1. Welcome to Tacoma World!

    You are currently viewing as a guest! To get full-access, you need to register for a FREE account.

    As a registered member, you’ll be able to:
    • Participate in all Tacoma discussion topics
    • Communicate privately with other Tacoma owners from around the world
    • Post your own photos in our Members Gallery
    • Access all special features of the site

Ashtray Ham Radio

Discussion in '1st Gen. Tacomas (1995-2004)' started by Johndeere40, Jul 6, 2021.

  1. Jul 6, 2021 at 6:04 AM
    #1
    Johndeere40

    Johndeere40 [OP] Member

    Joined:
    Aug 11, 2019
    Member:
    #301873
    Messages:
    7
    Gender:
    Male
    Vehicle:
    '03 TRD Off Road
    I'm looking for a Ham radio that will fit in the ashtray of a 1st gen, anyone know of any that fit?
    I've seen guys do it with CB's and @Willbeck stuffed a 25w rugged radio in there that appears to be out of stock everywhere.
    On that note, anyone have a RM25r from Rugged Radios they're looking to part with?
     
  2. Jul 6, 2021 at 10:17 AM
    #2
    0xDEADBEEF

    0xDEADBEEF Swaying to the Symphony of Destruction

    Joined:
    Mar 2, 2019
    Member:
    #285037
    Messages:
    19,474
    Vehicle:
    2000 reg cab 4x4 flatbed MT
    Alot of the rugged radios are just rebranded chinese radios, might have better luck figuring out which is which and searching for those.
     
    Johndeere40[OP] likes this.
  3. Jul 6, 2021 at 10:22 AM
    #3
    TMFF

    TMFF Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Dec 7, 2011
    Member:
    #68368
    Messages:
    2,557
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Tim
    Thornton, CO
    Vehicle:
    01/02 DCLB
    Stuff and junk and things...
    Johndeere40[OP] likes this.
  4. Jul 6, 2021 at 10:25 AM
    #4
    Johndeere40

    Johndeere40 [OP] Member

    Joined:
    Aug 11, 2019
    Member:
    #301873
    Messages:
    7
    Gender:
    Male
    Vehicle:
    '03 TRD Off Road
    Awesome! Thanks guys!
    The B-Tech version of that rugged radio I was initially looking for is the BTech UV-2501.

    @TMFF I was looking at that one, good to know it'll fit!
     
  5. Jul 6, 2021 at 10:35 AM
    #5
    TMFF

    TMFF Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Dec 7, 2011
    Member:
    #68368
    Messages:
    2,557
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Tim
    Thornton, CO
    Vehicle:
    01/02 DCLB
    Stuff and junk and things...
    I recommend you get a externa speaker too, it's a little quiet in the dash.

    The RR kit isn't bad ready to run at $300.

    https://www.ruggedradios.com/collec...5-watt-waterproof-dual-band-amateur-radio-kit

    Edit: GMRS kit is a little cheaper if you don't need the HAM channels.

    https://www.ruggedradios.com/collec...s/products/rugged-gmr25-mobile-gmrs-radio-kit
     
  6. Jul 6, 2021 at 10:38 AM
    #6
    Johndeere40

    Johndeere40 [OP] Member

    Joined:
    Aug 11, 2019
    Member:
    #301873
    Messages:
    7
    Gender:
    Male
    Vehicle:
    '03 TRD Off Road
    @TMFF Noted. How bad was it to program the BTech version? Also where did you end up mounting your antenna?
     
  7. Jul 6, 2021 at 10:39 AM
    #7
    TMFF

    TMFF Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Dec 7, 2011
    Member:
    #68368
    Messages:
    2,557
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Tim
    Thornton, CO
    Vehicle:
    01/02 DCLB
    Stuff and junk and things...
    I used Chirp to program, easy enough to do.

    I have a mag mount that I put up when I'm using the radio.
     
  8. May 1, 2023 at 4:32 PM
    #8
    Natenite

    Natenite Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    May 12, 2019
    Member:
    #293056
    Messages:
    423
    Gender:
    Male
    Springfield Mo
    Vehicle:
    2003 Tacoma 4d TRD Radiant Red
  9. May 1, 2023 at 6:06 PM
    #9
    De_Birria

    De_Birria Active Member

    Joined:
    Mar 7, 2023
    Member:
    #419575
    Messages:
    26
    Gender:
    Male
    Vehicle:
    1997 Tacoma 4x4
    Run a fused power cable from the battery through the firewall. Hopefully these radios have gotten better. I bought one years ago when they first came out to stick in my commuter car but the firmware was so terrible I returned it.
     
    Natenite likes this.

Products Discussed in

To Top