Tacoma Baofeng Ham Radio

Looking for ideas on how to setup my Baofeng in my 2012 Tacoma. If you've already have done it would've to see photos of your mobile setup. Thank you in advance.

 

Welcome to TW. What kind of setup are you looking for? Being a handheld, most people's setup will be just holding it in their hand.

 

I'm looking for something where I don't have to hold the radio while a drive. Just hold the mic when necessary. A mount that allows my radio to stay in place while drive.

 

I used to have this holder on a RAM mount.

https://kck-192572.square.site/product/uv-xx-series-radio-mount/1?cs=true&cst=custom

There are a few different ways to integrate RAM mounts in these trucks. Techdeck, over near the grab handle, etc. Then I had this mic.

commountain Compact Speaker Mic Compatible with Baofeng Radios BF-F8HP BF-F9 UV-82 UV-82HP UV-82C UV-5R UV-5R5 UV-5RA UV-5RE UV-5X3 and Kenwood BTECH Retevis Radios, Shoulder Microphone

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01N5LJ0YR?ie=UTF8

As well as this extended battery.

$18 ExpertPower® Baofeng BL-5L 3800mAh Li-ion Battery – Extended Life 7.4V Two-Way Radio Replacement for UV-5R, BF-F8HP, BF-F9 Series – Classic Black

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00ATTVKFQ?ie=UTF8

 

Expedition Essentials has their TPAM mount, works great for me!

 

I don’t have a pic but my radio came with a mic extension. When I’m wheeling with people, I have both the radio and mic mounted up on the sun visor with zip ties. That’s it, that’s my mount

 

And here's a pic of my old setup.

 

I second these suggestions. I'd also recommend getting the largest antenna possible if you do not have a bumper antenna to connect to. Will you be running licensed frequencies or sticking to the family frequencies?

 

MadDaddy, I will be running licensed. Any suggestions on antennas?

 

Following.

 

I use mine handheld and by "use" I mean it's on standby if ever needed and the kids use them when they're exploring the neighborhood. I added an extended antenna on mine. For a deep-woods or far offroad setting, I imagine there's a way to link the unit to a whip antenna.

 

If you're going to be 'hardmounting' it you might as well go with an external antenna.

https://www.amazon.com/Authentic-Ge...baofeng+antenna+adapter&qid=1625664202&sr=8-5

 

Sandman614, do you have this setup? Any photos?

 

I had mine hooked up to a comet ssb5 in the same manner, check my build thread. @HrBrad8 and @JimboAnz used the mini mags. Think of your truck as a farraday cage of sorts.. any antenna outside the truck is better than one inside it.

 

yes

 

I “hard” mounted mine with a external antenna off the tailgate. Clipped the mic to the cubby just right if the steering wheel. Worked pretty well. Eventually just upgraded to a yaesu mobile.

For a little while I just clipped the baofang to the open sunglasses holder

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads...callsign-thread.260643/page-137#post-14285372

 

I mounted mine on the passenger side center console (see pic, taken of passenger seat). Antenna cable runs underneath the seat to a rubber plug. 12v cigarette lighter plug

 

theres a whole Ham thread over in the hobbies sub forum.

 

What Timmay said

 

Here is my current set up -


Found a really neat little cup holder mount from Lido Radios - https://www.lidoradio.com/collectio...adjustable-heght-cup-holder-mount-for-all-hts

and a Bao Feng Power Adapter on Amazon for permanent power. My only modification was to add a small strip of Velcro to the back of the battery and the base bad. The hole for the belt clip is a bit too wide and the radio would swivel when trying to use the keypad. Now it doesn't move.

I will eventually add an external antenna, most likely with a hood mount on the passenger side or use the Rago bracket for the end of the bed. The point here is that the entire thing can be mounted or removed with no permanent modifications to the truck. And it's clean...