Modern day cigarette lighter plug 2022 GMC Terrain

[kk9h]

For temporary use only, I have had no problem using the car's "power outlet" for running a CB radio since they draw relatively little power, even when transmitting. The power outlets in both of our cars are rated for "180 watts" or approximately 15 amps. With VHF/UHF ham rigs I have also had no problem with running up to 25 watts. However, I do not operate any higher power this way for all the reasons mentioned previously. The Kenwood TM-281A that I use in my wife's car for road trips draws only about 6-7 amps when operated at its 25 watt low power setting. This is still conservative enough to leave plenty of excess headroom on the car's 15 amp circuit. Always be sure to use a high quality, properly rated and fused plug. In my road trip experience over the years, I have found a 2M radio running 25 watts to a roof mounted 1/4 wave mag-mount will provide perfectly acceptable simplex and repeater range.

When installing a radio permanently which I have done with my car, I agree wholeheartedly with connecting it directly to the car's battery exactly as mentioned earlier.

 

[slowmover]

No one wants to listen to a crappy radio. Better is the radio, more likely it’s turned up and the driver aware of that which is trending.

 

[slowmover]

For temporary use only, I have had no problem using the car's "power outlet" for running a CB radio since they draw relatively little power, even when transmitting. The power outlets in both of our cars are rated for "180 watts" or approximately 15 amps. With VHF/UHF ham rigs I have also had no problem with running up to 25 watts. However, I do not operate any higher power this way for all the reasons mentioned previously. The Kenwood TM-281A that I use in my wife's car for road trips draws only about 6-7 amps when operated at its 25 watt low power setting. This is still conservative enough to leave plenty of excess headroom on the car's 15 amp circuit. Always be sure to use a high quality, properly rated and fused plug. In my road trip experience over the years, I have found a 2M radio running 25 watts to a roof mounted 1/4 wave mag-mount will provide perfectly acceptable simplex and repeater range.

When installing a radio permanently which I have done with my car, I agree wholeheartedly with connecting it directly to the car's battery exactly as mentioned earlier.

The test is only partly that of ampacity.
The real test is whether it’s noisier.

The dedicated power run for a private passenger vehicle is short, cheap and easily kept out of the way when not in use (at both ends).

A permanent antenna mount — and coax run — is what divides permanent from temporary installations. Not the power.

My son wanted “temporary”. So the power (plus 12VDC box) and external speaker (under seat) await the McKinley (with attached KL203), and SIRIO 5000 mag mount antenna to just connect & go.

Sufficient to the demand, thus simpler (safer) than an inferior-by-every-metric cigar lighter power cord in the way of all else.


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[slowmover]

Want to keep the interior run E-Z to use?

Use a quick disconnect close to the radio (incorporates that long positive & short negative; alter to suit).

Three pin end stays with radio. (Attach a clip from sheetmetal screw to affix). Remains plugged in as if a pigtail.

 

[slowmover]

(Edit time is short around here. So this would have been in an above post).

Car travel is a temptation to thieves. My rule is to never tell a story. Meaning the opportunistic thief looking into vehicle doesn’t see electronics, etc.

As in an early post my sons temporary installation features a radio rig safely secured and fully out-of-sight despite being able to operate controls by touch (or to pull over and operate menu).

He’s not yet ready for an NMO mount, but on that day the rest of the installation will be completely out of sight once the antenna gets tossed in the back when parked.

The radio rig is close to permanency for purposes of use . . . but it’s mainly NOT in use so E-Z remove/re-install became paramount. It’s a hybrid

Permanent versus Temporary isn’t black & white.

As things stand, parked for the night at a hotel it’s just a matter of removing and storing the antenna + mag mount under a cover in back. No need to remove radio as there are no clues it’s in place (I’d remove it, but you see the point).

This is a “temporary” set-up for highway travel. Installation consists of an 8-AWG power set (because I already had it); a BLUE SEA MBRF fuse; a used $15 public service speaker, and a small 12VDC distribution box fitted with APP connectors (which I already owned). About $90 replacement cost including marine cable gland at firewall penetration.

Lower full cost had I spec’d exactly for the job.

