Hi all..

I just bought the 2007 Patriot and so far, I love it.

I'm a Ham Radio operator and, or course, the first order of business is installing my ham (two way radio) in this cool Jeep.

I'm baffled as to how to run a 25 amp power cable from the battery into the dash area. Has anyone figured out a safe way to do this?

Thanks for any help.

Wayne

I installed a Moto M1225 radio into the dash of my 07 pat several weeks ago. Found that I had to basically stand on my head to route the wiring through the engine, driver side quarter panel and then through dash, but overall was a 45 minute job. I then removed the cubby below the sirius radio and fixed up a mount on the backside of the radio and HVAC control panel. I got real lucky because the m1225 fit right into the cubby hole tight without any mod to the front. Pictures too follow as soon as I can post.:smiley_thumbs_up:

Go to the site in my signature and download the splice/ground/wiring diagram.

It may help you locate the wire runs throughout the vehicle and find an easy one to trace.

Jim

Here's a photo as promised as an attachment. I really got lucky as this was a direct fit with no mod to the face panel.

Wow Chiefburritt,
Looks like it could almost be factory! Nice work.

Hi all..

I just bought the 2007 Patriot and so far, I love it.

I'm a Ham Radio operator and, or course, the first order of business is installing my ham (two way radio) in this cool Jeep.

I'm baffled as to how to run a 25 amp power cable from the battery into the dash area. Has anyone figured out a safe way to do this?

Thanks for any help.

Wayne


I have already been informed that the only way my 2m rig goes in the new Pat is if I give up a couple of body parts so she can hang from the mirror. :eek:

VE6TEQ

I have already been informed that the only way my 2m rig goes in the new Pat is if I give up a couple of body parts so she can hang from the mirror. :eek:

VE6TEQ

LOL! My wife keeps em in her purse and seldom lets me have em back.:doh:

To the ham looking for a way thru the firewall. As you look at the patriot from the front hood open. Look to the upper left of the fire wall. follow your rear washer cable it bypasses the fore wall and goes into the passinger side. I was able to put wires thru there. I attached it to an anderson powerpole connector.

Pepper
KA8ZOO

I see I'm not alone. I'm looking for ideas on antenna mounts. There are a couple of nice flanks just ahead of the taillights, almost asking for a couple of ball mounts......

Pardon me for a being a newbie with respect to radios. I just purchased a Cobra handheld CB to help me monitor traffic via the truckers channel 19. I realized real quick that I need an exterior antenna. I was planning on getting a magnetic base antenna that I can remove easily. Do I just close my door on the wire? Is there a preferred way to string the wire for such an antenna? Thanks.

Pardon me for a being a newbie with respect to radios. I just purchased a Cobra handheld CB to help me monitor traffic via the truckers channel 19. I realized real quick that I need an exterior antenna. I was planning on getting a magnetic base antenna that I can remove easily. Do I just close my door on the wire? Is there a preferred way to string the wire for such an antenna? Thanks.

there is 2 draw backs to that,
1) being the magnetic base will scratch the paint
2) wherever the wire gets squeezed, such as through the door,
you will have friction, it wear out the wire covering and will wear out the paint where it makes contact,

had such a rig on my neon,
took about 2 years before the antanae wire wore out from friction,

been thinking how to mount it on the pat,
here are some thoughts i have,
bracket on the roof rails, and run the line under the roof rails mounting bracket, i may do this when i install overhead lights,

also thinking of mounting a bracket to the tow hooks, rear tow hook, may interfere with the gate opening
may get a double antanae and use both front tow hooks

i try to put a CB in every one of my cars
let me know what you come up with

Just a word of advice. Magnetic mounts scratch especially every time you try to got through brush or low hanging branches. I installed an antennex permanent mount antennae to the middlle front of the roof. It was real easy to route the cable up the A post and under the headliner. A hole saw was used for the roof tin and I say tin, because that's what it is. It cuts just like a hot knife through butter. The antennae is sealed, its short and black.

