CB radio that fits in ash tray space?

It's more like AAA or 911 when you're off the grid and you need help. Get your tech license and drop a dual band radio in your rig. Install it hot directly to a fuse panel or at least get a hand held. Download the repeater book or install the app on your tablet/phone. You now have reliable communication.
 
lucky1-T4R said:
Interestingly, I have considered ham. I asked someone recently what he knew about ham radio, "It's like Facebook without the internet."

I hate Facebook and do not participate in it so that is not a plus for me. What can you say about ham that would be better than Facebook? Seriously curious about it.
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That is the dumbest and most inaccurate analogy of amateur radio I have ever heard.
Try YouTube. Or look up a ham operator or club near you and visit them. (arrl.org, qrz.com, etc)I bought a $27 Baofeng UV-5R handheld and listened for myself for a few months before getting my lic. You can also listen to ham radio repeaters and hf long distance communications on Broadcastify and sdr.hu and websdr.org.
 
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Rock_Rat said:
It's more like AAA or 911 when you're off the grid and you need help. Get your tech license and drop a dual band radio in your rig. Install it hot directly to a fuse panel or at least get a hand held. Download the repeater book or install the app on your tablet/phone. You now have reliable communication.
Click to expand...

I ran 4ga wire direct from battery to a BlueSea fuse panel in the cabin. I started out with a $27 Baofeng UV-5R and listened for a few months before I got my license. Just remembered I ran that handheld for a long time in the truck w external antenna (Diamond NR770) and battery adapter for lighter socket.
C
 
Wow - a 7+ year resurrected thread.

Ham radios are great. I would not say CB radios are dead away from the trails. Lots of truckers still use them and they can be fun to listen to/chat with on long drives.

Since we originally were talking about fitting radios I just picked up an Anytone Smart to try out. It is tiny.
 
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I have seen the Baofeng UV-5R on Amazon a few times and keep telling myself no. Now I will have to start thinking about it again. And here I thought I was over that.... thanks...
 
lucky1-T4R said:
I have seen the Baofeng UV-5R on Amazon a few times and keep telling myself no. Now I will have to start thinking about it again. And here I thought I was over that.... thanks...
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Oh yea, the UV5R's are so cheap i bought a whole bunch and distributed to all my "like minded" neighbors so we can stay in touch during grid-down scenarios. They are also great on the highway or camping for FRS traffic as well as HAM.

I'm sure on trail they would work just as well as a CB would, without the big antenna in the back or on top of the truck.

It's no Yaesu FT-60R (quality wise) but will get the job done!
 
Lots of Baofeng as well as nicer radio exp here. The BF are great for what they are- and with stock ant in the car would work just fine on the trail. On road trip etc you can choose a simplex freq and put PL ton or DCS on both output and input to cut way down on intermod noise bursts etc. I used one in my truck connected to roof antenna (Diamond NR770) along w lighter power adapter. Was good and compact. Some models do have awful surrious emissions however and that is really unfortunate.

I learned about ham radio right here on these forums and 3 years as a ham I have been non-stop. Super fun and learned tons. Glad I finally got into it.
Also- last trip to Mojave in April I talked on a linked 220MHz system from deep in Mojave Preserve. Also talked to folks from the top of Mt Whitney in August. I use a Baofeng handheld and talked 160mi into Los Angeles easily.
73 all
Clifford

DK327 said:
Oh yea, the UV5R's are so cheap i bought a whole bunch and distributed to all my "like minded" neighbors so we can stay in touch during grid-down scenarios. They are also great on the highway or camping for FRS traffic as well as HAM.

I'm sure on trail they would work just as well as a CB would, without the big antenna in the back or on top of the truck.

It's no Yaesu FT-60R (quality wise) but will get the job done!
Click to expand...
 
DK327 said:
Oh yea, the UV5R's are so cheap i bought a whole bunch and distributed to all my "like minded" neighbors so we can stay in touch during grid-down scenarios. They are also great on the highway or camping for FRS traffic as well as HAM.

I'm sure on trail they would work just as well as a CB would, without the big antenna in the back or on top of the truck.

It's no Yaesu FT-60R (quality wise) but will get the job done!
Click to expand...

Glad to see a prepper who also owns a 4Runner :)
 
I'll jump on this resurrection bandwagon, lol, band-wagon, get it? nvm. :bash:

What else fits in that space? Anybody ever done switches there? I've got my yaesu otherwise mounted so no need for a CB.. I'm always interested in clean switch locations though.
 
4yogger said:
I'll jump on this resurrection bandwagon, lol, band-wagon, get it? nvm. :bash:

What else fits in that space? Anybody ever done switches there? I've got my yaesu otherwise mounted so no need for a CB.. I'm always interested in clean switch locations though.
Click to expand...

The ScanGauge II looks to fit pretty well in that spot actually, with some minor trimming. I plan to construct an aluminum bracket for it that will mount to the top or ceiling of that void, and angles the SC2 upward for better viewing. That will still leave much the space available for other purposes.

