Communication Antenna Mounting Options 5th gen

[mouse007]

Ditto what others have said about the NMO trunk lip mount.

I put a 2M whip on our 2011 and it worked great.

Still haven't moved the radio gear over to the 2016 yet... but will be doing the same setup.

To answer your question about radios... I love my Kenwood TM281, but it's only a 2m rig.
Kenwood makes a TM-V71A that works in the 144/440 bands. Get the MARS mod done and it will open up your options for private comms.

Main Trading Co has great deals on HAM gear and they are super to deal with.
Amateur Ham Radio - VHF UHF Transcievers - VHF UHF Mobile - Kenwood - Main Trading Company

[MENTION=127177]Dragracer_Art[/MENTION] - this spot is perfect for the HAM Radio. Do you have more pictures of the process..? How is it secured..? I see you now have a 2016 have you transfer this over..? I want to do the same, but would like the colors to match the "Blue" of the 4Runner. I had this same Kenwood in My Tacoma, loved it very user friendly. Do you know of any HAM's that light up "Blue" and have a frontal speaker..?

 

[Dragracer_Art]

[MENTION=127177]Dragracer_Art[/MENTION] - this spot is perfect for the HAM Radio. Do you have more pictures of the process..? How is it secured..? I see you now have a 2016 have you transfer this over..? I want to do the same, but would like the colors to match the "Blue" of the 4Runner. I had this same Kenwood in My Tacoma, loved it very user friendly. Do you know of any HAM's that light up "Blue" and have a frontal speaker..?

Sorry those were the only pics I took.

The process involved removing the console and plastic dash parts to cut the back of the pocket open.
The radio was too deep to fit without chopping a hole in the duct that feeds the vents in the back of the console. It runs directly behind that pocket.
I'd recommend a smaller radio or one with a remote faceplate if you dont want to sacrifice the duct.
I still haven't done the install in my new 4R yet for this reason.

 

[Ol'Baditude]

I'm surprised some of you mount your antennas so close to the engine block. I try to mount mine as far away as possible to avoid the electrical interference generated by the alternator.

If for some crazy reason you happened to route the feedline past the alternator it might cause some interference, but if the feedline is just coming directly out of the grommet in the firewall or a hole in the cowling straight to the antenna mount, there's no issue for regular UHF/VHF communications.

 

[mouse007]

Sorry those were the only pics I took.

The process involved removing the console and plastic dash parts to cut the back of the pocket open.
The radio was too deep to fit without chopping a hole in the duct that feeds the vents in the back of the console. It runs directly behind that pocket.
I'd recommend a smaller radio or one with a remote faceplate if you dont want to sacrifice the duct.
I still haven't done the install in my new 4R yet for this reason.

Oh..!! Got you, thanks. So how bad was the cut on the A/C duct...? Are you planing on doing the same on the New 4R..? I like the option of the "Face Plate" HAM's but, how do you think the sound will be if the unit is tucked under the seat per say..? [MENTION=127177]Dragracer_Art[/MENTION]