Clean VHF/CB radio installs

Having my dual band near the center of mass makes for excellent dipole transmission. 35 miles is common. Being above the cab likely helps as it’s a decent surface. It is off center right so I “feel” like more of the lobe is to the left, but I’m mostly hitting repeaters so frankly can’t tell.

With all the true body mass in play at 2M, I’m not too worried about extra bonding for the rack itself as the whole truck is really in play.

Post up your setup.

 

It will couple to the pillar, the cab will block the signal in that direction. Plus that puts the main gain lobe right into your brain. Which is the same reason I'm not a fan of hood mounts.

It's not legal to modify a ham radio to transmit GMRS. If you went with a single band VHF (2m only) ham radio, then you could use a band coupler (aka diplexer, duplexer) and get away with a single antenna that is dual band connected to both radios. You can't have 70cm and GMRS in one antenna. It's technically possible but would take some LARGE and complex cavity filters. We'll say it's not practical.

The TM-D710GA has a GPS inside the control head. So the control head needs a reasonably decent view of the sky. It's a really good GPS and works in all but the worst scenario. Don't put the control head in the overhead sunglasses holder.

The TM-D710A does not have any GPS. There is a serial port in the control head where one can be interfaced. There are some mods documented where people added an internal GPS inside the control head.

You can configure the TM-D710GA to use an external serial GPS, if you want to locate the control head where it can't get a signal.

 

Thinking about running my antenna on a ditch light bracket. Thoughts, opinions?

 

VHF? I’m not a fan of pumping up to 50 watts through my head. I have my VHF/UHF on a homemade bracket that is sandwiched between the cab and 3rd brake light. The antenna has a spring in it when I (gently) hit the garage door header.

 

I have a Yaesu FTM-400 on a short RAM arm mounted in front of the wireless charge cradle. Radio body is mounted under the driver seat.

 

How's the GPS signal for aprs with it mounted low like that? Still sitting on mounting my 400's control head while I finish running everything else for the system. 1st choice is up on the taco garage dmm on a ball mount. But my gut is telling me our socal desert sun (which I spend a lot of time in) is going to cook the head, and I don't want to deal with unmounting it all the time. So my next thought was pretty much right where you've got yours, but I'd like to ensure gps/aprs works to its best potential.

 

I’ve got my 400 mounted in the front left cup holder. No problem with GPS signal.

 

Installing my first CB. Got all the wires ran, and I got the radio stuck in place with some double sided tape. I was thinking of making it permanent in this spot by screwing it into the plastic but was hoping to hear from someone else who has mounted it here first. I really just want to make sure I don't cause any issues by putting screws in the plastic there. Thanks!

 

Pull back the carpet a little bit right below that black box you have it on right now. The radio slides right into the space under it between the hvac box and the transmission tunnel.

 

So I tried it and you weren't kidding. It fits like it was made for it, snug enough it doesn't come out either. Thank you so much !

 

Its great isnt it! Thats where I put mine. I originally had it mounted exactly like you have yours with the double sided tape to the hvac box.

 

You guys mind putting pics of the finished (or yet to be finished) install?

 

Sure thing, here's a picture of it

 

How much heat is being thrown off that radio? Any chance of damage to the plastic down there?

 

And is it very exposed to the heater output?

 

I’d personally make sure anything mounted in that spot is anchored well. You don’t want it coming loose and interfering with your gas pedal or foot.

 

Some really nice installs on here! Some of yall are really brave punching holes in your roof! I guess I had to punch a few small holes for my rivnuts, but whatever.

Just installed my Evil MFG Third brake light mount and I am loving it! Looks amazing, works well so far, and well get to test the range on the HAM here in a couple of weeks!

 

If you rotate the radio so the antenna wire is pointing the passenger side, it will fit the rest of the way in and both carpet flaps will go up and cover the radio all the way. Thats how I have mine mounted.

 

What’s the VSWR like?

 

I'm not going to lie, I have no idea, I dont even know how to test it. This is my first HAM setup. I would be happy to test it out if you let me know how or a good place to learn how?

Thanks!