It is temporary as it is the Antenna Mount & Coax System which define “permanent”. They are the heart of what matters.

Thus (to the OP, again) spend on a GREAT mag mount antenna. Putting in power is a standard (in my view) of what an Amareur ticket holder ALWAYS does.

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[slowmover]

Last (ha, we’ll see) is what radio?

Much as I like the PRESIDENT line (plus believe AM/SSB as a road-going minimum), the Uniden 980 is an excellent lower-priced performer and can be outfitted with a UNIDEN BC-906 wireless speaker/microphone.

One can hang this from shirt collar or pocket to operate and largely allow passengers to not be bothered by radio chatter. (Alternative is an earpiece, but those aren’t comfortable to wear all day; plus degrades drivers sensory awareness’s).

The distance one can RX/TX away from the vehicle with the unit is easily hundreds of feet. Significant yardage.

Example:

1). Keep up with a road incident delay while having a picnic in a safety rest area versus sitting in stalled traffic.

2). Parked, and sharing a smoke, a joke and a Coke with other drivers while out front of the C-store as we wait for the snowplows to get the New York Thruway opened. I can hear MY radio and the guys on the road letting us know we can leave.

A useful item.

And that can be installed out of the way whether the radio is present or not. Ready to plug in and go once radio in place.

About $90 retail.

Add a KL-203 and best tall mag mount on that farmland of SUV roof and you’ll literally (my experience, remember) be one of the best rigs out on the road. Gangbusters.

The mic ain’t a gimmick if it makes things easier with passengers.

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[slowmover]

Crap radio plus crap power & antenna systems = crap performance. As before will meet the expectations of those who don’t know any better; (the 97%).

Your time & money, right?

No, your duty as husband and father.

(You aren’t reading this by accident. It ain’t about me in the least. It’s that you’ve opened a door . . . . )

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[522]

What did I just read?

 

[slowmover]

If I said, “you’ll hear more”, that doesn’t convey the essence of the difference.

 

[slowmover]

No hyperbole or exaggeration involved.

Find out for yourself. That’s not rudely said, it’s all that’s left after offering what experience has shown

It’d sure be a relief to me and others in my boat if CB radio discussions could ever get of the shores of bare sufficiency. (Rinse and repeat same threads year after year).

Well, that time is arrived. Got here a year ago without question.

He is in your life and part of your direction included questions about Citizen Band, yeah, you ain’t here (a CB Radio forum ) by accident. And this thread. (Ain’t about me, it’s what’s inside you).

You wanted cigar lighter questions answered just go back twenty years and read the last thirty threads forward in time on same. “You” didn’t need a re-hash.

I got up on top of the wall with a ladder offered me by others and generosity was extended rung-by-rung in HOW TO.

It’s different from here.

My livelihood shows me weekly that it’s qualitative, not just quantitative. What you might not run into but once annually.

But, it always matters. (Frequency of NECESSARY fast diagnosis, analysis and solution to serious road problems not the thing, it’s being able TO BE PART OF what’s happening).

Example:

Some guy with a poor radio who’s just woken up — but with no consciousness of what HAS been happening — almost isn’t worth answering as it amounts to extended hand/holding.

1). At a point an ongoing multi-car accident is underway over the crest of the ridge and I’m at 78,000-lbs and have been running 67-mph.

2) .With todays norm of a pack of a dozen or more cars tailgating and coming up at over 70-mph.

3). I’m trying to find out from eyewitnesses (may be panicky) who have the ongoing wreck in view (proper order of information: road, direction of travel, lanes involved, vehicle TYPES involved) to answer the questions so I can decide HOW to position myself.

4). His awareness (acting alive, he has a good radio and is weighing predictions about how the big rigs will act; he’s been learning all along) will be an aid to everyone around him.

 

[slowmover]

Or, on that day I’ve worked with locals FAR in advance of a bad traffic backup (miles long) and have decided on an alternate route a big truck can take (I’ve got ears next to no one else has in a big truck; a different thread; I learn EARLIEST).

— it’s been no surprise to find a four-wheeler or RV’er who understands what’s going on and wants to follow. Im always impressed they ask to do so (solidarity is a form of honor, and I respect it).

