Ham Radio in 2009 Standard Cab

I am looking to mount a Yaesu FT-7800 in my 2009 Tacoma Standard. It looks like I can easily mount the radio itself to the horizontal brace behind the seat. I've ordered the remote kit for the radio. But I've been thinking about these things, and I haven't come up with anything I like yet.

ps. I've only had the Tacoma for a week now.

1. How to get the coax out of the cab.
2. How to get the power out of the cab to the battery.
3. Where to mount the remote head.
4. What kind of Antenna mount to use.

Obviously, I have some ideas about all of these items, but I was just thinking that maybe there are some hams out there that want to show off their installations and maybe give me some better ideas.

Thanks in advance for anyone that reads and/or responds.

John, NM3P

 

Here is what I could offer for you..
1. Go throught hte firewall or through one of the drain plugs under the carpet in the cab.
2. See first response
3. That is a tough call been callenged with that myself
4. I like the glass mount on the rear window, always looked nice but unidirectional becomes direction due to the cab blocking some signal. A roof mount is nice too but you have to rip out the head liner which I think is time consuming... I have been thinknig about a bed mount that attaches on to one of the brackets but again, will be more directional with cab blocking some of the signal...

 

another ham???


Adam Kd7mrj

 

Gimme time, I'm studying for my license when I can. Planning on working the 10 meter band to start, 40 meter later when I get the advanced license and can put some punch to the antenna.

 

I've been looking at that wiring harness that goes through the firewall behind the parking brake. Doesn't look too inviting unless I remove the parking brake and a few other things. I guess I just have to get over the "Let's see how this comes out" trepidations, lol. I saw a picture of someone who mounted a CB antenna to the mounting rail system using an "L" bracket and what looked like a custom piece in the rail to bolt to. Nice and clean except the coax is clearly exposed as he looped it back up over the end of the bed.

I've ordered the small storage box that mounts to the rails from Toyota (yes, expensive I know). I'm thinking of maybe putting an "L" bracket off it with a ground strap, and going through the bed behind the storage box, maybe in that dugout hole above the wheel well.

My idea for the head is to get a piece of angle iron just long enough to hold the head unit mount, and putting it on the bottom of the console (close to and parallel to the seat) such that the head would be facing up. Since I doubt I'll ever have anyone riding in the middle that should be a safe enough place for it and easily accessible to the driver, as well as an easy place to tuck the control wire.

I'm still waiting for the storage box, and the remote kit, so maybe next week or so, once I get it in, I'll post pics of how it turns out.

Thanks to all who replied.

And Lucy, don't sweat the tests. I'm sure you'll do just fine.

John

 

This is how I ran my CB antenna. Granted it's only RG59 and not thick cable. The hardest part was the headliner. About a dozen interior panels had to come out before it would drop without bending too much.

Thanks John. I'm pretty sure I'm ready for them, now just gotta get a couple locals to sit in with me.

John (it's a good name!)

 

Don't sweat the tests... as long as you know your stuff it's cake....

I haven't been active at all the past few years....
Mostly did 2M around town. We had a group of people who were on a local repeater every day driving home. It was great fun

 

Well, I've made some progress, and as promised, here is what I did...

First, I found a grommet to get through the firewall right behind the driver side of the dash...
http://www.zoominternet.net/~jsr813/Wire.jpg

Next, I mounted a small extension speaker in the console...
http://www.zoominternet.net/~jsr813/Speaker.jpg

The body of the radio was the easiest part, there is a nice horizontal brace behind the seat on the back of the cab...
http://www.zoominternet.net/~jsr813/Radio.jpg

Finally, the head. I found a piece of angle aluminum normally used for deck rails. I put it on the front of the console, so the head would face up. Hardest part here was making sure I didn't block the mounting bolt for the console (under the black pad), while at the same time providing as much protection for the head itself...
http://www.zoominternet.net/~jsr813/Head.jpg

I don't have an antenna on yet, but I purchased the MFJ-1734. Soon as I get a nice 75 degree day, I'll put it up.

John

 

john - the setup looks great... I am troubled with the entire plan to on how to mount the antenna... I really like the look of a 4' cb antenna, but need the features of the ham... then my next biggest issue is the mount...

I was able to put a small hole on the left side of the interior left foot kick plate. There is a huge bundle of cables put there is room on the side to push a hole through...

 

Thanks. As I said, I purchased the MFJ dual-band glass mount (2/440). I actually put it up yesterday, it tuned in pretty good. I know sooner or later however that I will probably go with something else, but for now it seems to perform pretty well. (I did notice a little bit of a high speed whistle from it on the way in today).

If you have an '09, you might want to think about an "L" bracket mounted to one of the rails in the bed. I am going to check tomorrow but I think you can get the mounting hardware for the rails from your local dealer. They look like small "C" brackets that slide in the rails with a nut through them, and then there is a 13mm bolt to go into them. At least, that is what came with the small storage box. You could probably sneak the cable through the side of the bed somewhere instead of looping up over the rail. Or, if you have the guts to drill, put a ball mount on the side somewhere, maybe when the truck is a few years older

For now, however, I'm operational on 2 and 440.