Ham radio install

[MANUCHAO]

I finally finish my ham radio install...
Here are some pics.

Installed the radio inside the tuffy (put a coat of white paint inside the tuffy) for a stealth look and used/ran RJ12 wire (phone wire extension) to the dash board.

Pics tell it best......

Made my own antenna mount and nutsert two wholes on the rear for it and ran the antenna cable into the rear vent on the driver side.

Antenna looks crooked on this shot but it points straight up...

Now is time to go get that ham radio lic.

 

[Dynosoar]

Nice Job! No pics of the dash speaker?

Dyno

 

[MANUCHAO]

The dash speaker is there............under the dash on the passenger side.... where the OE speaker used to be.....

 

[Dazed]

I am so jealous of about every part if your rig. Nice job on the install.

 

[1911]

Nice job on the mic extension.

Your 2900 does need some air circulation to cool it, especially when transmitting. You might want to drill some holes in your Tuffy, or at least leave the lid open when you use the radio.

 

[ashack2004]

Nice!

 

[Haggis]

Looks great! How difficult was it to get at that dash speaker? I am considering the same set up.

 

[MANUCHAO]

Not hard at all.
I bought a speaker that fits on the OE location.
All you do is pull the glove box cover/compartment .

two nylocks n you good...

 

[Elbert]

I have similar setup.. I ended up bolting the ham radio to the external drivers side of the console and it sits between the drivers seat and the console, I used a 90 degree mount attached to my bumper-gas can mount for the antenna. I like the idea of the mic extension.

Ham is a huge improvement over CB in clarity / quality and range.

The problem around "here" is that many of the trails we run have large overgrown areas and low hanging limbs...etc. I've already lost two antennas to the "tree monster"..

 

[ddnuts]

Nice set up and install.

 

[ntsqd]

The problem around "here" is that many of the trails we run have large overgrown areas and low hanging limbs...etc. I've already lost two antennas to the "tree monster"..

Up until very recently I've always used NMO based antennas (on my CTD I'm trying out a Firestik 2M antenna on a typical CB type mount). I have one NMO antenna that is only about 7" tall that I bought mostly to cover the mount and keep corrosion at bay, but I've been known to use it when in an area with low hanging branches. It works surprisingly well.

 

[Dynosoar]

I always ran a 1/4 wave antenna (about 7") on my 1/2 1600 car as a backup incase of a rollover.

Dyno

 

[MANUCHAO]

So, after programming some repeaters In this unit.... I drove from Dynosoar location to my home, some 60 miles away and I was able to receive and send clear radio checks through out...the whole ride.
Sounds was clear as a blue sky.... I was hoping to get a good 10 maybe 20 miles range but 60 miles that's amazing... !!!!
I know this is all dependent on repeaters and what not.. but still, Im sold !!!!

Thanks for the help Peter.... !!

 

[DanS HJ-45]

So, after programming some repeaters In this unit.... I drove from Dynosoar location to my home, some 60 miles away and I was able to receive and send clear radio checks through out...the whole ride.
Sounds was clear as a blue sky.... I was hoping to get a good 10 maybe 20 miles range but 60 miles that's amazing... !!!!
I know this is all dependent on repeaters and what not.. but still, Im sold !!!!

Thanks for the help Peter.... !!

60 miles is nothing.

I haven't ever put a meter on the faux lux, which has an NMO mount SSB-1 installed in the roof, and Zi can hit repeaters 60 miles away, while driving through the Eisenhower Tunnel. No joke.

I have been able to hit repeaters as far as 100 miles away before on the flatlands.

HAM > CB. For sure! And SOOOOO much clearer.

That is a really nice install. I really like the phone jack in the button blank.

Dan

 

[Cruiserdrew]

I want to copy your rear antenna mounting bracket. Would you post a pic from the inside from the lift gate side with the gate open? I want to see how it's attached.

I assume you drilled some bolt holes? How did you ground the mount?


I agree that the radio will need more ventillation but it really only heats up when you transmit a lot on high power, so maybe program your power settings to medium and low1 &2.

Nice install.

 

[MANUCHAO]

60 miles is a lot for me but then again... I know little about ham radios....
It is good to know that you can transmit even further...

Andrew, I will post pics tomorrow...
Yes, I nutsert two holes on the rear to mount it... that's how it is grounded
Im new to HAM radios and only got one for being able to communicate with others when doing a caravan.
So, I dont see it heating up but I'll heed you guys warnings/advice...

Thank you !!

 

[MANUCHAO]

Here are the pics for the antenna mount.
I used metric nutserts and SS bolts with some RTV sealant...
The mount itself passes between the strut and the body but does not contact either.....

 

[Cruiserdrew]

Thanks for the pics. I'm going to copy that, but I'll give you credit if anyone asks.

I may try and route the coax inside the body lip and drill a hole to access the interior.

Thanks!

 

[MANUCHAO]

I copy the mount design from the 80 series forum..
Just did no want to pay some guy $45 for a bracket that cost $2 to make.......
I thought of doing that but the cable for the radio is very thin and I could not find a grommet that could accommodate it......



Frank

 

[Cruiserdrew]

Manu-

Inspired by your bracket I started messing around with the install and thought I'd show you what I came up with. I used existing holes and gave up a few inches of height.

The coax is routed into the tail light enclosure and from there to the front of the truck.

Anyway-thanks for getting me going on this.