MrMoMo
That's not rust, it's Canadian patina...
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
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
