2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission what kind of cb or ham radio do you run in your truck

[steved]

over time one would think that would damage something how long have you had this set up

I ran it in the 99 for over two years... ran low power (10DK/225 Swinging) all the time, only occaissionally ran med/hi which were 10/300 DKs and around 650 swinging... and so you have an idea of time, I put 150k miles in the seat of that rig running that amp... never had more than the flicker seatbelt light...



I ran this same setup early in my 2004. 5 for a couple months before I got worried about tearing the computer up... I currently run a Connex 4600 (50 DK/205 Swinging) in the 2004. 5 with no ill effects to date (in about 4 months now)... and so you know, the 600 watt brick didn't hurt the 2004. 5 either.



I do know that some of the rams and dakotas (gassers) had issues with RF interference of the guages... the tachs and speedos will go wierd... I also have heard a couple guys say that they would key up and shut the trucks (fords primarily) off... but I never read anything about the dodge CTDs having any ill effect other than the flickering seatbelt light...



steved

 

[VHolloway]

thanks i thanks i'm going to take it slow with the power run a stock cb with the wilson 5000 take the antenna off and keep the cb out untill i go on a trip they will steel your antenna and radio around here

but thanks for your help

if I get the ich for more power ill add the texas star 500v

 

[radar doctor]

Good Article

Read All The Reports On Here :: Liked Gary's Pictures. . Got Some Great Idea's Have A Icom 7000 . . What Do You Guy's Think About Installing That In A 03 Dodge Ram Diesel?/ Gary I Was Noticing You Had Your Icom On Or Near The Dash . . how Is It Mounted?? Tks Radar Doctor... Kd0ezt

 

[KPorchia]

I just read the thread and have NO idea what any of you are talking about! I'd like to put a CB in my truck but it seems like I'll have to research the subject first.





Swinging 10w RFwith the 600w brick thingamajig ham... ..... my think bone hurts...

 

[steved]

I just read the thread and have NO idea what any of you are talking about! I'd like to put a CB in my truck but it seems like I'll have to research the subject first.





Swinging 10w RFwith the 600w brick thingamajig ham... ..... my think bone hurts...

All that gibberish is stuff the guys who are really into radios talk about...



The only thing you need to know is to buy a good radio (something like a Uniden 78, Uniden 68, Cobra 29, or Cobra 25) and a decent antenna (the Wilson magmounts *were* a good line at one point).



Run the power leads to the battery, mount the antenna in the center of the roof, get the antenna's SWR as close to 1:1 as you can, and enjoy.



If you got a decent radio shop around, they can tweak the radio and tune the antenna for a little better performance (most radios are very rough in regards to tuning out of the box). But that isn't absolutely necessary.

 

[Gary - K7GLD]

UMMMMmmm - so, howsabout a ragchew QSO on Hf - preferrably at QRO - maybe on CW, but watch out for those QLF fellas... :-laf



Sorry gotta QRT for a bit - XYL is calling...

 

[Whiskey]

:-laf

 

[NMcCoy]

Gary cw while mobile? how can I hook up the old hallicrafter ht-32/sx101 in my truck? they would be nice in the winter time.



And Gary be nice to the 11mtr people.

 

[steved]

And Gary be nice to the 11mtr people.

Are you calling me small??



:-laf

 

[NMcCoy]

Steved, 160 mtrs is way larger than 11!!!

 

[KPorchia]

All that gibberish is stuff the guys who are really into radios talk about...



The only thing you need to know is to buy a good radio (something like a Uniden 78, Uniden 68, Cobra 29, or Cobra 25) and a decent antenna (the Wilson magmounts *were* a good line at one point).



Run the power leads to the battery, mount the antenna in the center of the roof, get the antenna's SWR as close to 1:1 as you can, and enjoy.



If you got a decent radio shop around, they can tweak the radio and tune the antenna for a little better performance (most radios are very rough in regards to tuning out of the box). But that isn't absolutely necessary.

Thanks! I was getting worried that I'd have to study a whole new subject.

