2door CB Radio install placement

[CaseyG]

I got a CB as a gift I am having a hard time finding a place to install. 2 door BD. I saw someone install next to the passenger side console but I also don’t want it to get wet??
just a girl fixin up her Bronco
Oh, and I probably should be able to see the buttons, newbie here.

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[Mammal]

As an amateur radio enthusiast, I can’t help but send you this link. (The principles are the same for CB.)

http://k0bg.com/install.html

While not specific to the bronco. It has good guidelines for picking a location. There is way more info than you asked for there. Just thought there might be some nuggets to help you come up with the best place for you. Has some old, potentially outdated links for ford recommended wiring practices as well.

Hope this helps!

 

[CaseyG]

Thank you !! Much Appreciated

 

[EasternSierra]

As an amateur radio enthusiast, I can’t help but send you this link. (The principles are the same for CB.)

http://k0bg.com/install.html

While not specific to the bronco. It has good guidelines for picking a location. There is way more info than you asked for there. Just thought there might be some nuggets to help you come up with the best place for you. Has some old, potentially outdated links for ford recommended wiring practices as well.

Hope this helps!

I don't even have my Bronco yet but this will definitely be helpful!

 

[Mammal]

Since that was so well received I’ll post the antenna mount section as well.

http://www.k0bg.com/antmount.html

Alan, K0BG is a well respected contributor to publications in the amateur radio world.

If you hit the home link at the bottom of the page there is more information than you probably ever dreamed of about every topic conceivable for mobile radio use.

I have big plans for radio and antenna mounting with and without the top present. Our ‘24 4dr Heritage order isn’t scheduled yet, but whenever I get to the install, I’ll be sure to post some thoughts and photos!

Meanwhile, I look forward to reading about the community's various radio installs, no matter the band!

 

[CaseyG]

Since that was so well received I’ll post the antenna mount section as well.

http://www.k0bg.com/antmount.html

Alan, K0BG is a well respected contributor to publications in the amateur radio world.

If you hit the home link at the bottom of the page there is more information than you probably ever dreamed of about every topic conceivable for mobile radio use.

I have big plans for radio and antenna mounting with and without the top present. Our ‘24 4dr Heritage order isn’t scheduled yet, but whenever I get to the install, I’ll be sure to post some thoughts and photos!

Meanwhile, I look forward to reading about the community's various radio installs, no matter the band!

 

[Felix808]

Hate to trash a gift, but to be honest there are very few people running CB's these days as most are on GMRS/FRS radios and some running VHF/HAM. Hopefully the people that you intend to run with also run CB's. Reach out to them and ask them what they run before installing a CB.
Coms on the trails is important and fun all at the same time. Would hate to install a radio that no one is using
$.02

 

[SS Bronco]

A great place to mount any radio is under the steering wheel. Easy to access and doesn’t interfere with your legs. There are a few good threads you can search on here.

 

[Dez Pony]

I used a Molle plate overhead to mount my BTech radio. Ran the power from switch #6 and the antenna cable up the A pillar. Molle from JCR Off Road and the antennas mount from Mountians 2 Metal. The problem mounting the radio under the steering wheel is the damage to your knees in a head-on or tree/pole crash. I know, in another type vehicle I hit a tree and the knees hit the under panel hard. Broke both kneecaps. Seatbelt on, good energy absorption by the front end and I lived...and walked again. BAD place to locate the radio.

 

[stewart.chrisr]

Hate to trash a gift, but to be honest there are very few people running CB's these days as most are on GMRS/FRS radios and some running VHF/HAM. Hopefully the people that you intend to run with also run CB's. Reach out to them and ask them what they run before installing a CB.
Coms on the trails is important and fun all at the same time. Would hate to install a radio that no one is using
$.02

I'll second this statement. I have been in the offroad world for 25 years and been a trail guide for at least 15 of those years. In my primary offroad rig, I still have both CB and UHF/VHF/GMRS. I almost never touch the CB anymore because most folks have moved to GMRS. In the Bronco, I'll likely go with a dual band UHF/VHF that will also cover the GMRS frequencies. I have friends that race Ultra4 and also use their frequencies when rec wheeling, so I want to have VHF available to me, otherwise I'd probably just get a small Midland GMRS and send it.

 

[BroncocnorB]

Only thing I used my CB for was listening to truckers. It can be like a comedy show. I carry a Midland 75-822 handheld for emergencies.

 

[Scoop]

Gotta third the comments on GMRS/FRS. As stated, if you only run with a group of friends who still use CB then you'll be fine. If you try to join any organized group or club runs, you'll find they almost exclusively use GMRS.

Just did snow run with the Colorado Bronco Owners Group they required GMRS. Its just so much better than CB in a trail ride situation.

 

[BigMac]

Haven't mounted a CB in the Bronco yet, but intend to. I carry a handheld GMRS/FRS as well. In my F150 there is plenty of room in the front dash area but I think I like the overhead panel option for the Bronco. Thanks Dez Pony!

 

[Mlarv]

What everyone is forgetting to ask is what style (type, brand) CB is it? I have a CB and the GMRS units installed in mine. I have friends that hav not invested in the GMRS yet and friends that don't have CB. I normally use the CB to run the highways more than the trails. I listen to the truckers to get information about what happens ahead before WAZE or Google or Apple Maps figures it out.

 

[Sea Monkey]

I got a CB as a gift I am having a hard time finding a place to install. 2 door BD. I saw someone install next to the passenger side console but I also don’t want it to get wet??
just a girl fixin up her Bronco
Oh, and I probably should be able to see the buttons, newbie here.

I'm also a HAM and I have both CB and GMRS mounted in my Bronco. CB is under the steering wheel (drilled mounting holes in the metal support bracket behind the fuse box access door) and the GMRS is under the passenger dash using the Mountains2Metal mounting bracket for the Bronco. I rarely use VHF (HAM) freqs on the road, but will carry a handheld if needed. CB/GMRS are plenty for mobile IMO.

I won't get into the holy war between CB and GMRS, but I think both are helpful because pro truckers use the CB to pass info on highway conditions, etc. when traveling the interstates. A lot of people are starting to get GMRS radios now but I still run into people who just use CB. Truckers don't seem to be in a hurry to hand the government $35 just to get a new radio rig, so I think CB will be helpful for a while.

As for antennas, I had them installed on two DV8 mounts at the A-pillars (in the photo), but ground plane was/is a bear so I'll likely move to fender brackets. I'll post pics of radio and antenna installs if interested (planning to do a write up and post at some point). Also, I saw lots of good general info in Mammal's link.

Good luck, and welcome to Broncos and wireless comms!

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