1st world problems !

This is the place to discuss any general CB radio related topics. Getting started, installations, operation etc.
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Cousinjack
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1st world problems !

Post by Cousinjack »

Got myself a nice little compact midland 77-104 to go in our car...

Any ideas where to mount it in a Range Rover sport ?

Don’t want it to be intrusive or easily visible from the outside. But I am really struggling to find somewhere to mount it within easy reach.

The best place I have found so far is inside the door pocket on the drivers door. But this means routing all the cables via the door hinge and I still need somewhere to hang the mic within easy reach. Visibility would also be an issue .

Any suggestions ??

🤔
The Collector
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Re: 1st world problems !

Post by The Collector »

I had a Portapack and used to use the unit mobile by removing the ashtray in my Mk5 Escort and literally sliding the radio inside as is was a lovely, snug fit.

Is there anything similar you can remove part-wise like an ashtray or glove recess? Or is there a DIN-sized aperture that could be utilised at all with a modified blanking plate?
Cousinjack
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Re: 1st world problems !

Post by Cousinjack »

Not really, the glovebox is a bit too small to mount the radio comfortably.

No removable panels either... distinctly lacking in places to be honest.

In my old discovery, I mounted it on the roof, just infront of the sunroof. But I always worried that if I did roll it, it’d be a bit sharp for someone’s head etc ...
The Collector
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Re: 1st world problems !

Post by The Collector »

I've got a mk4 Renault Espace with a weird, curving dashboard. There is a left hand drop-down "cubby" as well as a central one, but both are really too far away to use a radio unless using an up/down mic' as I've got long legs :) At the time I was using a power mic' so didn't have the mic' channel functions (but have got a Midland 78 now with controls on the mic' and I turned the mic' gain up inside the radio a bit to get rid of the power mic').

I built a centre console that incorporates my CB radio, an extension speaker, a few extra switches for subwoofer amp, subwoofer frequency level knobs and a central stereo 9"x 6" speaker. I put some pic's up on here a few years back regarding it, plus drilling through the roof to bolt in an aerial mount.

Is there any way you could do something in a centre-console too?

Some people fit their radio to the inside of their front seat using custom brackets but it depends if you've alreay got a console there.

Otherwise, how about using a radio with all controls on the mic' itself, like the old Audioline 342? There are modern radios that do the same nowadays.
Cousinjack
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Re: 1st world problems !

Post by Cousinjack »

Not really managed to get very far with this project,
But last night I did wire up a rig and just had it on the seat with cig socket power and a mag mount on the roof..

Swr was excellent, but I have an annoying interference whirr ..... coming from the cars myriad electrics I guess ?

Would a power line noise suppressor sort this out ?

I have also discovered that I need the set mounted somewhere I can see the meter and adjust the dials easily.. so the cubby hole I found under the centre console is deffo not going to work ..
the midland 77-104 has also turned out to be irritating as it keeps resetting to ch9 every time you shut the car off... as do all the 77- series.

May relent and put the commtron 40f in instead..
The Collector
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Re: 1st world problems !

Post by The Collector »

Interference can be a pain with modern cars. All those gizmos and gadgets can put out all sorts of noises.

You may be able to put a suppressor on the alternator itself if it can be reached easily that is. An inline one on the power cable may help a bit, or you could try the old ferrite-ring method as it's very cheap ;)

I drove from North Somerset to South Birmingham today and my Midland 78 picks up a crackling like the Commtron Nato before it did, albeit not quite as bad. I tried to fit an inline suppressor back then, but it made bugger-all difference to it. Seeing as I don't really use the thing, I can't be arsed to spend time rectifying it ;)
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