So, I took the leap and am going from a 2008 Sport to 2013 Limited. I have a mobile rig that I'd like to be able to take in the house for RTTY/Packet. Has anyone done a full side mount against the console on the passenger side?

Question two: What antenna mounts are you using and how have they treated your paint job? Any tricks to keeping the paint job from getting scratched?

73s

Can't help with the rig mount but for the antennas I'm going to use a K9000 for vhf/uhf and a hitch mount for HF. I don't see where there would be any paint issues with any permanent antenna mount. If you're planning on a mag-mount the only thing you can do to reduce scratching is to put a piece of Saran wrap under the mount and replace it every time. This stops direct contact and also will remove any metal particles when you take off the Saran wrap.

Actually the hitch mount may be the way to go. I'm running a Yaesu 8900 and the stick required to run all four bands may be perfect on the hitch. Didn't even think about that. Cheers!

Ive actually been thinking about getting my HAM license for the last few weeks. How difficult is the test if you have a background in electronics and Military Aviation radios?(Im a USCG Avionics Tech) I heard you can take the test online now, is that true?

I have no idea. I tested when I was in high school (late 80s early 90s) before the rule change regarding no CW. I would guess with your background it wouldn't be too hard especially on theory if you understand the theory of high frequency radios. You won't need to worry about VOR sites (though I suspect most modern avionics don't!) You will, though, need to know FCC rules and regs - along with protocol. Several good books out there are quite helpful. I learned using Gordon West's stuff. Hope that helps. I'd look up a local amateur radio club and join. They're always willing to help. And as I once heard someone say- if you show up six times in a row, they'll probably ask you to run for office!

No, you can't take the test on-line. There are sites that let you take practice tests on-line but they don't give you a license.

There are three levels of ham license, Technician, General and Extra. Each gives additional privileges and the tests get harder with the general and extra class license. Everyone starts with Technician since it's the easiest to get. I'm an extra class examiner with the local ham club and we have licensed many kids, some as young a 8yrs old so you could say the technician test is easy. It requires very little knowledge of radio theory and electronics. Some knowledge of the FCC rules and basic safety are required. There is a good instructional book that covers everything you need to know to pass your technician test as well as dates and locations where tests are given on American Radio Relay League | ARRL - The national association for AMATEUR RADIO.

Yaesu 8900 w/ CR8900 ant in my TE

Ryan, are you using one of those lip mounts? And where did you mount the base unit?

The motorized K9000 mounts are the the best! I love mine and highly recommend it.

Yup...standard K400 type mount. Mounted in the glove box with velcro. Ran cool the entire way from KC to OKC and back this weekend...70mi of coverage (about normal).

BTW - I went from a 2008 Sport Edition to a 2012 Trail Edition. Very similar...weird that you're going to a Limited.

I am running or going to be running a similar setup to Ryan's I have the Yaesu 8800R and will be running a Diamond K400S mount on the rear hatch holding a Diamond NR770 antenna. For mounting the radio, I am going to put the brain under the passenger seat and then the face plate I might get creative, but that will have to wait.

I did the same setup with my 4G...on that truck the windshield was closer...so it was good...on this truck with so much more dash space the head unit is pretty far away.

I'm still ok to handle it at 80mph changing repeaters...but not as close as I'd like. I definitely hit the flashers at 80mph more than a few times programming a new repeater.

Long time listener. First time caller.

Thank you for the best support site on the net. This has done more to sell me on my next truck than my father-in-law, wife or the dealer ever could.

I have been sandbagging for a few months now. Working on saving up for a 4 Runner after the wife shot down the pick-up truck and Jeep. The other alternative I am allowed is a Land Rover Discovery or Defender since she enjoys driving those....all in good time!

I had to post on this thread as someone who is a ham and who does tend to take the current rig into forested areas. My advice:

DRILL THE HOLE!

It only hurts the first time. When you are done you can seek counseling.

Get a real Larsen NMO mount with an NMO 270 antenna. The combination is indestructible and waterproof (and by extension rust proof.) You can mount it either on your roof or hood. Other mounts like those in the fire service between the hood and the quarter panel can work work well if properly installed and sealed.

Some other items:

Mechanically this approach is much safer for you. I have had mag mounts come off at highway speeds from my current 02 Ford Escape (it's what I could afford 6 years ago). These pinch type mounts (couple set screws holding on the antenna to a piece of metal with a strip of aluminum or other metal or just having set screws into the vehicle, will work short term, until you hit a tree or other object (experience here). Then it scratches the paint horribly. Not to mention it cuts through the finish and leaves two tiny areas for rust.

For HF I saw one mount I really liked here. Someone had it mounted on their front brush bar nicely. That is commonly used and, if the guard is welded on, works great. There are plenty of reasons NOT to use the trailer hitch, all due to a lack of electrical or mechanically solid bonds.

Currently I use a Tarheel Model 75 on a mount welded to the back of the truck. With the whip deployed, use a heavy spring in the woods or tie it off to the front of the vehicle. It has survived most everything I hit with it and has an electrically sound connection to the vehicle.

Just my two cents.

Again, thank you and I really enjoy this site. Keep up the great work!