MOBILE INSTALL: 579 Peterbilt

[Slowmover]

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A view of the radio rig waiting for tech at Clays CB (Robert) to go over it with me. And basic bench test.

Rig sits on passenger seat.

Presently:

1). RigRunner 4005 45A
2). Galaxy99v2 Transceiver
3). RM ITALY 7505v Amp
4). MFJ 945 Tuner
5). West Mountain Radio ClearSpeaker
6). Rk-56 microphone.
7). Palomar 12V Filter
8). Palomar CMC Filter

(I’ll add more to this post — and more posts with questions inviting your advice or thoughts — as time permits).

We put this on the bench at Clays, and Robert & I went thru the logic of the thing:

Transceiver Carrier Level

Low: 2.25w & modulates 15w
High: 15w and modulates 30W

Amplifier Carrier Level
(W/2.25w)

Low: 40w & modulates 180w
Med: 80w & modulates 225w
Hi: 125w & modulated 250w

I plan on running the Low setting of Transceiver & Amp.

I see that Motorola offers a replacement power line of 20’ for a 20A load in 10-ga.

That’s as close as I’ve come in that. Meaning it looks as though I may be able to use 8-ga (up to 20’).

Power runs to RigRunner panel and is (will be) fused POS & NEG. Probably ANCOR 8/2 Duplex. BLUE SEA Termination Fuses.

What I read of limiting voltage drop plus length both say “6-gauge”. Which is past my present desire on HOW to do the wiring job.

Opinions requested.

(Opinion elsewhere — a guy who was first licensed before I was born and I’ve passed 60 — is that I’m over-complicating it. Granted. Just want to do it ONCE).

ANCOR has USCG approval. Durned good as my middle name ain’t Mr Solder. Their products quite fine in my estimation over past twenty-some years. Below are simply stock photos.



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[Handy Andy]

I don't want to see you get into trouble - I've been pressed against a wall myself for stuff others "pic'd" me on when smartphones were becoming the rage to prevent road rage - it's hard to testify against yourself when all you were doing was fixing an antenna mount the shop didn't do up right.

I had to prove beyond reasonable doubt that I did work that was allowed - I still lost that truck to their whims and got stuck in a useless Volvo for it.

 

[Slowmover]

It ain’t done until it’s done. I ain’t even started. Still looking over the whole thing. Plans forming. Supplies and/or tools to be ordered.

The cubbyhole rig is at work, and the big rig sits in a Flight Engineers bag.

I like what I find (and maybe am advised as to the tech of the thing), or it’s a no-go.

I don’t anticipate problems with running a co-phase harness, Clays Sooper-Dooper 579 Antenna Mirror Mounts and some 7’ Skipshooters. Have already seen some of our fleet using pitiful bird perch mounts.

6-ga or 8-ga is the present dilemma. AND potential RFI or EMI problems.

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[Handy Andy]

The backstory in mine was they claimed the truck was to be retired and put back up for resale - so naturally I'm the last guy and all the errors were on my end for not leaving it in the best of shape - reconditioning costs as they say - increase due to operation.

Funny that they also gave me a BOL for signing on the truck. You do the walk around and they note the damages. IF you see something wrong, you present them with a Repair Report - if they claim to have fixed it (in this case an antenna mount that you can see was loose and missing hardware from a previous operator that got let go) they sign off, and you have to accept the vehicle is in working condition - obviously it was not - and on routes we have to follow the "yards" way of doing things so if it means to be on channel 14 with the rest of them waiting for a dock, don't be goofing off or unable to answer because you're gonna lose your spot, getting bumped until you finally answer the shacks hails for your truck to head to the dock.

I had to go back to my dispatcher and shops' "home terminal" and show them the yards strict instructions and if you don't answer on their radio using yours - DO NOT CALL ON YOUR PHONE WE DO NOT FORWARD CALLS TO THE SHACK - was all I needed to demonstrate that the error was on them not me.

