Amateur Radio

looks good skytalker!!!!!

 

Awesome job!

I forgot to mention that I installed the main box under the driver's seat (more room) and the external speaker is hidden behind the driver's side kick panel.

The 8800 is awesome. The only thing that disappoints me that some of the buttons aren't illuminated.

Taco's are made for amateur radio.

73

KE5YLF

 

I put my main box behind the seat in the DC. and connected the external speaker cable to the AUX input on the radio. Suppose to be for an I-Pod, but HEY, works great for a ham radio too! LOL

 

Great clean job what band do you talk on? What antenna is that and how was your SWR?

 

Sweet! My Taco doesn't have an aux. input, but my wife's FJ does. Hmmmm! Now if I can only persuade her to let me install another 8800 in her FJ, I'll be one happier man. LOL.

Here are some some more installation pics..plus my antenna. SWR's are flat on both 2m and 70cm.

73
KE5YLF

 

I usually listen on 2 meters (146.835+ 100 Hz PL) on the left side and the fire dept on the right side.
The antenna is a Larsen Dual bander. SWR is flat. I hit all the local repeaters with ease.

 

What happens when you plug the radio into the Aux Input jack...does it disable the stereo?

 

If anybody with a 2009 Tacoma is brave enough to investigate, remove the XM radio antenna on the roof and see what it looks like underneath. I'm hoping it's an NMO-sized (3/4") hole.

I would gladly relocate the XM antenna if I could mount a ham antenna there.

 

Only disable the stereo when you push he AUX button on the radio controls.
Push FM1, FM2, or Disc and it operates normally.

 

Well this thread looks like it needs a bit of a revival so I thought I would show you guys some pictures and include the details of my ham setup I completed a few weeks back. The radio consists of a Kenwood TM-V708 w/ a Diamond NR770HB 2m/70cm Dual Band 200W rated fold-able antenna, on a UHF base. I ran the coax for the antenna from the middle of the roof, through the rear brake light housing (on the rear of the roof), and down through the headliner, through the rear left pillar, under the door seal panels, and then under the carpet and through the wire hole opening that is beneath the front drivers seat. I removed the drivers seat for the install, along with the headliner, and all the required panels to get the head liner off (which was a pain in the ass for anyone who is wondering, but was necessary to get a clean install the way I wanted). The unit its self is mounted under the drivers seat. Power and ground wires are ran directly to the battery via the firewall grommet. I have the remote head located in front the the cup-holders and just behind the shifter for ease of use and good visibility. There is also an external speaker that is installed behind the center console. It is secured with one side of industrial strength Velcro that attaches directly to the carpet. The remote face is also secured to the console via Velcro and can be removed if needed in about 10 seconds.

Something to keep in mind about the antenna and coax cable. If you decide to run your coax through the rear brake light housing like I did, you will need to use a Dremel to cut out a small hole in the top of the housing to allow for the housing to still mount flush to the truck, but still allowing the cable to go through the housing, and into the cab. When you get everything put back together it would be a wise idea to seal it all up with some blue RTV sealer, or a sealer of your choice that would be suitable for this kind of a situation. Mine came out pretty clean and is not noticeable from the ground and looks up to par if you check it out from above. Most importantly, no leaks, etc.





Seat all the way forward, exposing the rear end of the transceiver.



Seat all the way back, allowing access to the front of the transceiver.



Some random wires, along with the radios power and ground wire running through the firewall wiring grommet.



Another picture of the transceiver from the rear, with the back seat folded up.



External speaker mounted with Velcro. It is a task getting that thing off the carpet.. The Velcro is incredibly strong when attached to the carpet.



The remote face and mic.



The antenna.



And last but not least, a picture of the splice connection I have in the coax cable. There is a fem-fem UHF connector in the middle of two rg-58 pl-259 connectors. The reasoning behind this is I originally decided to use a tram antenna and then changed my mind. Well I sure as hell didn't feel like going through the choir of taking out the headliner again and all that business, so I make a quick disconnect using these connectors to allow to quick changes between different base mounts. I also sealed up the connectors with some coax sealant in order to prevent corrosion. If anyone is wondering, I used crimp and solder on connectors.






I have some more pictures to come of the actual install its self, but couldn't get to my camera at the moment that I took the pictures with. You'll have to excuse the cell phone pictures. If anyone has any questions, feel free to ask.

KF5EOR

 

OK I will bite. Heres mine. I've posted else where. But, never in this thread. I dont have a pic of my antenna. But, I'm running a Diamond supergainer SG7500NMO on a NMO mount smack dab in the middle of the cab roof. Yes I drilled a hole! The radio is a Icom IC-2820 Dual Bander with the D-Star module. My 2820 is also custom modified with blue/red LEDs.

AI6SS

 

i have a 65watt yaesu m2800 in my truck, no noises or any buzzing from anything. i was expecting the CB to buzz everytime i keyed the 2meter mic but nothing.

 

Hi,

I don´t see any Tacoma Ham radio discussion topic on the main menu, there´s speakers and stereo, but no one about Ham, would it be a good idea to tell the moderator to open one for us?


73 de

XE1GTD
Guadalajara.

 

Ok I guess we will concentrate all the amateur radio talk in this thread.

 

Good Stuff. I am getting ready to install my HAM radio and am trying to find the right location.

 

Keeping it alive....

Saving up for my radio, just running an HT right now with a Comet mag mount.


Every time I get the money for the radio I want.... something comes up. Soon....

 

Oops...never saw this thread...I just created an Amateur Radio BS thread in the Hobbies section.

http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/sp...ham-radio-bs-callsign-thread.html#post6353585