Installation of a UHF CB in a Tiguan

[Lee Ryman]

Hi All,

I have a 09 Tiguan and have just joined the forums. I love my Tiger/Iguana and have received help from the forums before regarding towing a trailer with LED lights (I shall post about my solution eventually, let me know if you want it sooner). Now I have another problem that I haven't found covered before so I figured I would sign up and ask away.

I wish to purchase an Icom IC-440 for it and would appreciate any advice other readers might have about installing it or similar transceivers cleanly and neatly (ie, preferably no or minimal visible holes, internally or externally).

Where have others mounted antennas on this beast? I am trying to work out if there is a way of running a cable out of around the plastic fascade between the front and rear of the roof rails and the roof, ie in the corner created where the rails meet the roof. If so I intend to mount the antenna to the rail between the corner and the rack using a suitable mount.

As for the internals, my initial thoughts would be to mount the main unit under a front seat and use a 'no-holes' style adapter to mount the hand-piece (such as this ClicOn one).

Any thoughts/comments?

The already well-travelled beast in question:


Kind Regards,

Lee

(admins, feel free to move this post to a more relevant section - I'm posting here as per newbie rules)

[coastie]

I have gone away from the full set units in favour of the handhelds. You can get a 5W version which gives reasonable reception good for treks but can be patchy at times. Only due to the mounting issues on the MV and Golf did I not get a full unit.

[clip]

Can't help with mounting for the uhf - there's really no where I can see that would "fit" well. I think there is a nudge bar available for the Tig now (I'm 90% sure I saw one somewhere?). You could mount the aerial on that if you wanted to go that expense.

I would love to hear your fix for the tow bar wiring please.

[Maverick]

You can mount antennas adjacent to the glass internally which works ok and you could have a temporary mount external antenna for those times you need range with a magnetic mount for use when stationary.

If under the drivers seat is vacant (I believe it's the same shaped area as the golf/passat/jetta) you can purchase a metal bracket and hard cover that can mount the cb radio in (cables route up the drivers side) and get a mic/speaker with the channels etc on a lcd display (there are a few listed on ebay).

[Lee Ryman]

I should clarify that the IC-440 mentioned is in fact a model where all the controls and display are on the handset. The radio can therefore be mounted anywhere out of the way, and is not really the issue. All you need is to run the handset lead to somewhere convenient on the dash. There is plenty of room under the driver/passenger seat.

Can anyone tell me if the plastic covers in the corners of the roof rails can be removed?

@coastie, I am still considering a handheld as you suggested.

[Maverick]

I should clarify that the IC-440 mentioned is in fact a model where all the controls and display are on the handset. The radio can therefore be mounted anywhere out of the way, and is not really the issue. All you need is to run the handset lead to somewhere convenient on the dash. There is plenty of room under the driver/passenger seat.

Can anyone tell me if the plastic covers in the corners of the roof rails can be removed?

@coastie, I am still considering a handheld as you suggested.

Consider the Puxing PX-888 D model, you can pick them up for $100 from ebay with the programming cable. They're 4 watts in UHF mode and you can plug in external antennas. Excellent units and you can buy kenwood mics for them ($5 for a remote mic/speaker for example) and other bits and pieces cheap.

[Lee Ryman]

Maverick, stop adding things to my wishlist! Its long enough as it is

[lunar1]

Mate, sounds like you are after wireless communication?

Try some high gain handheld walkie-talkies if you are going bush with a gang of mates, else just get a push to talk capable mobile phone.

Unless you are cruising for trucker love, help me understand why you'd need a UHF these days?

Cheers!

[Maverick]

Mate, sounds like you are after wireless communication?

Try some high gain handheld walkie-talkies if you are going bush with a gang of mates, else just get a push to talk capable mobile phone.

Unless you are cruising for trucker love, help me understand why you'd need a UHF these days?

Cheers!

Maybe because UHF has a lot of applications, I have a UHF 4W handheld one in the car (mostly for gtg's and trips around SEQ so it's generally turned off) and it's handy to hear traffic updates, police warnings, updates on vans with dark windows "broken down" behind bushes and if you get stuck without mobile coverage (believe it or not mobiles don't cover all of Australia) you can use the radio to call for help.

So tell us why wouldn't need a UHF these days?

And for a $100 you get all the features below - a small price to pay even if you rarely use it given how handy it could be.

[Lee Ryman]

@lunar1,
There are many situations when I use a UHF radio; To coordinate convoys with fellow travellers; To listen in and ask about road conditions ahead; To have as a backup means of communications for emergencies where there is no phone coverage (plenty of kilometers of the Newel and Pacific highways have no coverage); To let truck drivers know you are going to overtake them or are approaching sharp blind corners/one-lane bridges/narrow bridges (think Macksville Bridge with a 2.5m boat trailer); Backing up large boat trailers; Etc. They are a valuable tool for long range driving and camping trips, and in many situations a mobile will just not cut it. Not to mention that the PTT feature is an exclusive bit of tech to Nokias and you all have to be on the one supporting network. It is a bit of a silly question given the thread was about installing one in a Tiguan, and not really about whether I should have one or not.

@Maverick,
Thank you for the info. Do you know if the PX-888D is capable of sending and alerting on receipt of a 5-tone CCIR Selcall? This is one of the (minor) reasons I want to go for the Icom.

[Maverick]

@Maverick,
Thank you for the info. Do you know if the PX-888D is capable of sending and alerting on receipt of a 5-tone CCIR Selcall? This is one of the (minor) reasons I want to go for the Icom.