So they said "too many things may be wrong with the truck and it is no longer safe - wait here for next assignment" was all the Qualcomm said...

Isn't terminal life - "terminal"?
LOL!

 

[Shadetree Mechanic]

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A close-up of the WEST MOUNTAIN RADIO CLEARSPEAKER.

Missed the Edit cutoff above. Takes 12VDC and has 3.5mm audio cable.

Mine survived two years banging around oilfield. I sent it back to be checked. Was great. Now in fifth year of use. (300-days at 10-12/hrs daily X 4-years as of September last).

I turn the speaker on last. On-Off is also volume. I make sure radio volume is Low to Off. Speaker goes thru self-check and comes on after that moment.

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Just ordered one of these for my base station. Can't wait to try it.

 

[Slowmover]

Just ordered one of these for my base station. Can't wait to try it.

There are other discussions around here. And other suppliers (BHI). As well, in-line modules to use with a conventional speaker. Then some quite expensive (relatively), more complicated boxes.

There’s a world of speech processing devices. This speaker is, IMO, a great entry-level introduction. And tough, to boot.

 

[Slowmover]

Time to update this. I got into a brand-new unit in February. Have been running:

Uniden 885 Hybrid CB/Scanner
West Mountain Radio ClearSpeaker
Palomar 41 microphone
RM Italy KL203p amp

It all runs without issue off of provided 15A binding posts.

Out back on provided mount, a 5’ Skipshooter to replace 3’ factory stick.

Has worked fairly well given disadvantageous antenna location. 2-3 miles not ever a problem. Farther in rural areas (1.5’ behind me & up to five miles ahead of me).

 

[Slowmover]

This morning at home have swapped the Skipshooter for a GoldenRod 45+ I’ve owned for 21-years (has maybe 30-days of highway travel on it; see thread with that title in CB Antennas).

Turns out they’re the same height as mounted; just under 63”. Atop the sleeper-back mount which is 103” puts me at 13’8”. (Enlarge to see coil & tophat in gap between trees).

Will get to installing DX ENGINEERING equivalent to RF DAVIS “Buryflex” Coax down from That PALOMAR Engineers 15-ferrite choke shown.

The no-drill entry for the coax is under the drivers sidebox; the power line entry for the big inverter thus sharing opposite sides of a 1.5” grommet/plug)

 

[Slowmover]

Back to the cumbersome portable base station in a pair of joined TAC-COMM TR2 Radio Carriers (which I sure do like. Erector Sets, anyone?) Not at all ready this morning. I’ve used nuts/bolts and VELCRO and zip ties to place things. Plus a pair of provided straps. It’s not hard, overall to change configuration.

Rides in passenger seat. Shown without speaker atop, or RigRunner installed on back, etc.

The description of my job is Drop & Hook. Linehaul in some important cases. 53’ vans exclusively. I don’t usually spend much time sitting around. That’s when more will be done, so it may be awhile.

And, two radios. The 99v2 Galaxy for actual TX/RX . And learning to set up controls on the Yaesu ft450d to listen on 11-meter by a coax swap (bought the mobile mount for it. That’s bolted to the TR2 with a few zip ties extra.

At bottom is a Drake low pass filter next to the amp. Decided I’ll try a bandpass filter.

99 — LPF — Amp — BPF —out).

Someone linked (RadioReference?) a MORGAN SYSTEMS “Surgestop Products” M411-CB bandpass unit I thought I’d try. (Though haven’t ordered). ARRAY DESIGN is local, so maybe them if they’ll whip up a custom. (200W compatible).

In a previous job running a new model FL Cascadia (two 7’ whips off mirrors) this PBS setup w/o the 450 was a real pleasure.

It fairly well constitutes what is my experiment box. My Dodge diesel pickup needs a whole new set-up, and it’s my 35’ aluminum travel trailer where eventually a “base station” will reside. (Plus the circa 1976 Robyn already installed as a “campground radio”). Those will be their own threads. I’ll try things here.

