Clean VHF/CB radio installs

That one is too hard for me to get to now. I already have a Icom ID-5100 VHF/UHF radio mounted to the back wall on the driver's side, a long with a fuse panel, a siren controller(I'm a fire Deputy Chief), and an APRS unit. On the passenger side I now have a Kenwood TS-480SAT, and screwdriver(Little Tarheel 2) controller-Tunematic mounted. I'd have to unmount all of that to get to that grommet.

I didn't have a chance to get under the truck today but I'm going to shoot for that one under the middle of the rear.

 

I picked up the FTM500 recently and have been thinking over the possible mounting positions for the detachable head. The cubby forward of the cupholders is on the list. Can you share some details about how you worked out mounting it? It seems to fit nicely there when I was playing around with positions. Reading through the rest of the thread I don't think I saw this asked or a pic of the mount. Also, how has the GPS lock in that position been? I can see its got GPS lock in your images.


Thanks!

 

How did you do the faceplate removal on the

$260 AT6666 AnyTone AT-6666 10 Meter Radio for Truck, with SSB(PEP)/FM/AM/PA Mode,High Power Output 15W AM,45W FM,60W SSB(PEP)

AT6666. My buddy and I attempted it once, and butchered the radio. We'd love to see a guide or more photos of how you did it!!!!

 

For the AT6666PRO, you would need a few things but it can be done for less than 30 dollars.
From AdaFruit (https://www.adafruit.com/)- 2 x 40-pin FPC to Right Angle 2x20 IDC Male Plug Header Adapter[ID:4897] =
$5.90
1 x 40-pin 0.5mm pitch FPC Flex Cable with A-B Connections (25cm long)
[ID:4933] = $0.95
From ebay- 1x 40-Pin (2x20) Female to Female 2.54mm-Pitch 40-wire IDC Flat Ribbon Cable $11.92, I think I got 3 feet or so.
You use the existing flex cable to connect to one of the adapters, the ribbon cable in between the adapters, and the new flex cable between that and the faceplate. I wrapped the ribbon cable in metal tape, then tesa tape, and grounded it to the the radio chassis. No issues. Keep an eye on the pin placement, make sure the conductor for pin 1 from the radio continues to the same place as pin 1 on the faceplate. You will need to make the block off plate for the radio and a box for the new head, I 3d printed it out of PLA temporarily, which looks like it will be permanent if it holds up in the summer. If it doesn't, I'll print it out of ASA. Good luck.

 

Any shot you've posted the 3d print file anywhere? My ender will probably do the job, I'd be curious to see if PETG holds up in the sun

 

I did not post it, I used an Ender 5S1 to print. The block off plate isn't quite perfect, but not bad enough to spend another few hours reprinting it to better dimensions as it is hidden in the glove box. The head enclosure is pretty good though.

 

Looks like it wasn't that bad to do. I'll have to give it a shot! Thanks!

 

I'm thinking about doing the same exact thing with my FTM-150.

 

Was able to get away with a pretty clean install today with the inspiration from this gents video:

https://youtu.be/e7wK4ayNa7E?si=PTb4NbdEyBSUkgJd

The silver box mounted under the rear portion of the center console is supposedly an inverter for the trucks equipped with the tech package (400w plugs and whatnot)

Mines bare bones so I threw my new

$165 MXT275 MicroMobile GMRS Radio - 15 watts Two-Way Radio with Integrated Control Microphone - Overland Caravanning Tractors - Detachable External Magnetic Mount Antenna - 8 Repeater Channels

MXT275 under the bracket meant to hold the inverter. Fit like a glove!

Then I ran a RJ45 jumper to an open accessory blank under the climate panel and fixed up a little wire harness to jump off the back of the cigarette lighter.

Best part about the whole process was zero cutting or drilling so if I need to go back to OEM it's all reversible.

Not sure what direction I’m going with the antenna just yet but I will post some pictures and links to the parts I used if anyone is looking to do something similar.

 

Clean

 

DAMN! I just spent all Sunday putting my radio back in.
I upgraded (questionable) to a Vero VGC NR-7500. This would have been PERFECT to do.
Radio is all blue tooth controlled from your phone.

Right now I have it installed under the seat and I plan to upgrade to a blue tooth hand mic for it soon to get rod of the wire.

 

I ended up using this grommet. Worked great. I ran a stainless steel braided ground to the frame of the truck to the antenna mount. Antenna gets a TON of engine noise unfortunately.
I took it off until I can figure that out(it's still usable, but annoying) and I can figure out some sort of motorized mount. I have it mounted to the rail in the bed of my truck currently. I want the antenna to be foldable like with a Diamond K9000, and fold the entire thing down into the bed. But unfortunately that will not work with the Little Tarheel 2, but I'm sure there is something/some way I can figure out how to accomplish this. Just would be nice to not be the guy who is "trying to talk to Mars" with my huge antenna(plus two VHF antennas) when parking some places.

 

I found a new grommet under the truck this weekend. Two actually...

One is under the Drivers Footwell. Up by the fuse panel area where the wheel well and firewall all come together. Technically it is on the floor but it makes a great spot to run power through into the cab from the battery to that switch panel over on the left side by the door.

The other is behind the rear seat on the passenger side. It's in the corner of the cab and it's a bog grommet. Almost big enough to put a beer can through.

 

I posted a video on how I changed the color of the screens for my FT-891 and

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

ID-5100a radios: https://youtu.be/cJMwy-bnJ_o?si=mWWHClP7ERlBhXof Some folks might find this helplful.

Chris
KY4CKP

 

Finally buttoned up my install - Amazon dropped the ball on a few items but she’s about as clean as I could ever do! Here's my photos of the process, feel free to hit me up if you have any questions.

 

Side note: I used the rugged radios mount and it needed ALOT of tweaking. Great looking product but be ware - the damn OEM hood bolts won't even work unless you open up or machine the RR bracket.

 

What's the performance like with that set up?

 

Significantly better than using the standard little magnetic antenna that comes with the radio. Was reaching over 5 miles in town clear as a bell, also picks up repeaters from 20+ miles to my best estimations. Very sensitive to obstructions however and have yet to test it out in the woods.

The cable / bracket also makes swapping to different antennas a breeze since the hard parts done - just screw them on and off.