Where did you mount your Ham Radio Transceiver in your 80?

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LLTB

LLTB

Joined
Aug 17, 2024
Threads
26
Messages
266
Location
Cottonwood, Utah
Installing a ham radio transceiver in my 80. It DOES NOT have a removable face, so I don't really want to put it under the driver seat. Plus, I already have stereo amplifier and other hardware under there.

Curious where other folks have mounted their transceivers.

Bonus question: is it worth installing an external speaker? My 80 isn’t too loud.
 
A remote head makes life so much easier. I really recommend selling what you have and buying a unit with a remote head.

With a remote head, I have the transceiver in the rear passenger side cubby with rear mounted antennas. Then I have the head on a custom mount near the ashtray. Since the main unit is in the cubby, I do run a remote speaker and have it mounted forward facing under the center console driver's side 'pseudo' cup holder.

On my oz patrol I have the transceiver in the center console and have the head and mic on the dash - since it has a more practical old school flat dash. Since the transceiver is next to me in the center console, it's internal speaker works well enough.

Post this in the communication and navigation subforum - it is more focused on these kind of questions.

cheers,
george.
 
I have an icon 710 marine radio remove center console would be best place for it. I need to make a heavy duty mount that would go to the steel floor. I have general class plan hf ssb voice
 
I have a Kenwood V71A mounted below my single DIN stereo. No aux speaker needed as it's plenty loud and clear.
There is also the communications forum which will have lots of information.
forum.ih8mud.com

Communication & Navigation

GMRS, Amateur (Ham) Radio, CB radio, GPS, satellite
forum.ih8mud.com forum.ih8mud.com
 
george_tlc said:
A remote head makes life so much easier. I really recommend selling what you have and buying a unit with a remote head.

With a remote head, I have the transceiver in the rear passenger side cubby with rear mounted antennas. Then I have the head on a custom mount near the ashtray. Since the main unit is in the cubby, I do run a remote speaker and have it mounted forward facing under the center console driver's side 'pseudo' cup holder.

On my oz patrol I have the transceiver in the center console and have the head and mic on the dash - since it has a more practical old school flat dash. Since the transceiver is next to me in the center console, it's internal speaker works well enough.

Post this in the communication and navigation subforum - it is more focused on these kind of questions.

cheers,
george.
Click to expand...
Thanks. Considering selling this one and getting a detachable face unit.

I didn’t post in the comms forum because I was interested specifically in where 80 owners have mounted theirs.
 
george_tlc said:
A remote head makes life so much easier. I really recommend selling what you have and buying a unit with a remote head.

…

cheers,
george.
Click to expand...
Ordered the Yaesu FTM-150R with detachable faceplate. I think I’ll mount in the rear quarter panel. Putting the faceplate somewhere will be easier. Thanks for the rec.
 
LLTB said:
Ordered the Yaesu FTM-150R with detachable faceplate. I think I’ll mount in the rear quarter panel. Putting the faceplate somewhere will be easier. Thanks for the rec.
Click to expand...
I found a huge area behind the plastic covering at the rear quarter panel where the sub woofer factory speaker is located. I removed the speaker and will install my auto hf antenna tuner here. Good space for your main unit also. The oposite quarter is used for jack and tools
 
This is my setup. Yaesu hf/vhf/uhf/etc transceiver.

3D printed plate with gopro compatible mount. 3M VHB to stick it down. The gopro mount allows adjustment of the unit's angle etc. A 3D printed switch blank for the microphone mount and a bit of loc-line.

headmic.webp


Remote speaker mounted under the center console 'cup holder'. Forward firing.

spkr.webp


The transceiver lives in the cubby hole in the rear. I drilled a bunch of holes to aid in air circulation when the transceivers fan kicks in. The cubby is essentially insulated from the body area, so pretty well dust free and no risk of getting soaked etc. The cubby lid is still removable since he transceiver is not mounted to it, so easy access to get to the transceiver and the various connectors etc.

base.webp


cheers,
george.
 
george_tlc said:
This is my setup. Yaesu hf/vhf/uhf/etc transceiver.

3D printed plate with gopro compatible mount. 3M VHB to stick it down. The gopro mount allows adjustment of the unit's angle etc. A 3D printed switch blank for the microphone mount and a bit of loc-line.

View attachment 4075183

Remote speaker mounted under the center console 'cup holder'. Forward firing.

View attachment 4075182

The transceiver lives in the cubby hole in the rear. I drilled a bunch of holes to aid in air circulation when the transceivers fan kicks in. The cubby is essentially insulated from the body area, so pretty well dust free and no risk of getting soaked etc. The cubby lid is still removable since he transceiver is not mounted to it, so easy access to get to the transceiver and the various connectors etc.

View attachment 4075181

cheers,
george.
Click to expand...
George these pics are super helpful. Thanks bud. Love the sleeping platform. I need something like that. Yours is simple and straightforward. I like it.
 
Glad you decided to go with a remote mount. That's really all I have to add. I have my face mounted to the center console under the ashtray just in front of the shifters. I have seen people some how mound whole units to the side of the center console though. But I think you are gonna find this is a lot easier to work with.
 
I have everything already except my mount and coax. Gonna be installing soon.
 
Outsane said:
To make it even easier
The yeasu ftm500 has a speaker in the remote face.

Its pretty nice.
Click to expand...
Prob should have gone with the FTM500… oh well. I did get a remote speaker. Installing everything today.
 
My speaker is under my driver's seat. Sounds great. I had it under the passenger seat in my FJ Cruiser and occasionally would be too quiet. So I like it under the driver's seat more.
 
anyone ever tried using the 4" speakers in the lower dash for a remote speaker? i'm only using the door speakers so have been considering using those...but the factory 4" speakers are long gone so have nothing to test out w/o an outlay of cash. i know some HAM units support sending audio out the left or right channel depending on what freq is being received
 
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