I haven’t re-read the thread this morning. Cooling off from the highly humid heat while coffee brews. Have to get going after a few days off. I’ll do that re-read later and tie ends together.
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Your thoughts or advice.

(The in-dash factory setup is “done”)

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[Slowmover]

Latest. Am in a newer model. Great similarity but improvements abound across three years. 12-AMT versus 10 (truck always has a gear choice, now).

Got stalled by supplier backing out of having antenna mirror mounts made. So will “improve” current set-up with better supply pieces that can someday be used elsewhere.

First item was coax. Found a way to route the original 18’ FME-End RG8X, but needed a jumper (had a 6’ piece of LMR-400 that worked); that was out of my way and anyone else’s.

Another truck driver contributor here (don’t blame him) found that DAVIS BURYFLEX took care of some of the last bits of noise for his big truck. I said, WTH, I need 25’ and that spec will also work for at least one configuration at my travel trailer someday.

Ordered DXE-400MA from DX Engineering in 25’



It’s not an AMPHENOL end, but their new, patented connector. Sorry for the blurry photo. The solder was evenly applied with no gap (I can’t, so don’t ask; it’s all I know to relay: hey, looks good).



I went to Amazon to find 25’ of flame & UV-resistant convolute split-loom wire cover. Not the quality of ANCOR, but nowhere near the price. Far less than half the coaxial cable is on the outside of the sleeper. The cover was more peace of mind. That area gets damned dirty.

 

[Slowmover]

Found a good price again at Amazon for zip ties m. I dislike that the box chain HD & Lowe’s focus on packaging. Never a good deal, and prices too high for quantity/quality.

As this isn’t going onto a tower, I saw no reason to hit the electric supply house. I’ve no discount there.

And (most of all) as I have the tendency to do it over and over from dissatisfaction (sometimes mistakes; more as I age), I go through a LOT of zip ties.

IOW, I hate to run low. Now I have enough generic GP zip ties for every outfit & occasion. (Zip ties: the 21st Century man’s version of clothes and cosmetics. Things have to be RIGHT!)



So, sitting on drivers seat was yesterday’s labor.



Since I know nothing I spend. “Treat both ends” is current practice. Trucks really ARE noisy.

(Some day you, too, would — like me — have a GREAT box of “sorta”, “kinda” “maybe”, and, “wow, someone DID buy one of those” with mobile install truck problems).

Could I have gotten away with a piece of PVC and a few coax turns. Yeah, probably.

But I’m a sucker for great ad copy. Especially when I don’t know squat. Makes me as American a man as believing a pill will fix you-know-what.

That said I’m happy with the performance improvements I’ve had with PALOMAR ENGINEERS products. (More of those to be shown as things progress).



Got some AMPHENOL connectors a while back from DX. Boy, that company is proud of those. (Sigh). But y’all say that best is worth it.



I don’t think you all need a pic where these two pieces (and the rest) were or will be covered first by two wraps of Scotch 33, then a wrap of self-fusing silicone tape, and a final wrap of 88 extending half the distance past the heat-shrink length.

Now if only it weren’t 109F just outside the door. 0500 and a flashlight in the cool of a 91F morning sounds much better.

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[Slowmover]

Bought a used Nye-Viking Low Pass filter a while back. I had forgotten the RM Italy 7505v amp has one built in.

Installed it anyway in the TAC COMM TRC2 carrier. No amp in line and I’ll run it.

Pic is of the
MORGAN SYSTEMS
m-411cb bandpass filter.
200w.

One minute at that power. (Glad it’s an experiment in reception as I tend to have a lot of fun winding up other drivers at length).

The price on double female UHF connectors from AMPHENOL floored me. $50 to $65. EACH. Looks like the pieces from DX will be just fine (ha!)



Santa Amazon is supposed to deliver some braided wire sleeving tomorrow. That’ll go on the 6-AWG power cable.

I got home Friday (this is Sunday, I think) and had 14-packages waiting.

