UHF CB - Antenna and Unit Placement

[createit]

I am looking at either the GME TX3420 (Remote Head) or the TX3440 (All controls on the hand piece) at the moment and was wondering if anyone had any suggestions on placement of the units and on the placement of the Antenna for the KK.

[Mr.T]

I have been wondering exactly the same.. hope someone has done this or has suggestions.

[createit]

Well guys, after some searching around and comments found on lots of forums I am going for the GME TX 3440 with the antenna mounted to the nudge bar. It is going in tomorrow, just in time before we head off in the KK up to QLD and on to Fraser for its first real workout in 2 weeks time.

[createit]

The installed UHF:

33537 33538 33539 33540

[Mr.T]

Looks good!

Where is the main unit placed? Would have thought they would run the cable from the antenna along the nudge-bar under the car instead of through the grill.
Will have to go for the same setup now :)

[m1r4ge]

The cable that comes with the sprung aerials is a certain length, I would assume that they ran it through the grill because they didn't have enough wire without attaching a connector.

Also, unless there was an extension on the handset cord, it looks like the unit would be behind the steering column cowling. Not sure how that would sound, suppose it depends on how thick the cowling is?

[createit]

With the antenna we were going to run it down the nudge bar, but on fitting it up decided it was cleanest to go through the grill otherwise we had to clamp it to the bar as we ran it down.

With the head unit, on the US version of the KK I believe there is a little storage glovebox on the drivers side closest to the door. Well we dont have that here, but it is a perfect size for the head unit.

I am still undecided whether to leave the cord coming out of the steering column or move it to come out from down to the left hand side. The benefit of where it is at the moment is that I can actually tuck the cord all the way back in to get it out of the road.

We were going to add the external speaker, but from where it is placed it is extremely loud and quite clear, although I dont have another to really compare it against. I think the external speaker may apparently give me more bass and a bit of clarity. External speaker is another $25 I think.

We powered the UHF from the cigrette lighter power so that it will run on aux only.

At the smae time we have wired a new 12V to the back and have set it up inside the Jack area in the rear. We have direct wired this with a fuse up at the battery and I have just gone out today and grabbed an inline voltage check and cutout device to put inline before the fridge, just in case we forget to unplug the fridge. I see on the new Waeco's they have this voltage checker in the fridge themselves. The Engel we have is borrowed and is a bit older.

[Simsy85]

Looks good mate - good to see you starting to Mod the KK - whats next?

[Big Hoss]

I am picking up my new limited next Saturday, have been planning the install of driving lights and cb radio onto it. Lots of thinking and have decided to run all my cabling through a gromet hole directly behind in the nudge bar and trace it down under the vehicle that way.

Has any one put in dual battery system?:rolleyes::rolleyes:

[MtnLuvr]

Here's where I mounted my CB antenna and handset:
http://i379.photobucket.com/albums/oo231/mrb5gn/2010%20Postings/IMG_4078.jpg
http://i379.photobucket.com/albums/oo231/mrb5gn/2010%20Postings/IMG_4058.jpg
Antenna mount is a Firestik door jam mount.

Then home-made clip for the handset:
http://i379.photobucket.com/albums/oo231/mrb5gn/2010%20Postings/IMG_4075.jpg
http://i379.photobucket.com/albums/oo231/mrb5gn/2010%20Postings/IMG_4077.jpg

[btalyor218]

Here's where I put my Antenna & Head Unit. I have a GME TX3440, with a remote head. Placing the antenna was a challenge, as I don't have a nudge bar.
http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs515.snc3/27020_382774578964_741568964_3737566_7743799_n.jpg
http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs515.snc3/27020_382774618964_741568964_3737572_3578820_n.jpg
http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash1/hs495.ash1/27020_382774623964_741568964_3737573_5017734_n.jpg
Custom made bracket cost $8 from Bunnings, just cut & bent it to suit
It doesn't require any drilling into the body, and fits onto the bonnet hinge, and sticks through an existing gap at the top of the Bonnet
http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash1/hs495.ash1/27020_382774628964_741568964_3737574_6521507_n.jpg
http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs515.snc3/27020_382774638964_741568964_3737575_2299047_n.jpg
I then used a Marine Network plug from Jaycar, so when the CB is not in use, I can remove it, and it still looks neat.
http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash1/hs495.ash1/27020_382774643964_741568964_3737576_3453000_n.jpg
Lastly, I put a speaker grill under the dash, which allows the CB to be heard easier, as the Unit itself is under the steering column
http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs515.snc3/27020_382774648964_741568964_3737577_6613190_n.jpg

All in all, I think it looks good, gets good reception & works really well :)

Ben.T

[MtnLuvr]

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs515.snc3/27020_382774618964_741568964_3737572_3578820_n.jpg
http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash1/hs495.ash1/27020_382774623964_741568964_3737573_5017734_n.jpg
....
All in all, I think it looks good, gets good reception & works really well :)

Ben.T

Creative antenna mounting. :)