Posted: 7/27/2011 8:57:18 AM EDT
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I am looking at installing a CB radio in my jeep, primarily because I have to travel on logging roads and the log truckers announce their decent over a CB channel that's marked at the end of the road. IOW, the road is marked with something like CB17 which means that the log trucks will monitor and make announcements on channel 17.
Anyway.... The interior of the Grand Cherokee has almost no room for any sort of full sized CB currently on the US market. There are, however, several European CB radios that are small, DIN sized, and one even offers a detachable head unit. They also offer AM and FM operation and cover some of 10 meters. What issues, other than the whole legality of operating it, do you think there will be? Given the piss-poor dollar to euro rate, they are expensive. |
| That's the problem, even the small ones do not fit, there is simply no place to put it and have it visible for use. I don't think there's been a car with room 'under the dash' for mounting a radio since 1978, yet the radio manufacturers still insist on marketing radios with that option. I can also use one of the models that mount part of the radio under a seat, and have the controls and display on the mic, but I really don't like them. |
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Great links, thanks!
Unfortunately those are all the worst places to mount a radio. Stuffed down next to the seat: Impossible to drive and see or make adjustments to the radio at the same time. Screwed to the dash by your right knee: Difficult to drive and see or make adjustments to the radio at the same time. Turns even a minor accident into a maiming. Overhead between the visors: Good visibility but the WK series of Grand Cherokees have stuff up there already. Left kick panel: Absolutely impossible to drive and see or make adjustments to the radio at the same time, and looks freaking ridiculous. Above the passenger's left leg: Very difficult to drive and see or make adjustments to the radio at the same time. Minor accident takes off kneecap. On top of the dash: Someday I might want to sell this thing, I really don't want to have a bunch of holes on top of the dashboard. Here's a picture of my ham radio: 
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How about this: http://www.midlandradio.com/Resource_/Product/788/Detail/LargeImage/75822_Lg.jpg well if you go with something local (US) this Midland or the Cobra may be your best choice. Never owned a Jeep, but did have a few S-10 Blazers (gen 1 & 3) back in my 11 meter days. Ran everything from a 148GTL to the Uniden 510. Had them mounted on the center console either on the front looking up at the driver or the side between seat and console. Never had issues with controls, once I got used to the operation of unit it was pretty simple. With what you are describing (logging roads) I can't imagine you'd be foolin' with the knobs too much? turn on, set squelch and volume, lay mic across thigh and hit the trail? Good luck-Everyone needs a CB 
I'm now running a Galaxy 959 in my F250 Crew-Antenna Mounted on the front fender as shown in some of the links I listed earlier. |
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Motorcyclists have solved this problem using the J&M motorcycle CB radio.
Some of them even come with intercoms Link Here They are geared for helmet setups, but shouldn't be too hard to wire up a hand mike adaptor. RB |
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On top of the dash: Someday I might want to sell this thing, I really don't want to have a bunch of holes on top of the dashboard. Trick for mounting a radio head, without drilling visible holes in the dash: 
- Uses a thin piece of sheet metal, slipped in between sections on the dash (or floor console, in this particular example). The bottom edge of the metal is secured to the outer console piece with small, flush-mount screws located in between the two console pieces - not visible when the two pieces are assembled together. The top edge of the sheet metal is attached to the radio head bracket with 5 self-tapping screws (visible in the photo). The radio head actually "floats" about 1/4 inch above the console. Basically, the idea is to exploit small gaps in the dashboard or console, hiding any attachment screws in these gaps, or behind them. |
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How about this: http://www.midlandradio.com/Resource_/Product/788/Detail/LargeImage/75822_Lg.jpg I just got one to put in the wife's Subaru last Friday. It works great outside the vehicle, but doesn't get out more than 50ft if it's inside the vehicle. (I suspect the tint is metallic which is no fault of the radio) |
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How about this: http://www.midlandradio.com/Resource_/Product/788/Detail/LargeImage/75822_Lg.jpg I just got one to put in the wife's Subaru last Friday. It works great outside the vehicle, but doesn't get out more than 50ft if it's inside the vehicle. (I suspect the tint is metallic which is no fault of the radio) Are you running an External Antenna? If not, that should fix the issue
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