— No sweat, I’m going to be relaying info many miles behind me directly or indirectly via trucks heading that way to inform others whether the alternate is a good route. I’ll be on-air off/on through-out the detour. Answer questions. Etc.

— Some good ol’ boy in a pickup offers to jump out ahead, well, the other hands and I will slow and bunch our trucks close so he can rocket around us to take the lead. Knows big trucks, and he can scout potential problems on-air.

This is not uncommon. Not if your heart holds America close. If so, you’ll meet the others.

Americans act. They don’t need permission of others.

But you’ll want a GOOD radio rig.

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[slowmover]

Most of all I want “you” to understand how few will act even with clear information.

Instead, lemming-like, they will continue straight into the problem.

The belief that nothing bad will happen is too powerful.

Ever watched a traffic video where cars are jammed together in a massive pile-up and yet big trucks STILL come roaring in. I guarantee some of them had radios on, but were little boys who’d never learned to use it to take proper action.

“Listenng” isn’t passive.

.

 

[slowmover]

Literally as I was writing post #32 my son sent me a link to the ZERO HEDGE story, “Pennsylvania Snow Squall, 50-car pileup”, as happened a few hours ago.

Watch the linked videos. SEE the contempt for conditions of every vehicle driver.

I never want to be one of those truck drivers.

Nor the fools in the cars.

THERE IS NO SUCH THING AS AN “ACCIDENT” (intentions don’t matter).


He favors those prepared. It’s not random or coincidental you’ve read this thread

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[Teambudjr]

Wow.
I think your intentions are honorable, but your replies are very difficult to understand.

I think you are overlooking one critical item here. The OP specifically said " Not looking for a permanent installation ". He just wants to go on a trip and throw a CB and ham rig for his trip then remove it. You went quite above and beyond what he was looking for.

It's really simple. Throw in the CB and the ham rig, keep the power to 20 watts or less and enjoy the road trip.

Thanks for understanding

 

[jhooten]

Slow,

We get it. You are the worlds foremost expert in mobile CB radio installations. But your long winded, Holier than thou pontifications in every CB post grow tiresome, and the everybody else is a clueless moron attitude doesn't help your case in the least. Someone going on a thousand mile summer road trip in a car that may not be theirs cannot go start adding wiring and drilling holes in things. They just want a simple answer to the question asked not a ten thousand word dissertation.

Team,

I really kind of surprised you have stuck it out this long. Yes, if you are driving almost any vehicle made in the last ten or so years the chances are good you have a power port and not a legacy cig lighter. Use a quality plug on the end of the power cord and you will be good. If you are using magmount antennas put a layer of old fashioned kitchen wax paper between the mount and the body. It will help prevent paint scratches.

 

[Teambudjr]

Slow,

We get it. You are the worlds foremost expert in mobile CB radio installations. But your long winded, Holier than thou pontifications in every CB post grow tiresome, and the everybody else is a clueless moron attitude doesn't help your case in the least. Someone going on a thousand mile summer road trip in a car that may not be theirs cannot go start adding wiring and drilling holes in things. They just want a simple answer to the question asked not a ten thousand word dissertation.

Team,

I really kind of surprised you have stuck it out this long. Yes, if you are driving almost any vehicle made in the last ten or so years the chances are good you have a power port and not a legacy cig lighter. Use a quality plug on the end of the power cord and you will be good. If you are using magmount antennas put a layer of old fashioned kitchen wax paper between the mount and the body. It will help prevent paint scratches.

Thanks, I like SHORT answers and i will use wax paper

 

[slowmover]

Making choices about “travel” (such as inclusion of a transceiver) changes the journey itself. It isn’t a Thing, it’s a Portal.

CB Radio opens up what is trending, listening IS NOT passive, thus one chooses to shape potential outcomes by his actions or inactions thusly.

There’s a minimum with installations. Agree or disagree, fine. Ain’t about me, if “you” (whomever), ain’t gonna cowboy up. Ain’t gonna be about me at all as I can’t hold your hand the above picture is gaining focus just out ahead of you. Real-time.

My earliest post about how bad was a cigar lighter power temp install in a rental SUV was where I could have left it. My respect for “you” is otherwise so navigating the rapids of my posts is yours to take what you can use.

