Ham Radio - CB - Trail Communications

Come on Now, where are the amateur radio operators. You know how to get in touch with me, would like to meet ya guys. Thanks. Seth

Greetings Forum! I just picked up a 2015, and I'm happy with it, but I'm not at all that sure how to wire this thing up with a two way radio. In the absence of a dedicated thread, I'm hoping to get some advice, and perhaps this thread can serve as reference for future 2015 installs. I'll also update the thread with pictures before/after. Now, I've spent 2 days going over this forum and other sites seeking info on installing a Yaesu FT8800R in a 2015 Explorer and I haven't found much. So here are the areas, my thoughts, and challenges: Remote Head Location At first glance, ideal remote head locations seem pretty sparse. I've consider over head, under the visor; while there seems to be enough room with limited affect of visor...

Please post your equipment, and a photo of your installation, from your SECOND Generation Explorer.

I built a box for mine.

Thought I would post these up for the benefit of the forum. This is how I installed an antenna mount I made last weekend. Pretty simple to make, mine is made from 12 gauge steel, 3/4 inch wide. So, first off you'll need some supplies. The screws I got were a little long, but that's ok, there is plenty of room back there. You'll need 2. The washers aren't anything special, you'll need 4. Those square nuts are the nifty part, not sure exactly what they are called but they are enclosed in a metal cage that lets you insert them in to a panel. Get 2 of them. Lastly you see the ground wire setup. The wire is 10 gauge braided copper house wire. The ring terminals were selected so that the big one would fit on the CB antenna mount, and the...

Hello all! While I wait for my Elite Explorer payment to clear thought I'd share a CB install in a Gen 3 Explorer. Of course there are some ways to do it but I wanted a radio in the truck and keep the "storage" areas of the console. I'm 6'/220 and didn't want my knees hitting the radio so here goes... The center console in the Gen 3 comes out pretty easy. a screw and lots of clamps. There is a void space in between the climate control venting that can fit a small radio. Only a small radio. I picked a mini-CB from Radio Shack for this although Uniden and other manufacturers have ones that might fit also. Next use a roto-zip or dremel to cut into the plastic to make an opening. Due to the venting it will go down into...

...I thought this would come in handy for those who need to run out and get a basic, quick, setup for cheap...:biggthump ..Again, this is a reliable setup but the key words are Quick, Easy, and Cheap...There are a lot better preferances and setup's but this will work for a fulltime user and is great for the first time setup...:hammer: ..This will include magnet mount antenna's for quick installation and removal for your daily life, for those who do not need a CB all the time..This setup also works well to move it to other vehicles too.. ..CB...I have this model in each truck.. ...This is the Cobra 19 DX IV which can be found easily, (as well as these antenna's, at wally world, Target, and Radioshack) for $49.99 or on sale for...

SWR (standing wave ratio), is a measurement of how efficiently your antenna system will radiate the power available from your radio. In simple terms, your radio would like to radiate all of its power, but can only do so if the other components cooperate. Bad coax and mounts, or inefficient antennas and ground plane can cause system bottlenecks. The easiest way to understand the concept is to think of it in terms of water flow. That is, if you put a one inch faucet on a two inch pipe, your potential output will be restricted by the one inch outlet. So goes antenna systems. Setting your antennas SWR will reduce the restriction of radiated power. If all radios only transmitted on one channel, it would be a much easier task to design...

I'm writing this because I have had several PM's asking various questions about antennas and our vehicles. The goal of this post is to explain CB antennas and their use on our types of vehicles (SUV's and small pickup trucks). I want to do this without resorting to tons of equations as many people find them intimidating and to some people unreadable. This is also meant for the CB band only. Not all of this will apply to other bands. The further away from the CB band you get the less of this information will apply. The antenna is the most important part of the cb radio system. CB radios, from $20 through $150 and beyond have their differences, they are however all limited by law to 4 watts of output power. Because of this...

