Another Ham Radio Install

Quite an easy install.

- TYT 9000D
- 18ft TruckSpec Mini Coax Cable
- Heavy Duty Antenna Stud Mount
- 4ft Firestik II
- 4ft 12 Gauge Wire With Ring Wire Connectors
- 2 inch of 90 Degree Angled Hole Steel

1: If installing in front center console the back will need to be cut out for best fitment.

2: Run the coax under the front driver side carpet to the plastic plate covering the wiring next to the door, then under the rear driver side carpet to the first grommet no need to remove the seats as it is easily reached by barely pulling up the carpet. After the grommet run the coax in the frame rail to protect it. I ran mine up behind the cab and over the front bed rail but you could run up through the bed rail.

3: For mounting the Antenna see pict it explains more far better than I can.

4: Since you will need a ground plane attach a wire with ring wire connectors on each end one side to the antenna stud mount and the other to the frame rail I found a bolt holding the bracket for the brake line to be the best spot.

5: Back in the cab attach your power wires to the back of the device and run the cable through the back of the front center console and under the carpet behind the peddles to the firewall boot( I had to cut the wire since mine came pre fused if yours is not you will need to add a fuse no bigger than 10 amps) I used to clothes hanger method another member suggested to pull the wire through the firewall boot.

6: I directly attached the positive and negative wires directly to battery to cut down on any electrical noise that could come from the engine.

7: On manual transmission trucks the front center console is very small so I did not attach any mounts a benefit is its such a squeeze that once in it does not move. Also if antenna is going to be mounted permanently than I recommend loctite on the stud as it has a tendency to come un done on rough trails or long distance travel. With the coax cable for added protection under the truck I added a corrugated plastic tube over it.

 

Will add more pictures later.

 

How tall is the radio? Short enough to fit in persay... a single-din compartment?

 

cool set up did you fuse the negative as well?

 

How are those radios in general, quality?

 

So far so good, only had for a few weeks. All the online chatter and reviews say this is the best radio for your monies.

 

The radio came with the power cables double fused on positive wire and single fused on negative wire.

 

Most hams are going to a tight squeeze with this it's not really the height or width but length at almost over 10 inches some cutting a drilling might be necessary.

 

Good to know thanks for the info

 

Decided to ditch lame rednick antenna mount and paid a whopping 10 bucks for this mount at the local truck stop. By the way this mounting position I found I do not need a grounding wire.

 

I'm curious about the firestik antenna as they don't list a 1.25m antenna.

Also, how much activity do you see on that band. Here in PHX it's not dead, but it's not very active. 2m is by far the hot with 70 on its tail

 

The antenna is a firestik II every ham owner I talked to said it would not work but so far its picked put Raleigh frequencies in Boone(200 miles as the crow flies)
Around here its pretty dead, other than Fire/EMS frequency most HAM operators tune into repeaters and have weekly group sessions(they are really boring) but other than that, its dead.

 

Cool I was looking into a Yaesu FTM 400 dr just haven't pulled the trigger yet and I need to take the test my studying has fallen off due to work

 

I feel y

I feel ya, I not had time to take the test. Life has been way to busy might be fall before I can take it.

 

Ok, yeah.... you might hear people but your SWR will be through the roof when you transmit. you need to buy a proper ham antenna made for 220mhz. If you need help with any of this, hit me up. I'm in Apex and Been a ham for 20+ years. Also an electronics engineer.

 

I'm holding out for a removable face 2m. I know, I'll be dead first.

 

I hate to discredit your 20 years of ham experience but last week I had my antenna tuned by Racing Radios in Mooresville and everything is fine, SWR is at a level I can live with, though not perfect but it does work and transmissions come in clear as bell.
Eh who knows made its the radio making me look or just dumb luck. Should get together sometime go wheeling.

 

While looking for mine I found a couple of the removable face ones on the interweb but they were expensive as in over $400. When they come down on price I might be up grading.

 

Usually Antennas are made to be full, half or 1/4 of the wavelength. seems that a 1/4 wave 11m CB antenna is almost exactly double the wavelength of 220mhz. I'm researching the use of double wavelength antennas. I have never heard of anyone making a double wavelength antenna. its entirely possible that it works.

 

Ya, like all multifreq radios it should be about $20 for the patch cable but alas it's "different" so lets charge a bundle. I'm waiting too