I can't see it in the specs for the PX-888 however they have a PX-333 (new model) that has it listed - http://www.pxdz.com/english/showpro.asp?id=2371

The PX-888 specs are here - http://www.pxdz.com/english/showpro.asp?id=2362

(the website shows the uhf models as finishing at 470MHz but they have a version D of each that goes to 480MHz for Australia)

Feature for px-333
5 tone selective call OPTION( CCIR，ZVEI EEV，EIA etc..)
Scrambler IC OPTION(Plug & unplug easy)
Select call and group call
Adjust the CTCSS by software.
Adjust the power by software.
50 CTCSS and 107 DCS
128 channels
Small and Compact Size: 98x53x30mm
Output power 4-5W/0.5W
Wide and Narrow band
Battery low power alert
Input frequency directly by keypad
Channel(MR) and frequency(VFO) mode switchable
Radio turn-off timer (1-15h)
Eight groups Scrambler built-in
Channel bank store
Battery save function
Busy channel lockout
DC voltage display
FM radio receiver built-in(display radio's frequency)
Backlight working time control
Keypad lock/PTT lock/All keys lock
Open message edit
Alpha-Numeric channel name
Repeater offset
Open password protection
End roger
Scan modes selectable
Time out timer
VOX/VOX delay/VOX sensitivity adjustable
VHF 136-174mhz/UHF 400-470mhz/465-520MHZ
Repeater tone 1750hz



The PX-888 doesn't allow direct frequency entry by keypad so you program it with the software and set up the channels. The PX-333 you program it via the keypad which I think is illegal in Australia as it can be set to transmit of all the frequencies. A minor point but still worth noting, I assume you can lock the setting of frequencies in the PX-333.

[lunar1]

Thanks for the app info guys.

Looks like we're on the same page now Mav & Lee.

As I suggested, why implement something when you can go hand-held... "walkie-talkie"

[Lee Ryman]

Good question. My preference for a installed setup is that in practise an externally-mounted antenna allows for higher gain and better reception, compared to a rubber-duckie operating within the confines of the metal body of the car. Handhelds are often a lot more limited in transmit power as well - you are at the mercy of discharge curve of the rechargeable battery. Its not going to be a problem if you are only communicating to a car a few hundred meters away, but for some of my applications I may want to go across town or confidently hit a repeater 50+km away. That and managing a mounted handset is arguably easier than using a handheld whilst your driving, and your not irradiating your skull with 5W every time you transmit.

I am still considering it, the Puxing's Maverick has linked are certainly good value, but my preference is for an installed unit. I am looking through Mav's suggestions and other radios in the Puxing range for something with selcall. They would be good for all other situations or when you need to lend it to a friend for convoys.

I'd be buggered to work out how the roof rails are mounted on. They almost look like they are sikaflex'ed on. The other option is a bracket mount though the gap between the bonnet and quarter-pannel - there is one bolt near the A pillar which may be of use.

[Maverick]

Good question. My preference for a installed setup is that in practise an externally-mounted antenna allows for higher gain and better reception, compared to a rubber-duckie operating within the confines of the metal body of the car. Handhelds are often a lot more limited in transmit power as well - you are at the mercy of discharge curve of the rechargeable battery. Its not going to be a problem if you are only communicating to a car a few hundred meters away, but for some of my applications I may want to go across town or confidently hit a repeater 50+km away. That and managing a mounted handset is arguably easier than using a handheld whilst your driving, and your not irradiating your skull with 5W every time you transmit.

The power side and antenna are good points, in my case I don't use it enough to consider a integrated solution but did look at that option. There are as I mentioned earlier antennas that you can mount on the rear windows and having a magnetic mount or similar could be an option for longer distance. The easiest place to run the antenna could be through the firewall and you could have a removable mount that sticks through the grill where you could mount an antenna.

You could also use the existing radio antenna mount by either buying one that allows two external antennas on the base or using the existing base for the uhf and using the rear windows for the radio reception. You get the benefits of it being mounted on the metal roof as well.

The battery life on the puxing is very good, you get a standard 1.2 amp li-ion and you can buy higher capacity ones that you can charge in the car for around $25. Also you can buy a device that replaces the battery and plugs into the accessory socket for around $25. The only drawback I find is you can't charge the battery when using it.

I don't use the handheld itself when driving, I use one of two speaker mics.

The speaker mic can attack the seatbelt or your shirt and it has a headphone jack as well.



The earbone style allows you to have your stereo on and you can talk without the music being transmitted. It works off vibrations from the bones your ear plus you can use your finger to activate the PTT so no need to take your hand off the steering wheel.

I am still considering it, the Puxing's Maverick has linked are certainly good value, but my preference is for an installed unit. I am looking through Mav's suggestions and other radios in the Puxing range for something with selcall. They would be good for all other situations or when you need to lend it to a friend for convoys.

Sounds like an integrated one would be a good way to go for you.

Check ebay out as there are some good bargains to be had on different models, just make sure they can do 400-480MHz as many only go to 470MHz.

This is the PX-888 from one of the reputable sellers on ebay that's 480MHz, if you look at his others items for sale there are some car mounted units in there. Some of them now have options for bluetooth mics instead of the regular type.

http://cgi.ebay.com/Puxing-PX-888-UHF-400-480-MHz-Free-PGM-Cable-Earpiece_W0QQitemZ370305742057QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_ConsumerElectronics_SpecialistRadioEquipment_SM?hash=item5637f134e9#ht_3547wt_1353

[Arctra]

...
You could also use the existing radio antenna mount by either buying one that allows two external antennas on the base or using the existing base for the uhf and using the rear windows for the radio reception. You get the benefits of it being mounted on the metal roof as well.
...

I'd rate this as your best option. Great "outside the sqaure" suggestion Mav. That way there's basically no damage to the Tig and you don't "lose" anything either.