Icom V8000 2M VHF Install in a BJ60 dash

[MrMoMo]

Well, I finally got around to posting about this, for anyone interested in doing the same.

I had originally planned on installing it in a center console, which I was either going to fabricate myself or purchse (like a tuffy). However, speaking with a local ham, who also owns a BJ60 (the only other one around here for probably 50 miles) - he convinced me that the "spot between the ash tray and the radio" makes a great spot to mount a rig. His case was a little better as his radio was slightly smaller, but I have a die grinder/file and tinsnips!!

So here you go!

I made my own mounting brackets using some old computer power supply cases (nice gauge metal). I basically used the two screw mounting points that they heater panel mounts with. My "L" bracket sneaked in behind the heater controls. On the other side of the radio I made a similar mount, but there is only one screw hole over there, where the small "pocket" used to mount.

I did have to enlarge the cutout in the plastic bezel, aproximately 1/8" heightwise, but widthwise it was ok. After my trimming (die grinder, file, exacto etc) I masked and re-sprayed with gloss black. Does anyone know of a good source for the biege paint so I can touch up the metal portions of the dash? (Where you can see the blue coming through!)

I ran power with the factory Icom cable, directly to my drivers side battery, with the supplied inline fuses. I used ring connectors to connect to the battery lugs.

I use a Larsen 5/8 wave mag mount, and have had excellent results. I ran the co-ax in through the drivers side back door, down the C pillar and in behind the trim half way down. From there it runs down the wheelwell (under the trim) then under the carpet over to the center console. Here there is an extention cable connected, running under the carpet by the shifter - to get me up to the dash. (short length of RG58 with some PL-259's and a male/male to connect them). The V8000's 75W output power with the Larsens 3dB gain gave me aproximately 100Km range - not mountainous here, but not flat either.

The only things I have left to do is mount the mic clip (Thinking of the spare switch blank as a mounting point) - or on my center console once it is complete. I also plan on making a "cover plate" which will mount to the dash and cover the face of the radio when not in use. Theft is not a huge issue around here but I don't want to be the first. I'd like to make a black plate which completely covers the face, and likely will velcro mount.

Not sure how the CD player is managing to stay in place, there doesn't seem to be anything really holding it there.. when the weather warms up a bit I'd like to fix it up a bit! (maybe even go as far as adding a trim ring!)

I am still planing (and have the parts for) my center console, I'll post up here when I get that done, but it's WAAY to cold outside right now to be doing anything out there! (-15°C plus windchill!)

Fire away with questions/comments and if you have any good ideas for a cover up plate I'd apprecate them!

Bruce
VA3BWR

[cruiser_guy]

I like it. I need to find a place to mount my Icom 706MkIIG. I am thinking of remote mounting the radio chassis in some undisclosed location to discourage and hopefully prevent theft and running just the face and mike up to the dash. The idea being that I can take the face and mike with me when parking in questionable areas since the radio is a little pricey and as soon as you've got an antenna or two on the truck you're advertising an expen$ive radio.

Any issues with heat and the CD player yet? Heat generation is a concern of mine with the ham radios especially in concealed areas.

Is this a 2 m, 2m/70 cm or a multiband HF/VHF/UHF radio?

Has anyone mounted a HF radio in a BJ60 series yet? I'm curious about EMI from the altenator if the HF antenna is mounted on the front bumper?

[spressomon]

That's my question too...with 50+ watts do you have adequate ventilation for the 2M box?

[MrMoMo]

Originally Posted by cruiser_guy

Any issues with heat and the CD player yet? Heat generation is a concern of mine with the ham radios especially in concealed areas.

Is this a 2 m, 2m/70 cm or a multiband HF/VHF/UHF radio?

HA! good god, I wish I could tell you but everything is frozen! WAY too cold here right now to worry about any heat! The Icom has a massive fan on the back, and there seemed to be a fair amount of open space below for air to circulate out of the area. I'll have to wait untill july/august to find out if heat is a problem!!

Icom V8000 is 2M VHF.

[CDN_Cruiser]

Very nice install - clean! Well done!

Cheers, Hugh

[cruiser_guy]

Originally Posted by MrMoMo

The Icom has a massive fan on the back, and there seemed to be a fair amount of open space below for air to circulate out of the area.

From what I've read the Icom I have, the 706MkIIG, which is an all band (160meter all the way to 70cm which includes the 2m band), also has a big fan BUT it only runs on transmit. On standby or receive the radio still generates heat but the fan doesn't run. There are mods to run the fan on low speed to try to keep it cool.

The problem is that heat rises, right up to the CD player. I know my CD player doesn't like heat at all.

I think the power draw on transmit is about 20 amps at 12v which is closer to 240 watts going into the radio!

[spressomon]

I have been looking at the Icom 208H dual band...seems to offer what I need: Compact detachable face to allow remote mounting of the transiever unit and not ridiculously spendy, large LCD, etc. Anyone ever use this model here and have real world input (I have read a few on-line reviews and nearly everyone rates it very high)?

[CDN_Cruiser]

I would have thought that a radio that is designed for a flush mount would be designed to handle the potential heat? NOt that your CD, player, etc would.

I have my radio (FT-857) remotely mounted in the back in an enclosed cubby. It has a few large heat sinks, a cast metal body and a fan. I can generally leave the cover on without problems, but do remove it for lots of TX activity.

Cheers, Hugh

[Doug_S]

Hi group,

How are you guys installing antennas on your rigs? I have a FJ40 with limited top room due to the garage that I park in.

[cruiser_guy]

Mag mount!! It only works with a steel roof, sorry!!

[Doug_S]

Originally Posted by cruiser_guy

Mag mount!! It only works with a steel roof, sorry!!

Unfortunately, I don't think that the tri-band antenna that I have comes in a mag mount configuration. Also, the roof on my FJ-40 is fiberglass. Anyone else have any suggestions about antenna mounting locations?

[cruiser_guy]

Originally Posted by Doug_S

Unfortunately, I don't think that the tri-band antenna that I have comes in a mag mount configuration.

Is that a tri band for 6m/2m/70cm bands or ??