 

[steved]

Thanks! I was getting worried that I'd have to study a whole new subject.

You'll know you're in trouble when you start worrying about things like the velocity factor of coax... :-laf

 

[C. Harlan]

Look up Clays Radio Shop, good prices and good company reputation



-Chris-

 

[charlessmith]

Yeah, Clay's is very good, here's their web site: CB Radios including Motorcycle Intercom Systems

I'm running a Galaxy 95T2 with a Wilson 5000 Trucker on my '96. The antenna is mounted on a home made bracket out from under the side of the hood. With a camper, I can't put it on the roof.

I found that with the Galaxy, and I understand some other high power units, I was getting a lot of transmitter feedback through the wires to an external speaker! The solution is to used a speaker with a shielded lead. Run a #10 hot wire direct to the battery with a fuse, but ground the radio and the -12V side to solid ground with as short and heavy a cable as you can arrange. Once I got everything set right, it put an end to lights flashing on the dash

My '97 has a Uniden with about 175W added. When transmitting it makes the windshield wipers run.

 

[HFreeman]

I run a Yaesu FT-100 and an ICOM IC-706 MK ll G in my 1995 3500 and have never had a problem on any band from 80mtrs thru 70cm. ( 160 is hard to do in a mobile. ) I use hamstik antennas and change them for each band. I hand wind them for minimal loading coil and maximum radiating element. Also, my truck is mechanical rather than an electronic computer controlled vehicle. Gary, I wish I had no-tune band switching. Very nice for mobile work. I usually run both rigs barefoot with no trouble making contacts all over the world, propagation for a particular band being taken into consideration. I normally run 40mtrs with 20mtrs being my second choice. I have been a ham for 48 years and have always loved mobile operation. The challenge of RF interference is minimal compared to the days of dynamoters and vibrator power supplies. Care must be given to proper grounding procedures and low SWR. VHolloway, I am reasonalbly sure that if you limit your output power to the limits defined by the FCC rules for Citizens band that you will have no problems. Bend those rules at your own risk. Gary, maybe we can work on 40 some time. I have a Sunday AM sched on 7. 195. 0 +or- QRM. It would be at 0800 your local time. Feel free to join in. Ham radio coupled with a good Cummins engine is the best of both worlds. Darn, now I want to go for a cruise! Lol. :-laf Good luck with your radios VHolloway. There are lots of technical books concerning mobile installations available at your local library.

Sorry for such a long off-topic reply. Enjoy, drive safely.

 

[Doughboy21kd]

I running a president "lincoln" in truck now also have a Uniden 76 i use every once in a while...



Had a Uniden HR2510 in truck for a while now its sitting in the box stored away

 

[Gary - K7GLD]

Gary, I wish I had no-tune band switching. Very nice for mobile work.

Back before the 500 watt Ameritron amp was added, I ran Hamsticks for 20/40, had antennal mounts on each side of the fuel/tool box in the bed of the truck. I ran coax to a T connector on the first antenna, then another run on over to the second antenna - pretty unconventional, and all my Ham buddies swore it would never work, but I got the exact same performance on each band as if the other antenna wasn't even there - and again, instant "bandswitching". I still have the setup installed on the truck, but rarely use the second position anymore.



The pic below shows the setup, but with homebrew mobile antennas instead of the hamsticks:



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Pass along a few callsigns of guys checking in to your Sunday group, and I'll try to catch you on sometime.

 

[KB0OU]

When travelling, Icom 706 Mk II with screwdriver antenna.

Around town, run a Icom 4200 dual bander,, vhf/uhf.



73

kb0ou

 

[SWCook]

Yaesu FT-2500 and I really have enjoyed using it as well, it has been a very reliable radio and has never disappointed me when I needed it to make the contact.



The radio meets Mil Spec standards and has a great front end, couple it to a great external speaker and a full function microphone and you have a great and economical radio that you can count on.



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[BK]

I run one dualbander and a CB, all stock power.

Don't smoke, so the Ash try was dumped and was a nice hole for the breaker controller and for hanging the mikes.

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