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Getting a CB radio for x-mas from the wife. Just trying to figure out the best way to run the coax from the radio to the antennas that I will mount to my truck box in the bed? I am guessing the best way is through the gromet in the back of the cab. How do I get the coax under the carpet and from the radio to the back? Any ideas, without having to pull my truck apart?
I removed the trim from the driver's side along with the bolts holding the seats down (crewcab). Then I pulled the carpet back as far as I could from under the pedals, pushed the coax as far as I could toward the back of the cab, moved to the rear door and reached as far up towards the front to grab the ***, and pulled it to the back where the grommet you talked about is.
I have a magmount, so it was easy from there for me. Good luck!
Fire Rooster-
Are you going to have dual antennas on the box? I don't know if you're set on the antennas on the box, they always look good, I put just one up by the hood, mounted it exactly like the radio antenna, blends in well with the truck. It made it a lot easier to wire as well, just have to go through a rubber gromet on the fire wall, I think there was one there that was still whole with nothing through it, so I put it to use. I know that trying to calibrate one antenna is easier than two. Just some thoughts. What did you get for a CB??
HONDOSHOT, you said you have a "magmount" is that a magnetic ant? If so and you have it on the roof,does it scatch the paint? I have a CB but I cant find a way to mount an ant. where it will get some height. thanks
i put my cb in the console i built and ran the coax through the grommet i put in the front down by the clutch pedal than just ran it in the frame rail back from there. was easier than fishing it under the carpet
If you remove the trim piece from the door sill, either side, under it you will find a nice channel that the cable can rest in and then up the plastic kick panel and wherever you want from there. If you run it under the carpet you will be squashing it with your foot.
I punched a hole in my roof right above the dome light and ran my coax in the headliner to my radio. I then mounted my CB and Heater(250 Watt Amplifier) in the overhead. Had to install some gusseting up there but it is all concealed by the headliner. Looks real nice. I wish I knew how to post pictures here so you could see how it looks.
I've got dual Firestix mounted on the toolbox, here. I mounted the CB overhead, here.
I ran the coax to the antennae by following the trim across the top of the windshield, down the A-pillar, through the firewall, under the cab, up the front of the box, through the front of the toolbox, and then through the side of the toolbox to the antennae. Since the coax has to be the same length on dual antennae, I've got the excess for the port side antenna coiled up in the tool box. The system works great, and gives me two places to mount my flags.
You say antennas as in "two" I think. When you have dual antennas they need to be 8' apart for the wave length to work out properly. I am no radio guru but this is what they say. One antenna will work better than two less than 8 feet apart. When you get two close together they interfere with each other and you will not transmit a good signal. If you are set on two antennas just use one as a "dummy" rather than hooking it up unless you can get them 8' apart which is a little tough to do on a pickup unless you put one on each end of the bed which would look kinda silly.
HONDOSHOT, you said you have a "magmount" is that a magnetic ant? If so and you have it on the roof,does it scatch the paint? I have a CB but I cant find a way to mount an ant. where it will get some height. thanks
Yes, it is a magnetic mounted antenna. I mounted it on top of the cab a little further back then center. as far as scratches, I haven't seen any so far. I've been told to be sure and clean under the antenna when washing the truck to prevent dirt and such from getting under the magnet and scratching the paint.
My antenna is a Wilson 1000 and yes, I have plenty of height.
Once you get to doing it you will see that there are places to get the coax through.
I have a set up my hardest part was getting the amp wires from the battery to the radio.
I had to drill a hole in the roof. Best way to mount a antenna.You get the best SWR and recieve.
The wilson mag mount will work just fine with a bare foot radio. If you really get into it and wind up with some real watts (600-1000) you will have to drill a hole for better recieve and transmit.
Hjudge49 Happy New Year! It was no trouble at all. Just remove the trim screws holding the plastic surround and the pillar trim and the headliner falls right down. It is a semi-rigid piece so youcan tweek it easily to remove. I did not remove the rear side pieces although I did remove the upper seat belt anchors and pull the side pieces back to remove the headliner. I wish I could figure out how to attach pictures to these posts. Good Luck!
how do you guys go through a car wash with those roof mounted antennas?
They have a mounting plate with a threaded adapter. You simply unscrew the antenna base from the mount and put the cap on. (That you carry in your glove box or map pocket.) The only thing you really have to be careful of is parking garages. It makes a pretty startling sound when the antenna whip starts whacking the roof of the truck. You'll swear that you tore off the antenna but it's pretty flexible.