Clean VHF/CB radio installs

That makes sense. If you had a multimeter with small enough testing points you could test connectivity and see if the f-f connection has something not connecting through. Sounds like it is the culprit though.

 

BULLY GOOD IDEA!
And I do! I just need to see if I still have the F2F.

 

It's an RJ45 that I got for a Midland at one point but then I went with the Yaesu instead and didn't need it.

 

Moved my FT-7900r faceplate up by the mirror. This should stop me from looking down at it (it was below the heater controls before on a mount). The ram ball mount is a handle bar mount off Amazon (

$13 FANAUE Handlebar Clamp Mount U-bolt Base with B Size 1" Ball for 0.85" to 1.14" Diameter Rail, Compatible with RAM Mounts B Size Double Socket Arm & Motorcycle Phone Mount

Amazon.com: FANAUE Handlebar Clamp Mount U-bolt Base with B Size 1" Ball for 0.85" to 1.14" Diameter Rail, Compatible with RAM Mounts B Size Double Socket Arm & Motorcycle Phone Mount : Automotive) The mic will be remote mounted down by where it was before using a female to female RJ11. I wanted a slick dash plug, but the RJ11 options are slim, and the two free spots by the cup holders are for my seat heaters.

The below location was a good spot, but I couldn't put a tall coffee mug or water bottle in the cup holder below it. Also blocked the view of the seat heater switch.

Before:


Now: (don't mind the crack in the window, it happens).

 

Check out bulletpoint for a mic mount. I love the ram x-grip of whatever it's called. I've two of them on different vehicles, but the bulletpoint mic mount is perfect. It's a different ball size than ram, so you'll have to use one of their clamps too, but we'll worth it.

 

Recently posted in Amateur (Ham) Radio BS and Callsign Thread! but forgot to post here. I took some inspiration from this thread before doing the install. Thanks to all the great info and ideas.



Installed an FTM500 in my truck two weeks back.

Used PCTEL NMO Mount on the Victory 4x4 bracket. The mount is designed for a thick surface so I had to put a bend in the Victory bracket. If the mount or coax ever fails I may look for a different mount that does not has as many threads on it but I liked the construction and how it appears very water resistant. I added some clear silicone under the bracket the next day (not shown in the photo).



The coax is routed over the hinge, fed into a cable sheath, and behind a panel in the engine bay then through the firewall on the passenger side and over to the driver side where I tipped the cable.



Radio body is mounted under the driver seat with the included bracket to the seat springs with some zip ties. I was able to mount the bracket then slide in the radio. You can make out in the photo a Mobilinkd TNC4 which I attached to the back side of the radio with some velcro. It is powered by USB running to an aux power source I have by the driver side footwell fuse box I have posted about before.

The Mobilinkd improves the APRS interaction with the radio in my opinion by allowing the use of a mobile app like APRSdriod. I tested two antennas with an antenna analyzer and got good readings. With a Comet SBB5 I was getting 1.03 on 70cm and 1.01 on 2m.



For the mic I used an RJ45 passthrough Toyota switch and added it closest to the driver. I had already relocated the ETC to the shift knob and deleted the Qi button a while back. So I moved the BSM and Parking switches over a space. I had deleted the Qi early on as I don't even have a phone with wireless charging and had heard of the bubble that happens. Well the bubble happens sometimes even if you never use the charger. For this install I finally did a full delete of the charger, I found the SR5 cubby online and swapped it out.

Magnets were added to the underside of the cubby and some JBWeld Plastic apoxy. Another RJ45 passthrough was added to the back of the cubby. Yaesu sells a steel bracket that I attached to the head unit and it sticks nice to the magnets. When testing it indoors I was holding the plastic trim upside down and shaking it and the head unit did not budge. Hopefully it holds up over time but I am happy with the result. The magnets also hold anything magnetic in place that I toss in the cubby which is a plus.







The head unit and mic are stowed away in the center console when I don't need or want to use the radio.

Power for the radio is connected to one of my switch pros inputs.

 

Updated my in-dash cb install. Had to replace the stereo head unit. While I was in there, I installed my 3D printed bezel that goes around the CB and head unit. Also concealed all of the wireless charging power cables. Tempted to get a Bluetooth mic for the CB to go 100% cable-less on the dash.

 

SIR! SIR!
One does not casually wear cargo khakis in such a vehicle.
Go put on the appropriate Nomex Suit for such an awesome ride with an exo and all that tech.

 

I did drive it around town with my helmet on once to test out the seat/harness position. That got me some odd looks at red lights.

 

Is that a new radio??

I had that same one in my old pathfinder, must be almost 20 years old and when I dug it out of a box the rubber on the mic cable is just falling apart.
I’m surprised you have one in good shape.

I ended up buying that midland that a few people have and been another box sitting in installation-limbo for a while.

 

Do you have a pic, link or part number for the braided ground?

I was going to mount my firestik on that bed rail and when I spoke with firestik they said I’d have to run a ground since the rail is only attached to the plastic bed.
Also that it needed to be a braided cable not just a wire (radio newb).

Eventually I’m looking to get a high clearance rear bumper and would move the antenna to that.

….another sidelined limbo project.

 

They still make them IIRC. Mines 5 years old

 

Looks like they updated it and similar to the midland I bought.

https://www.cobra.com/products/75-allroad

 

KG-1000G+ (GMRS is UHF but figured the install would still help folks)