where did you mount the base unit for remote head HAM radio? (3 Viewers)

[Adam OJ]

I am in the process of mounting up my old ICOM IC-2710 into my '99 Land Cruiser. I got the faceplate mounted up nice and neat under the radio (single DIN aftermarket). Now I'm looking for the best place to put the base unit. It 'fits' under the center console cover in front of the transmission shifter, but I am concerned about ventilation. Looks like the radio AMP is under the passenger seat, and it doesn't look like there is enough room under the driver's seat. The back seat has no clearance under it. I could potentially attach it to the drawer system in the back but would prefer to keep things closer if possible.

The microphone connects to the base separately from the faceplate. I don't have an extension cable for the mic since I have always been able to mount the base close to the driver seat in the other vehicles I have had it in (under the center console). It looks like I can still buy the mic extension if needed (although it looks an awful lot like a cat5 cable to me).

Where have people mounted them?

Here is the current state of the head (Planning to fill then paint the surround):

Thanks!

 

[DarkPharf]

Mine had a CD changer in the center console. I removed the changer and put the HAM base unit in that spot. I also mounted the mic on the outside of the console.

 

[guardcompany]

I mounted my IC-208h in the rear cargo area and ran the faceplate wire, speaker wire and CAT5/6 for the mic up to the front.

 

[saucebox]

Mine had a CD changer in the center console. I removed the changer and put the HAM base unit in that spot. I also mounted the mic on the outside of the console.

Same. Easy to wire for power, short runs for faceplate, mic, etc.

 

[smartparts]

Looks like you have something already where I mounted mine, but I like the way it came out, and no modifications needed.

 

[EZDog]

Why don't you just stick it in the Glove Compartment at least until you see if it gets hot or not closed up in there before deciding that enclosing it will be a big deal?
Connect it all temporarily to a lighter socket for power and see that it works OK and move onto the Feedline and Antenna which may be the bigger issue?

I would stick it in the back regardless but I bet you don't have to either.

Also the fact that the Mic can only connect to the base itself tells me that the cable between the head and base is indeed just a Data cable and that Cat Cable should be just fine.
Yaesu uses a 6 conductor cable to do this but it should not really matter if you use paired cat cable or not,it will work just fine and I am presuming that you mean it has RJ connectors on both ends too?

 

[guardcompany]

Yes any Cat 5 or 6 cable will work fine for the mic. Then just do a female/female coupler and plug your mic into it. That’s what Ive done for all my Icom installs over the years.

 

[Adam OJ]

I mounted my IC-208h in the rear cargo area and ran the faceplate wire, speaker wire and CAT5/6 for the mic up to the front.

Thanks. I can see that that would work.

Mine had a CD changer in the center console. I removed the changer and put the HAM base unit in that spot. I also mounted the mic on the outside of the console.

I don't have a CD changer to remove, but I now see that there is enough space (barely) in the center console to fit the base unit. I have a base unit for the GMRS radio as well (MUCH smaller) that I was already planning to mount in there. Just hadn't considered it for the HAM since my older unit is fairly large. I test fit both units today, and they fit well.

I think this is the direction I'm going to take.

Same. Easy to wire for power, short runs for faceplate, mic, etc.

I like the proximity to the faceplate etc.

Why don't you just stick it in the Glove Compartment at least until you see if it gets hot or not closed up in there before deciding that enclosing it will be a big deal?
Connect it all temporarily to a lighter socket for power and see that it works OK and move onto the Feedline and Antenna which may be the bigger issue?

I would stick it in the back regardless but I bet you don't have to either.

Also the fact that the Mic can only connect to the base itself tells me that the cable between the head and base is indeed just a Data cable and that Cat Cable should be just fine.
Yaesu uses a 6 conductor cable to do this but it should not really matter if you use paired cat cable or not,it will work just fine and I am presuming that you mean it has RJ connectors on both ends too?

I am not too worried about the connections or wiring, just trying to find the best location to give adaquate cooling. I'm going straight for the permanent install.

Yes, it has RJ-45 connectors.

Yes any Cat 5 or 6 cable will work fine for the mic. Then just do a female/female coupler and plug your mic into it. That’s what Ive done for all my Icom installs over the years.

Good to know. Thanks for confirming. That is way cheaper than buying the ICOM extension cable.

 

[Adam OJ]

Looks like you have something already where I mounted mine, but I like the way it came out, and no modifications needed.

View attachment 1913845

Yeah, I have my CB in that spot. I was mainly looking for ideas on where to put the base unit of my remote head mounted HAM rig. I did look at that same spot for the HAM, but decided to arrange things differently. Thanks for the feedback!

 

[EZDog]

My Glove Box suggestion was only because you said you were concerned with lack of ventilation and by trying this first you could see if it is going to be a problem.
It would take 5 minutes to stick it in there so you could see first if there will be an issue.
Also it sounds like you already have an extension cable but it is just not long enough?

