Just sold my 2012 dodge 2500, I already miss having my cb and knowing wats going on. Has anyone figured out how to mount a cb in a full console truck?

 

This is where I mounted mine, works very well, the hard part is drilling the first hole, lol
but I have to have it for work and it will be there until I get rid of the truck, it just as well be in a handy place

 

Have been looking around on mine as well trying to find a good spot. Want it nice and clean. Thought about taking the front storage compartment in the center console out and recessing it inside to where when the door is closed you wouldn't see it and then if you wanted to access it just click open the door. Use a remote mic cord to run the mic cord behind the dash and possibly point it out at the bottom of the lower dash with the mic on the right lower side next to the steering column. Not sure what lies beneath that storage compartment yet though and if there's enough room for a good radio to fit.

 

what are you guys doing for antennas? i dont think my mag mount Wilson 2000 is going to work on aluminum body. ha ha

 

Been looking at the same place for my Ham Radio head, just need time to get to it.

 

I saw a pic in another thread of somebody who mounted an antenna on the driver's side opposite the factory antenna on the passenger's side. For larger antenna's there is always the rear bumper (unless you pull a fiver), or the bed itself; but yes, the aluminum body makes all of these more challenging.

 

I'm watching this thread carefully. After my Navigator was paid off and I knew I'd be driving it for 4-5 more years, I didn't care. I mounted a Kenwood TM-D710 body in the center console, the head above the rearview mirror, and even an external GPS screwed into the dashboard for APRS plotting.

I had a huge 2m antenna with an electric motor to raise/lower, mounted on the luggage rack; and had the wires for the mic exit from the left windshield post and the mic hanging on the post. I also had an external speaker mounted on that post.

The entire installation was professionally done; very expensive; and took all day.

I don't know that it could have been done any better unless I'd found a way to cut into the dash and install it to look like original equipment.

And, while I loved it for both ham and aviation radio -- as well as emergency services, I have to admit that it 'junked up' the navigator.

Also, when I traded it in, I left all that stuff in the truck. Removing it would have left holes everywhere, and all the professional wiring would have had to be left anyway, or time-consumingly removed.

I'm really torn about adding radios in my new and beautiful F250. I feel like I'm driving a luxury version of the space shuttle and I don't want to junk it up.

Yet, I'd love to quadruple down and have a truly functional communications system with UHF/VHF/HF/CB and Aviation -- including the antennas necessary.

So I'm hoping for a miracle pic where one of you really smart people find a way to make it look like the radios were installed by the factory and maybe with the mic(s) coming out of the center console so when you close it, you're back to that awesome clean look we all love.

As for antennas, I think I could put one right in the bed of the truck and remove it when necessary (for HF) -- and keep it under the rear seat when not using it. Perhaps 2m on the driver side hood/fender mount; and CB on the headache rack (after I buy and install it).

 

191124X7, Love your handle, 1911 is my choice as well.

I was playing with mine this morning and I am looking at the compartment on the console with the sliding cover. I have a Yeasu 7900r and the head would fit in there without any problems. I am going to take my time to figure this out, because I don't want to have to move something, because I don't like it there.

 

I am thinking about the for my vhf\uhf antenna https://www.dxengineering.com/parts/...XxgaAm-Q8P8HAQ
Not sure how Ill mount the radio yet, I have the Icom Id-5100A that I can actually run from my phone, just need to find a spot for the mic, But I would like to mount the head unit as well, ALso have an old Icom 706 for HF but figuring out how to mount the antenna without drilling holes maybe a challenge. I though of a post hole mount but dont think it will fit under the topper lip.

 

Thanks! I'm looking forward to seeing pics if you end up doing it!

 

Exactly what I was thinking for VHF. As for the HF antenna, I think this is an interesting no-drill way to mount one; but it's clearly not for every day driving.

 

Are you talking about the compartment covered by the sliding door at the front of the console? If so underneath the rubber mat is the indention where you place your key fob to start the truck using RFID if the battery in your FOB is dead. So I don't think you want to tear into that

 

Most of you are involved with amateur radio which is a great hobby and well worth dedicating some space in the truck for your radio. CB radio used to be a wonderful tool as well but I find it difficult to tear up the interior for a static filled band loaded with echo mikes and complaints about other drivers and companies backed up with hundreds of watts of bigmouth. And yes I still have my 8 watt President with a 300 watt linear. I still remember the pre-sunspot days when twenty and thirty mile conversations were possible barefoot and no one walked all over you. And as much as I long for the days of old I cannot justify more wires, mike cords and antenna's wired to and co-phased on the mirrors. I consider a handheld for travel as some of the information regarding traffic and accidents is well worth the heads up but even as I was exiting the trucking world in the early '80's the reports were usually too late or non existent leaving a driver charging right up to a stopped line of vehicles without a hint of warning.

So you guys, please find a good solution to incorporating a radio and wiring which is still operable (like not under the seat) but not consuming. I would be very thankful....

 

Agreed. When the bar is lowered to everyone, I believe that's what happens. In fact, when I got my amateur license in 1976 even that was a much different experience. With the removal of code and sites that allow you to memorize the questions/answers ham radio is not anything like it was either. For that reason, I no longer enjoy it as a 'hobby.'

As a prepper, when the SHTF (whether that's a big or small event) I'd like to be able to communicate in as many ways possible. And CB (as annoying as it is, is still a great way to communicate with truckers on the highway which is usually valuable to me.)

But overall, I agree with you -- and that's kind of one of the big reasons I don't want to 'junk' up my truck with all kinds of radios, wires, and antennas... I'd like for the stuff to be out of sight until needed... then right where I need it when I do.

 

This is the one made specifically for the aluminum F150 so should work on the SD. It's stainless steel so better than regular steel for the aluminum body. This is what I am going to try. Only thing I don't like is they want you to use a preexisting bolt that is in the center of the left fender. That will look stupid if it doesn't line up with the radio antenna on the opposite side

http://www.theantennafarm.com/catalo...3ea3a16c87c5ec