Outdoor Adventure USA

Mobile Ham Radio Installation

Here's a topic that we all can appreciate. Whether you drive a 4WD, 2WD, or a motorcycle, proper installation means reliability, good looks and functionality. Every vehicle is different with unique installation requirements, and since there are no fixed or standard methods for mounting your radio, it means that there are a huge number of ways to do so.

With safety at the top of the list of priorities, we want to cover as many different options and techniques as possible. Let us know about your installations, tips, pitfalls and recommendations.

Please post up your favorite Mobile install. Bring your tips tricks or questions. Let us know if you had an install that you would not recommend.

Remote faceplate mounting options
Mobile installations should be solid, safe, provide good visibility
We want to be able to see the display and easily adjust controls without having to take our eyes off the trail.

Radio body mounting options

Please check me in.

WD6USA
Jeff, Highland, CA

My Kenwood TH-D710 installation in 2006 Toyota Sequoia
Crude DIY, but stable for around 10 years.

Starting at the battery. Positives to positive terminal, negatives to ground on body. 10 AWG power cable directly connected to battery.

The firewall had a boot with an unused opening, so routed wires through there. Relay and other wires for rack-mounted lighting.

Entry into cabin. Powerpole splitter behind brake pedal from battery to: 1) radio, 2) switched power to charge on-board battery and run refrigerator when alternator on, and 3) switched power (white wire and relay) to charge vehicle battery off solar panel when alternator off.

Main body of radio with forward-facing speaker just forward of accelerator pedal where it won't hit my leg. Heavy radio unit is screwed into plastic. Speaker held by 3M Dual Lock Fastener (more below). I have twice had the antenna cable fall off presumably unscrewing due to vibration.

Front view of dashboard with radio head unit, cheap Android phone for running APRSdroid showing position of stations on map, and GPS unit to only provide location.

Old TH-D710 does not have built-in GPS. Originally used an aftermarket product for the GPS, but the connector went bad and the product was discontinued when Kenwood started making newer units with built-in GPS, so used ancient Garmin GPSmap 60CSx.

Custom machined aluminum mount on back of radio head. The phone actually connects via Bluetooth to a hidden Mobilinkd TNC (terminal node controller http://www.mobilinkd.com/) which is directly connected to the radio audio. I can have two APRS setups simultaneously running: 1) the TH-D710's usual APRS and 2) the Mobilinkd TNC APRS running when I want map display. My wife correctly complains that access to the radio is difficult.

Top view of dashboard showing ugly RAM Mount configuration holding radio head, Android phone, and GPS. All is held to the dash with 3M Dual Lock Fastener (more below). While this slightly wobbles, it has been stable for 10 years over many rough roads.

Also use the Dual Lock Fastener to attach the microphone to the front of the dash. It wears out about every three years.

Antenna mount is attached to rack. Thin antenna cable runs under back hatch door insulation, then gets wider inside the vehicle where it runs along the floor to the radio. Ground wire from rack to vehicle rear hatch didn't appear to improve signal.

Very useful stuff! 3M Dual Lock Fastener. Very sticky and stable, but can be peeled off without leaving any residue. Some adhesives would not stick well to the dashboard.

Please check me in KM6OJB.
Thanks
Joe

Thanks for early check in, KF6KOC Randy & KF6RGR Becky.

I mounted my radio using a piece of 2X4 glued to the roof of FJ using an aviation grade adhesive. The 2X4 fit perfectly between the headliner and roof. Radio bracket was position and screwed to 2X4 at a angle for ease of use and visibility.

I then ran the power cable, antenna, and controls for folding antenna mount between the headliner and roof down the A pillar. Power cables were fused at both the radio and battery.

The power and control cables for the folding antenna mount as well as antenna coax were then run outside the FJ to the roof via A pillar removable cover and under a plastic roof gutter cover.

One thing to think about when installing a radio is the angle of the radio head. Some displays are impossible to read if you where polarized sunglasses.

Check in please - Thanks - Bernie