CB and GMRS Install

[chorky]

A better way to mount the antenna is an NMO trunk lip mount on the hood near the hinges. The mount shown above puts the antenna about 6" below hood level with a very poor ground plane around it. The top of hood mount will have a better omni directional pattern and will be easier to achieve a good match for some difficult antennas. Plus these mounts are very strong and make an excellent ground connection via two allen set screws that go into the bottom side of the hood.

I went a few steps further and removed the downward curved cowl pieces and coated the undersides with conductive tape that makes contact with the Torx bolts that holds the pieces on. This extends the ground plane back towards the window slightly. Probably extreme for some but I do a lot of radio testing in my JT and need good reliable antenna mounts. This mount location should also work better for CB than most I have seen and there are lots of good CB antennas available with NMO mounts.

Here is a picture of a 6" whip for GMRS on the mount and the separate mount with no antenna. I do a lot of radio stuff and put one on each side of my hood. You can find good deals on these mounts on eBay, my Laird brand mounts only cost $20 each with coax attached.

Would you post a pic of the underwood side for us please?

I might consider the same option as this. Only concern is how much paint damage will occur. Are the hoods steel? Or Alum?

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[Radio Guy]

Here is an under hood night time pic and its difficult to get a camera up in there. The mount has two set screws that dig into the folded over underside of the hood. It doesn't damage the top side which has a rubber pad and I've probably put on around 200 of these mounts in my time.

Would you post a pic of the underwood side for us please?

I might consider the same option as this. Only concern is how much paint damage will occur. Are the hoods steel? Or Alum?

 

[dylanfoca]

I posted this in the what did you do thread but thought I would add it here to help people that might search for this topic.

Finished installing my radios today. Used a @JcrOffroad overhead molle panel.

I really like this install...does anyone know if the molle panels will be in the way of a sun shade?

 

[Gobi Wan K]

I really like this install...does anyone know if the molle panels will be in the way of a sun shade?

I don't have a sun shade but from what I would gather the shade would probably just rest on top of the panel.

 

[Coldtoes]

A better way to mount the antenna is an NMO trunk lip mount on the hood near the hinges. The mount shown above puts the antenna about 6" below hood level with a very poor ground plane around it. The top of hood mount will have a better omni directional pattern and will be easier to achieve a good match for some difficult antennas. Plus these mounts are very strong and make an excellent ground connection via two allen set screws that go into the bottom side of the hood.

I went a few steps further and removed the downward curved cowl pieces and coated the undersides with conductive tape that makes contact with the Torx bolts that holds the pieces on. This extends the ground plane back towards the window slightly. Probably extreme for some but I do a lot of radio testing in my JT and need good reliable antenna mounts. This mount location should also work better for CB than most I have seen and there are lots of good CB antennas available with NMO mounts.

Here is a picture of a 6" whip for GMRS on the mount and the separate mount with no antenna. I do a lot of radio stuff and put one on each side of my hood. You can find good deals on these mounts on eBay, my Laird brand mounts only cost $20 each with coax attached.

I have a mount that uses the side cowl screws exactly the same as Josh00333 above, same Midland 6db antenna as well. I am interested in switching to your mount to increase my reception/clarity. I searched Amazon for trunklip NMO antenna mounts and it appeared all of them have the cable attached. Seeing as I already have the cable ran to nearly that same location I'd rather not re-run the cable. Do you know if these mounts are sold without the cable already attached? Do you have a suggested source?

Also, I'm using the Midland 6db antenna which is about 3' tall. Opening the hood would hit the antenna against the windshield. Would using a short antenna like you have reduce my reception/clarity? If not, do you have a suggested brand/model antenna like yours?

Thank you for your expertise!

 

[Radio Guy]

I'm using a Laird brand NMO mount and I don't know of any trunk lip types that are designed to install your own coax. Laird and Larsen are two very good quality brands and the Laird retails for about $50 with coax attached. I buy them new surplus off eBay and I paid less than $20 for mine and I bought several. There are cheaper brands like Tram/Browning and they are probably ok, I just like to use the best quality I can find for longevity.

Another option would be to cut the coax off your mount and use your coax as a pull rope for the new coax. Or you if your existing coax is long enough you could cut it at the mount and install a female Mini UHF connector on your coax and a male connector on the new mount about 6" down from the mount.

I have a mount that uses the side cowl screws exactly the same as Josh00333 above, same Midland 6db antenna as well. I am interested in switching to your mount to increase my reception/clarity. I searched Amazon for trunklip NMO antenna mounts and it appeared all of them have the cable attached. Seeing as I already have the cable ran to nearly that same location I'd rather not re-run the cable. Do you know if these mounts are sold without the cable already attached? Do you have a suggested source?

