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.