Where are you going to stick the Antenna?
I imagine somewhere in the back and the shorter the feed to it the better in general so mounting the base back there sounds like what I will do if I ever get the time to get a radio into mine.

 

[badlander]

Mine is in the rear first aid kit cubby hole. Drilled holes in sides, rear, and door for ventilation.

 

[Adam OJ]

My Glove Box suggestion was only because you said you were concerned with lack of ventilation and by trying this first you could see if it is going to be a problem.
It would take 5 minutes to stick it in there so you could see first if there will be an issue.
Also it sounds like you already have an extension cable but it is just not long enough?

Where are you going to stick the Antenna?
I imagine somewhere in the back and the shorter the feed to it the better in general so mounting the base back there sounds like what I will do if I ever get the time to get a radio into mine.

Got cha. that makes sense. I do think the temp install is a good idea. My radio currently has a cig lighter wired on to it because the last time I used it was with a mag mount antenna on the wife's car (no perm mounted radios there).

I have an extension cable for the faceplate, but not for the mic. I ordered one yesterday to address that issue.

My cruiser already has an NMO mount dead center on the roof. I still need to get into the headliner to find the cable and route it to the radio. Worst case, I will put a fresh NMO mount in that hole.

I'll post up some pictures of the finished install when I get it buttoned up. I think the center console (not under it, but actually in it) is going to work well.

Thank you for your feedback EZDog

 

[SmoothLC]

Going through the same process now - planning on putting mine (Kenwood) in the rear PS side just ahead of the rear A/C but not in the cubbby hole. Should have plenty of room.

If you've got the NMO mount up top then you could run the coax up the B pillar easy enough.

 

[yotaboy]

Don’t mind the mess of my car... lol and the small wires you see i believe are from an old car alarm that has been removed or something, i'm not quite sure but they arent from my wiring... i know its kinda cheesy but i did it quickly and it has worked thus far.

 

[Adam OJ]

Don’t mind the mess of my car... lol and the small wires you see i believe are from an old car alarm that has been removed or something, i'm not quite sure but they arent from my wiring... i know its kinda cheesy but i did it quickly and it has worked thus far. View attachment 1914404

Very interesting, I didn't realize there was that much room above the dead pedal. I will check that option out as well. Your base unit looks to be a similar size to the one I'm putting in.

 

[nnnnnate]

I had my Yaesu FTM400 in my center console with the CD changer removed but decided I wanted that so now it sits in the back drawers until I'm ready to plug in then it sits on the passenger front floor. My wife doesn't wheel and my boy is in a car seat still so its not a bother to anyone. I mounted it to a piece of plywood and its worked well enough for now.

 

[yotaboy]

Very interesting, I didn't realize there was that much room above the dead pedal. I will check that option out as well. Your base unit looks to be a similar size to the one I'm putting in.

Yes there isn't much for mounting but with a few zip ties going in differant directions i was able to get it pretty secure

 

[87warrior]

I mounted my Kenwood under the passenger seat where the factory amp used to reside. Actually, I used the factory amp brackets (with minimal modification) to securely mount the radio since the radio and amp were practically the same size. I used the Kenwood cable kit and mounted two network cable pass through(s) for the head and mic on the dash.

The cables are still a mess in this picture and the passenger seat wire/plug are tangled up in the radio cables, but you can see there is plenty of room under the seat to accommodate extra cable and accessories. I also keep a coiled up programming cable plugged into the radio so I don't have to fight to find the programming port.

 

[Adam OJ]

I mounted my Kenwood under the passenger seat where the factory amp used to reside. Actually, I used the factory amp brackets (with minimal modification) to securely mount the radio since the radio and amp were practically the same size. I used the Kenwood cable kit and mounted two network cable pass through(s) for the head and mic on the dash.

The cables are still a mess in this picture and the passenger seat wire/plug are tangled up in the radio cables, but you can see there is plenty of room under the seat to accommodate extra cable and accessories. I also keep a coiled up programming cable plugged into the radio so I don't have to fight to find the programming port.

View attachment 1914533

Nicely done 87Warrior. My factory amp is still in place although I'm not sure if it is being used. I have an aftermarket stereo that was installed by the previous owner. I wonder if there is a good way to determine if it is still being used. I suppose I could just unplug it and see if the stereo still works.

 

[sdnative]

I managed to shoehorn two mobile radios and power distribution in and behind the PS cargo area panel. Tight but can be done. A Yeasu FT-8800 base mounted to the body just forward of the long cubby, a Yeasu FT-1500M mounted inside the first-aid kit cubby and power distribution mounted inside the front half of the long cubby. I did have all of this stuff mounted to the side of the drawers, but I wanted flexibility to run without drawers.