Thanks, chiefburritt. I probably won't go the permanent route a) because I am leasing and b) the CB is really only intended when I travel. My commute within the city is short and I usually have the traffic picture even before leaaving the house. On weekend or vacation road trips, that's where I want to use the CB.

Just a word of advice. Magnetic mounts scratch especially every time you try to got through brush or low hanging branches. I installed an antennex permanent mount antennae to the middlle front of the roof. It was real easy to route the cable up the A post and under the headliner. A hole saw was used for the roof tin and I say tin, because that's what it is. It cuts just like a hot knife through butter. The antennae is sealed, its short and black.

That sounds nice

got some pics?

Anyone got pictures of their antenna mounts?

Thanks, Kelly KB0UQT

I see I'm not alone. I'm looking for ideas on antenna mounts. There are a couple of nice flanks just ahead of the taillights, almost asking for a couple of ball mounts......

Use one of the trunk lip mount types - mount to lip of hood by am/fm antenna.

I was lookng at the MFJ or Maldol lip mounts. I guess it would be better to try it with a temp mount before making a larger commitment. Main interest here is HF ops on 40 and 20. Did you try the lip mount anywheres in the tailgate area? Looks like the tailgate window is in the way of everything.

I looked at the back tailgate - but didn't want to run the cable that far on the vehicle and it looks like you would have to mount the antenna on the side - the top tilts inwards too much.

I try to keep my antennas fairly low on the vehicle due to parking garages and such. I've damaged the roof of a few vehicles hitting tree limbs and other low items before with roof mounts.

I did find a sweet spot for mounting a small rig runner behind and to the left of the glove box. I'll post a picture when it arrives from powerwrex and I get it installed.

Kelly KB0UQT

Well, I managed to install a dual bander in the Pat "and" remain the sole owner of some body parts that were destined to be ornamental only.

I installed a Yaesu FT-7800 into the Patriot with a few stipulations. No drilling holes, no drilling holes, and under no circumstances, no drilling holes.

First order, install the main unit.

What a wonderful product velcro is. I covered the botton of the main unit along with the back of a remote speaker and VOILA, it sits ever so nice underneath the drivers seat.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v612/pigshanks/P2080579.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v612/pigshanks/P2080580.jpg

Power is obtained from the lighter plug, and I can use full power with no problems.

Next I had to figure out a way to mount the antenna. I picked up an antenna mount from a local two way install shop. The mount is made for a Dodge truck and with a bit of rebending and an enlarged hole, I managed to use an existing bolt to mount it.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v612/pigshanks/P2080583.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v612/pigshanks/P2080585.jpg


A low profile dual band antenna and this portion of the install was done. The coax was a bit harder to run. I tucked it in the seam between the fender and the cowling, ran it down the door opening, and then under the weather seal about 1/2 way down the door frame, right where it is split. Fits great and no binding.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v612/pigshanks/P2080587.jpg

Connected the coax to the radio then moved on to the remote head mount.
For this I tucked the remote cable under the center cosole cover and run it up along the cable for the GPS unit. I tucked the head unit into the space underneath the sound system. Friction fit.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v612/pigshanks/P2080578.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v612/pigshanks/P2080588.jpg

It took me about an hour for the install and it did get the "WIFEY" seal of approval.

73

VE6TEQ

TEQ-not bad. I was considering splitting my Alinco HF with the guts under the seat. So far my biggest problem is a good mount for Hamsticks or Hustler HF antennae. I know some use Maldol or MFJ lip mounts, but have you ever tried them with an antenna over 4 feet high? They work OK with my CB short whips but leave something to be desired with larger ones. I build something someday...............

I'll also figure out how "edit" works on here. Place these to l's in the above!

To the ham looking for a way thru the firewall. As you look at the patriot from the front hood open. Look to the upper left of the fire wall. follow your rear washer cable it bypasses the fore wall and goes into the passinger side. I was able to put wires thru there. I attached it to an anderson powerpole connector.

Pepper
KA8ZOO

:( I checked my 2008 for the opening you referred to. There is another lovely rubber boot there. No way of getting by it that I can see.

