VHF Radio install

[tudge0817]

Hey there guys. i recently got my HAM licence and of course the step is installing a unit in my rig. Can anyone recommend a good radio and where did you mount it

thanks

 

[Mtbcoach]

Very loaded question but I'll be as suscint as I can. I'm a relatively newby in the Amatuer radio world but my research put me into a Yeasso 8800 dual band which allowed me options I was looking for, I also have a Yeassu VX-60 handheld. I installed mine in the compartment of the rear passenger under what most have the subwoofer. I found the small size of it fit in nicely, running the wire for the display/mic easy from there, mounting the display on the driver side, right under the AC vent.

I'm in vacation and don't have access to all my pics, will look when I get back...

 

[tudge0817]

thanks for the input. pic would be great. another thing i forgot to mention is where is the best place to mount the antenna.

 

[CV Kurt]

From an RF perspective, the optimal mount would be in the center of a rack-less roof. But assuming you want to keep your roof rack, one has to compromise. Mounting it on the rack itself or in-front of it would be "good" locations. A commonly used, poorer mount location is the rear door hinge. Boztec makes a ham mount there there. There's also the front fenders using various mounts.

My antenna is in one of the worse locations from an RF perspective (poor RF ground plane), on the front bumper. But, for me, it was the best compromise (given garage clearance issues). But even transmitting at 5w using a HT, I have no problems reaching my trail buddies or even raising 20 mile away repeaters (so long as they are line of sight).

For a first radio... I recommend something inexpensive to get you going... like a less than US$30-50 2m HT. Then add an external antenna. Then upgrade to a mobile unit AFTER you spent the time to sort out what's "best for you". Even after you upgrade, you'll find the HT a good investment. They do come in handy when away from your rig... etc..

Then you'll know enough to decide between say a powerhouse 2m-only mobile radio like the Yaesu FT-2900 or a top-end dual/tri band mobile like the Kenwood TM-D710g or Yaesu FTM-400dr.

 

[1911]

I've had two VHF radios in my FJC, first a Yaesu FT-2800 and now a Kenwood TM-D710. I like overhead radios, so I partially dropped my headliner, glued a piece of 2x4 to the underside of the roof with marine-grade epoxy, and screwed the radio body mount into that. Here are photos of the current setup:

For an antenna, I have an NMO mount at the front center of my roof, because there is a space in the roof rack flooring where it can come through there and the metal roof provides a good ground plane:

Lots of guys put there 2M antenna on a clip on the rear hatch opening or on a Bandi mount on the rear hatch hinge, but you have to be careful with either of those locations to make sure there is enough ground plane for your antenna of choice. You might need to use a 1/2-wave antenna at either of those two locations.

 

[tudge0817]

Thanks for the info this is good stuff. I have a cheap handheld and it's ok for now. The bandi mounts for the rear door, look to be easy to install and that is probably the safest mount location. There is just a lot of products and info online that I have a hard time getting the facts strait. The more info and photos the better so keep it comming. Thanks

 

[steven4mc]

I used the center of the top of the rear door and mounted a Diamond K9000 antenna motorized mount. Great for garages and trees.

Radio is mounted under the driver seat, attached to the seat.

The remote front panel is mounted on a 45 dregree bend of the front edge of the MPAC saddle.

 

[PACK MULE]

I've been running a CB with the overhead mount as 1911 has done in his rig. Really like it up there in the FJ. You will have to decide where on the antenna. Diamond makes a lip mount I am liking on the LX that mounts on the rear hatch, I think it would work on the FJ also.

 

[tudge0817]

thanks alot

 

[jerdog]

I installed a Midland handheld CB for a minimalist setup. I added a mic clip to the belt clip, then a mic clip bracket on the console panel over the passenger airbag light (not like I rely on that light much, but still can see it; looks like "1911" did the same). I ran the antenna cable behind driver-side dash (can Velcro stash it when not in use). You can see how it comes up left of the shifter. Power is from the cigarette lighter. For antenna, I like low profile, so mounted it as far from the cab on the front ARB bumper. Does well on the trail and on the road. Although I had to return the first CB I got from Midland. It had some defect that affected transmissions.

 

[tudge0817]

so after much reasearch and talk with the club i've decided that a roof mount is the best as the roof rack will protect any vital parts of the antenna. as for a radio i am looking at a good hand held to start then a kenwood d710 mounted under the seat and faceplate mount on the dash.

 

[tudge0817]

Hey. So I went all out and got a kenwood d710 and Larson antenna. Now to mount it. Does anyone have install photos and how does one remove the headliner. Is it difficult. Looks like it just pulls down but how does it go back up. Is it held in with clips or will I have to glue it back in place

Thanks

 

[woooody]

I would not mount the radio under the seat due to worries about flooding. Mine is up under the dash, below the driver dash box. You could also put it in a Tuffy center console. I run a remote speaker behind the dash pod and and the remote head on the dash in front of the dash pod.

My antenna is mounted to the roof rack, and I ran a ground lead from the rack to the body as my ground was flaky.

As for the rack protecting the antenna, unless you have a spring base, a low branch can still break it. Get yourself a spare cheap antenna to carry with you.

 

[1911]

Hey. So I went all out and got a kenwood d710 and Larson antenna. Now to mount it. Does anyone have install photos and how does one remove the headliner. Is it difficult. Looks like it just pulls down but how does it go back up. Is it held in with clips or will I have to glue it back in place

Thanks

I've got a radio install thread in the blue forum that has photos of my headliner dropped and some instructions, and a link to another thread there that has complete instructions for dropping the headliner: http://www.fjcruiserforums.com/forums/how-technical-articles/66703-overhead-ham-radio.html

It's not difficult to drop the headliner, just a little tedious. You have to remove the rear-view mirror, the sun visors, the plastic interior A-pillar covers, the dome lights, the coat hanger hooks, and some screws and clips by the back speakers as I recall. The thing is, you don't have to take it all the way out, you can drop the front half or so and leave it connected in the rear, and you will have enough room to work in the front. It all goes back the way it came down; no glue required. Hint: do it with clean hands!

 

[tudge0817]

I would not mount the radio under the seat due to worries about flooding. Mine is up under the dash, below the driver dash box. You could also put it in a Tuffy center console. I run a remote speaker behind the dash pod and and the remote head on the dash in front of the dash pod.

My antenna is mounted to the roof rack, and I ran a ground lead from the rack to the body as my ground was flaky.

As for the rack protecting the antenna, unless you have a spring base, a low branch can still break it. Get yourself a spare cheap antenna to carry with you.

You wouldn't happen to have photos of you mounting the base unit. Right now I am working on extending the dc power cables as they are about 2' too short. Thanks for the help

 

[woooody]

Unfortunately, I don't. It's just tie wrapped to the cross bar (1 1/2" tubing). I'll post up the other pictures tomorrow.

 

[tudge0817]

So all done with the install. Here are some photos