Finally got everything together and finished up my install. All told it turned out pretty nice looking. For the radio I got a Uniden PRO510XL. For the antenna I used a FireStik II 3 foot antenna mounted in a hole at the center of the trunk. I routed the cable from the trunk behind the quarter panel, under the door sill, and then across the dash underneath the glove box. For power I used a fuse tap off of the "AUX" fuse (20A, but I used a 3A for the radio's circuit) and grounded it to the firewall right next to the fuse compartment on the passenger side. Haven't checked my SWR yet, but when I get a hold of a meter I will definitely do so.

As far as performance I'm pretty happy thus far. I've had no problems with people hearing me, although during rush hour in the city I don't even bother trying. My first impression is that this thing will only be useful either late at night or on less-traveled highways. On my daily commute I can never hear anything but static and the occasional person that can punch through. Several bears went unreported (or at least I couldn't make it out). I did get a chance to use it to and from MSU last weekend (3.5 hour drive) and was VERY impressed with how easily I could ask for bear reports and talk to people. Several warnings were 15-20 miles in advance.

Next Project: Replacing my broken factory horn with the electronic air horn from a police siren

 

nice install, hehe i have a 10 meter mobile in my monte pushing 50 watts on radio alone and 1000 on the amp lol...always remember its all about the antenna, what kind of antenna are you runnin

 

Like I said it's a 3 foot FireStik II

 

that should be a decent antenna...a wilson 1000 would get ya alot more reception but then again its about 20 inches taller lol