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GB2000
GenIII
10/13/2004
23:44:33
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 Subject: Hard-wiring CB Radio
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Message:
I got a cb radio for the dak to replace my scanner...I'd like to be able to talk back to the guys I'm listening to. lol
Anyway, I need to hard-wire it in and I'm not exactly sure on how to do it. It needs to be wired to a 12v source...and I'd LIKE for it to turn off with the key. Where do I wire it up and how do I do it? I'm far from being an electrician... basically where should I connect the positive wire and where to connect the negative. If I do it off the fuse block...how do I do that, definitely never messed in there.
Or would I be able to just splice into the wiring right where it connects to my cigarette lighter...if that's easier? The cb has an inline fuse and everything.
Thanks,
Josh
http://www.cardomain.com/id/sentenced
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daffydak
GenIII
10/14/2004
00:26:17
| RE: Hard-wiring CB Radio
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Message:
That's what I figured would be the easiest route. just tap into the cigarette lighter....you may have to turn off the cb, if you use the lighter socket for a decent load (pretty much anything over a cell phone charger). Then you can simply ground the CB radio, to a place on the truck's body.
Just make sure you scrape off the paint around the ground point. you may be able to find an exhisting bolt to use as a ground... Good luck!! I'm sure others will fill in the gaps I left (or maybe suggest an easier way :)
00 CC Sport Plus 4.7L 4X4 Auto, 3:55 LSD
Flowmaster orig. 40 series (2 chamber) muffler, adjusted tps to .76V, ported TB, home brew intake setup w/K&N filter, more mods to come!!!
Dan
MOPAR=More Power!!
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Emerson
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
10/14/2004
01:26:40
|  RE: Hard-wiring CB Radio
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A better way is to connect the hot lead to the wiring going to your radio. Get a multi-meter and determine which of the red wires is it by turning the key on and off, making sure to go to the point to where the radio turns on. I do believe there are 2 or three red wires back there, or find a wiring diagram for the radio.
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daffydak
GenIII
10/14/2004
01:51:17
| RE: Hard-wiring CB Radio
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Message:
I thought of that, but he has an aftermarket CD player. It might draw too much, and keep blowing fuses.. especially if you crank the radio a LOT (like me :)
There's bound to be another hot lead, controlled by the key. I don't have my service manual handy, or I would look it up :-)
00 CC Sport Plus 4.7L 4X4 Auto, 3:55 LSD
Flowmaster orig. 40 series (2 chamber) muffler, adjusted tps to .76V, ported TB, home brew intake setup w/K&N filter, more mods to come!!!
Dan
MOPAR=More Power!!
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daffydak
GenIII
10/14/2004
02:04:24
| RE: Hard-wiring CB Radio
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Message:
Oh I just realized that if your using the cb, the radio would likely be off (D'UH!)
So maybe you could do what Emerson suggested. Though you should really turn off the cd player, if your using the cb (especially if your transmitting)
just another thought...
00 CC Sport Plus 4.7L 4X4 Auto, 3:55 LSD
Flowmaster orig. 40 series (2 chamber) muffler, adjusted tps to .76V, ported TB, home brew intake setup w/K&N filter, more mods to come!!!
Dan
MOPAR=More Power!!
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Emerson
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
10/14/2004
02:25:44
| RE: Hard-wiring CB Radio
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Message:
i just realized something too... if you have the centre councile, the one with the 12v socket inside of it, that one is always one, for cell phones, but the one on the dash panel is controlled by key
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Wal
Dodge Dakota
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10/14/2004
06:24:41
| RE: Hard-wiring CB Radio
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Wire it right to the batery. You may encounter a lot of noise or other gremlins using the ciggie lighter socket.
If you want it to go off with the key, then use a relay and trigger it off anything tied to the ignition switch.
Wal
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tek
Dodge Dakota
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10/14/2004
08:10:54
| RE: Hard-wiring CB Radio
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Your radio should only have one red wire and one yellow wire that are both positive if you have an aftermarket radio. Splice the cb hotwire to the red wire to the radio for on/off with key, the yellow wire is a memory wire for the radio's that stay constant on. as for a ground, check next to your fuseblock under the driver side dash. Most fuseblocks are mounted to the body by at least one bolt and you should be able to ground your cb there.
Any other ideas or corrections from anyone?
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tek
Dodge Dakota
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10/14/2004
08:15:21
| RE: Hard-wiring CB Radio
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forgot to mention that I have my cb wired into the fuse block, but I've done a lot of electrical work so for someone that hasn't messed with it very much, the radio would be the way to go.
Wal, I have no problem with my cb radio with the gremlins :)
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Wal
Dodge Dakota
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10/14/2004
09:45:27
| RE: Hard-wiring CB Radio
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Gremlins show up more when you are using aradio that has been gone over with a "magic screwdriver" by some idiot "technician"... Ged, I used""too many times already.
To do the install correctly, run a fused pair of wires directly off the battery for primary power. Run the ground to the cb's ground wire, and run the positive to the #30 leg on a 12V relay. Run the 27 leg out to the CB's positive wire. Run the 85 leg to ground, and the #86 to something that is 12vdc switched; fuse, radio wire...etc.
Many people have problems with electrical noise on the line if not done this way. I have also seen neat-o stuff like windshield wiperscoming on when keying up :-)
Hope this helps :-)
73 de N2BRK
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GB2000
GenIII
10/14/2004
10:12:36
| RE: Hard-wiring CB Radio
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Message:
Wow...thanks guys. I don't think it'd work real well off my cigarette lighter outlet then. I run my radar detector off it constantly...plus I do like to jam the radio though it would be turned almost all the way down when I was listening to my scanner.