As far as mounts go, I picked up one that fits just fine on the luggage rack. The Diamond Antenna K515S can handle the rather large bar. In the instructions, Figure C seems to look the closest. There are two sets of screws, long and short. I used the short one in back with a long one in front. There is a catch. You cannot point the long screw down, or you will damage the roof. I inverted the screw (see pic), set the nut to about the right length then put on the short screw in back downward. I cut the screw end off with a mini tool so I could operate the adjustment wingnut. If you are squeamish about height, be warned, you need at least a half wave for this to work right (ground independence). I think either Diamond or Comet make a motorized version that is universal like this, but otherwise, be careful with clearance.

Hi N9EAX,

K2QO here. I am on the verge of buying a Pat for roving to replace my aging Buick Rendezvous. That cubby below the radio reeled me in when at the Buffalo Auto Show last week. I need to go to the dealer and measure everything up a bit to make sure my rover gear will fit.

GL es 73,
Mark K2QO
www dot buffalo dot edu/~msadams

sorry for the confusing URL but this is my first post to this groups and I need 5 before they'll allow the direct URL.

I picked up an ICOM IC-208H with a detachable head for the Patriot, and just like the Yeasu 7800 earlier in the thread, the head fits like a glove in the CD slot under the radio. Probably going to spread a little silicone sealant on the top and bottom to make it stay, but it is uncanny.

Now if I can get that power line in... :icon_rolleyes:

N9EAX,

One thing I would consider is to construct a block of wood to fit into the hole and mound the head on it so that the back of the head is flush with the dash. The block could be painted black and the controls on the head would be just a little bit closer and easier to reach.

If you look at my rover shots at the web address I previously posted, you'll note a very neat radio head holder I made for my FT-100D. It is a heavy duty mailing tube that fits into a cup holder. In the top I installed a angled piece of masonite to which the head is attached. If you get the right height and angle you have a super installation. With the rover comes 4 radios, 7 transverters, many amplifiers, switches, etc, so finding simple and secure ways to mount stuff is a priceless.

73,
K2QO

Thanks for the advice. I think I will go that route. The radio is set up now and it is using the power socket for the time being. It fit nicely below the seat. The antenna wiring I got with the mount slid under the driver side back door stripping and I managed to bring it in through the seam. Since it is just my wife and I, there is no real concern about wear on the cable. It is one of those micro coax cables and it seems to make all the turns it needs to just fine. I might invest in an extender for the microphone cable, but everything is working fine.

Still looking for hints on running a fused power line to the battery. Any ideas anyone? :rolleyes:

2007 and 2008 shouldn't be any different - run the power from the battery to the drivers side firewall, across the firewall to the passenger fender, there should be a window washer line that goes through the firewall down the inside of that passenger fender and inside behind the glove box. Worked for me, terminated into a power pole connection and there are nice places behind the glove box for rig runners to be installed.

I looked over that location. I can see where the washer line goes through. In the 2008, there is a big nasty grommet there. I'd like to fish my 10ga cable through there, but I can't see how it can. :(

Push or pull that grommet out, and you can put a 12-10ga wire right around it... I'll try to get a picture of mine later...

I am planning on installing in a couple weeks too. A picture would be great.

Thank-you for the info ! :D

Push or pull that grommet out, and you can put a 12-10ga wire right around it... I'll try to get a picture of mine later...

I looked at the back tailgate - but didn't want to run the cable that far on the vehicle and it looks like you would have to mount the antenna on the side - the top tilts inwards too much.

I try to keep my antennas fairly low on the vehicle due to parking garages and such. I've damaged the roof of a few vehicles hitting tree limbs and other low items before with roof mounts.

I did find a sweet spot for mounting a small rig runner behind and to the left of the glove box. I'll post a picture when it arrives from powerwrex and I get it installed.

Kelly KB0UQT

Don't you match your antenna with your radio? Usually end up with a few yards of extra coax anyway if my memory serves me properly. Game plan is another Francis Amazer fiberglass whip on the rear bumper, I'm still open for suggestions on a radio though. Back in the day, had an old Motorola that a CB friend of mine "sweetened" for me by adding a few watts of power. Linear amps were strictly off limits. Now it looks like they're fairly easy to get...still not cheap though. Linear amps for CB radios still illegal?

