Kenwood ham radio install - Pic heavy

[Phyguy]

I finally got my head unit mounted. I wanted a location that was easy to see and easy to reach.

I ordered this mount from ProClip:
Ford F-150 - 2009-2013 - ProClip Center Mount*-*ProClip Car Mounts for Mobile Phones, Tablet, and Handheld Devices
It is a pretty good solution, but for the price point, I was a little disappointed in the fit and finish.

I drilled a hole pattern to match the head unit mount and screwed it all together with the screws from the radio. Then, I drilled a 1/2" hole in the center speaker plate to run the cable through and routed the cable up through the dash using a fish tape.

Here is the hole (the rubber cover conceals it very well and lays pretty flat in that corner):


Here is the head unit mounted:

Is the arm pretty stout? Wondering if it will flop around during offroading?

Looks good!

 

[KaiserM715]

i dont want to derail the thread, but there is a company called panavise, they make a lot of vsm (vehicle specific mount) brackets used to hold phone, portable satellite radio, and ipod cradles. judging by the looks of kaisers's screen i dont think there would be an issue mounting to it. just another mounting option.......

I looked at some of the PanaVise stuff. It looks like the quality is better than ProClip, but due to the form factor of the head unit, some of the controls or 12v outlets would have been blocked.

Is the arm pretty stout? Wondering if it will flop around during offroading?

Looks good!

It seems to be pretty rigid. I can push the buttons with only very slight flex in the whole setup.

Hopefully it will get a little off-road testing this weekend!

 

[All The Way]

Will it survive a mega huck?

 

[KaiserM715]

Will it survive a mega huck?

I would imagine so, but I am not planning on finding out

 

[Stepside]

Not sure. It will depend on if you can get a coax connector and antenna to work with the mount. I want to think that CBs do not use either the NMO or SO-239 used by hams, but I am not sure. I bet there is something out there.

~ SO-239 is the female of the PL-259 connector ~

Most all HAM radios and all CBs have the SO-239
on the rear of the radio . . just waiting for you to
insert your PL-259 ~

 

[SwampKing]

Great write ! Must you have your ham license before you can purchase the radio? Any info would be great in regards to a link to get our hams/license?





'12 Race Red Raptor SCAB (Loaded to the max!)
SCABS are faster!!
'08 SeaDoo RXP-X Clockin' 80+ GPS

 

[KaiserM715]

Great write ! Must you have your ham license before you can purchase the radio? Any info would be great in regards to a link to get our hams/license?

Thanks! You do not have to have a license to buy one, but you are legally required to have a license to transmit.

Here are a couple of threads to get you started:
http://www.fordraptorforum.com/f12/practical-ham-beginners-guide-16841/
http://www.fordraptorforum.com/f170/become-ham-radio-operator-11756/

 

[SwampKing]

^ thanks!

 

[Stepside]

Great write ! Must you have your ham license before you can purchase the radio? Any info would be great in regards to a link to get our hams/license?

Go to this web site:

American Radio Relay League | ARRL - The national association for AMATEUR RADIO

You will be able to find organized HAMs that will guide you.

ARRL Headquarters is open from 8 AM to 5 PM Eastern time, Monday through Friday, except holidays. Our address is:

225 Main Street
Newington, CT 06111-1494
USA

Order/Member Service Hotline 1-888-277-5289 (toll-free US only)
Monday through Friday, 8 am to 5 pm Eastern time.

You can call us at (voice) +1 860-594-0200 and (fax) +1 860-594-0259

 

[SwampKing]

To get a ham license, what's to expect on the test? Can I go HAM now and get the license later?


Method NV/37's
Boatec front and Rear fenders
Rigid dually's in fogs
FOR NOW!