Pictures of my ham radio install

[Saker]

For those who want more SWR information...

I took a couple readings with the truck outside away from buildings. The SWR is actually better than when I tested stand-alone.

With the short SS460SB, it is 1.3 on both 146 and 446.

With the longer SBB5, it is just under 1.2 on 146 and 1.2 on 446.

On the packaging for both antennas, Comet states the SWR is "less than 1.5". There's not much point in tuning this any further, I suppose.

I agree with [MENTION=118444]flyinhawaiian01[/MENTION] about leaving the antenna the way it is... you've got really good readings there.

I used to mess with CB's a lot of years ago, powered and barefoot.
Some antennas left hardly any room for adjustment when tuning.
One trick we used to do was to clip 1/16" off of antennas to achieve lower SWR's. until we got the readings where desired. Of course this was no whip antennas.

Looks like your set up will serve you well.
Nice job and write-up! :thumb3:

 

[itsdchz]

Very nice write up and install.
Thanks for sharing!

 

[DesertEagle]

Really Nice Write Up

Thanks for the great write - up I like the approach and that is a great spot for the CB

 

[proimion]

Some updates after a bit of use.

First, the external speaker. I put it back on because at highways speeds I just couldn't hear. I did get a slightly smaller speaker, though.

Second, the cubbyhole mount. The faceplate was just getting too jiggly for me. So I pulled it out and instead of using a 2x4, I cut down a piece of 2x10 scrap. This means the faceplate now has wood block behind it all the way. I had to drill a hole in the wood for the faceplate wire. Then instead of Velcro I used some Loctite double-sided tape, both to secure the bottom of the block to the cubbyhole and then the faceplate to the block. I also used a sharpie to color the block black around the edges of the faceplate so it would blend in.

Now the thing is totally rock solid. In fact, when I want to remove it, I'm gonna have to work at it.

 

[RoverGS]

Did you ever mount your ham radio? I'm interested in the same radio but I'd like to see a clean professional looking installation option.

Awesome. I was debating whether to order a speaker or not. I'll give it a shot without it then, and hopefully I'll be able to get by without one.

 

[4Roamer]

Nice job. I didn't look at your location until I saw you on 145.145. Howdy from a fellow Denver-ish ham.

 

[diodia]

The instructions in this thread are exactly what I was looking for. Thanks a ton!

 

[TheDozer]

So for the speaker side of HAM I see 4 options...

1. Rely on the built in speaker of the HAM radio.
2. Use a separate speaker which seems to be a popular option.
3. Plug the aux. out to aux. in to use through 4Runner speakers.
4. Bluetooth connection to the 4Runner speakers.

I guess options 3 and 4 could result in feedback or could be annoying having to turn off the radio and go to the specific input within the settings of your 4runner radio receiver each time you want audio.

Thoughts?

 

[4runnin4mylife]

I went with option 2 just for the reason you said. I wanted to keep my ham radio completely separate from my truck inputs on the radio. Didn't wanna have the radio on an input just sitting there scanning listening to nothing when I could be jamming out to a good song waiting on some activity from my external speaker.

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[4Running303]

I've held off on a speaker for now...mainly cause the Icom 2730a that I have is fairly loud. I have the brains mounted underneath the front passenger seat and I hear all the rag chew in the morning just fine cruising to work on i-70.

I'd suggest waiting on a speaker until you feel you need it. If there is an HRO near you, they have a lot of the mobile units mounted up...so take a listen to see how loud they are with their built in speakers.

 

[TheDozer]

I've held off on a speaker for now...mainly cause the Icom 2730a that I have is fairly loud. I have the brains mounted underneath the front passenger seat and I hear all the rag chew in the morning just fine cruising to work on i-70.

I'd suggest waiting on a speaker until you feel you need it. If there is an HRO near you, they have a lot of the mobile units mounted up...so take a listen to see how loud they are with their built in speakers.

I need to finish my Gordo study guide and take the test then I'll be installing a unit in the rig. Want to make it at clean as possible so might have to try the built in speaker method first. Can't wait!

 

[BettysNephew]

I had a 2730 mounted under the passenger seat on my 2015 Trail and it was loud enough without the speaker. So much so that my girlfriend jumped whenever it broke squelch. waiting for parts from HRO to start install on the 2017 LE.

 

[Ryan1975]

If you live in a salty / snowy region you will likely have some rust with the K400 / hatch mount location. FYI.

 

[proimion]

So for the speaker side of HAM I see 4 options...

1. Rely on the built in speaker of the HAM radio.
2. Use a separate speaker which seems to be a popular option.
3. Plug the aux. out to aux. in to use through 4Runner speakers.
4. Bluetooth connection to the 4Runner speakers.

I guess options 3 and 4 could result in feedback or could be annoying having to turn off the radio and go to the specific input within the settings of your 4runner radio receiver each time you want audio.

Thoughts?

I tried both 1 & 2. 1 was fine until highway speeds then it just wasn't loud enough. Then I'd forget I had the volume cranked and then when back on slower/quieter speeds it would scare everyone when something came through.

 

[Avalchfan]

Thanks for the instructions! I'm going to be doing this in mine soon. And just moved to Denver, so thanks for the tip on the freq. Was wondering which group to go with, and will be joining the Colo. Repeater Club also now.. See you on the air or out in the wild!

 

[proimion]

Thanks for the instructions! I'm going to be doing this in mine soon. And just moved to Denver, so thanks for the tip on the freq. Was wondering which group to go with, and will be joining the Colo. Repeater Club also now.. See you on the air or out in the wild!

Also check out Colorado Connection, the awesome linked repeater network. Not for "rag chewing" around town, but great for communicating statewide or emergencies. I have all the ColCon repeaters pre programmed. Colcon.org


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[Coyotegray]

My installation is still a work in progress.
I'm waiting on getting a cargo rack installed before doing anything permanent with the antenna installation but this is where it is at temporarily..

 

[Dravur]

Tagging this one, doing my radio install now.

 

[LT Ambrose 26]

[MENTION=157339]Coyotegray[/MENTION], would you mind sharing more details about how you mounted your unit on the ceiling against the lights?

 

[Coyotegray]

[MENTION=157339]Coyotegray[/MENTION], would you mind sharing more details about how you mounted your unit on the ceiling against the lights?

The radio is an Yaesu FT-857D. It comes with everything needed to remotely mount the control head.

That area of the headliner is reinforced with thick plastic so I was able to just use the screws that came with the radio to mount it to the head liner. The cable runs through the overhead console along the top/left side of the windshield under the headliner down the post, under the lower door opening trim to the radio mounted under the drivers seat.

I ran an extension for the mic from the radio up through the center console to the cubby hole under the A/C Controls where I can plug in the mic.

ETA: I also ordered an external speaker but it was to big to mount in the cubby hole so I removed the speaker from its case and it fits ok. Needs some more work but you cant really even see it.