Linear amps for CB radios still illegal?

Yes they are. And over the last few years since a HAM was running the enforcement section of the FCC, they've been taking a very dim view of them for CB users.

Now, if you have a HAM license, QRO baby...

Jon
W8JAM

Yes they are. And over the last few years since a HAM was running the enforcement section of the FCC, they've been taking a very dim view of them for CB users.

Now, if you have a HAM license, QRO baby...

Jon
W8JAM

I'll be barefoot 99.9% of the time...the linear would be for emergency situations stuck in the desert....well, maybe a little unintentional long range too...

HAM seems like it's a hobby that grabs you and doesn't let go. Not sure I'm ready to sell my soul quite yet.

Install done at

CB RADIO STORE at the A1 Truck Wash
15252 Valley Blvd
Fontana, CA 92335
(909) 428-0340

Just east of Cherry on Valley, North side of the street. Dude that did the radio tweak & peak goes by "Capt. Kirk". He also did the installation. See the end of the report before you decide to have them install the hardware and radio.

Parts changed a bit from what I had in mind. Went with a Tweaked & Peaked Cobra 148 GTL with upper/lower sideband, and a 5 foot Firestick II. The antenna I wanted was bottom loaded, so it needed to be installed on the roof. I didn't think the sheet metal would hold up to the wind load so I went with a top loaded antenna...2/3 above the roof.

Overall, the price was fair for the radio and parts. Installation (book) rates is about 50 bucks an hour. This install took well more than the time they quoted me, but the price didn't go up when the cash register started ringing.

The installation, however...leaves a few things that I'm not too thrilled about.

Pops always told me to measure twice and cut once...but this guy just started poking with the self drilling screws. Dawson, I don't know how you got that bumper mount to work, Captain Kirk ran a screw into the bumper without getting on his back to look at what was going on. No metal in the space behind where he tried to mount it.

Hole #1....comment was "put some putty in that".

Owner told me at this point of a really nice install he did on his Liberty with some brackets and a few sheet metal screws. Ran the coax inside...nice clean install. I told them to go for it.

No pilot holes for the screws, and Captain Kirk started going to town. Screws flying everywhere, along with a few good dents and scrapes in the paint. Starting to get a little sick to my stomach at this point...and a little pissed off. This guy didn't plan his route and instead of putting the coax inside like the owner did, he went for the easy route and ran it under the vehicle.

I asked him how he was going to get it back in the cab...and told him I didn't want any holes drilled below the top of the wheel well.

Next thing I see, is him with a 3/8" drill bit boring a hole from the inside through to the outside....at the bottom of the fvcking passenger side door jamb. Guess my water fording ability has been compromised, I can just imagine the water rushing inside the truck next time I get a little wet.

One more criticism. The bracket Captain Kirk used was different than the one the owner said he used. This guy was going for speed, and really didn't give a crap what he did to my truck...scratches all over, holes where I told him I didn't want them...and grease from door seals all over the leather interior. The best part was finishing up and closing doors. The damn back hatch doesn't close all the way now because the screws he used have heads that are too big. The rear hatch hits the screw heads when the door closes, shifting the alignment of the door and leaving a gap at the bottom.

Radio mount inside is solid, but I repeatedly reminded Captain Kirk about the need to leave space for the glove box to open without hitting the radio. It hits the radio.

Final thoughts: NOT happy at all with the installation. My advice would be for you to do the installation yourself, and have them do the radio work. Not even sure the radio work they did was worth what I paid...I've yet to receive back a radio check. We'll see how it works out in the dirt with some people with radios in their vehicles.

PICS:

http://www.fastpictures.com/images/oneinchgroup/installed1_1.jpg

http://www.fastpictures.com/images/oneinchgroup/installed2.jpg

http://www.fastpictures.com/images/oneinchgroup/installed3.jpg

http://www.fastpictures.com/images/oneinchgroup/installed4.jpg

http://www.fastpictures.com/images/oneinchgroup/installed5.jpg

http://www.fastpictures.com/images/oneinchgroup/installed7.jpg

wow...
My wife would kick my ass if I came out with that....

