Lucky's new Comms (Ham Radio Install) pic heavy

So finally got all the pieces parts together and did up the install. I would like to especially thank @wileydavis from Hondo Garage for the awesome mount and @forty2 for designing some incredible 3D printed products (printed by Shapeways).

Radio: Yaesu FTM-400XDR (http://www.hamradio.com/detail.cfm?pid=H0-014544)
Antenna: Comet SS680SB (http://www.hamradio.com/detail.cfm?pid=H0-010071)
Antenna Mount: Comet LD-5M (http://www.hamradio.com/detail.cfm?pid=H0-011634)
Radio Mount: Hondo Garage Un-Holey Dash Mount (full kit with Ram hardware and Perfect Squeeze mount) (http://www.hondogarage.com/index.php/product/landing/un-holey-dash-mount-tacoma-2016)
"Cubby Filler":Tacoma Dual Narrow Switch With Double Keystone and Mic clip (https://www.shapeways.com/product/D...switch-with-double-keystone?optionId=60950149 and https://www.shapeways.com/product/9...ic-mount?key=b9ff5f3eacfd8d43045b8ec5c8d574db)

Part 1 Running the wires.
Routed the antenna wire through the large rubber grommet on the passenger side of the engine bay then to the center console and exited midway to reach the under side of the drivers seat.



The antenna mount was attached to the passenger side of the hood. The coax is held in place with zip ties to the tubing for the windshield washer. Do not tighten them too much or you will cut off the flow of fluid.







Power wires routed from the battery area through the large rubber grommet on the drivers side. (power connections were made AFTER everything was in place.)



At this point I unbolted the drivers seat an tilted it back to gain more space and get at the area I was working in.

Attach the 6 conductor extension wire to the inside RJ jack and the USB extension to its jack. You can also see where the plate designed by Forty2 is screwed in place of the cubby.



Route those wires and he power behind the kick panel and door sill trim. Harbor Freight is a good source for inexpensive trim removal tools.



Then route the wires under the carpet to where the wiring harness for the seat is.



I had previously attached the Un-Holey mount. There is a great video on this on the Hondo Garage website. I found it very easy to just remove the trim plate from the truck and bring it in the house. I also used a Dremel to make a small half moon opening for the control head cable. I routed the cable down to the center console and followed the same path as the antenna cable.



Next is the connection of all cables to the main body of the radio. Also attach the radio body to the underside of the seat with quality (NOT Harbor Freight) zip ties or what ever method you choose. Be aware of the yellow cables for the air bag in the seat. You do not want to let that magic smoke out.



I also run the external speaker wire (an inexpensive generic speaker)the same route through the drivers side wire chase. I decided to mount the speaker to the kick plate. When doing this I realized the supplied self tapping screws would contact the wiring harness by the fire wall. Glad I noticed this before putting it all back together. I had some spare hardware in my bag of stuff and fasted it reverse with nut and bolt so no chafing of wires.



Finished location of the speaker.



Next was the power connections. Please don't flame me for using 2 red lead fuse holders but had to work with what I had. I butt spliced the fuse holders to the power leads with Posi-Tite Watertight connectors.



Double check all your connections and power up the radio and check it all out.



Once you are sure everything is working as it should button it all up.



Feel free to post any questions and I will do my best to answer them.

 

Very cleanly done. Will definitely be stealing some of your recipe when I do mine. Was thinking about using a c4 bracket and putting my antenna on the back. Any particular reason you went the way you did?

 

2m/70cm only and mostly repeater work. Not too much difference in placement. Best would be middle of the roof but in real life situations it creates spatial problems. Thought about the C4 mount but it may get in the way when using the bed or someone climbing in the bed might think it was a grab handle. Oh and running the coax would have taken longer.

 

One of these days I'll finish my install, when I regain the use of my right hand, same radio, same antenna just waiting patiently on my desk. Glad the plate worked out for you. I prefer mic on my right so I went a bit different route there.

 

Nice install!

How do you like that Yaesu?

It's an impressive looking piece of kit

 

Would not have been as clean without your designs. Mega thanks again.

 

Love it so far. Have been using the FTM-100DR as my base rig for 2m/70cm for a year or so and HF I have an FTDX1200. I like other radios but the audio quality on the Yaesu rigs when wearing headphones just works for me. Going to start playing with APRS now that to 400 is in the Taco.

 

Would like to see the antenna install.

 

Great Write up. You have inspired me...

 

Nothing special but I will try and get some pics of the mount up this week. It is just a simple lip mount. The wire is routed down to the grommet on the passenger side. The part is the first pic.

 

I am just about to install the same radio in almost the exact same way. Only difference is I am mounting the head to the go pro mount so it is up and out of the way. Nice clean install, minus the red.... (electrical nazi)

 

Thanks for sharing

 

I should have just Plasti-dipped it, every 3rd gen owner has stock in black Plasti-dip right?!?! I thought about using the GoPro mount also but there were 2 issues.
1. It interferes with the mirror and passenger sun visor. (My wife uses the visor a lot)
2. It puts the controls just a bit out of reach for safe operation while mobile. I originally was going to do the same thing but it just did not work to my liking.

 

Added the antenna pics to the first post.

 

Thanks @GPLarge! I hope to take my tech class test in March and like this setup.

 

Front of windshield keeps you paying attention to it when in brush, or tight trails. Bed mount is outta sight outta mind.

Nice mount job, I like when people take their time. I had a aux speaker too, but found it to be useless, the yaesu internal speaker is ample.. but I also don't crank up my stereo

My FT-7800r is mounted in the left rear cubby box in my dcsb; basically behind the left rear passenger's left scapula. Face plate and mic are suspended on a bracket in the cubby under the HVAC. My antenna was mounted to my allpro bedrack, but with the habitat.. that will need to be readressed.

 

After seeing this, I'm thinking about going with the exact same antenna setup you're running. Is everything working out well for you so far? I've got a FTM-100DR en route and trying to get my antenna selection figured out.

 

Nice work!

 

Yup loving it so far. Really need to put the analyzer on it just to see how close it is tuned but I get out no problem on the repeaters and APRS works.

 

Just found this install. Super clean. Did you coil the extra coax under the driver seat? I've got my eyes set on an FTM-100DR in the future