Thinking of getting professional install done

[Trouble]

Would like to have a pro install my radio/amp with the good wiring, fuses, and have it look right.
Any ideas on how much is reasonable for this?
Jeep Cherokee -- mount amp in back (maybe...if I can figure out how to install a remote), keep radio up front, ant is mag mount so thats all good,
although I would like to get it hard mounted.
I gotta believe that a professional would make a much cleaner look on my setup.

Thank you in advance,

GOOD DAY SIR

[SmallTruckBigRadio]

Would like to have a pro install my radio/amp with the good wiring, fuses, and have it look right.
Any ideas on how much is reasonable for this?
Jeep Cherokee -- mount amp in back (maybe...if I can figure out how to install a remote), keep radio up front, ant is mag mount so that's all good,
although I would like to get it hard mounted.
I gotta believe that a professional would make a much cleaner look on my setup.

Thank you in advance,

GOOD DAY SIR

Going to a professional who is trying to run a business, and service radios may put time restraints on a good quality install. A well planned install can be very time consuming, and paying an hourly rate for that can be expensive. I've been disappointed in some of the "professional" radio installs that I've seen, because they weren't well planned.

Professional doesn't mean they are good, it just means that they will charge you for it. Perhaps you can find a knowledgeable hobbyist that can work side by side with you on it? At least on the planning? Some guys are excited to put new stuff in, and to do a very good job of it. Pay that guy the money, and you won't have to pay for shop overhead costs.

Be involved as much as you can to make sure it's done well.

Once you know what your exact plan is. A Stereo / Audio install shop can do some fancy mounting / carpet stuff to make it look clean. A stereo installer will not know how to make sure to protect RF issues, but he will be able to fuse & bring big power cable to your amp. He won't understand RF grounding issues.

Some amps do have remotes. Fatboy & Davemades have headphone jacks available for remote switches.

Your equipment list shows:
Radio Equipment: Cobra 19 (You have it set up for an amp?) which amp are you planning?
RG-6 Coax (top notch)
Rad-Shack mag mount 12" center load Maul droppin', slap yo' momma, WOW! <(I'm concerned about this one, If it's what I'm thinking it is, it may be way short of a decent antenna, and may well damage an amp)

If you ain't scared of holes. A through the roof mount Wilson 1000 could work very well for you. A Wilson 1000 or 5000 mag mount should be much better than anything Radio Shack has with their name on it.
There's place near Opelousas that should be able to put the Wilson in for you, but I wouldn't let them cut the stinger. I was disappointed int he SWR job they did for my Dad. Of course, a Wilson on a Cherokee won't need much tuning anyway.

[Trouble]

A Stereo / Audio install shop (Exactly what I should have said) can do some fancy mounting / carpet stuff to make it look clean. A stereo installer will not know how to make sure to protect RF issues, but he will be able to fuse & bring big power cable to your amp.

Your equipment list shows:
Radio Equipment: Cobra 19 (You have it set up for an amp?) which amp are you planning?
SWP Gen. Lee

RG-6 Coax (top notch)
RG-8X

Rad-Shack mag mount 12" center load Maul droppin', slap yo' momma, WOW! <(I'm concerned about this one, If it's what I'm thinking it is, it may be way short of a decent antenna, and may well damage an amp)
Wilson 5000, SWR 1:1 all ch/frq, TS DX500

LMAO, I needa change that on the profile....it's a JOKE but I think it's costing me "street credit" LMAO

[SmallTruckBigRadio]

Rad-Shack mag mount 12" center load Maul droppin', slap yo' momma, WOW! <(I'm concerned about this one, If it's what I'm thinking it is, it may be way short of a decent antenna, and may well damage an amp)
Wilson 5000, SWR 1:1 all ch/frq, TS DX500

LMAO, I needa change that on the profile....it's a JOKE but I think it's costing me "street credit" LMAO

Yep,

A stunt like that oughta cost you more than just street credit... jeez..... I was trying to break the bad news to you easy too....

