Nice surprise

Nice gift. I never install a 10/11 meter radio in the cubby holes. all my trucks are mounted below so heat can escape with no issues of overheating the radio.

 

Probably needs to breath putting out near 100 watts pep.

 

Nice gift.

1). Factory coax isn’t the best. That answers itself.

2). Killing noise and minimizing voltage drop makes custom power leads worth the trouble, IMO.

3). A good selection of antennas are possible with a large car. I see no reason not to want the best. I would use the PREDATOR 10K as default choice. “Best” will be partially determined by work description.

4). Some vehicle bonding in order. See article at www.k0bg.com

5). I strongly recommend a WEST MOUNTAIN RADIO CLEARSPEAKER. Uses operator-adjustable digital signal processing to kill noise. Nothing else will come close as an upgrade in being able to hear this well.



It’s easy to focus on the radio as chief performance factor without considering the working environment. Focus on the latter makes for best outcome with the former.

The provided link is all about mobile installations. Big trucks are difficult environments.

I’ve come across O/O large cars with REALLY great radios out on the Great Plains. Transmission AND reception. One can tell without being told the satisfaction this brings the owner.

Just remember: it ain’t the radio.
.

 

Niceee..

 

And get a good noise cancelling mic.

 

How long will the leads be? End to end (and taking into account turns, etc that may need a bit more)

From that point it’s a matter of determining amp carrying capacity versus voltage drop.

If the radio will be in or on the overhead, thence to the batteries it’s a VERY long run. Meaning thicker and thicker cable.

If there is a heavy lead from the battery to a circuit box above floor level, this will make things easier. MUCH easier.

After measurements find an online calculator that determines voltage drop x length for given wire gauge size.

You’ll need amp draw per X-Watts.

See www.k0bg.com for this subject and more.

 

Here's a chart to help figure it out.

 

I hung mine below the cubby.