Clean VHF/CB radio installs

Nice,install very neat. I'm in the process of installing an old Yaesu 2m/70cm FT8500 just no funds for new, right now.
I noticed the your radio is mounted in the rear, where are you picking up power? Did you run power from the battery? Is that some kind of BUSS on the side.

 

Since I have gotten a few requests for this picture, Im posting it up here.

This is where I have my antenna cable entering the cab of the truck. This is on the back of the cab, about 10 inches down from the cab vent. Its slightly behind the C pillar trim. There is a rubber plug that you can pop a little hole in and push the cable in for that nice water proof seal.

 

Those speakers are fantastic.

 

Who makes that speaker?

 

iCom. HRO sells them. I have three in my shack and two in my taco.
https://www.hamradio.com/detail.cfm?pid=H0-011892

 

Thanks.

 

I'm beating my head against the wall on antenna choice. I'll be getting a 2m/70cm radio in a month or so (prob the ICOM 2370) and want a very durable antenna for the mobile setup. Ideally something like the big fiberglass broomhandles that the Ausies use, but as near as I can tell, nothing like that is available here for dual band. Shakespeare makes good fiberglass antennas but only for marine freq's, and they make some military antennas but they're unobtainium. There is a good 2m antenna made by Alamosa, but it isn't dual band. Firestik makes a good tough ham antenna, again only 2m.

So, what is the toughest dual band antenna out there? There is some Taiwanese stuff on ebay but I see so much crap there that I doubt its quality - maybe I shouldn't.

 

Larson 270B is what I have.
High reviews from radio guys.
It’s been bombproof on my rigs for the last 9 years.

 

This is the one that I've been using without any problems for the last 5 years. It's attached to the driverside rear quarter-panel glass on my RAV so as not to destroy the paint. The antenna works flawlessly so you might want to look at that type of antenna with the mount of your choice.

https://www.diamondantenna.net/nr770hrks.html

 

Thanks - I've seen recs for that Diamond in other places too.

 

Do you get any interference with the BD light being so close to the antenna?

 

None at all, as in Zero.
don't try this with ebay pods..

 

I'd second the Larsen 270B. I used one of those for years, and they're pretty bombproof.

I currently have two Diamond NR770H antennas on the hood, though.

 

The Larsen 270 has been around for about 30 years. Larsen makes a wide variety of antennas, including for public safety. You'll be happy with it.

 

Thanks for the info!

 

Looks great! I’m interested in this same setup. What mount are you using on the dash for your mic?

 

Very happy to have found this thread (commenting so that I'm sub'd). I'm looking to install a Yaesu FT-7800 dual-band mobile in my 2020 TRD Off Road, and it sure helps to see others' setups! I ordered the Victory 4x4 antenna mount (the one that is near the windshield) and will be running a 1/4 wave NMO antenna on it, to keep an OEM-style look. I can always swap on a larger/better antenna when I take trips or what not.

Even after reading through most of the posts in this thread (that was a long night!), I'm really torn on where to mount the faceplate. I thought I was set on attaching it to the very front of the overhead console near the rear-view mirror, but now I'm second guessing that because I don't want the lighted display to diminish my visibility of the mirror at night. Now I'm leaning toward installing it down in the lower cubby (where the qi charger is), but I'm afraid it'll be tucked too far back to easily manipulate the controls or see the screen while driving. Hmm... decisions, decisions!

 

I really don't love having the faceplate up on the dash, above my head would be even worse.. I like it clean and out of the way.
My set up isn't for everyone, but I love that most people wouldn't notice it at all. Also nice when parked outside and faceplate is out of view and 99% invisible from outside.

 

it is a Ram magnetic mount w/ 1” ball. Then attached a metal plate on the back of the mic..

 

As I recall the 7800 doesn't have a removable head. That makes Mountain more of a challenge. For what it's worth I bought an Icom 2730a because it has a removable head and you can plug the microphone right into the radio body. You probably saw my installation in one of the post in this very long but informative thread.

As an aside it was well over 60 pages when I found it. Definitely worth reading through every post because there's a wealth of information here to help you with your installs.