Trail Communication

mastiff · 06-01-2017, 12:38 AM

If anyone is interested, I have a good friend the sell 25watt waterproof dual bands and 75 watt dual bands. If interested, look up Brad Blair on facebook and he can hook you up for a lot less than rugged ridge.

Runoveru2 · 06-05-2017, 11:07 PM

I can't even begin to describe how happy I was with the trail communication, the stress level was completely gone knowing you had direct contact at all times and little to no possibility of someone falling behind, This communication needs to be the top of the priority list on wheeling outings.

WrenchMonkey · 06-06-2017, 06:04 PM

Okay, you've convinced me that it's time I get something together. I don't want or need fancy, just functional.

So in my amazon shopping cart, I've got:
- That Uniden pro520xl radio that Mark recommended as "the upper end of cheap." That's me.
- A three foot, tip-adjustable Firestik, FS-3BK, per the "choosing the best antenna" link.
- 18' coax, a Firestik HD stainless spring, and both their K4 and K4A mounting studs.

Anything I should change before I pull the trigger? I may soften to the medium spring, it won't be on there day-to-day to be a problem on the highway.

Once I pull my fender off, I can see what kind of bracket I'll want to rig up to reuse the factory antenna hole. My goal there is to protect the mount and base from damage, and just have the spring and antenna exposed. I may need to (may go ahead and) add a grounding wire, rather than trust the stud-bracket-fender-body connections. I guess since the coax ends at the stud, the spring itself is "live" and needs to not ground out on the fender. That'll take some attention.

That radio will support an external speaker, but that's easy enough to add later that I'll try it as-is first.

If I make it to Rich's could I get some help tuning it before Rush?

WrenchMonkey · 06-06-2017, 07:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Waffle

Your stud will be isolated from a 1/2" hole...

It'll mount and ground through the 1/2" hole in the bracket I put inside the fender, then the spring and antenna will just poke up through the 1" hole in the fender.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Waffle

Anything above that will then be isolated as well...

Unless the spring leans over and contacts the metal of the fender, the edge of that 1" hole, that's my worry. Though, as along as it's not the moment I'm transmitting, I guess it won't hurt anything.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Waffle

Fyi, if you use the K4 terminal end stud you'll also need a terminal end coax...

This? I think it's right. (pic below)
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001JT0CGI..._MTZnzbDZVMMRP

Quote:

Originally Posted by Waffle

Only thing I would also suggest is a 90 degree male to female coax adapter...

I saw those, but I'm going to try to follow the factory antenna lead as much as I can. It shoots straight down a foot before passing though the inner fender and firewall.

Appreciate the advice, as always!

06-05-2017, 11:07 PM	#4
Runoveru2 Adrenaline Junkie - CORE Member - - Moderator - Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Hamilton, Ohio Posts: 702 Images: 168	I can't even begin to describe how happy I was with the trail communication, the stress level was completely gone knowing you had direct contact at all times and little to no possibility of someone falling behind, This communication needs to be the top of the priority list on wheeling outings. __________________ No need for a Winch...You just have to make it !!

06-06-2017, 06:04 PM	#5
WrenchMonkey Mechanical Animal - CORE Member - - Moderator - Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Beechmont Posts: 1,883	Okay, you've convinced me that it's time I get something together. I don't want or need fancy, just functional. So in my amazon shopping cart, I've got: - That Uniden pro520xl radio that Mark recommended as "the upper end of cheap." That's me. - A three foot, tip-adjustable Firestik, FS-3BK, per the "choosing the best antenna" link. - 18' coax, a Firestik HD stainless spring, and both their K4 and K4A mounting studs. Anything I should change before I pull the trigger? I may soften to the medium spring, it won't be on there day-to-day to be a problem on the highway. Once I pull my fender off, I can see what kind of bracket I'll want to rig up to reuse the factory antenna hole. My goal there is to protect the mount and base from damage, and just have the spring and antenna exposed. I may need to (may go ahead and) add a grounding wire, rather than trust the stud-bracket-fender-body connections. I guess since the coax ends at the stud, the spring itself is "live" and needs to not ground out on the fender. That'll take some attention. That radio will support an external speaker, but that's easy enough to add later that I'll try it as-is first. If I make it to Rich's could I get some help tuning it before Rush? __________________ DIRTY DEEDS, DONE DIRT CHEAP Whatever doesn't kill you makes you stranger

06-01-2017, 12:38 AM	#1
mastiff Join Date: Nov 2013 Posts: 49	If anyone is interested, I have a good friend the sell 25watt waterproof dual bands and 75 watt dual bands. If interested, look up Brad Blair on facebook and he can hook you up for a lot less than rugged ridge.