I am sure that some of us are Amateur Radio operators here and a few have their mobile radios in their Dakota. Possibly this could also be true for cb radio users.

I am wondering where to run my dual power lead wire thru the wirewall and also where to run my antenna cable from the cab into the bed. I plan on using one of the plug knockouts in the bed to run my 18 guage antenna wre from the cab to the antenna in the bed but not sure where to run the cable out of the cab. I have a remote radio so the radio assembly will be mounted between the split bench seat, probably on the rear wall.

Any help from you fellow ham radio operators or cb'rs, maybe even stereo installers is apreciated.

 

have fun w/ ur swr's if ur doin a dual behind the cab set up

 

what do you mean? Never heard of a dual in regards to a amateur radio station, mobile or otherwise.

 

ametuer as in ham? cb? 2 way?

 

ok, you still haven't said what you mean about duals? Are you taking about my twin lead cable for going to the battery? I have a twin lead (power and negative together) wire harness that will go from the radio, like every other amateur radio transciever and go to the battery, fused at the battery. I also need to run a thin antenna wire from the transciever out of the cab to my antenna mount which is now mounted on the driver side bed rail. The transciever will be installed behind the split bench seat. There isn't going to be a problem with swr as I have used this setup in other vehicles with no issues. Hope that unconfuses everyone

 

i guess I'm not understanding the question, the cab blocks your signal...kind of ham are you using?2 meter meter? do you need help deciding on a antenna or how to wire it?

 

I have a icom 208h transciever. i have a Diamond CR8900 4 band antenna. The antenna and mount are going to be mounted to the side rail of the bed. The antenna comes almost to my chin when sitting on the floor. Obviously there will be a little radiated signal loss but should not be significant. My question has to do with the routing of the power cable thru the firewall and the antenna cable thru the back or bottom of the cab. Hope that makes sense.

 

i have a 2 way radio, siren, scanner, and red lights on and in my truck. as far as routing the power and ground cables, you can run ALOT of wires through your firewall. there is a pretty good size rubber plug on the drivers side. from inside your cab, just above and to the left of you pedals you will see the plug in the firewall, pull on one side of it and you will be able to see right into you engine compartment, i wouldnt try and mess with the wires that go through the middle of it. i have probably 10 or so wires going through this spot and plenty of room for more. hope this helps.

 

thanks very much for the information. Do you hav anything going back from the cab?

 

I have an antenna in the center of my roof, just in front of the 3rd brake light. antenna cable goes from the center console, under the passengers seat, behind the b-pillar plastic, under rear door sill, behind c-pillar plastic, and threw a grommet in the door jam, then tucked it into the door gasket to the top of the door.