My rig

[DRanger024]

Here’s my rig. I got the old Radio Shack CB for free along with a fiberglass K40 antenna. Upgraded the coax to a firestik fire ring unit. I have a brand new Uniden 520XL sitting on the bench but I’m having a hard time giving up the wx. Had the antenna mounted on the drivers side fender but fuel pump interference was a MAJOR issue. Made the third brake light mount at work. I wasn’t to crazy about the “Alfalfa” look but I get zero interference with the antenna in this location. So I’m willing to live with it. It’ll get out about 5 miles loud and clear and receive about twice that distance.

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[4x4junkie]

Nicely done! You picked the right place for the antenna to work properly. Just make sure you have things sealed well, as that's a common area for water to get in, even stock w/o the bracket.

I would toss the 520XL in there in a heartbeat. That radio tends to sound much better than pretty much every other sub-$80 radio I've found, especially on the transmit side (and it only costs $45 or so at that).

For the weather stations, get yourself a scanner receiver (police type, even a hand-held one), they generally receive weather stations MUCH better than the cheezy wx receivers built into any CB... A big part of the problem is your CB antenna is not tuned to receive VHF stations (whereas a scanner's antenna is), so there's a huge amount of attenuation because of it. Then you'll have the ability to listen to all sorts of other stuff too if you're so inclined.

 

[Curious Hound]

I agree. Your mount looks great.

X2 on making sure it's sealed well. The third brake light area is a common water leak issue.

This message composed solely of recycled electrons. Go green!

 

[DRanger024]

Thanks guys. The bracket is sealed to the cab on the top and both sides with black Loctite Superflex as well as the notch for the coax in the third brake light. I don’t have a headliner anymore thanks to water leaks.

I stuck the 520 in today and hooked up an external speaker to the PA jack. Huge difference between the two radios! If I really want to know what the weather has in store, I still have my phone available.

I have an aluminum topper I use for camping that I need to get on the truck and get grounded well. Thinking two short braided ground straps in opposite corners should do me well. Thoughts?


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[adsm08]

Oh that is slick. You need to start mass producing those suckers. I'd so buy one.

 

[DRanger024]

I cut two but didn’t form the other one. The leaf brake took some of the cab radius out when the antenna tab was formed so I may try forming the other one on the press. Still have the .dwg file on my computer at work if you want it. Would be nice to cut them on a laser or water jet but we only have a plasma/oxy fuel setup. It’s accurate but holes need clean up.


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[adsm08]

The file you have wouldn't work for me, without some modifications I am probably unqualified to make. I don't have a 3rd brake light, only a cargo light, which is narrower.

I also don't really have the equipment.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

The file you have wouldn't work for me, without some modifications I am probably unqualified to make. I don't have a 3rd brake light, only a cargo light, which is narrower.

I also don't really have the equipment.

If you have a fab shop locally they can drag and drop the .dwg and burn it for you.

I do it all the time. Just pay for material and machine time which is minimal.