Here's a stupid question though...but I need an answer for it. How do I connect the wires if I'm connecting it directly to the battery...like how do I physically attach them that is. Solder them to the post (when it's not attached to the battery) or what?
Josh
http://www.cardomain.com/id/sentenced
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daffydak
GenIII
10/14/2004
11:23:34
| RE: Hard-wiring CB Radio
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Message:
you could probably loosen the bolt in the power distribution center (under the hood, driver's side) and use a ring terminal for the CB's wire, on the same connection as the positive lead that enters the box. once you pull the cover off, you will see what I mean... I think it's a 10mm bolt. you can't miss it.... also, you can just do the same thing with the terminal bolt directly on the battery.. it would probably look cleaner, if you use the bolt in the PDC though..... I can take a pic, and post it, if that would help explain what I'm trying to say.
just my .02
the relay is a great idea! Damn, I should have thought of that LOL!!
00 CC Sport Plus 4.7L 4X4 Auto, 3:55 LSD
Flowmaster orig. 40 series (2 chamber) muffler, adjusted tps to .76V, ported TB, home brew intake setup w/K&N filter, more mods to come!!!
Dan
MOPAR=More Power!!
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GB2000
GenIII
10/14/2004
11:54:46
| RE: Hard-wiring CB Radio
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Message:
I think I know what you mean... if not, I'll be asking for a pic later. lol
Josh
http://www.cardomain.com/id/sentenced
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Fred E
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
10/14/2004
16:07:45
|  RE: Hard-wiring CB Radio
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One more thing Josh I have talked with truckers and they said to use a fiberglass antena if possible that will also cut down on outside noise. I'd like to know how you get them wires through the firewall so you can tie into the battery. I tryed myself but couldn't find a good spot to go through on my 99 Dakota
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Gears
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
10/14/2004
17:47:41
| RE: Hard-wiring CB Radio
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Message:
I'd have to agree that the wires to the battery is the best bet. Clean power=less noise in the radio. Just loosen the cable clamps and slide the wires under & tighten them up. That's the easy way, I wouldn't worry about the switch, just use the radio. you'll get use to switching off at the end of the ride.
What kind of radio/model? what kind of antenna? how are you mounting the radio & ant. ?
I have a uniden 68 (peaked & tuned) w/ an echo mike & a wilson litl-wil magnet mount ant.
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GB2000
GenIII
10/14/2004
18:07:32
| RE: Hard-wiring CB Radio
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As of right now, I have all el-cheapo stuff cuz I was on a budget...mostly it will be used for "bear reports" between me and friends around town when we're all out at the same time during the nights. I'll use channel 19 while driving to/from school on I-75 though since the truckers are great at relaying cop/wreck information.
CB - Midland 1001Z (Cheapest I could get at Walmart)
Antenna - stupid glass mount short one from Walmart
If I use my cb a lot I'll eventually buy a nice Uniden one and a big magnetic antenna prolly.
Josh
http://www.cardomain.com/id/sentenced
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Wal
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
10/14/2004
18:44:56
| RE: Hard-wiring CB Radio
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to pass the wire through, just find a grommet and cut it. Try to seal it up with silicone sealant though in case water wants to find its way through. I also make a drip loop.
The fiberglass antennas are ok. Just to clarify, the fiberglass does nothing but add rigidity to the actual wire inside. Look for a top-load design when buying and try to get something 5' or so if you can't go (or don't want to go) to the 108" 1/4 wave. Avoid magnetic mounts if possible too. Buy a cheap VSWR meter and tune for the lowest SWR possible, while keeping the VSWR even on chan 1 and 40. If you can find a noise cancelling mic go with that too so you can talk with your radio on and windows down :-)
Wal
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Jeff
GenIII
10/14/2004
19:36:49
| RE: Hard-wiring CB Radio
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just in case you decide to get as nuts about cb's as we all have with daks, here's a good cb board:
www.cbradioforum.com
Jeff
'99 3.9 clubcab
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daffydak
GenIII
10/15/2004
00:47:17
| RE: Hard-wiring CB Radio
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I havent gotten around to installing my CB setup yet.. I have a Uniden PRO 510XL cb, an Astatic power mic, a Pyramid SWR/power meter, and dual red 4' fiberglass antenna(s) I figure it will be a kick a$$ system, I just need to find some bumper mounts for the dual antenna setup :-)
I also carry a handheld scanner with me in my dak (bearcat BC-80XLT) and its quite useful!
oooh its really interesting to hear what the people say on the inside headsets at Mc Donalds :-P
00 CC Sport Plus 4.7L 4X4 Auto, 3:55 LSD
Flowmaster orig. 40 series (2 chamber) muffler, adjusted tps to .76V, ported TB, home brew intake setup w/K&N filter, more mods to come!!!
Dan
MOPAR=More Power!!
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Gears
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
10/15/2004
20:19:24
| RE: Hard-wiring CB Radio
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Duel ant. are not needed on a '4 wheeler' to properly make duel ant. to work, they must be mounted 8 feet apart. (i.e. a big truck is 8-8 1/2ft wide, mirror to mirror.)I have had good success w/ Wilson magnet mounts. I have a wilson 1000 mag. and a Litl Wil mag. Sould away go w/ the longest ant. that is practical. I switched to the Litl Wil for practical reasons. Just remember that a cheap radio w/ a good ant. is often better than a good radio w/ a cheap ant.
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Wal
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
10/15/2004
20:39:35
| RE: Hard-wiring CB Radio
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it depends on his purpose. Mounting them 5-6' apart will distort the pattern more and give him better front to back and less off the sides. So if he only rides on the highway and only wants to talk to people on the highway, he's fine.
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