Yaesu FT-8900R Radio install.

There are already many great writes ups about installing ham radios so I wont go into great detail. Instead here are some pics with a few notes.

Lifting the seat to mount the radio under the seat.


You can see the console lifted to facilitate running the wire between the remote head and radio.


Radio mounted with zip ties under the seat.


Another view of the console lifted.


Make note to pull down on the shift boot to release it from the shift knob before unscrewing the shift knob.


Overhead console removed to facilitate wiring in an external speaker.


The head liner is semi-rigid so 2 holes were put into the head liner and plastic screw anchors were pressed in. This allows the bracket to be attached.
There is a plastic support brace around the inside of the square hole in headliner, if I wanted to, I could have moved the bracket a bit closer to the hole and just screwed the bracket into the headliner catching the plastic support. But to me it just didn't look right having the speaker so close to the overhead console.


For reference, here is the backside of the overhead console.


A-Pillar removed to run the wire for the extension speaker, which also runs along the windshield just inside the headliner.
The wire shown with the small antenna is for my remote start. The white air bag is shown within the A-pillar. Make sure no wires are wrapped around the air bag when finished.


The power and antenna wire going through the grommet on the passenger side fire wall.
Note that the grommet is doubled-walled. Once you punch through the rubber on the fire wall side, there is a small void behind it and then a second layer of rubber you need to punch through.


Antenna mounted.



Remote head mounted on Gooseneck.


Remote Head

 

Nice job and good use of the goose neck, I can't see the wires running up the goose neck. Is that strategic photography or are the remote extension wires tucked inside the goose neck?

 

Very nice. Your post was just in time. I'm currently planning a FT-857 installation. Currently contemplating the challenges of antenna mounting and position. Also contemplating the use of an antenna tuner.

Suggestions? I'll post photos when I have completed my task. 73, KO6JF

 

Thanks. The wires are run outside the gooseneck with strategic use of black zip ties. I'm not sure how or if it's possible to run the wire inside the neck but you now have me curious enough to investigate.

 

This is my first time using a radio that's more than a 2m/70cm in a mobile setup. The 8900R is also 6 and 10m. The antenna is a Diamond CR8900 which is a quad band designed for the Yaesu 8900R. I've also yet to try to make a contact on 6m or 10m while mobile. I installed the radio and then got busy with work and what not. Hopefully I can get time to play this week.
I've never used a 857 but I understand that the LDG YT 100 interfaces nicely with it.

 

I am in the process of mounting a similar radio. Just got the truck two weeks ago. I went through the driver side grommet for power, and mounted the speaker up under the dash. I like where you put yours, but I guess I'm not that brave I am going with the unholy vent mount with a ram ball for the control head. I tweaked the dash face plate to allow the control cable through without pinching it too much.

I still haven't figured out how to lift the console like you did. Does it simply come straight up and maybe I'm just being too timid?

John, NM3P

 

Yes. The center portion of the console lifts straight up. Start towards the back and work forward. I did use a large flat head screwdriver wrapped in black tape to help "pry" in certain areas and add some leverage to getting the console dislodged.
I like the unholy mount a lot but was affraid to have the remote head sitting so high in direct sunlight.

 

Nice clean install! I also recently installed an 8900R, but haven't opted for a quad band antenna yet, just 2m/70cm. Mainly as I wanted a shorter antenna to help limit it bouncing off of branches on the trails; and not sure how much use I'd get out of 10/6.

 

Yea, I thought about that originally, but in the end, the head has a 'hood' of sorts over the display, very similar to yours, so as long as I keep the angle down a little, I think it will be ok.

Thanks for your post.

 

how is this mounting holding up? looking to install my FT-857D remote faceplate in the headliner right above my head in front of sun shade.

 

Is that the Lido gooseneck?
I'm looking at the same mount for my FT-7900.
Any shakes?

 

It's holding up great. No issues whatsoever.

 

I do not know what the brand name is. I picked it up on Amazon.

Car Floor Seat Bolt Mount for ICOM IC-703 IC-706 IC-706MKII IC-7000 IC-2800H IC-2700H Yaesu FT-7800 FT-7800R FT-7900 FT-8800R FT-8900R FT-857D Wouxun KG-UV920P KG-UV920R AnyTone AT5888UV Remote Head

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00M8DUVK6?psc=1&ref=yo_pop_mb_pd
There's some slight vibration when the truck goes over bumps as expected. During normal crusing there's none.

 

Nice install! I'm still planning mine, and was wondering which antenna mounts those are, and is the antenna mount bonded to ground?

 

Wow, that’s a really clean install, nicely done!

 

Here’s how I did mine.

 

It's the Diamond Antenna KS400 mount.
I installed a flat braided copper cable about 18" long from the antenna mount to a frame/body bolt in the engine compartment. If you go this route, make sure its long enough to give the braided cable some slack to avoid stressing it while the hood is open/closed.

 

Any issues having mounted the antenna this way? I looked into mounting my antenna this way but the fender panel lip seemed a bit too soft for me. I was afraid it wouldn't handle the flexing of a swaying antenna.

 

Awesome, just what I was looking for!

 

I used this style of mounting on my Dodge Ram 2500 with a 3 foot fire stick. Put foam padding around it but it rubbed the paint away within 6 mounts and was terrible on the coax. Wouldn't recommend for thick, fiberglass antennas. mount wasn't strong enough for the weight of the antenna. maybe with whip style antennas it might work.