2006+ Ham Radio Installs Yaesu-FT7800 After an hour of scanning forum page to page, I can see a trend.. :) There seems to be a lack of 2006 and later installs. As I am trying to figure out where to mount my Icom, I can see why. I want to do a custom install to a certain extent, keeping my interior as original as possible, but I don't want my radio velcro'd to the side of the center console or anything.. :D Does anyone have any experience mounting their radio cleanly in a 06 or later interior? I keep eyeing that strip below the heater controls, to cut out. Any one else use this area? 73 Hal KD7DYV

Hi Folks, I finally cured the RFI noise being radiated by my fuel pump. I figured it would be best to start a new thread with the fix. Additional pics and instructions: http://www2.97vette.com/sporttrac/rfi_fix/rfi_fix.html The dealer installed Ford part F1PZ-18B925-A in the fuel tank on the leads going to the fuel pump, but I still had an S7 - S8 noise level on all bands, all modes. The fuel tank is metal and I thought that the Ford RFI filter would have fixed things, but it didn't. After reading some suggestions and links from folks on this forum I decided to create my own filter. I picked up 4 Radio Shack snap-on RF chokes, some 18 Gauge wire, and some quick-disconnect butt connectors. I also had some T-50-2 toroids...

I've noticed a few people asking about different noises and how to cure them... not bieing the vehicle expert, I can't vouch for the cause (and my truck seems, at the moment, to be pretty quiet...), but i have a few ideas for locating the source of the noise... and some general notes on RFI/EMI problems... There's 2 basic kinds of noise; radiated and conducted RADIATED Radiated noise is jsut that, noise that comes off of a wire or device and gets in to your two way equipment through the antenna. There's a few ways to see if this is your problem: the most difficult method is to move the antenna. As an example, you may be able to move it from near the fuel tank (like on the bed of a ranger) to the roof of the cab, and the...

Hi ALL, Not to be a "Stick in the Mud", or whatever,But I feel, as Moderator of this group, a responsibility and that I would be direlict to not call to the attention of any of us that use or are contemplating using Modified, "Peeked", "Export" etc., CB radios, or "Hammers", "Mauls". "Pills", "Modulators", or other devices that are linear amplifiers, that operate or boost power beyond the FCC legal 4 watt output limit. Also. I feel I should caution everyone not to operate outside of the CB band (26.965 to 27.405 mHz). The Reason: The Federal Communications Comission (FCC) has been, for the last couple of years, on an enforcement campaign. They are a regulatory agency, and as such, have the power, just like the IRS, etc., to...

There have been several posts lately about shortening antenna coax cables, or installing new connectors. Thought the attached diagram from the ARRL book "Now You're Talking" might help.

Growing up, my father always had a CB in his vehicles. 4x4s had units on the dash like he was the Snowman, and smaller cars had Radio Shack and Uniden handhelds. The other day, I was caught in an accident on the highway. The advisory website, which I bookmark on my phone, never updated the cause or estimated time to clear. It took two hours. But I realized that I needed a CB, for situations like that. I now have an F-150, which presents the problem of aluminum surfaces all around. So, to mount a 2 or 4 foot antenna, I need to get a little more creative. I picked up a Firestik MK-294R bed stake mount, which I should be able to install under my Bedlocker rails. I will use the rear pocket to keep it the farthest from the cab...

It seems like GMRS is all the rage with off-roaders the past few years. Some groups do not even use CB radios anymore. I have a HAM radio in my Explorer that can tune into most GMRS frequencies but I do not have a license for either because I haven't gotten around to studying and taking the HAM test. The GMRS radio requires a registration license with the FCC, but does not have a test. Apparently, they are going to drop the $70 fee for ten years down to $35 sometime this year. I have done zero research. What are the pros / cons of GMRS vs HAM, besides range?

Not sure if this goes here, feel free to move if it doesn't.... I have a undercover siren. I have a RS CB that has a pa output.(mini jack) Does anyone know if I can tie the pa into my siren? The siren has 4 sounds, & the speaker output. It's a Sho-Me model. I called Sho-Me & they said there's no way.

Ive seen many threads on where to mount antennas (tailight, mag, etc) but i commonly carry stuff on my roof... is there a superior alternative that still has close to as good reception as i get with my mag mount roof antenna i have currently? thanks!

SDR Software defined radio a real fancy way to not have to grind crystals, wrap wire around oatmeal containers, and punch panel holes but,"ya gotta still string wire" or put up a good antenna. With a cheap dongle plugged into one's USB port about $35ish, the RF world from 24 MHZ to 1.7 GHz is yours! Decoding AM,FM,SSB (U and L), SSTV and several digital modes. Capturing Space Station transmissions or even live weather satellite photos are yours too. If all this sounds interesting then read on. 1. Buy dongle. I bought a Nooelec bundle that included a "Ham It Up" that extends coverage down to 100 KHz (lees than AM radio). 2. Now download FREE LEGAL software from... RUN Pre-requisites: .NET 5 Desktop x86 Runtime first from...

