Icom Id5100a Install

I recently installed an amateur radio in the tacoma and wanted to document the process to serve as a guide for anyone interested in doing the same. It was a pretty easy install, and it's been really cool delving into ham radio. I would encourage everyone to get their license! It's not particularly difficult to memorize the answers to pass the technician exam. After you get your license, that's when all the practical learning takes place. Someone told me that your amateur radio license is a license to learn, and I completely agree. Regardless, here is the install:

I have an RLD topper which is all steel. I drilled the nmo hole and mounted the antenna in the middle of the topper. This location gave me a strong ground plane.



I used little command hook wire holders to secure the coax on the underside of the topper and run it to the hole in the front corner of the bed.


The coax was passed through the bed into the cab through the little window behind the driver rear seat. You need to remove the behind-the-seat plastic and the firewall (?) fabric. I routed the coax under the corner plastic to the rear footwell, and fed it forward in the sill plate.
I removed the front sill plate and the front corner piece next to the driver left foot. I removed the seat bolts and tipped the seat back. My plan was to Velcro the radio body under the driver seat.
I routed the power from the battery, through the firewall, under the sill plates, and under the carpet to come up and out of the flap in the carpet and plug into the back of the radio. The coax was fed under the carpet and came out of the flap as well. I cut a slit into the carpet near the front of the body to run extension lines for the head unit and the mic.

This is what the body looks like finished:
I did this so I can get to the SD card slot, because you can load a .csv file of repeaters into the radio and then use the built in gps to search for nearby repeaters. I am a travel nurse, so it will be handy to load in different batches of repeaters for whatever location I'm at currently. From there I removed the center console pieces, and routed the mic and head unit cables to the middle. There are fewer bolts and screws than you would expect haha.

I bought a cat-6 keystone and a custom 3d printed "keystone acceptor short tacoma button" and installed it into the button array so the mic could be removed when needed.


Pointers for accessing the button array: remove the radio surround, then wiggle out the right side of the hvac controls/button array. From there, you can reach in and install the button. It's easier than removing all the plastic.

I used Velcro to secure the auxiliary speaker above my left foot:

I originally wanted the head unit to be in the wireless charger bay, but the viewing angle wasn't the greatest. I researched dash bracket options and went with the taco garage dmm. Install was slick and easy, and it's the thinnest, cleanest option out there imo. Super happy with it. I went with two 1" balls that screwed into the dmm. One for a phone, and one for the radio. I fed the head unit wire up to the dmm, and through the integrated cord "slit" in the back. It all turned out to be a wonderfully clean install.

With the ideal location of the antenna, I was able to tune the antenna to a more-than-satisfactory swr:

For 2m: 1.2 @ 144, 1.1 @ 148, and "peak" of 1.5 @ 145.280.

For 70cm: 1.24 @ 440 and gets better as you increase frequency.
All in all it was an easy, fun install. I am very happy with the set up and performance. I wouldn't have done anything differently. I am happy to answer any questions you may have. Thank you for reading!

73s de WG8TJM

 

Nice. That is a good setup. I thought of using the DMM for phone, tab, etc but after seeing one in person I couldn't give up more of the already mediocre forward visibility.

Where did you get that keystone insert for the switch panel? I need one of those

 

With how high the seating position is and how long the hood is, it doesn't block the visibility of the road at all for me haha. Distracting, yes, but in the way? No.

I think the button was actually designed by a forum member, I'll have to dig through the pages and see if I can give credit. They sell it through Shapeways https://www.shapeways.com/product/2...?productConfiguration=62496829&etId=199164248

And I think keystones are all universal. Got a generic one from Amazon and it fit great.

 

U live in AZ? Looks like East Mesa for some reason.

 

Not quite the right desert haha! That was from Soda Lake on the Mojave Road. I'm working and living in Rancho Mirage, CA.