CB Radio is more than “you” understand. Both what it is, and what it can do. (The people, not the gear).

There’s information, then there’s knowledge acquired, and understanding (what we all desire) is hardest of all. (Doesn’t end, either). I’m writing about what you don’t savvy, yeah, I know.

There are outstanding radio rigs on the major roads. But, not many. Being able to communicate with them — even at short range — could get one up to speed on unfolding events and help guide outcomes.

— But awareness only comes from hearing what can be heard. Not 40% of a temp installs potential.

IH-81 in Pennsylvania is one of the significant routes to serving the entire upper East Coast & New England.

No Noise in the power source (what, you afraid to test the cigar lighter versus Batt?) is Rule #1. Can’t hear anything but what’s close & loud? Gee . . . wonder why?

— Watch the video associated of the guy owns the Charger. Doing audio play-by-play. Watch that big truck wrecker barrel through. (You can BET he has more than one radio TYPE at work).

Could be you are the heart & soul — on-air — of what other men NEED in those closing, fateful seconds. The small, still voice (and no joking about it).

You’d have stopped MORE than a mile back. And worked that little radio for all you were worth.

And one of the guys with a premier system could well have heard you another mile or more back and cranked it up to get The Word out.

You’d have HELPED CHANGE THE OUTCOME as that big truck wrecker is proof no one was man enough that day, that hour, that mile marker, to have been both prepared and ready.

“Whom shall I send, and whom will go for us?”

.

 

[jhooten]

Some times, not often but sometimes, I miss the good ole days at the height of the 70s CB craze. My first install was a Royce 1-601 in a 72 Vega GT Hatchback with co-phased Hustler center loaded antennas on either side of the hatch. The 1-601 was later upgraded to a 1-639. Bonding straps went from the base of each antenna to the body. It was consistently able to talk from Altus to OKC over 100 miles away. Lost count of the times I was asked how bi my amp was. That 639 had one of the best receivers I've ever owned.

Then there was the trip to the Stuttgart Audio Club the day they got in the very first of the 40 channel Sharp CBs. I bought one with a 16" center loaded mag mount antenna. The cigarette lighter plug was put on the power cord by twisting the conductors and wrapping tape around the splices. On the trip home we see another American car going the other way on the autobahn with a CB antenna on it. Being the young smartasses we were the CB was keyed up an the words "break for a south bound smoky report" flowed out. An immediate reply came back S9++. The problem was it wasn't who we though it was. Come to find out it was a semi drive going south from Atlanta towards Jacksonville. When he finally believed we were who we said were he made a call to all the other driver saying he had some soldiers on the autobahn in Germany on the channel, to give them a shout. For about the hour we made contact after contact with semi drivers back in the states before the bottom dropped out. (Those CB set became our barracks intercom with the mag mounts stuck to the radiators in our rooms.)

Anyway I said all that just to show you never know what is going to happen or what you can do with a simple basic CB installation in a car.

(that is the longest winded single post I think I've ever made.)

 

[KB0VWG]

I have rented a car and used a small 25 watt mobile vhf/uhf radio plugged in the cigarette light plug and haven't had a problem. Kept the radio on low to med power and no problems.
kb0vwg

 

[mmckenna]

https://www.shopwiscomm.com/HKN9407A-HKN9407-Motorola-OEM-Mobile-Power-Cord-Assembly-P5109208.aspx

Yes, it can absolutely be done. Even Motorola sold the above product for some of their radios.
It's an option for temporary use. It will provide 12 volts to the radio.

It's not a blanket statement, though.
Different vehicles will have different ratings on the socket. Understanding the limitations is important.
Some vehicles bundle the power wiring for the socket in with other circuits, including ones that can induce a lot of noise on the power circuit. That noise can get into the radio and get superimposed on TX and/or RX audio. Some have this issue, some don't. Some have the issue and just don't care.
Cigarette lighters can be finicky. They can vibrate loose, so not a good choice for anything critical.
Some of the cheap plugs make poor contact. Poor contact leads to heating, melting, fire...

Read the install manual for any professional radio, and they'll tell you to wire to the battery.