Yaesu 7900 install in an 80 (9 Viewers)

[Dan2722]

I picked up my ham radio and antenna the other day and was able to complete the install over the weekend. I went with the Yaesu 7900 radio, Comet SBB-5 antenna and used a Diamond K-400 mount.

Besides the benefit of having a dual band I really wanted a radio with a detachable face for more flexibility with where I mounted it and to minimize electronics clutter up front. Since I live in sunny San Diego and have never used or intend to use my rear heater I removed the rear heater switch and mounted the faceplate in it's location and it is a perfect fit. I mounted the body of the radio under the drivers seat and ran the extension cable under the conole and routed it behind the dash and into the faceplate.

So far I love this location as it gives ease of use while driving when I am able to rest my arm on the shifter and work the controls by feel. I am very surprised at how loud the stock radio speaker is and do not think I will need an external speaker.

 

[Dan2722]

Couple more pics.......

 

[Daisy 53]

Very nice and clean install!
Daisy

 

[DanS HJ-45]

Very nice and clean install!
Daisy

Nice indeed! How do you like the 7900?

So.... Daisy.... When does your truck get a HAM?

Dan

 

[gon2srf]

Sweet install! Just curious but have you tried listening to the speaker on your radio while driving at speed yet?

Can you divulge the cost for everything or better yet individually if it's not too much trouble. Thanks.

 

[Dan2722]

Nice indeed! How do you like the 7900?

This is my first ham radio so i have nothing to campare it against but so far I really like it.

Sweet install! Just curious but have you tried listening to the speaker on your radio while driving at speed yet?

Can you divulge the cost for everything or better yet individually if it's not too much trouble. Thanks.

I listened to it going down the 5 yesterday on my way to surf and had no problem hearing it. I do have an external speaker for my cb that I can plug into it if it is a problem on the trail though.

The total cost was about $430 including tax.

Yaesu 7900 $250
Comet antenna $60
additional antenna cable $20
Diamond K-400C $75

The hardest part about the install was running the antenna cable through the rubber hose/sheath between the hatch and the main body at the roof line that protects the wiring. After that it was a piece of cake.

 

[Daisy 53]

Dan,
One day soon my truck will have similar setup...

Daisy

 

[gon2srf]

This is my first ham radio so i have nothing to campare it against but so far I really like it.




I listened to it going down the 5 yesterday on my way to surf and had no problem hearing it. I do have an external speaker for my cb that I can plug into it if it is a problem on the trail though.

The total cost was about $430 including tax.

Yaesu 7900 $250
Comet antenna $60
additional antenna cable $20
Diamond K-400C $75

The hardest part about the install was running the antenna cable through the rubber hose/sheath between the hatch and the main body at the roof line that protects the wiring. After that it was a piece of cake.

Thanks Dan. Hope you had a good surf, the waves were excellent here yesterday.

 

[Brentbba]

Very nice and clean. I like the location of the face plate. One recommendation if you've got the cable to do it - move that antenna mount higher on the hatch. You'll get better reception.

 

[Dan2722]

Very nice and clean. I like the location of the face plate. One recommendation if you've got the cable to do it - move that antenna mount higher on the hatch. You'll get better reception.

Yeah, I'm still playing around with the location. I park in a garage at work and want to be able to drive in without folding it over every time. When I drove in this morning I think I have a few inches to move up the mount.

 

[Brentbba]

Yeah, I'm still playing around with the location. I park in a garage at work and want to be able to drive in without folding it over every time. When I drove in this morning I think I have a few inches to move up the mount.

Same reason I can't just put my SBB-7 on the Miata for daily use from the cruiser. It's too tall to allow me to drive in to my own garage even as low to the ground as the Miata is to begin with! I don't think I'd have problems at work.

 

[Bluetribal]

So you ended up on going with a dual band rather than the quad band huh? When hitting the trail you may want to rotate your antenna angle to match the lines of the side pillars or you will end up snagging it on branches.
That's how my CB antenna is:

Oh and thanks for doing the research now I know what antenna to go buy so I can get my HAM installed.