhere West of Laramie
ARRL,did you know the guy who basically started it and they refer to as the OM,or Old Man,was Hiram Maxim?
Yep,the same Maxim who invented the first successful machine gun,the Maxim machine gun..
Yep,the same Maxim who invented the first successful machine gun,the Maxim machine gun..
Posting Guru
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 1,146
Likes: 17
From: Central Indiana
Correction and Update
Hiram Percy Maxim, son of Sir Hiram Stevens Maxim, was the co-founder of ARRL. Call sign W1AW.
Sir Hiram S. Maxim invented the Maxim machine gun. One brilliant piece of technology for the day.
Anyway . . .
NMO mount for the CB in and antenna on, hiding from Old Sol at the moment while watching Pocono and waiting for it to cool off.
Looks like I'll need to fab up a custom mount for the radios and find a convenient path through the firewall to get to the battery.
This truck sure isn't like a bump-side for accomodating a pair of radios. Plastic dash, multi-contour floor/trans tunnel . . . oh well, it's a good challenge.
73's,
Ray
Thread Starter
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More Turbo
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 510
Likes: 1
I currently have a 42" steel whip and when I get a headache rack I plan to hard mount my antenna to it so I don't have to worry about knocking it off going under bridges and what not. I want to upgrade to a 64" steel whip to get some extra distance. Would you guys recommend putting a spring on it? If so, what kind. I do go off roading once in a while so it will be hitting tree branches no matter what. There is also a low bridge on the way to the fire house (Im a firefighter) that always almost knocks my antenna off when I go under it. I was wondering if it would be worth it to mount it on a spring or not.
Posting Guru
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 1,146
Likes: 17
From: Central Indiana
Okay . . .
Anyway, it's been a while so here's what's went down.
Found out these OBS trucks weren't meant for CB/amateur radio installs. I ended up mounting the Yaesu FT-7900R 2M/70cm radio on a Panavise pedestal #727-06 right on top of the trans hump.
The Cobra 148 was replaced with a Cobra 75 WX ST due to an extreme lack of room in the cab once the Yaesu was in place. This is not like setting up an old bumpside or IHC. I mounted the breakout box for the 75 under the dash for now, until I can make a bracket to move it further underneath, out of sight.
Antenna; Started with a fireStik FireFly 3' antenna on a Larsen NMO mount on the roof, found it would not tune below 2.2-1 swr. That was confirmed by using the Cobra 148 as a temp radio to compare. I ended up with a Tram 4' fiberglass antenna (for now) that was 1.5-1 right out of the box. Not finished, just giving thought to other options at this point.
I'll post up some pictures later today.
Ray
Found out these OBS trucks weren't meant for CB/amateur radio installs. I ended up mounting the Yaesu FT-7900R 2M/70cm radio on a Panavise pedestal #727-06 right on top of the trans hump.
The Cobra 148 was replaced with a Cobra 75 WX ST due to an extreme lack of room in the cab once the Yaesu was in place. This is not like setting up an old bumpside or IHC. I mounted the breakout box for the 75 under the dash for now, until I can make a bracket to move it further underneath, out of sight.
Antenna; Started with a fireStik FireFly 3' antenna on a Larsen NMO mount on the roof, found it would not tune below 2.2-1 swr. That was confirmed by using the Cobra 148 as a temp radio to compare. I ended up with a Tram 4' fiberglass antenna (for now) that was 1.5-1 right out of the box. Not finished, just giving thought to other options at this point.
I'll post up some pictures later today.
Ray
Posting Guru
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 1,146
Likes: 17
From: Central Indiana
My 0.02 USD worth . . .
I currently have a 42" steel whip and when I get a headache rack I plan to hard mount my antenna to it so I don't have to worry about knocking it off going under bridges and what not. I want to upgrade to a 64" steel whip to get some extra distance. Would you guys recommend putting a spring on it? If so, what kind. I do go off roading once in a while so it will be hitting tree branches no matter what. There is also a low bridge on the way to the fire house (Im a firefighter) that always almost knocks my antenna off when I go under it. I was wondering if it would be worth it to mount it on a spring or not.
That headache rack will not have enough ground plane to make it worthwhile. You might be able to hear, but nobody will hear you. As for low objects, you will want a spring unless you don't like your antenna.
Just my humble opinions. YMMV.
Ray
Last edited by raystankewitz; Jul 14, 2013 at 12:14 PM. Reason: Correcting typographical errors