I'm also a ham, and have several Kenwood TM-V71As. I plan to put one in the Runner. I'll probably mount the body out-of-sight, like under a seat, then the face somewhere easily accessible/visible...
 
4yogger said:
I'll jump on this resurrection bandwagon, lol, band-wagon, get it? nvm. :bash:

What else fits in that space? Anybody ever done switches there? I've got my yaesu otherwise mounted so no need for a CB.. I'm always interested in clean switch locations though.
Click to expand...

https://www.paranoidfabrications.co...products/1st-gen-tacoma-ashtray-switch-holder


TonyB66 said:
The ScanGauge II looks to fit pretty well in that spot actually, with some minor trimming. I plan to construct an aluminum bracket for it that will mount to the top or ceiling of that void, and angles the SC2 upward for better viewing. That will still leave much the space available for other purposes.
Click to expand...

https://www.paranoidfabrications.co...ducts/1st-gen-tacoma-ashtray-scangauge-holder
 
TonyB66 said:
Wow, I had no idea. Thanks much for sharing.

Might you know if the SC2 is angled a bit upward, or can be?
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From the looks of it, no. The guy that owns/ operates Paranoid Fab can make customizations (to an extent), so that may be a possibility. I just wanted to link his product since it was already available on the market. I had him customize one of his 6 switch panels to only be a 4 panel with no cutouts on the ends so I could mount some Ram Mount bases for phone & handheld Ham holders. Worth asking for your application, although I’m not sure if it’s feesable with his SGII mount design.
 
Dezert4Runner said:
From the looks of it, no. The guy that owns/ operates Paranoid Fab can make customizations (to an extent), so that may be a possibility. I just wanted to link his product since it was already available on the market. I had him customize one of his 6 switch panels to only be a 4 panel with no cutouts on the ends so I could mount some Ram Mount bases for phone & handheld Ham holders. Worth asking for your application, although I’m not sure if it’s feesable with his SGII mount design.
Click to expand...

Sending him an email now. Thanks again.
 
TonyB66 said:
Sending him an email now. Thanks again.
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I was looking into that for my scangauge. But I feel like the best spot for it is behind the steering wheel. Just ideal for your eyes to quickly glance there rather the. Down at the ash tray.
 
kolelt said:
I was looking into that for my scangauge. But I feel like the best spot for it is behind the steering wheel. Just ideal for your eyes to quickly glance there rather the. Down at the ash tray.
Click to expand...

I have the SC2 in almost the same position on another car, so I am used to it being there; so I'm working off that...

I guess I don't see it all that different than looking in that vicinity to adjust the climate control, check the outside temp, fiddle with the tunes, view GPS, etc.

Shane at Paranoid said that it is angled upward slightly and it can be tweaked too. He'll ship later today...
 
TonyB66 said:
The ScanGauge II looks to fit pretty well in that spot actually, with some minor trimming. I plan to construct an aluminum bracket for it that will mount to the top or ceiling of that void, and angles the SC2 upward for better viewing. That will still leave much the space available for other purposes.

I'm also a ham, and have several Kenwood TM-V71As. I plan to put one in the Runner. I'll probably mount the body out-of-sight, like under a seat, then the face somewhere easily accessible/visible...
Click to expand...

I haven't put too much consideration into an SC, is it really useful or just another fancy doohickey to have?

I did the same with the Yaesu; body and speaker under the driver seat and the face is mounted via ram mount below the head unit.
 
4yogger said:
I haven't put too much consideration into an SC, is it really useful or just another fancy doohickey to have?

I did the same with the Yaesu; body and speaker under the driver seat and the face is mounted via ram mount below the head unit.
Click to expand...

I have used it to read and reset codes on other vehicles. Nice to have that capability onboard. It also offers "gauges" for real-time monitoring. I have mine currently revealing three temps (IAT, coolant and ATF) and average fuel economy. I have voltage displayed on a USB/cigarette lighter...

Positioned under the seat, do you hear the speaker well enough? I plan to have two external speakers. I'll be installing aftermarket seat soon, so I'll likely use that time to fab something...
 
TonyB66 said:
I have used it to read and reset codes on other vehicles. Nice to have that capability onboard. It also offers "gauges" for real-time monitoring. I have mine currently revealing three temps (IAT, coolant and ATF) and average fuel economy. I have voltage displayed on a USB/cigarette lighter...

Positioned under the seat, do you hear the speaker well enough? I plan to have two external speakers. I'll be installing aftermarket seat soon, so I'll likely use that time to fab something...
Click to expand...

Coolant and ATF temps are nice to see... As for the speaker, yes and no.. I like the windows down and music playing while I'm out but as you can imagine, that is not very conducive to radio listening... :drummer:
If it weren't for all of the excessive ambient noise then it would be perfect. The speaker I have (Yaesu external) does a great job but it lacks the punch I really need. I actually just ordered a cheap-o amplified uniden last night, we'll see if that one can make it happen!
 
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