Basic radio install with RMI 203

[38Special]

I'm going to be putting a radio in my Silverado this weekend with a little amp. I found a mounting bracket that will work great for me in this truck. Now for the stupid question..... I plan on stacking the radio and amp and maybe adding a swr meter as well. Can I build custom mini8 coax's for this? They would all be short-maybe 12 inches or so to get from component to component, instead of using 3-footers for everything and having a ball of slack coax stuffed under the carpet? I vaguely remember something about length of coax being divisible by 3 or something like that (9,12,15....) In this situation, does it really matter? Would there be any problems having the small amp that close to the CB Radio (feedback). I'm after the Super Clean look, as I'm in a car club and I've had the truck in a show already.

[SNAKE BYU1]

Here is a web site that will answer your questions.
The one thing i have learned is do your home work.
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[Please login or register to view this link]
peace

[Bozo]

I'm going to be putting a radio in my Silverado this weekend with a little amp. I found a mounting bracket that will work great for me in this truck. Now for the stupid question..... I plan on stacking the radio and amp and maybe adding a swr meter as well. Can I build custom mini8 coax's for this? They would all be short-maybe 12 inches or so to get from component to component, instead of using 3-footers for everything and having a ball of slack coax stuffed under the carpet? I vaguely remember something about length of coax being divisible by 3 or something like that (9,12,15....) In this situation, does it really matter? Would there be any problems having the small amp that close to the CB Radio (feedback). I'm after the Super Clean look, as I'm in a car club and I've had the truck in a show already.

I have tried 1-2 ft coax before, and didn't work all that great. I think that length divisble by 3 is way better myself. Some people have gotten smaller lengths of coax to work, but I think you will be way better off with 3. You might want to put your amp at least 3-6 feet away from your radio. If it is a bigger amp. Although, I do have a small driver next to my radio.

[Rex_foxhound]

Hey Bozo,

Does that mean you finally got your mobile workin?
Last time I checked, you were still trying to figure out something about grounding or getting burnt or something...

I may have overlooked a post about it if you made one.

[38Special]

Wow, that's a good read so far. I'm going to spend a few hours looking that over. And here I thought mini8 was the Bee's Knee's........
Thanks for the reply Bozo! That's the kind of info that I'm looking to hear (or not hear!!!)
Thanks! Your saving me time suggesting it won't work.

[rayray1963]

38Special if you were to use a HIGH quiality coax with excellent shielding, like LMR 600 UltraFlex or RG213, you could run a shorter length coax. I have done this on serveral occassions. But as stated before if your planing on using RG8X, you'd be better served having the componets seperated some.

[Bozo]

Hey Bozo,

Does that mean you finally got your mobile workin?
Last time I checked, you were still trying to figure out something about grounding or getting burnt or something...

I may have overlooked a post about it if you made one.

my mobile has been up and running for a while now...

[Rex_foxhound]

Oh. Cool. I didn't know that lol.

[EC 174]

It is possible you will get some feedback and squealing from stacking them that close.. Some do and some don't.. You would have to try it to find out but I've never had any luck with it..

The jumpers could work for you in 1 ft pieces.. I have had better luck with 3ft but it's another one of those your situation will vary..