I would of made a bracket that came off of the passenger seat mounting bolts

My only suggestion, get a spring on that mount ASAP; we'd hate to hear of a broken antenna. That's some crazy height, you should get good reception. How does it ride in the wind?

EDIT: So, I didn't really read the post before and didn't want to say anything mean, but now that I read it, yeah, that looks like ****. Sorry about your troubles. My mount actually has two studs and nuts that penetrate the bumper and it is very secure. My thought was, I'd rather the bumper get jacked up than any of the steel. I did the install myself, and it wasn't very difficult - that includes the routing of the cable through the INTERIOR. Damn, your story pisses me off. Get your money back, buy me a ticket, and I'll come hook you up! Seriously though, I'd pull that mount off today, it's only damaging stuff. Then, pull the cable out, patch all the holes and chalk this one up as a learning experience. You said it best, do it yourself! Let us know if we can be of any help.

I'd definetly be asking for a full refund "and" repair cost. Sorry to hear about the troubles and hope you can find a solution.

Hello Dawson,

How did you get the coax outside the Patriot? I see rubber grommets I was thinking of going through towards the top right and again on the left of the lift gate.



My only suggestion, get a spring on that mount ASAP; we'd hate to hear of a broken antenna. That's some crazy height, you should get good reception. How does it ride in the wind?

EDIT: So, I didn't really read the post before and didn't want to say anything mean, but now that I read it, yeah, that looks like ****. Sorry about your troubles. My mount actually has two studs and nuts that penetrate the bumper and it is very secure. My thought was, I'd rather the bumper get jacked up than any of the steel. I did the install myself, and it wasn't very difficult - that includes the routing of the cable through the INTERIOR. Damn, your story pisses me off. Get your money back, buy me a ticket, and I'll come hook you up! Seriously though, I'd pull that mount off today, it's only damaging stuff. Then, pull the cable out, patch all the holes and chalk this one up as a learning experience. You said it best, do it yourself! Let us know if we can be of any help.

Well, I fixed the really ugly parts, still have to get this crook to fix the holes he drilled though. Got the firestik mount/antenna kit that was mentioned before...and 2 hours later had a nice, clean installation that any sober technician would be proud of.

Pic of the mount and the 4 foot firefly antenna...

http://www.fastpictures.com/images/oneinchgroup/dscf1386small.jpg

I'm not going to slam the install shop again...well, not much anyway.

CB RADIO STORE
15252 Valley Blvd
Fontana CA 92335
ph: 909-428-0340
fx: 760-949-0712


Under no circumstances should anyone go to these guys for anything. They are hacks. On top of being hacks, the boss is now telling me to "pull my head out of that dark, moist place".

Dude tells me he needs to see the damage before he agrees to fix it, but then tells me if I show up at his shop I'll be run off the lot. His twig-boy installers would have a hard time doing that if I didn't want them to, but I'm not going to jail for some tweaker losers that can't get a real job. Small claims suit paperwork is in the mail.

Anyway, the new install is great, thanks for the recommendation on the mount solution. I got out over 9 miles my first radio check, in noisy So Cal...so this radio I have now actually works.

RECOMMENDATION FOR ANYONE LOOKING TO BUY CB PARTS! Yes, a recommendation. These guys are great. Had a slight problem with some of the parts I had shipped, the mount was cracked and the speaker on the radio didn't sound too good.

New place said they'd be sending out a replacement mount, a replacement speaker, and a free external speaker in case the internal replacement didn't work.

One email and the guy was very apologetic and told me they would even pay for shipping back to the shop if there was a problem with the radio.

See? I'm not always negative. Do me right, and I'll do you right...

Here's the 1inchgroup recommendation...and that ain't easy to come by.

http://walcottcb.com/

Homac,

I put a hole through the spare tire pan to get out behind the bumper.

1inch,

Glad to see you got this fixed. Did you do it yourself this time? Looks good. But, get yourself a shoe-string to secure that antenna. At speed it will whip all over the place.

