Mounting location for Icom VHF radio

[saillaw]

First I apologize if there is already a thread on this: I can't figure out how to limit the search function on the Mud app to a single forum so I get too many unrelated posts.

I recently bought an Icom 2300 VHF similar to this:

I can't find an obvious mounting position on a newer dash (mine is a 2013 76). Does anyone have any good ideas for mounting locations? Thanks!

 

[1985bj70]

Is your dash very different from the 1980's 70 series dashes? I have an Icom VHF that I mounted under my stereo in the dash of my truck. If your truck has a double din factory deck then you might be able to swap in a single din deck and mount your VHF radio underneath.

 

[yotahed]

Is it hard to remove to get extra channels programmed into it?
Or you just do it from the radio?

 

[saillaw]

Is your dash very different from the 1980's 70 series dashes? I have an Icom VHF that I mounted under my stereo in the dash of my truck. If your truck has a double din factory deck then you might be able to swap in a single din deck and mount your VHF radio underneath.

The dash is quite a bit different, and unfortunately I just recently installed a new stereo in the double din spot with front and rear cameras so I hate to trade that for a single din. I'll take a photo of the newer dash when I get home.

 

[saillaw]

Is it hard to remove to get extra channels programmed into it? Or you just do it from the radio?

You can change the channels from a dial on the front so no need to remove (or are you talking about something else?).

 

[1985bj70]

Is it hard to remove to get extra channels programmed into it?
Or you just do it from the radio?

Not sure if this question was for me, or for the original person posting. I bought mine preprogrammed from a place in Kamloops. It has all of the channels used in the Southern Interior, plus Ladd 1-4. I am not able to change any programming on it. Maybe if I got the correct cable and software for it.

 

[yotahed]

Was for you 1985bj70. I just remember when I was in the mining industry, we had to take all the radios to a radio/communications shop to program site specific channels if we needed them... I think some you can do from the radio with the keypad like the OP's on the fly. Quite a process tho from what I've read in the manuals...

 

[1985bj70]

Was for you 1985bj70. I just remember when I was in the mining industry, we had to take all the radios to a radio/communications shop to program site specific channels if we needed them... I think some you can do from the radio with the keypad like the OP's on the fly. Quite a process tho from what I've read in the manuals...

For sure, Industry Canada want shops to do the programming mainly, it would seem. I picked up some cheap handheld VHF radios off of Ebay, you can dial in to any frequency of your choice. Handy when travelling from FSR to FSR, dial it in and you are good to go.....

 

[yotahed]

Nice!, Id like to see the brand and model if you got it around. Thats like how it should be.
Seems every FSR I go up anywhere says "active logging" , or "must call" at certain turns. And for good reason too. Wouldnt want to meet some of those trucks on the wrong corner...

Sent with greasy fingers.

 

[Behemoth60]

For sure, Industry Canada want shops to do the programming mainly, it would seem. I picked up some cheap handheld VHF radios off of Ebay,

Make sure you guys know the licensing rules of VHF... these are not open public channels... all VHF broadcasting usage needs to be licensed either...

-Amateur License, like a HAM operators license. I am VA6TPR. Amateur bands CANNOT be used for any commercial purpose.
-Licensed commercial bands, such as the VHF channels used on logging roads, are used for commercial purposes, like logging, courier companies and taxi companies, and other government services like Fire/EMS/Police and such.
-A low power public band, such as the FSR (Family Service Radio - not to be confused with Forest Service Road acronym used above) and CB radios.

Then there's their aircraft usage of VHF, and before the switch to digital OTA TV, all TV's that received using rabbit ear antenna were on VHF. Each and every frequency is governed, and all broadcasting is licensed to ensure that everyone get's their slice of the airwaves.

The radio referenced above is an Amateur band radio, and the amateur frequencies can be dialed in by the user, with commercial bands typically locked out for broadcasting, but you can often scan those frequencies. Commercial radios are typically pre-programmed by shops to the bands that companies have licensed for their usage with limited end user operator selection.

No amateur radio may 'legally' be used on FSR (either Family Service Radio, or the Commercial Forest Service Road!) bands... they broadcast with too much power for those bands. You may legally monitor, though, and if you are one of very low moral stature, the criminal element among you have been known to hack radios and illegally broadcast on illegal bands such as FSR and commercial VHF channels.

 

[1985bj70]

I hear what you are saying about the licensing issue. I am not out to cause problems, or hack and illegally broadcast on channels. I use mine to monitor LADD 1 when I am headed to the Interior, for work or play, to check on road conditions, and also on FSR's to let logging trucks know that I am on the road. I realize that these frequencies need to be licensed and monitored (as I have a wireless/telecom background), and I must admit that I have been remiss in not getting properly licensed. I will down the road. The handhelds that I have are the Puxing PX-777's.

 

[yotahed]

I respect the stance on licensing but really, the only thing ill be saying on ladd1 is "14 loaded" or "10 empty" and otherwise montoring. If chit chat from vehicle to vehicle is needed, an unused channel would be used (skookum etc) as long as using that channel does not interfere with local comms.

Sent with greasy fingers.

 

[1985bj70]

I respect the stance on licensing but really, the only thing ill be saying on ladd1 is "14 loaded" or "10 empty" and otherwise montoring. If chit chat from vehicle to vehicle is needed, an unused channel would be used (skookum etc) as long as using that channel does not interfere with local comms.

Sent with greasy fingers.

Agreed 100%. Great safety tool to have in your truck.

 

[saillaw]

So here is what I ended up doing:

First I came close to buying this: http://www.4wdinteriors.com/roof_console.html
But the price is very steep and shipping for me would have made it even worse. Then I remembered I have an internal roll cage that would get in the way and I don't have the front map lights to use as a mounting location.

So instead I had a mount fabricated to the base of the passenger seat. It has a quick release so I can hide it under the seat for theft protection or security checkpoints. Here are some photos:

 

[1985bj70]

Looks good, nice work.