Clean VHF/CB radio installs

I have a peak design charger in my truck connected to a DMM. It flawlessly holds the phone in place, even on rough forest roads, and it doesn't nuke the battery when charging. I have the phone just above the AC vent right of the steering wheel and a wireless carplay dongle.

It all just works and I can keep turn-by-turn directions visible on the phone while doing something else with the infotainment.

 

Forgot the external speaker.

Just bent some aluminum bar stock / strap around a mandrel and then worked it to the same diameter as the head rest posts. Pained it black (which didn't really stick and rubbed off).
Ran the wire down the inside of the seat cover carefully avoiding airbags.

I like it because on road trips I can keep it low volume and still hear it but the wife can sleep.

 

About to be ready for deployment

 

I'm Excited to see where this goes!

 

Curious as to how you are going to use them as they are essentially the same radio?

 

The FTM-500 looks sweet with the big VFO knob but functionally, I prefer the FTM-400 on the left. Bigger screen and I don't "spin the dial" on VHF/UHF as much. But the FTM-500 Remote head would make a great control for a Mobile HF Radio.

Still, @fake4x4 has two amazing great radios there and I can't wait to see the install and see how he's going to use them.

 

Gmrs and cb

 

just trying to figure out where I’m going to mount the antenna for the 400…. Will probably do a lip mount on the hood with a comet 2x4sr, might swap 500 with the sbb5 and the 400 with the 2x4sr

 

Since they operate the same Freq's, I'd put them as far apart as possible. One on the front bumper corner like the Aussies do, and one off the back tail gate on a Rago-Fab mount like I did. Try to get at least 2 meters of separation.

 

That is the plan, just gotta decide which radio is going to stay in digital

 

DUDE! Your Tantric Radio Install is KILLING ME. Lets see the after pics!

 

I haven’t had time to mount the radio body of the 400 and run the power wires … hopefully this weekend

 

The stock cable is a #10 wire more than sufficient yes even for the length (they did that for a reason it's called mobile install) it will support 30 amps. Full smoke key down, 25 amps max for an HF rig. I have worked the world with an old Icom 706 MK 2 mobile.

 

Here is a good site for you you will need to be licensed for NVIS https://www.hamradioschool.com/post/near-vertical-incidence-skywave-nvis.

 

Hey all - I saw that some genius made use of the gen 3 square cup holder to hold a microphone bracket. I have not been able to re-find that post. Does this ring a bell for anyone?

 

Licensed for NVIS? Do you mean General or higher class Amateur Radio License since you need to be at 40 Meters or longer for NVIS propagation.

 

Just checking back in on this one.

 

Thought some might be interested in a location for a radio I have not seen on here before:
Under the stock radio I fit my Yaesu FTM-500DR.

 

Nice!

What are you doing for audio? Using the built in, or an external? If built in, how’s the sound from behind the console/dash?

 

That's FANTASTIC!!!