CB Radio & Ham Radio Installs

**RayZorback** · 03-10-2012 08:08 PM

How do you get these giant radios into our little Subies?

I would love to see some photos of recent CB Radio or Ham Radio installs and how the heck did you mount those stink'n long antennas? I've searched the forum and haven't found much and I found much less on google.

I am looking into the Cobra 29 LX (but I don't hink the faceplate is detachable) with a 3' FireStik FireFly antenna, but I have no idea where to put either of them!

Thanks!

**DemonWRX** · 03-10-2012 08:54 PM

If you can find a small enough radio (like the Cobra 19 DX IV), you could mount it in the small cubby below the thermostat controls. Other than that, the only places I can think of would be hidden in the glove box with a really long mic cord, or mounted vertical in the passenger foot well, attached to the side of the center console.

You could also go with one of the remote mount ones (Cobra 75 WX ST) that has the whole radio and the controls all in the hand set.

For the antenna, the only option that I can think of is to have a trailer hitch installed and to mount it to a removable trailer hitch insert.

**11blackwrx** · 03-11-2012 06:36 AM

walmart sells a small cobra cb radio for like 35 dollars, i use it in my jeep and it works well it would fit easily in the wrx. i bought a good antenna, but only takes like an hour or so to install, also helps if you have someone who has done it and know how to tune them

**RayZorback** · 03-12-2012 09:18 PM

Good ideas.

I'm still looking for a quality CB with a faceplate that can be installed separate from the unit. Then I could put the unit under the passenger seat or even in the truck and run the face to a spot near my right leg near the dash or something like that.

I wish the 29 LX had that. The red LED theme matches perfectly with the rest of the car! I'm still searching for a way to make it work, but I don't know near enough about electronics! ha!

I think I want to install the antenna in such a way to make it look like a regular radio antenna. I think that is possible with a 2' or 3' firestik. At least I don't think it is going to look like an RC car.

**DemonWRX** · 03-12-2012 09:53 PM

well, since our cars have 'shark fin' style antennas, in order to install it to look like a normal antenna you would have to drill a hole in the rear quarter panel......which would be bad

**Drews** · 03-13-2012 05:42 AM

Why?

***RayfieldsWRX*** · 03-13-2012 06:02 AM

Originally Posted by Drews

Why?

+1
My backpacking buddies and I used CBs a lot, back in the days before everyone had mobile phones.

**Rambo** · 03-13-2012 07:25 AM

Boom: Let me see your CB radio/ police scanner setup - NASIOC

I've heard CB's are far superior to radar detectors as long as you're on a road frequented by truckers. They'll warn of speed traps far in advance. It would be fun and useful on long trips.

**rage-wrx** · 03-13-2012 07:27 AM

^^^beat me to it.One of the members on my local forum has one installed in his 2011 STI sedan.

**DemonWRX** · 03-13-2012 08:31 AM

I was only meaning that drilling a whole in the quarter panel of his brand new off the boat WRX would be bad.....not the CB idea, that is a great idea

**Drews** · 03-13-2012 08:52 AM

Originally Posted by Rambo

Boom: Let me see your CB radio/ police scanner setup - NASIOC

I've heard CB's are far superior to radar detectors as long as you're on a road frequented by truckers. They'll warn of speed traps far in advance. It would be fun and useful on long trips.

If you're not speeding you don't have to worry about speed traps.