Life? What life? I’m an American. I know this because I have Internet access and a credit card. It’s all ANYONE needs to be an American. Or didn’t you know that?. Hoda told me. Or was it Orpah?)

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[Slowmover]

Any questions and I’ll go back and open things up or take different pics. Etc. (Sorry, but I can’t find my NIST-certifications for the lab equipment).

Larry Hankey (AB5KR) up in McKinney hopefully hasn’t passed on since I met him at his shop in January. I’ll ask him for a go-over. (Otherwise I might have to do some creative big truck parking where a brain is proprietor out on the road). Add and subtract, per test & advice.

As before, your Q or advice welcomed.

But my chromed radio and microphone cord ain’t going nowhere, homes. (Nor the grinning skull shift knob up near the ceiling on extends shaft. The big truck version of ape hangers).

(Edit). Okay, I’ve borrowed a stock photo. This is a 579 interior (sleeper & cab) thats smaller, but close enough.



I’ve last run the coax into the sleeper from the side box (under bed; bed lifts) and up the wall you see where in mine that bin atop the nightstand is open space where a microwave is strapped in place. This was for the OEM console install waaay back up there in posts.

24’ of coax was just enough.

At the foot of the bed is a similar set of cabinetry that houses a clothing locker and below it a refrigerator/freezer.

The portable base station sits on (is strapped into) the passenger seat. Rests atop my dozen folded mil-spec flight engineer bags.

This morning I’ll figure out where to have coax enter from sidebox to interior and how to hang.

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[Slowmover]

Have slowly been accumulating tools, supplies and gear. I’ll make an online order, but not receive it for a month as I stay out 3-5/weeks at a time.

Then, I’m none too energetic except in the mornings. Not the right time to spread out all kinds of stuff on the bed.

The power harness is up to an estimated 16-lbs (.275-lbs/ft). 50’ of red & black 2-awg welding cable and split loom plus a large ANDERSON PowerPole disconnect and terminations.

Too tight a fit into a BUCKET BOSS Jumper Cable bag. It goes to sidebox to hold expanding garden hose plus collapsible wash bucket.

Guess I’ll have to order an X-Large Dutch Oven fabric zip case after all. Or two, as the bulky Buryflex-equivalent coax needs something as well.

Slowly, slowly . . .

I have a weeks paid vacation to use, something worth saving for cool weather.
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[Slowmover]

Had a few days off where weather was cooperative.

Behind these panels (five each across interior width at lower level; four shown here) is access to the air lines thru-panel. Holes pre-drilled and plugged (as big trucks can be spec’d over an enormous range).





Just above the orange/yellow air lines is the now-installed 1” diameter split loom with 2-awg 105-C welding cable +/-

They run thru the white cable glands in a stock set of holes outward to engine compartment.







Note that the run follows the air line bundle well up and past foot controls. Over a brace. The air lines continue on up into the dash for the hand controls.

The days of purely mechanical throttle and brake actuation being a dim memory, clearance past any wiring bundles PLUS securement was paramount.



There’s no interference anywhere, nor any undue pressure on the air lines (they are tightly bundled) and this run has slack to move out of the way.

Routing to passenger door area is simply along floor underneath next two panels (no room to spare to re-fit panels).

The firewall was the big one. Fit, and routing. The first photo was taken after install.

Today will be to install a 175A disconnect close to the panel. And measure off the remainder to run to the portable station in the passenger seat.

2-awg is larger than necessary. It exceeds in capacity the 3% drop allowance over a 50’ circuit for 30A by a wide margin. (30A fuse ratings). Technically, this is a 50A capable circuit (before losses).

That should help with heat problems as well as resistance per terminations, etc. I expect to have a fair amount of 2-awg left over; thus the circuit I’m guessing right now will be 38’ total. I’ll make a jumper from the remainder.

It’s also the physically largest I’d want to use for this type install as the split-loom cover would grow past being able to snake it; among other reasons . . also, that this has turned into a $200 power set. (ouch).
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