Clean VHF/CB radio installs

http://www.hondogarage.com/index.php/product/landing/un-holey-dash-mount-tacoma-2016

Pretty useful. I use one everyday for my phone. Holds my iPad mini also which I mount for the trails.

 

Yes hondo garage unholy mount and a ram mount for iPad.

 

chucklefunkk are you running APRS-IS with a windows tablet? Just curious, I have the same radio. I have been trying to find an app for iOS, looks like APRS isn't quite there yet for availability.

 

Yes, here in this thread; and it all fits and works.
Full installation photos in the thread; including electrical, how to get into the cab without drilling, and RF/EMI Precautions (Radio Frequency Energy/Electromagnetic Interference)
I do run my Amateur Radio rig on the ten watt setting normally, because of the location of the antenna; and my CB radio is running legal power only, for reasons covered in the installation post.
INSTALLING AMATEUR AND CB RADIOS IN 2016 TACOMA
In this thread

 

No I am tuning aprs just on the 400dxr. I don’t have it running to the tablet. I run iPad Pro 10 inch. My maps I use google and HEMA Explorer. My gps for my tablet when not on cell service is done by a Garmin GLO.

The 400xdr runs AMS, digital, and fm. I run System Fusion quite a bit in town. I like the dual monitoring function of the radio. I also like the remote head unit. Very well laid out. I love this yeasu radio.

My other radio on passenger side is the midland 40 watt grms/Frs. I like it instead of cb. I have two handhelds. I’ve handed them out to friends who didn’t have ham. Works really well.

 

chucklefunkk

Im not sure if you are familiar with the 2nd Gen interior, but where I have my radio in the overhead is where there used to be a temperature and compass display that was notorious for having a circuit go bad on the board. I probably soldered the thing 5 times before just removing it and putting my head unit in its place. The bracket that came with the 400DXR fit so perfect, it was like it was designed for installation there. I put an external speaker where the sunglass holder used to be, another useless feature for me. I have the microphone on a Nite Ize magnet, just like the one you can see above the 4WD selector switch. When I am driving around urban areas, I like to keep everything tucked away as much as possible to keep the crack heads from peeping around. I just disconnect the microphone and throw it in the glove box. My stereo also folds away.

 

Very clean. Well done.

 

Had this installed for about a month now. Originally had the C4 Fab mount but it was too thick even after trying to modify it so I built my own out of a thinner gauge steel with grommets and clear vinyl to try and keep the rubbing down on the paint. Ended up pulling the grommet off as it was causing more damage than good but oh well. The setup overall works great so far although the airwaves seem to be pretty dead in BC. Had a contact 13km away just on AM band the other day and Im sure I could push it further, especially on side band. I routed the coax behind the taillight, along the frame and up through the plug underneath the driver's seat then underneath the console and out. I don't have any specific pictures of that but if someones curious I could go out and snap some. Got all my parts from Right Channel Radios and just ordered a heaver duty spring since the one on there is way too flimsy for the 5' Firestik.

 

Yeah, I like the duct tape effect, smooth. I don't see any waveguides chief, come on, give us some waveguides. And some Raytheon goodies

 

Mine just showed up today. where did you mount the box for the CB? how many panels did you have to remove to get the clean install?

 

Here is my President McKinley CB installed in the center console in my 3rd Gen. I have a Wilson 1000 magnet mounted on the roof for best SWR performance.

I am not sure where to mount a HAM face panel? Should I put it on my dash RAM mount plate? I did not purchase the HAM mobile unit yet.

 

Did y’all have any trouble punching the coax connectors through the firewall grommets or the ones under the cab? Or did y’all remove the connector and reinstall once in the cab?

 

I cut the connector to run through the firewall and up through the center console. Installed a new connector after routing was completed.

 

I also cut the connector and re-soldered it once inside. I suppose you could keep it on if you ran it up through the hole under the seat and cut the grommet then siliconed it. Theres a chance one might might need to unbolt the seat to reach the wire under the carpet with the added thickness of the connector.

 

How did you install the CB? Did you have to cut an area out to help fit the CB into place? Do you have any pics of the install process? How much room is behind that little cubby? If you had to guess how much room do you think there is?

 

Details on that Mic outlet?

 

https://magneticmic.com/

Another mic mount option. We use these in my agency’s patrol cars and they work well

 

I had to use a small hole saw for the antenna since the screw-on on connection on the back of the CB has to go into the hole for clearance. There is plenty for room behind the cubby, if you want to cut the back out... but it is not needed. I have no photos of the the installation.

 

The duct tape is gone, see my update.
That was for "check everything out" before finalizing; and with perfect 20/20 hindsight, I should have pulled the damn stuff before posting the photos.
Instead of looking at the installation process, some eyes seem to be focused on the duct tape.
Hell; I may take the adhesive clips out, and put the tape back up if it's that interesting!
As for the gear I used; sorry but the goverment frowns on taking photos of that, even after this much time of being out of the service.
One sailor went to jail recently (Trump pardoned him finally) for just taking photos of equipment that was turned off on a sub.

 

I got it from Shapeways. I think that a guy here makes them. Maybe @forty2 ? https://www.shapeways.com/product/4...l&utm_campaign=payment-received&utm_content=7

You have to buy a keystone from Amazon. This one worked for me.

$9 VCE CAT6 RJ45 Keystone Jack Inline Coupler UL Listed-Black 5-Pack

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B016O9SXCM/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1