Also, I'm using the Midland 6db antenna which is about 3' tall. Opening the hood would hit the antenna against the windshield. Would using a short antenna like you have reduce my reception/clarity? If not, do you have a suggested brand/model antenna like yours?

Thank you for your expertise!

 

[India-ThreeZeroThree]

Dual band VHF UHF Powerwerx DB750X and Diamond dual band with UHF connector.

Clean instal. Easy. Only made a hole in plastic tray blind side and the firewall plastic plug for antenna and power. Wire to battery.

Topsy antenna mount and mike hanger. You can see where I mounted the antenna so that it works. Bullet point mounting solutions in the mail.

Motorola speaker and improved power distribution next to do. Debating where to put speaker. On sound bar or to the junk tray under rear seat or ??

I added a photo of me driving a JKU in Puerto Rico after Irma and Maria hit. The JL/JT have alum hoods so don’t waste time and money doing a mag mount in the meantime. Also note , low hanging trees and wires. Things I’ve learned in my experiences make me decided on certain things. Like not have a tall vehicle would be one. And why more than one comms are important. At least for a while no mosquitos and every tree had an iguana perched on it.

 

[Snapper692]

Dual band VHF UHF Powerwerx DB750X and Diamond dual band with UHF connector.

Clean instal. Easy. Only made a hole in plastic tray blind side and the firewall plastic plug for antenna and power. Wire to battery.

Topsy antenna mount and mike hanger. You can see where I mounted the antenna so that it works. Bullet point mounting solutions in the mail.

Motorola speaker and improved power distribution next to do. Debating where to put speaker. On sound bar or to the junk tray under rear seat or ??

Been eyeballing that radio….would love to hear your thoughts on in once you have some time with it. And, been trying to figure out where to put a speaker as well. Good luck!

 

[Glad Jeeper]

Here are a couple pictures of my project yesterday installing my GMSR radio and antenna. I am trying to decide and where to connect power, direct to battery would be my preference.

Quick update... I have been using this setup since March. Not an issue at all. I quess the only thing would be that I have to physically turn the radio off when I exit the truck. Other than that, no interference, transmit and receive (in the mountains) has been upto 16 miles. Works flawlessly.

 

[Radio Guy]

Quick update... I have been using this setup since March. Not an issue at all. I quess the only thing would be that I have to physically turn the radio off when I exit the truck. Other than that, no interference, transmit and receive (in the mountains) has been upto 16 miles. Works flawlessly.

I use LIND timers for my vehicle radios, You can set them to turn off your radio from a minute to an hour or more after you leave the vehicle. I get mine off eBay for about $20 slightly used and here is one to use as an example. https://www.ebay.com/itm/373707857298?hash=item5702b95d92:g:dWIAAOSweNFhMmap

 

[India-ThreeZeroThree]

Quick update... I have been using this setup since March. Not an issue at all. I quess the only thing would be that I have to physically turn the radio off when I exit the truck. Other than that, no interference, transmit and receive (in the mountains) has been upto 16 miles. Works flawlessly.

Consider a situation (there are a few) where you may not have FOB to turn your radio on but need it for an emergency. Amp draw is low in the receive mode in case you forgot to power it down. Small thing like that could make a difference

 

[kb5zcr]

For those looking for nmo mounts without coax, check out DX Engineering, I've used them several times with great service. Just search for "nmo".

https://www.dxengineering.com/search?SortBy=BestKeywordMatch&SortOrder=Ascending&keyword=nmo

 

[sarguy1941]

Really dig the stock steel wheels on that JT.

 

[Radio Guy]

For those looking for nmo mounts without coax, check out DX Engineering, I've used them several times with great service. Just search for "nmo".

https://www.dxengineering.com/search?SortBy=BestKeywordMatch&SortOrder=Ascending&keyword=nmo

NMO without coax is a common item but I've never seen a trunk lip mount offered without coax. If that's what you need I suggest the premier brands over Tram/Browning and install the coax that comes with it.

 

[Artsifrtsi]

I grabbed this guy. So simple it's stupid and works quite well. I'm just using it for a ghost antenna, anything over 3 feet (like my CB antenna) and I'd use something different mounted behind the cab.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07W5XHRY2/

I have this mount too (or identical anyway) and only issue I had was I needed to dremel the antenna mount hole larger to fit the RF antenna to it. It's a great location, and out of field of vision.

Mounting my radio, I built a mount out of 1" 8020 and mounted similar to pic below. It is only attached via a bracket that I slid behind the console mounting screw on that side, and the 8020 rests securely on the floor. Radio does not bounce around, and is very secure... plus I have enough 8020 exposed to install other possibilities too..

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