[Silverone]

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

 

[n9eax]

Cable run and antenna mount

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.

 

[k2qo]

Jeep for Roving

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.

 

[n9eax]

Radio Choice

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:

 

[k2qo]

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

 

[n9eax]

More about the setup...

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?

 

[gnihcraes]

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.

 

[n9eax]

Power cable run

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.

 

[gnihcraes]

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...

 

[homac]

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

Thank-you for the info !

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...

 

[1inchgroup]

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?

 

[NoneRequired]

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

 

[1inchgroup]

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.

 

[1inchgroup]

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:

 

[DrugRunR]

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

 

[Dawson]

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.

 

[Pigshanks]

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.

 

[homac]

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.

 

[1inchgroup]

Updated installation

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...

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/

 

[Dawson]

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.