1inch,

Glad to see you got this fixed. Did you do it yourself this time? Looks good. But, get yourself a shoe-string to secure that antenna. At speed it will whip all over the place.

Yep, me and my brother did it after installing the lift kit. Still had some daylight and beer left. Actually, mine doesn't move too much, I think it's installed a little farther right than yours so it's inside the wind hole (for lack of better term) behind the Heep. Wake....that's the word I was looking for. It flaps about as often as my hood now, on crosswinds...so it's an equalizer.

I was able to run the cable up in through the rear door from behind. Can't see it, and it's behind the door rubber gaskets, nice and roomy. I gots me enough holes already... :)

This is excellent Dawson, just took a look and see that would be quite easy.

Thank-you....



Homac,

I put a hole through the spare tire pan to get out behind the bumper.

1inch,

Glad to see you got this fixed. Did you do it yourself this time? Looks good. But, get yourself a shoe-string to secure that antenna. At speed it will whip all over the place.

BTT

hello, i am a potential jeep patriot future owner (i am still trying to decide).

anyways, has anyone thought about securing a mount to one of the rails on the top of the roof? or, creating your own accessory attachment to the rail, then securing an antenna mount to the accessory attachment?
or, getting a semi-permanent bike attachment on the trunk and attaching a mount to that? i know i see a lot of jeep wranglers with antennas attached to the spare tire swing-gate.

I want to put a CB into my '09 Pat but the '09 doesn't have the little cubby hole under the radio anymore. Not complaining too loud as I really like the other interior changes!

Gotta figure out where to put one in there...

I want to put a CB into my '09 Pat but the '09 doesn't have the little cubby hole under the radio anymore. Not complaining too loud as I really like the other interior changes!

Gotta figure out where to put one in there...

how about drilling it onto the passenger side center panel? or you could put it in the glove compartment (if it's a compact CB).

this is what i did;)
http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc33/elbowt/DSC01341.jpg
http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc33/elbowt/DSC01369.jpg
just a steady hand theres lotsa room in the roof area

I've been giving serious thought to having a two-way radio in my Patriot (a two-way radio other than my cell phone that is :) ) recently and I suspect you lot are partially to blame. Thanks alot guys, that's another several hundred euros down the drain. :p

Okay, seriously now. As part of generic zombie-preparedness*, a communication system that is not dependent on the condition of the backup batteries of cell phone towers would be nice. I am thinking CB would be the best way to go, at least for starters, since it seems to be the most popular. Other options would be a HAM-radio in either 2m/70cm bands or a HF-radio. While there is some appeal towards the HF-rig (it could, if necessary, operate on the CB band after all), those things are quite a bit more expensive than CBs - and of course I would need to get a license for one first. (Also, for non-emergency use, it would be illegal to broadcast on the CB band, unless I am mistaken? So that would make it a listen-only rig until the zombies appear.) The higher frequency HAM-bands sound like a bad idea due to limited range. Any comments on my logic? I am very new at this, after all... Perhaps I missed something?

One big problem I have is that as I've understood it, the most important component of any two-way radio system is the antenna. And the best kind of antenna for low frequencies (HF-band) is very, very tall. However, I would rather not lose said antenna the first time I drive under a low bridge or into a parking garage... Ideas and suggestions would be most welcome.


Pic of the mount and the 4 foot firefly antenna...

http://www.fastpictures.com/images/oneinchgroup/dscf1386small.jpg

This seems like an interesting way of mounting a tall antenna without making the overall height ridiculous. One CB manual I downloaded, however, claimed that this would be the worst place to place an antenna. How has that setup worked for you?



* Well... not entirely seriously. :)

as far as Europe is concerned with CB radio the regulations and frequencies differ some what in Australia we have 70cm and hf frequencies, in the USA im sure its only HF, in England they use 90cm so you really need to talk with some truckies over there to get the low down on that area, then antenna etc will be dictating what and where it goes, if its 90cm, they are only a couple of inches long, UHF here can be as short as 6inches.

