Coronado CB setup?

1). Where do the antennas mount? What type of trailer?

2). The latest Cascadia fuse panel is behind the passenger dash. Easy access to BATT common +/- cables.

3). I’ve a 579 Pete with a sleeper back antenna. Have a 5’ Skipshooter on an SS spring. It’s about 4-6” above the dry vans we haul. In 30k miles it’s doing fine.

4). As an alternative to a larger Galaxy, consider a Uniden 980 or (better) something from President. AM/SSB.

5). Add a 100W RM ITALY KL203 (size of a cigarette pack). Fused for 12A. Will do 75W easily. Velcro to top of radio. Velcro radio into cubby.

6). The real kicker is a digital signal processing audio speaker, such as the WEST MOUNTAIN RADIO CLEARSPEAKER. You’ll hear others that you didn’t know were out there. Cleans up noise like nothing else. There’s good reason the HAM operators who like them LOVE them. So do I. Have over 200k on mine. Including off-road oilfield.

As you disregarded this advice earlier, read reviews on eHam or at WWDX. I have “big” radios, and can (properly) mount the speaker over/behind my left ear. No, the radio doesn’t matter. No, the location won’t improve things like these will.

7). There are several good microphones. RK56, Astatic 636, Ranger 198. All noise cancelling. Some power mics MIGHT be worth trying.

That radio, amp & speaker can all run off a 15A factory power in the overhead. No changes. (Consider this a great way to start).

Hear. And get heard

Get a radio tech to upgrade the amp wiring and then add disconnects for the devices in a custom power lead set.

We’d recommend Ray Brashear of RAYS CB SHOP in West Memphis, and several of us would recommend CLAYS CB SHOP in San Antonio. Also BOBS CB in Pennsylvania. (Keep these names).

There’s some guy out off 85 E of ATL. And a shop down south of ATL.

A). The speaker and an RG8X coax jumper from DX ENGINEERING. $200 plus $16 (A big retail site Great service).

B). The amp off eBay or 88Radio. $70 plus ship.

C). The best radio to fit the cubby from an inexpensive source. No need to open it up. $120-$300. From a Uniden 980 to a President Lincoln II.

If the radio has more than 4W it needs to have a variable power control.

D). If top load antennas are best for the locations, a number of us are well-pleased with SKIPSHOOTER. American made. About $27 ea.

E). Stainless mount studs from TOP GUN TECH (Bobs CB in PA. Who has a big retail site. Great service).

Take your time and read around. Others will be here to help, too. You want to upgrade as you go along, fine, but this way you’ll have a rig that will go in any truck AND perform.

Good luck

 

Some stock images show thru-arm coax to west coast style mirrors.

So, if you’re going to upgrade:

BOBS CB has a co-phase set in RG8 with FME ends (small) to add connectors once installed.

I took apart the Cascadia overhead to run power down to panel. More trouble than it was worth.

But if you do the coax, then it may be worth it. A NAVONE 700 DC Filter will fit behind that panel.

Predator 10k antennas.

How good a stud to mount them or any other would be the question given the mirror. Have to pull mirror backplate off.

If there’s room, a PALOMAR ENGINEERING CMC bead choke

 

I think the interior around the radio atea is like the evelution,if so just use the vent holes as a way to put a few bolts down theough and attach factory bracket....
Not a 100% sure but i think fuse box is regulated so i would suggest some anderson quick disconnects and run to battery..It will take time to search out some routeing for pwr/gnd but it can be done..If your running that kinda power make sure your running 10ga wire otherwise output suffers..
If you dont have an ext speaker now be sure to match ohm on the ext speaker socket to correct ext speaker..Yes the sound volume will be impacted some..
If i were you i would run 1 coax(times microwave lmr 240 with amphonal end soldered not crimped) and 1 ant....Get some wide braided ground straps and do 2 on each hinge of drivers door to cab(hinge bolts)and be sure to clean off any oains or clear coats..
@125 watts you dont need a big air coiled ant,the wilsons will do fine till you wanna go big n bad..
Cant think of anything else off hand..

 

Oh ant studs..NO CHROME ANYTHING type stud,they end up as junk...Wilson makes one that like a hd alumium stainless colored,12.99 i think..Much much better design..If ever at a cb shop,grab a roll of that black tar tape like stuff ment to wrap around any connections to stop rain water/melti g snow n crap from seeping into your connections and possibly grounding out your ant...Forget what its called but its tacky as heck and moldable....

 

As far as dc voltages go, you should see around 12 volts without motor running. Should be around 14 volts with motor running.

 

I’m on rough roads too from time to time. I’ve been using a Hustler FG27 4 ft antenna for over 5 years now, and it still looks good even after hitting a tree branch from time to time.
Also they make the Hustler hq27 antenna that looks the same as the fg27, but it’s 55 inches instead of 4 foot. They are definitely durable antennas.

 

If your keepin it for 6 months sux..Would love me a glider..
To be honest i would just run a cobra with a lil amp or somethin inexpensive till your in a full time trk...
Otherwise you may do somethin to your good radio with poor coax connections,broken ant ect ect..