SDR Software defined radio a real fancy way to not have to grind crystals, wrap wire around oatmeal containers but, "ya gotta still string wire" or put up a good antenna. With a cheap dongle plugged into one's USB port about $35ish, the RF world from 24 MHZ to 1.7 GHz is yours! Decoding AM,FM,SSB (U and L), SSTV and several digital modes. Capturing Space Station transmissions or even live weather satellite photos are yours too. If all this sounds interesting then read on. 1. Buy dongle. I bought a Nooelec bundle that included a "Ham It Up" that extends coverage down to 100 KHz (lees than AM radio). 2. Now download FREE LEGAL software from... RUN Pre-requisites: .NET 5 Desktop x86 Runtime first from https://airspy.com/download/ 3...

Anyone using EchoLink?

About a year ago I made a bracket to install a NMO mount antenna just behind the hood and in front of the A-pillar on my Explorer for my VHF radio. Previously I had been using a mag mount that I removed after each trip and I got tired of doing that so I decided to go with a more permanent solution. I redesigned my LED pod light brackets to fit a NMO mount instead. It doesn't require any drilling and bolts right on. I have been using a Larsen 2/70 NMO antenna and it has been working out great! I also bought a NMO cap for the times I want to remove the antenna. I also took the rubber cover off the radio antenna on a parts Explorer and cut it down slightly to install on the Larsen antenna to stiffen it some and cover up the set screws at...

VERO VR-N7500 50W Dual Band Mobile Radio With APP Programming It's bluetooth enabled. You can hide it, and use either a cell phone/tablet to control it, or the hand held speaker/microphone. It also decodes and tracks APRS; it's supposed to also send, but one reviewer says that is broken. I'm thinking of it to hide the radio in the jeep. Currently, it's above the mirror, but it moves aound soo much it's kinda scary. With this, I can put it under the seat, and use an Android radio to control it. Anyone see anything else like this?

Hello I am seriously considering buying an Icom F121S after multiple problems with my Motorola HT 1000, primary after being unreadable on California Department of Forestry primary channel (I am a volunteer firefighter). I see there is a recent CB thread. where Exploder22 has his antenna mounted looks like a good place. the other place that I am thinking of mounting it is on the back bumper. CB Radio Install I don't want to do a lot of disassembly of the inside of my car or drill any holes in the body. drilling into plastic is fine. thanks

Some friends and I are going to take the test in a couple weeks. I was wondering what radio would be decent. Been looking at the Icom 2730a and Yeasu 8900r. What would be your opinion to get. I am open to other radios as well.

Wasnt sure where to post this on here but If anybody has experience with cb I have a question Ok so my old cd antenna cable got damaged so I replaced it and ran it a different route unfortunately it runs near the coil pack and I pick up signal from it in my reception. Is there any way to wrap or coat the cable with something to better insulate it from interference? And I haven't received any transmissions on the highway just scanning a few times while driving except when testing it at home with another cb 30 feet away it works great. Also the tip on my Wilson silverload is ground off (I drug the antenna once and didn't realise it until I got home because the bracket broke) so now the swr is unadjustable though it was never tuned any...

This radio has been in my Explorer for nearly 20 years... It still works great!! I pulled it out to give it a cleaning after my Icom 2800 died. The 2800s LCD screen won't turn on any more. I don't think it has anything to do with dust.

I passed my technician test on Saturday and now need a radio for the ranger. I have a handheld boefang for now but am looking for a permanent mount that hopefully will get better reception. I am not looking for anything crazy as I am really not that into trying to talk to random people. I mostly want it for rig to rig communication on the trail and emergencies when out wheeling in the local mountains. From talking to a few locals just about all the local trails have a repeater close enough that a rig mounted unit can access it but the handhelds cant always. Another plus would be easily removable so I could add an antenna and mount in my wife's jeep and quickly swap the radio over.

Well after a short jaunt in CO, we are back home in AZ. Buying a house and getting settled in. Any of ya ham explorers around here get on the ham radio? CB? GMRS? Looking to get the freqs in my radios.