Hi Steve, you can get a aerial bracket that fits in the water channel under the hood then the cable could go through the top of the firewall where a few other wires etc usually around the steering wheel area go through. I have a fitted UHF but don't see why the way I just mentioned wouldn't work.
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Live Life On Your Terms
DOUGChief One Feather (Losing feathers with age)
TUG.......2014 Holden LT Colorado Twin Cab Ute with Canopy
DEN....... 2014 "Chief" Arrow CV (with some changes)
Hi Steve, you can get a aerial bracket that fits in the water channel under the hood then the cable could go through the top of the firewall where a few other wires etc usually around the steering wheel area go through. I have a fitted UHF but don't see why the way I just mentioned wouldn't work.
G'day Steve, the bracket that Doug refers to is called a "z" bracket, around $12 at places like auto barn/supacheap auto.There are thousands of couriers with hi aces running around with uhf so if you google or happen to talk to a driver you be able to find a cheap way of achieving what you want.
hand helds have a very short range, good for talking to truckies or close vans etc but I would NOT put much hope in one calling for help inside or outside the hiace
Having experienced hand held units and vehicle mount units for many years, my advice is to use a vehicle mount unit - even if you don't want it permanently installed. The hand held limitations are the minimalist speaker and the fact that you have to hold the unit to talk.
A good compromise is a second hand UHF, one with a largish speaker, a magnetic base antenna and a cigarette lighter 12v power supply - just throw it in the van when you need it. CB radios must be the most reliable electronic device ever made and a second hand buy will usually be a good buy. You should easily get in under your budget.
Sorry Wombat, handhelds have a great range as they work at 5 watts these days and if there are repeaters around you can go for miles, plus you can put longer anttennas on them plus plug them into your cig lighter or use batt and to pick them up from beside you is the same as picking up a radio mike.
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"If you don't know where you are going, any road will get you there". Lewis Carroll
When I was gainfully(?) employed from time to time we had to install 2-ways (commercial UHF units) in promotional (loan) vehicles on a temporary basis. Our solution was very similar to that suggested by steve1945 including using the magnetic base. A simple 4.5 db antenna worked fine and did not need to be ground plane independent as the vehicle roof provides a more than adequate ground plane.
Mostly it was possible to run the co-ax from the antenna past the door seal without the cable being pinched off.