 

This is next-level. Best install I’ve seen yet. Btw the 5100 cant take direct sunlight for too long so be sure to move it to the shade if you park outside.

 

Thanks for the link! I think I might have some keystone around but they will not be black.

 

Thank you very much!! I really enjoy doing set ups like this. I would hapilly offer my services to anyone who needs help!

Have you experienced the sun issue? I haven't seen any first hand issues, only anecdotal warnings. Nevertheless, I'm either under a carport or I use a sunshade in the front window.

 

Very nice install. I’m going to copy this. I’m just waiting on my Icom 2730a to arrive. The keystone in the Shapeways button - is it a female to female one? How long is the keystone cable from the head unit to the button? Thx

 

Great choice on radio. I couldn't find a 2730 in stock anywhere so I went with the 5100a. I'm a sucker for instant gratification haha.
The mic extension cable is a run of the mill 5ft cat6 here's the Amazon link to the one I got: Amazon Basics RJ45 Cat-6 Ethernet... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00N2VILDM?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share
The keystone was: ConnectOne RJ45 CAT6 Keystone... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09137TQ8M?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share
The keystone went in from the back side of the button. Took a few seconds of fiddling with the two to understand how they connect.

 

Thanks for the links! Much appreciated.

 

No worries. Here's an edited pic showing how the mic and head unit cables were run. Obviously all under the carpet and plastic.

 

Thanks so much for this post! I am just starting my

$530 ID-5100A DELUXE 144/440 Amateur Radio Mobile Transciver with Touch Screen, D-Star and Internal GPS

ID-5100A instal and this post has helped. My only question (at this time ) is, did you have any known issues with the main unit being under the seat in such an enclosed area? I like it hidden, but was wondering about air flow around the unit.

 

I just got my license. APRS threw me over edge as I was generally happy just using GMRS channels in a not-quite-so-legal fashion.

You're right though. The test and costs are very reasonable. I really enjoyed the ease of Zoom test session with the great support of the local folks.


It doesn't look like you need to worry about rain too much, but there should be an available cab passthrough grommet along the sill plate by the front seat. The folks that install tailgate lock servos use it.

 

I am in Rancho Mirage which hit 120+ degrees last week. Haven't had any issues so far! The fan is out the back of the unit and there seems to be a sufficient amount of room for airflow under the seat. Also fwiw, I struggled to find any instances of any radios overheating from being under the seat. I know the sentiment gets thrown around colloquially a lot, but it doesn't seem like it really happens. I will report if I ever get any issues though!

 

They won't even my 100 watt HF is fine under the seat the PA is hotter than the temp inside the cab! All have remote displays except of the Motorola 220. Got every thing covered from 40 Meters to 70 CM. My antennas are all mounted in side of the bed nothing on the roof I like my antennas too much. I will say I have worked the world mobile when the bands are open mobile.

 

Thanks again for the original post. I used a lot of your ideas for an install of my Kenwood nx-3720 land-mobile radio. Looks super clean and I’m happy with it. I’ll be using the second Shapeways cat 6 port on the right for my dual band amateur rig’s mic.

 

Looks great! Happy to help. Where is your antenna going to be?

 

Thanks! The Land-mobile gets a Larsen antenna on the passenger side front fender. The ham is a Comet SS-680 SB antenna on a Diamond K550 mount attached to my Prinsu rack in the middle of the roof.

 

I appreciate your post! After considering a couple of optional mounting locations, I agreed with you that under the seat was a good choice. Also, running the 5’ cat6 to the center console using the keystone and holder? (via Shapeways) for the mic was perfect. I picked up the Expedition Essentials 2TPAM DashMount for mounting my controller/iPhone/mic (& other future accessories). I am using a Diamond Antenna NR77OH mounted to hood on passenger side and ran the antenna wire through firewall and behind the glovebox and over center console to the main unit. I am also using 2, YAESU speakers which were mounted on A-pillars. Again, thanks so much for your post and excellent install advice.