Sure, a shorter wave lenght antenna would be shorter. But like I pointed out, the range on those higher frequencies seems to me like it would be likely to cause a problem. As I've understood it, while you may get a signal to travel a long way with those frequencies, most of the time your signal would not travel very far. Finland is a sparsely populated country - start going northwards and the distances between places open up quite rapidly. Range seems to me to be a good thing to go for in these circumstances.

CB frequencies in Finland (and Europe in general, it's pretty standardized these days) are between 27...29MHz, so that's what I would be working with if I stuck with a permit-free radio. Even with a ham-radio license though, the HF band (below 50MHz) seems to me like the best place to go since it a) is CB-compatible and b) has the most range.

Here is a link to what my set up looks like:

http://www.jeeppatriot.com/forum/showthread.php?t=12188

Nice install Chiefburritt, how does the faceplate come off? Looks like I could mount my IC706 control head there but haven't figured out how the faceplate comes off....of course the antenna is also posing a challenge. :smiley_thumbs_up:

Thanks, Barry - VE7BWH

as far as Europe is concerned with CB radio the regulations and frequencies differ some what in Australia we have 70cm and hf frequencies, in the USA im sure its only HF, in England they use 90cm so you really need to talk with some truckies over there to get the low down on that area, then antenna etc will be dictating what and where it goes, if its 90cm, they are only a couple of inches long, UHF here can be as short as 6inches.

Australia has the 70cm band for CB? Im sure the hams wouldnt be happy to hear that, thats totally incorrect!
CB radio in Australia has 27mhz and 477mhz which you being in radio should know is 63cm

UK has 2 CB bands, 27mhz FM (11 meters) and 900mhz (33cm) Dont know where you got 90cm from but thats totally wrong
90cm is 325mhz which is right in the middle of the TV Band here in the UK.

FYI.. the bigger the full wave length the bigger the antenna required, so an antenna for 325mhz (90cm) would be bigger then a antenna for a higher frequency (477mhz)

eek got it way wrong, must admit had a few scotches when i typed that, hmm 90cm way off shoulda said 900mhz ish etc, but the general gyst is there;)....beter to post when sober and awake..teehee

this is what i did;)
just a steady hand theres lotsa room in the roof area

Is that the entire radio in there or just a detachable part? If its the entire radio, how did it fit in there? Or do you have some extremely compact unit?

...And where's your mic, anyway? :)

Next I had to figure out a way to mount the antenna. I picked up an antenna mount from a local two way install shop. The mount is made for a Dodge truck and with a bit of rebending and an enlarged hole, I managed to use an existing bolt to mount it.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v612/pigshanks/P2080583.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v612/pigshanks/P2080585.jpg

As you might know ( :) ), I've been planning on putting a CB radio in my Patriot. "Absolutely no holes" is not a requirement, but finding a competent radio shop to do an installation that would require holes is turning out to be surprisingly difficult.

How much weight do you think that your mount system would hold? A CB antenna would be a fair bit larger than what you have there... Also, any metal-on-metal contact that could cause long term problems? (Plenty of salt on roads around my neck of the woods.) I was thinking about a larger mount (http://www.jeeppatriot.com/forum/showthread.php?t=14865) but if that works, might as well go with an existing mount. :)

As you might know ( :) ), I've been planning on putting a CB radio in my Patriot. "Absolutely no holes" is not a requirement, but finding a competent radio shop to do an installation that would require holes is turning out to be surprisingly difficult.

How much weight do you think that your mount system would hold? A CB antenna would be a fair bit larger than what you have there... Also, any metal-on-metal contact that could cause long term problems? (Plenty of salt on roads around my neck of the woods.) I was thinking about a larger mount (http://www.jeeppatriot.com/forum/showthread.php?t=14865) but if that works, might as well go with an existing mount. :)

A small CB antenna wouldn't be a problem, say 3 or 4 feet, but over that might be a problem.

So I just bought a FT-8900, but for now I'm planning on using only the 2m/70 bands on it... how did the cig ligther socket work out for u? it has enough amps and the wiring is good enough to power this thing at 50 watts?