zx14_rider

Finally found enough time to finish up this little project..

These are just some install pics and not a how to by any means..

The radio is a Yaesu FT-7900R on a Lido cup holder mount..



I zip tied the mounting bracket for the radios chassis to the bottom of the passenger seat..



The radios chassis in the mounting bracket, I run low power most of the time and the radio has a built in fan so heat has not been a problem..This will be the third time I have mounted a rig this way..



I ran my power and ground direct to the battery to help isolate the radio from interference off the trucks computer and electronics..I went thru the firewall in the upper left corner of the passenger side...There is a huge rubber gromet that already has a harness going thru it..





The antenna is a Comet CA-2X4SRB (thanks P15-D24) with a Comet CP-5M mount..





Coax was run thru the back of the bed into the cab thru a small vent behind the rear seat which was a PIA to remove..I then ran the coax under the carpet and up to the radios chassis under the passenger seat..



SWR's are at 1.2 from the bottom of the 2m band to the top, didn't even have to tune the antenna it was 1.2 out of the package..

P15-D24

Your welcome! And one antenna feature I finally figured out is the fold over. Just grasp it about 6 inches up from the base above the coupling and pull up. It pulls up and you can pivot it over horizontal. I was unstepping my boat mast and when I swing the mast down for mounting on the mast carrier it would have been really easy to hit and get tangled up in my antenna. Just flipped it over and no problem. Very nice clean and simple install!

zx14_rider

yes, and another nice feature is the Comet mount came with a rain cap so if I'm going to be parked for an extended period of time I can just pull the antenna off, lock it in the tool box, and put the cap on....

so far its working pretty well might be just a touch directional where I have it mounted but its a HUGE improvement over the glass mounts I've used over the years for sure..

allmondg

Thanks for the info. Nice setup. I have been researching on the cleanest way to install my rig. This is the first one i have seen from someone that has the floor shift/console.

Once I get mist set up, I will post pictures and info on mine.

SultanGris

do they still make the ones you can mount under the seat with all the buttons to control it on the mike? had one in a 1979 F150 back in the day, would think that would be the best way to go.

johnwill

Nice setup.

medicff0879

Hate to bring one back from the "dead" here, but after actually finding a very informative article (thank you) I figured this is the right place to ask this.

My dad is shipping my old ICOM 2100H 2m mobile to me, along with an amp that I used to use in conjunction with my old alinco handheld years ago. Anyways, I am very limited in my knowledge of mounting radios in vehicles, running the wire for powering, etc.. However, I do have a basic knowledge of how things should work.

My two basic worries are how to get the RG 58 and power through the firewall, and how to mount the radio to that flat spot on the dash of the 2011 model trucks, mainly in regards to running the cables through the dash to give it a clean look?

I found this awesome little mounting bracket that I plan to get in conjunction with a Larsen NMO 150C 5/8 2m antenna.

http://www.theantennafarm.com/catalo...oducts_id=4089

I love the fact that I won't have to drill any holes, still seems somewhat pricey for a piece of metal and washer, with 17ft of RG 58 and NO PL 259 pre-wired? Either way, the convience factor alone should make it worth it.

Any help would be greatly appreciated in regards to how to pass the wires through the firewall, and whether or not you wired it directly to the battery, or the hot point on the fuse box?

Jammit

Look at the CB/PA thread in this same forum. You'll get a good headstart there!

Coax and power through the big grommet on the passenger side firewall behind the glovebox. Direct wire to the battery YES.

No PL259 prewired means MUCH easier to fish coax thru the grommet - a very good thing - google up on how to solder the PL though....it's a little tricky.

noid1037

My install was done when I purchased the XLT SCrew a few weeks ago... its not all done. Im waiting on a Scorpion HF antenna, http://www.scorpionantennas.com/index.php, it is being shipped tomorrow.
I have two radios in the truck.
An Icom 2820 VHF-UHF and a Icom 7000, HF-VHF-UHF.

There are two antennas currently installed using Breedlove pocket stake mounts/brackets.
https://breedlovemounts.com/

These brackets are using NMO mounts for the antenna. I am going to use another Breedlove bracket in the rear driver side pocket stake to mount the Scorpion antenna. This antenna is very large and heavy, dont use a wimpy mount or the antenna will be impaling a car or for sure run over.

Ram mount for faceplates of IC-2820 and IC-7000
http://www.flickr.com/photos/37166812@N06/6996456772/

Side profile of suction cup mount with 1.5 inch length arm.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/37166812@N06/7142545641/

Mounting of radios IC-7000 on left side and the IC-2820 on the right. A West Mountain 4005 USB is the power distribution platform. There is a GPS/APRS tracker from Byonics in the middle, under the RigRunner. This is behind the second set of seats on the driver side.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/37166812@N06/6996460884/
Antenna with the breedlove EZN 4 degree mount under the rail cover.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/37166812@N06/6996461188/
View from the rear seat of the control heads... the microphone for the IC-2820 is placed in the pocket hole below the ignition.http://www.flickr.com/photos/37166812@N06/6996460334/

Ram mount for Ipad... Great to use for maps and traffic.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/37166812@N06/7142556909/

These a few of the photos on the Breedlove pocket stake mounts used along with some pictures of the waterproofing.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/37166812@N06/6996533998/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/37166812@N06/6996551308/Weatherproofing the connector, gotta keep the water out.
There is a layer of glue heatshrink, layer of 88, butyl tape and a final layer of 3M 88 tape.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/37166812@N06/6996551672/



I will create a page in the coming days of the whole install.

The coax is run thru the grommet under the step into the truck. The power was run by piercing a hole in the large grommet behind the glovebox. I would not recommend running coax up to the front and especially not along the power that will power the radio.

Feel free to ask any questions if you are so inclined.

Best Regards and good luck in the install.

medicff0879

If you could find that thread you are referring to and post the link I would greatly appreciate it. I did a search under exactly what you stated CB/PA and yielded nothing that appeared to be as helpful as the one you implied? Thanks for the help and suggestions.