Here is the link to the Jotto unit.
http://www.jottodesk.com/Comersus/st...=179&status=-1

My only concern is, i wonder if it will clear the Manual 4WD lever?

 

Mine is on the hump and the only place to fit it as anything near the dash is out with my 6 speed and bench seat. Went to the hardware store and bought a lenght of 1/8x 1 1/4 inch stock, bent it and screwed it to the floor. Peaked with a good ant it's good for 12 miles on average.

 

blackhat620 - the price??? well before I scare you with the price, you have to remember this - I'm in Canada, I pay in Canadian dollars, and I also pay for custom, duties and brokerage across the border. An example is the dash replacement console piece - it was $295US in the States.... but it was $420Cdn to Alberta (Cdn distributor) and another $80Cdn to get it shipped to my door in southern Ontario....plus our 14% HST (Harmonized Sales tax)
so to your question.... the centre console is costing me $600.. plus $50 for the cup holder (CH-2-XL), $40 for the 7 switch panel(PS-7-L), $57 for the 13" locking lid and $52 for the 9" locking lid. ALL prices in Cdn dollars. The mounting brackets for any communications equipment are INCLUDED in the $600 price, so if I wanted to fill some of that space with other radios, rather than the items above - the price is included....
Like I said - a little more than the dash console (which would have run me around $500 more or less), but I think well worth the extra money.
It bolts to the inner front seat bolts, as well as re-using the OEM bolts in the threaded holes for the OEM console to hold down 2 metal brackets that attach to the console, so it should be pretty strong and difficult to break into (yah, I know - if they want in, they'll get in), but it should slow them down long enough for my fat a$$ to react to the alarm... if you want any further info - ask away... I just went thru spec'ing out the Havis and Jotto consoles for the F250...
I liked the Jotto, but they didn't have nearly as many options for the faceplates and accessories as Havis did.
If I didn't already have the RAM laptop computer mount (which also holds my Garmin GPS), I would have got the Havis mount which attaches to the side of the console and swivels over top of it...

 

Handheld CBs are virtually worthless.

You can get remarkable range out of a CB, but you need a relatively large, well-tuned antenna to do it.

The FRS radios that Radio Shack made, that had the transciever and antenna on an external magnet mount got exceptional range vehicle-to-vehicle, compared to FRS handhelds. You can still find them on eBay.

If you want fairly private communications with other members of your group, with better range than FRS, and still with the clarity of FM (as opposed to CB, which is AM), you should look into MURS.

License-free, uses VHF frequencies, and up to two watts, I think. And external antennas are allowed (a no-no on FRS). Not many people know about it, so the bands are pretty clear, and because it is VHF (as opposed to UHF for FRS) the range is better. Search on "MURS", you'll find lots of information.

 

I used 1 and a half inch strap steel to make an oversize mount for a CB tucked well under the dash on the hump. I used three 5/16th lag bolts to hold the contraption to the floor.[IMG][/IMG]

 

sorry for the pic. there's supposed to be a CB in there somewhere.

 

If you just want it for the occasional trip, just put velcro on top and turn it over and stick it to the trans hump. Upside down so that the speaker faces up. Use a magnetic antena, clean mounting area of water or dust/dirt to keep from scratching paint. Wire it so that it plugs int your cigarette lighter. All of this will be fine because you can just pull it out when not needed and store it all in the closet until your next trip.
I have an old unit set up like this for a loner for someone traveling with us that does not have one.

 

I mounted mine above the rearview mirror between the visors. It's out of the way of my stick shift and I can hear the speaker.

 

I wanted to mount it between the visors like in my last truck, but this one has a console up there. As for plugging it into a cigarette lighter, this is not a radio shack p.o.s. This is a large frame 60 watt radio. It needs to be tied directly to the battery with at least 12 guage wire. It will be mounted permanently, and with the antenna I run, is good for somewhere between 20 to 40 miles, depending on the terrain. ANyway, have gotten a few ideas from you guys, will try a few. I will let you know what works. If you ever hear the "pacemaker" on the air, key up and say hello.

 

10 Meter huh? What's your call sign? You best be licensed if you're gonna be running on 10 meters...