Coax routing

[Stroke This 24V]

Where are you guys routing your coax on a 2001 QC?



I am in the process of getting my Brolin Mount and would like to have everything rune so when the mount gets here I will be set.



I haven't found anything but the metal plates no rubber to slice and slide it through like all me others

 

[Rotty]

What type of radio are you running? CB or Amature radio? How much RF output power? You want to run the big (best) coax possible (RG8). Do not run it near any computers or electronics. Make absolutly sure that you ground the antenna to the body at the base of the antenna (yes, drill hole in your baby). Check the SWR's across the band at minimum power and verify it is less than 2. 0 to 1. the lower the better(1. 0 to 1) . Wire the power using BOTH Negative and Positive direct from the battery, but fused. You may also have to use an power line filter to filter out the altenator noise. Use the largest copper cable possible. If running ~20A use 4-6 ga wire. Voltage drop in a 12vdc system greatly affect the power output. A 1 volt drop can reduce you power output by half.

Gradually increase you power to maximum, after verifying that the SWR is less than 2. 0 to 1at full power, make sure you electronics do not start acting funny. If all is ok at max RF power then you are ok. If not correct it and try again. You do not want to key up and kill you computer will running down the road. I believe Dodge truck are rated for 100 watts RF power, but don't quote me on that. Prime example is toyota camery, if you key more than 5 watts RF power, Poof goes the computer at $1500 a pop and it is owner responsibility. :--)

Just remember to check all connections regularly, Solder all connections.

Send me a PM if you have any more question.

 

[CAM]

I pulled mine thru the firewall just below the steering column,you'll see a rubber boot. I cut the end off my coax and pulled it thru , and brought it up to where the corner of the hood & driver side door closes. I had the cb shop resolder the end back on & do a swr. I also have the firestic fender mount & M. Boldens mount . I have a Ranger 2970. Than just do what Rotty said.



Mike

 

[CoreyPerez]

I have a older truck, (94) and placed my CB in the area right above the Radio (cup holder area) and routed 2 antenna coax under the dash, through the power window/lock grommets in the doors, pulled the door pannels, pulled the mirrors off and ran the coax up in the door out through drilled holes in the side mirror mounts. I grounded the entire setup back to the door.



It was a lot of work, but its super clean!



Corey

 

[Stroke This 24V]

For stake mount

I have two Firefly antennas with the stake poket mounts from Firestick

 

[MikeR]

I also have my antenna mounted on the left 'stake pocket'. Since my truck is a manual transmission, I ran the coax along the frame under the cab, and zip-tied to the fuel lines. Routed it to the top of transmission, zip-tied it to the vacuum hoses attached to the transmission, then came entered the cab through the bottom body-rubber shift boot for the transmission, and I used dum-dum to seal the hole. You'll have to pull up your interior shift boot to get a better idea where I entered.



The coax is completely hidden underneath the floor console, and the excess is wound up and kept underneath the console, and just a couple inches pokes out from underneath the console to plug into the CB. Ultraclean install.

 

[HGH]

Hi All,



I've done this trip on several of my own and friends vehicles when using a 3/4" hole mount antenna.



Lower the headliner 2 inches or so. This is easily accomplished by just removing the dome light and using a wood block or screwdriver handle between the headliner and roof where the dome light is.



After checking where you want the hole, usually in the center of the roof, check it again at least 5 times!!! Check inside the cab to make sure you are not going to be drilling into one of the structural cross-members.



Drill your hole. I've always routed to coax to the passenger rear piller or piller between front and rear doors on regular 4-doors. It is usually easy to remove the plastic panels. Using a stiff wire or coat hanger, gently shove it from the hole in the roof to the rear piller, between the roof and headliner. Once the end of the wire is sticking out at the piller, attached some line to it and the line back to the hole. Attached your coax to the line and pull it back to the piller.



Once I get the coax down to the carpet level, I usually run the coax underneath the step plate/shield(?) until I get to the front passenger seat area. I then fish the coax underneath the carpet BUT on top of the insulation (THAT IS A MUST!!!!!) and rout the coax up to wherever the radio is.



I've done this on three of my own vehicles and would you believe, two Ham Radio friends allowed me to drill holes on their 2 week old rigs?



Tips: As previous posts said, STAY AWAY from computers. Basically, don't route the coax under the dash. If your rig is mounted on the dash, come up from the rear of the vehicle as I suggested above.



Although RG8/213 has much lower loss, a good quality 20 ft section of RG-58 at 27 MHz has about 1db loss. That translates into about 5/8 of a watt when the transmitter outputs 4 watts. The claim is that it takes about 6 db loss (halfing your power, twice) before you hear the difference.



Did I mention to stay away from under the dash?



Good luck.



Enjoy.



Hal/KM6JM