CB Radios - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

JHZR2 · #1 06-07-2003, 04:01 PM

Hi,

I am curious how many people have a CB radio in their vehicles. If so, where do you mount the unit and the antenna so it looks ok, and works well? How do you get power to the unit (having the ashtray open all the time gets annoying).
Thanks

JMH

Fisherman · #2 06-08-2003, 07:47 PM

I ran my coax out through the rear speaker hole (aftermarket speakers installed) and then into the trunk. I use a magnetic antenna so that my wife doen't have to have it hanging around. I then put it in the trunk when I am not using it...
I ran the coax around the side of the rear seat and then under tha carpet to the right side of the center console. I also installed a seperate dual outlet 12v power supply to run it and the cell phone so I can leave the ashtray closed.
It works great except that my auxillary outlet is wired directly to the battery and I get a ton of interference fromthe charging system so reception onm the CB is a little weak.

Works pretty good though for my road trips.

rwthomas1 · #3 06-08-2003, 09:35 PM

Are people still using CB's in the day of cellphones? I like gadgets, do I need one of these too? RT

The Warden · #4 06-09-2003, 06:43 AM

I've been trying to figure the same thing out myself. I would like to get a CB installed in the 300D, but am not sure as to where to mount the unit itself, in the interest of useability and making it look good.

I do want a permanent mount, though...

I'm thinking about either going through the trunk or onto the bumper. I haven't decided which yet...the bumper may be better, though, that way, if I ever need to remove the antenna, I won't have a hole in the trunk lid.

#5 06-09-2003, 08:55 AM

I've got a CB mounted in my 240D. It's mounted to the carpeting in the passenger side center console, so it doesn't make a visible hole in the console if you want to remove it and it is still reachable to the driver. I didn't run either a power wire or an antena wire. There's already an antenna wire in there from the factory. One end is under the driver's side of the trunk liner. The other end is behind the radio. I mounted a cell phone type "curly" antenna in the middle of the rear window, ran the wire in the trim around the rear window and spliced it into the wire in the trunk that was already there. Have had it in for about 15 years and it works just great.

Len
'83 240D 335,000 miles original owner

Fisherman · #6 06-09-2003, 04:24 PM

For about a year now I have been trying to figure out what that coax was that was hanging under the passenger side dash in my 300.
Now I know!

The Warden · #7 06-09-2003, 04:38 PM

Len, do you have any pictures of the install? I'd like to see what it looks like...I may go that route.

And I'm gonna have to find this factory-installed coax cable...very cool!

Palangi · #8 06-09-2003, 10:05 PM

I would think the removable rubber floor pan drains would be a good place to bring coax or power cables into the cabin without doing permanent damage. If you can solder a PL-259, you can stuff the coax through the drain nipple without any cutting at all.

Fisherman · #9 06-09-2003, 10:52 PM

The first time that I installed the CB I just used a cigarette lighter adapter and had one of the strangest things happen.

Whenever I keyed up the wipers would run... Kind of weird on a 90 degree day heading down I-5...

#10 06-13-2003, 09:11 PM

I've been out of town for about a week. I'll take some photos this weekend and post them.

Len

The Warden · #11 06-13-2003, 11:55 PM

Len, thanks!

#12 06-14-2003, 02:37 PM

Here a few shots of the CB and antenna locations. As I recall, the antenna came from Wal-mart for about $20.

Looks like I might have to submit an image per message.

Len

#13 06-14-2003, 02:37 PM

Another antenna shot.

#14 06-14-2003, 02:38 PM

And finally the CB location.

Len

BoostnBenz · #15 06-15-2003, 12:50 AM

I've sort of thought about getting one of these for my 84, I noticed my 83 has the wire ran back though. The wire goes from where the blower fan is inside to where the radio's antenna is. I'd imagine he must of had a trunk mounted magnetic antenna. Wow that small of an antenna looks nice, I'm used to the gawdy 5' tall antennas.