Pajero Audio Project: scope creep addition

"ITA97, now with more Jag @ opposite-lock.com" (ita97) 07/12/2020 at 20:36 • Filed to: None

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There’s no creep like scope creep, so the completed modern audio receiver and new speakers upgrade left me thinking the second DIN slot needed something other than the OEM storage tray. In that spirit, I got to looking around at DIN-sized CB radios. After all, being a radio telemetry guy for a living these days feels like maybe I should have some comms in my adventure mobile. I’m all for getting NOAA weather stations, too.

I went for a door-jamb antenna mount, “super heavy duty” spring, a quick connect and a 4ft Firestick FS antenna. The idea here is that the antenna needs to be quick and easy to remove to park in the garage, and the spring for when I invariably forget to do so after a long adventure. I’m not thrilled by how much it moves around over rough terrain, so that spring may or may not have a long-term future.

The radio itself filled the space nicely, and I tuned the antenna this afternoon. The SWR of about~1.8:1 at the ends of the band and around 1.4:1 in the middle band isn’t perfect, but also wasn’t a surprise to me. I knew my antenna mounting location was a compromise of some antenna performance via a less ideal ground plane down on the side of the truck for easy of removal and mounting every time it goes in the garage. Actual performance seems fine enough for my application.

I haven’t decided where I want to mount the mic yet, so I’ve held off drilling holes in anything until I make up my mind.

jminer > ITA97, now with more Jag @ opposite-lock.com 07/12/2020 at 20:56

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That fits really well in there, nicely done!

ITA97, now with more Jag @ opposite-lock.com > jminer 07/12/2020 at 21:01

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Thanks. There’s plenty of room in the cubby down below to put a big CB radio, but I knew I would be happier with a smaller DIN-sized one tucked in the slot.

jminer > ITA97, now with more Jag @ opposite-lock.com 07/12/2020 at 21:04

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Yeah and it leaves you the space in the cubby for other use, looks cleanser too.

ITA97, now with more Jag @ opposite-lock.com > jminer 07/12/2020 at 21:10

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I also deeply appreciate that the orange back lighting on both radios matches the orange back lighting of the factory controls and instruments .

Nom De Plume > ITA97, now with more Jag @ opposite-lock.com 07/12/2020 at 21:38

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Two point r etracting cable mic mount.

jminer > ITA97, now with more Jag @ opposite-lock.com 07/12/2020 at 22:05

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That’s awesome, well done!