Wiring a UHF radio

Thanks!

Thanks for the advice, will give that a shot.

Are you in Sydney by any chance? I'd be happy to help you do it.

No, I am in Melbourne, but thanks for the offer!

Just grab a test light from an autoparts retailer like Supercheap Auto - $2 I paid for mine. Pull the cigarette lighter out, and use the test light to find the positive wire - then earth it out behind the lighter somewhere and you should be sweet.

Any 2 way radio equipment should be wired direct to the battery via a suitable sized cable and an inline fuse close to the battery. (Fit a fuse block or similar for additional connections) The negative cable should be taken back to a negative junction point close to the battery but not direct to the battery negative terminal. (Avoid earth loops)
The radio should also have inline fuses on both positive & negative lines.
The reasons for this is to avoid voltage drop and interference with / from other appliances. Any fault on the main vehicle electrical system won't be able to use the radio negative cable as an alternate path - resulting in burnt out cabling or radio!
It is useful to monitor the UHF CB radio without having to have the key in the ignition.
Keep all cabling away from ignition sources & heat.
Cheers Tony.

Hi Tony, Sounds like great advice. The cable that I was supplied with (GME Electrophone) only had a fuse on the positive cable, do you recomend fitting one to the negative as well??

The old 2 way radios had a fuse in each power line. This were a cheap method of disconnecting the power when removing the radios for service – much cheaper than using a Jones plug. Looks like the practice still lingers even though 2 fuses are no longer required

PeterD