Once I passed my Technician License test several weeks back, I went to the local HRO to pick up a radio to install into my 80.
I was definitely looking at doing the remote-style of installation, and settled on the Yaesu FT8900. The radio has a number of features which appealed to the OCD side of me, and not wanting to have to "upgrade" the radio in the near-future. The radio itself I planned on mounting in the PS rear panel "box" which originally housed the factory hitch and tow harness.
Once home, I started looking at where to install the remote head. My dash already had quite a lot of buttons and switches, plus the CB installed into the ash tray. Lo and behold, I find out that this radio would fit perfectly into the OH console that I had left over from my Subtank install. I sold the compass and fuel gauge assembly to another Mudder, but kept the actual console.
My first task then was to find a good mounting platform for the radio and mic. TAP Plastics came to mind, and I went there with the console in hand. I had them cut and bend a piece of black 3/16" plexiglas 1" x 3" x 9" at a 100 degree angle. This was the stock that I then used my dremel to cut out to become the surface where everything up front would mount.
The microphone mount is a Gamiviti 60 series mount with a green LED for backlighting.
With the rear, I cut a hole into the bottom of the box so that the radio could have a much larger space to dissipate heat. This also allows the headunit to be removed from upfront and the radio to be operated from the rear when in basecamp. What I really like is that when the panel is closed everything is hidden and out of harms-way.
The radio has a direct feed to the rear fuse panel, which also has a direct feed to the dual battery. It is always nice when an install shapes up as planned...now onto getting the inverter setup back there.
Steve
I was definitely looking at doing the remote-style of installation, and settled on the Yaesu FT8900. The radio has a number of features which appealed to the OCD side of me, and not wanting to have to "upgrade" the radio in the near-future. The radio itself I planned on mounting in the PS rear panel "box" which originally housed the factory hitch and tow harness.
Once home, I started looking at where to install the remote head. My dash already had quite a lot of buttons and switches, plus the CB installed into the ash tray. Lo and behold, I find out that this radio would fit perfectly into the OH console that I had left over from my Subtank install. I sold the compass and fuel gauge assembly to another Mudder, but kept the actual console.
My first task then was to find a good mounting platform for the radio and mic. TAP Plastics came to mind, and I went there with the console in hand. I had them cut and bend a piece of black 3/16" plexiglas 1" x 3" x 9" at a 100 degree angle. This was the stock that I then used my dremel to cut out to become the surface where everything up front would mount.
The microphone mount is a Gamiviti 60 series mount with a green LED for backlighting.
With the rear, I cut a hole into the bottom of the box so that the radio could have a much larger space to dissipate heat. This also allows the headunit to be removed from upfront and the radio to be operated from the rear when in basecamp. What I really like is that when the panel is closed everything is hidden and out of harms-way.
The radio has a direct feed to the rear fuse panel, which also has a direct feed to the dual battery. It is always nice when an install shapes up as planned...now onto getting the inverter setup back there.
Steve
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