Been a while...... Howdy EF!
Hitting the exercise bike daily for a couple of weeks now, and slowly building back my stamina, and breathing without wanting to pass out. Lost about 15 lbs so far. Was able to mow the lawn a couple weeks ago! Baby steps! LOL
Anyways, felt like doing something with this rig, but something simple physically. I ordered a 15W Midland MicroMobile 275 GMRS combo kit with the ghost antennae, and finally got it installed.
This unit is like the Cobra 75 CB, with all the controls in the Mic. You can hide the base unit, and what I chose to do, just like the Cobra 75 base is tucked away in the dash.
I really didn't have any more room inside the dash, so chose to use the glove box. I really don't use it for much of anything, so no love loss.
Three 7mm screws is all that holds the glove box to the dash. I removed it, to make it easier to fish the wires to it. The base unit is removable from the mounting bracket, and the bracket is installed with one center 8mm stainless bolt/nut, so I can swivel the unit 1/4 turn. A hole was made for the cables to pass thru the backside. Power/ground- UHF cable-Aux speaker-Cat6 all feed into the base unit.
The UHF cable is almost 20 ft long, and I only needed about 6 foot. I tried to tuck the extra cable behind the box, but already had that open space to the right filled with the CB cable. so it got rolled up and sits in the glove box for now. I will think of something eventually for it, and move it.
The UHF cable was ran behind the dash, then thru the firewall behind the brake pedal area. I used a cable gland grommet for it and the the power wire. It's water tight once tightened. Cable runs up to cowl where the Ghost mini Ant resides on Brian1 built bracket made for it. A simple 5/16" stainless carriage bolt was used.
The Mic cable is a CAT6 that can be extended with the supplied 18 ft extension if wanted. That was just too big and it would mean another bundle of wire to hide/store somewhere. I decided to go another route. I found a stainless CAT6 bulkhead with dust cover, on the old amazonian site that works perfectly. It's a dble female, and used with a 3 ft dble male CAT6 extension (also Amazon) to eliminate extra cable.
The bulkhead plugin was installed on the Pass side of the console down low, near the 12v port. Same with a Mic holder.
The base unit has a speaker, and so does the MIC. You can control which speaker you want to use with the Mic. I plugged in a remote speaker mounted behind me by the C Pillar, because of the base being inside the glovebox. It's plenty loud, and there is a volume control.
When not in use, the Mic simply unplugs, and is stored in the glovebox.
Using repeaters this can reach 100 miles per repeater. I most likely will never ever use those, even with the $35 license and call sign your "supposed" to get with these. 50 miles clear line of sight, 35 miles in hilly terrain, and 5 miles in the hills. More then I need! It will work great while on the HWY talking to others in the caravan too.
I only wanted this because everyone is using the UHF bands these days. I have a set of Midland handhelds that I have been using, and this is much simpler being hardwired to the battery, and no more battery fuss. The handhelds work the same as this, and they are a nice addition to this system. I can lend a handheld to someone in our group if they are without.
Those extending CV's are the next project once I am up to it. Also a new headliner is waiting with the Corbeau bracket lowering mod. Fall temps are here, and I plan on taking advantage of it. next month I want to spend a weekend camping and wheeling at a park, so I got to get it in gear!
I have a major engine project I am wanting to do on this rig over the winter, and am going to need help with figuring it out. I know there are a few of you engine building members following this, and I am going to lean on your advice big time, if your able. Thinking crate motor build pushing 300-350HP!!
Until next time, I hope your all doing well, and living life to the fullest!