I should have read more of your posts before typing so much, and I should stay away from the forum so long

[Trouble]

Yup, shame on you for avoiding us!! NEGLECT

[Foxhunter]

Hey Trouble how are 'ya? He is right-----a DECENT car audio shop that's reputable and familiar with audio amplifiers will atleast take care of adequate wiring and cabling infrastructure (and fusing) for you----and can do a nice neat install. Getting them to solder connections will be by request as I've found most DON'T, unless you ask and pay extra $ for the time. He is also right that they will not be familiar with bonding/RF grounding etc---but can/will lay the foundation for a good supply system. A good shop will be neat with their installs as they do them so often with car audio amps. He is also right that I've seen so many CB shops do "hurried" installs that are rather lacking and want a large amount of $ for them do really "do it right". You'll pay thru the nose for them to do a start-to-finish job unless you are on really good terms with your local CB shop down there. I'd consider possibly having a good car audio shop do all the supply/cabling runs and distribution-blocks etc (and even component (amp,radio etc) mounting as they will do it cheaper most likely. Then perhaps a visit to your CB shop that you trust for "finalizing" adjustments etc. Only suggestions, maybe shop around a little. When talking with a car audio shop I'd down-play how different CB is from AM/FM because the set-up supply principles are nearly identical and wouldn't want them to think "odd-ball install" and jack up the install price. Hope you make out with this. There is nothing worse looking than a bunch of criss-crossed wires "every-which-way" (not saying that's what you have) and it's great to have a nice clean install with good routing and design. Let us know what you end up doing-----------Foxhunter


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[drdx]

I'd be afraid of most "professional" install jobs when it came to a CB or ham install. Many out there are stereo guys and are great when it comes to audio stuff, but on CB/ham installs there is no swr, radiation pattern, coax radiating, big antennas, etc., not to mention coax choice and general knowledge of the genre of hobby. Beyond amperage demand, component mounting, and speaker wiring, what does a typical professional know about what we do? I think you'd be wasting your money at the least. They are great at what they do and it is a complex one, expecially considering all of the components involved, like crossovers, speaker box dimension calculations, multi-media interfacing and the like, but simply not the same as what we have. On the same deal, I'm sure most with knowledge of this hobby would be less than stellar stereo guys. We're all aware of the basics but maximizing performance is an art. I'm sure some do it all, but I'm also sure that's a rare find. -drdx

[jessejamesdallas]

I have to agree on avoiding a so-called "Professional" install...Reason being, you could spend as much as half-a-day, just doing the antenna itself!

By the time you drag all your tools out, then plan out how your going to run everything, then measuring everything, and taking down headliners, and trim parts, then getting the antenna tuned, can easily eat up a day by itself....

Then you still have the radio and amp to deal with, and grounding everything.

Trust me, no CB Shop is going to want to spend a whole day, if not more, on just doing one install, so they are going to cut corners.

Best thing would be just to plan out to the best you can, how ya want the equipment installed, then throw everything in the Jeep and get-er working, then on the weekends in your spare time, go back and Tweak your set-up. (hiding wires, or maybe up grading your Magnet Mount, to a permanent mount)

Hell, I have spent hours before, just tuning a antenna! That doesn't even include doing all the mounting work like hiding the coax, and putting everything back together that was taken apart, to do the install...Even if you plan everything out how you want things done, doesn't mean your plan won't go without a hitch...

"Pooopy-Happens!"

First I would install the radio, and get it all set-up where ya want it, then I would tackle the antenna. Once it's all set-up and tuned, then do the amp last. Reason being, it could take up your whole weekend just getting the radio and antenna set-up, and if your only able to work on it on the weekends, at least you'll have the radio set-up and can use it, till you have time to install your amp later!

[NCMidnight]

The quality of the work would of course depend on the shop its self. Some Auto A/V set ups run A LOT of power, and engine/computer noise is frowned on as well. The right shop could take care of your CB/amp power and grounding needs as well as charging systems and Multiple battery set ups. The shop I was employed by wouldn't allow the us to install linear amps, Cb's or coax. But we could route wiring for later "amp and radio installs" as well as ground fenders/doors/trunk lids etc. There are also alot of options for remote switches for car audio, Key chains in car switches most good shops can help you with that too. They could install relay/crossovers from your external CB speaker jack to your existing speakers or add some nice powered externals for you if you wanted to go all out. If your just looking for someone to run some nice neat fused wire for you that's your best bet for sure. The finer grounding issues are part of the fun of it IMO radio/amp cases etc. Save that along with the antenna/coax install for your self or someone else with knowledge of the hobby. Just my two cents worth. Good luck with whatever you decide to do. :D

[Shaft]

Trouble, where do you live in LA?

I am both a custom car stereo installer and of course I understand CBs.