HAM or CB radio mounting location (6 Viewers)

[Fitzgerald]

Yeah... my thinking is that I will probably just use the radio on our monthly club runs (at least in the beginning).

If I start using it more, or find the faceplate location a nuisance, I'll move it to a more accessible location later. The speaker is on the passenger side kick panel (pretty much up tucked up under the dash away from the passengers feet...I hope).

I'm leaving for a club trip to Utah (San Rafael Swell) tomorrow and really just wanted to get the radio in. Anyone want to join us?

I guess this trip will show me how much I need to rearrange my set-up.

 

[paflytyer]

Yeah... my thinking is that I will probably just use the radio on our monthly club runs (at least in the beginning).

If I start using it more, or find the faceplate location a nuisance, I'll move it to a more accessible location later. The speaker is on the passenger side kick panel (pretty much up tucked up under the dash away from the passengers feet...I hope).

I'm leaving for a club trip to Utah (San Rafael Swell) tomorrow and really just wanted to get the radio in. Anyone want to join us?

I guess this trip will show me how much I need to rearrange my set-up.

I'll snap a picture of mine, but I think you may find it hard to hear the speaker where you're mounting it. Especially if your windows are down and you're getting some wind noise. I ran the wire under the center console and out near the E brake handle. The speaker is right where your faceplate is and I have to keep the volume up pretty high when there is outside noise.

 

[Fitzgerald]

I'll snap a picture of mine, but I think you may find it hard to hear the speaker where you're mounting it. Especially if your windows are down and you're getting some wind noise. I ran the wire under the center console and out near the E brake handle. The speaker is right where your faceplate is and I have to keep the volume up pretty high when there is outside noise.

Thanks.

The speaker seemed SUPER loud when I tested it, but that was in the garage with the engine off.

 

[badlander]

I installed the remote controller of my FT-7900R on a bracket attached to the ash tray.





It's in a perfect location for visibility and takes up very little space. I can still fit my now skinnier wallet in the storage slot under the controller! I mounted the head at the rear of the center console on the access hole cap using double sided tape. I can pop it (with the cap) right off and unplug and remove it if I need to park the truck in a high risk area. I don't have kids and very seldom have more than 2 rear passengers so that location is not in anyones way. I can hear the speaker very well there even with the windows down. I ran the external speaker wire up to the driver footwell for future use. The controller wire stuffs inside the cavity behind the ash tray and there is enough wire left over to remove the ash tray with head unit attached from the truck and stretch it over to a table for evening DX'ing if you so desire. The external speaker wire will also extend out of the truck to place a speaker on the table as well, or to use with head phones.
I really like Fitzgeralds head unit mounting location and I may move mine there in the future. I was limited by my mag mount cable being only 12 feet long and with it centered on the roof, unless I add an extension, I "can't get there from here". I just did not want to add more cable and junction connectors to the feed line.

 

[badlander]

More pics:
With the shifter in park, and in drive. Still plenty of room to open the ash tray with the controller mounted. I only use the ash tray to store my glasses cleaning cloth.
This location also allows you to very comfortably use the shifter as an arm rest while operating the radio controls.

 

[badlander]

And a few more:
The control cable goes right through the ash tray via dremeled holes. The 1st. Pic shows extra wire pulled out of storage area behind ash tray.
I attached the mic holder with double sided tape also.

 

[badlander]

The head and antenna:

 

[badlander]

Feed line routing:
Wire goes down between the doors and under the lower rear door hinge, and comes up from below the door seal area, along the front edge of the plastic sill plate and then under it through a filed out notch in the plastic and over the body seem. then behind the front seat and over to the center consol. Exactly 12'.

 

[Fitzgerald]

That's a nice set-up (although my kids would have that base unit ripped off in the first week ).

You do have more room there below the ashtray than I would have thought. I really like that little pocket tray underneath the ashtray and didn't want to lose it.

Did you fab up that ashtray faceplate holder or purchase it? If my faceplate location doesn't work out, I'm sure I'm switch to something like what you've done.


Oh... and FYI, there is plenty of cable to make it from my base mounting location to the center of the top of the cab with my 12 ft. mag-mount.

 

[badlander]

Thanks,
Yeah, I just fabbed up the bracket using a cardboard template and bent it using some cheapo harbor freight forming dies that mount on a 4" vice, magnetically.
I love my faceplate location but I really like your head unit mount location a lot.
It may be in my future, soon!

 

[maxdog1969]

Yaesu ft 8800

Face plate mounted on still operable ashtray.

Main chassis underneath front passenger seat.

External speaker on front passenger foot well.

Thanks to my awesome buddy.

 

[maxdog1969]

 

[maxdog1969]

More pix

 

[badlander]

Well done Maxdog.
I've since moved my head unit to the right side rear compartment over the wheel well. I cut out the back of the compartment for better ventilation. With the cover in place you don't know its even in there. Out of sight, out of mind.
I'll take a few pics when I get home.

 

[badlander]

This is my new mounting location. The back of the compartment is cut out and I drilled large holes in the sides for extra ventilation. The antenna wire is now routed from the roof down the side of the rear hatch gasket and comes in at the floor under the hinged cargo slide at the bottom.
I'm still trying to figure out how to resize pictures, by the way. So.....Sorry for the thumbnails.

 

[maxdog1969]

Nice job

 

[brosama]

Some great examples here. I'm thinking about doing this soon.

Anyone have any other configs? Any with both HAM and CB? Other antenna locations?

 

[Newps]

Page six of my build tread (link in my sig) shows my CB install and antenna mount. It's a different take then what is in this thread.

 

[El Cid]

I'm having problems connecting my radio to my dual battery set up. It's effing up my situation and causing starter problems.

Where should i connect my Yaesue in a dual battery(IBS) set up?

 

[brosama]

Page six of my build tread (link in my sig) shows my CB install and antenna mount. It's a different take then what is in this thread.

Looks great. Very clean install and super nice rig. I'm diggin' the build.

Running the cable like that would've have taken me twice as long since I would've been distracted by the opportunity to deep clean everything while I had better access to the crevices, corners, etc.

How has it turned out for you there? That's currently where I stash my KA-BAR