VHF Radio - Extending mic and mounting...

[johndjmix]

Hey guys, didnt get my truck yet, but I have my 2011 platinum to see the measurements with....

So I just picked up a Kenwood TK-790H (110 Watt!) VHF. I want to mount the control head flush in the end of the overhead console unit (Thing that hoses the eyeglass holder and the dome lights). Seen it done in a few posts on here, and looks Factory clean.

Any tips on mounting in there? Also, the kenwood TK-790H doesnt use an RJ-45 style mic cable, its the old style multi-pin connector. Anyone know of an extension cable available?.....otherwise im stuck opening the radio and soldering to the connector and finding some appropriate cable from mouser to move the connector down to the dash area.

What frew do you all run on the raptor runs, so i can program it in. Do you just use one of the 16 freq's PCI programs in all their radios?

For antenna, Im thinking of using a 3db antenna from PCI Race Radios with a super trick fold down mount controlled by a actuator on the Chase rack im going to fabricate...Im going to make 2 secions, one for a lightbar, and one for my cell booster antenna and VHF antenna. There will be 2 actuators so each section can fold down separately. Got it all worked out in my head, but this is for a different thread in the future...

Any help with the VHF stuff is appreciated.

--John

 

[Mjolnir]

Hey guys, didnt get my truck yet, but I have my 2011 platinum to see the measurements with....

So I just picked up a Kenwood TK-790H (110 Watt!) VHF. I want to mount the control head flush in the end of the overhead console unit (Thing that hoses the eyeglass holder and the dome lights). Seen it done in a few posts on here, and looks Factory clean.

Any tips on mounting in there? Also, the kenwood TK-790H doesnt use an RJ-45 style mic cable, its the old style multi-pin connector. Anyone know of an extension cable available?.....otherwise im stuck opening the radio and soldering to the connector and finding some appropriate cable from mouser to move the connector down to the dash area.

What frew do you all run on the raptor runs, so i can program it in. Do you just use one of the 16 freq's PCI programs in all their radios?

For antenna, Im thinking of using a 3db antenna from PCI Race Radios with a super trick fold down mount controlled by a actuator on the Chase rack im going to fabricate...Im going to make 2 secions, one for a lightbar, and one for my cell booster antenna and VHF antenna. There will be 2 actuators so each section can fold down separately. Got it all worked out in my head, but this is for a different thread in the future...

Any help with the VHF stuff is appreciated.

--John

I have the iCOM 880. I put the detachable faceplate in my sunglass holder. The hint i'll give you on that is mounting. use magnets. double sided sticky tape or velco will peal off in the heat. we used heavy duty magnets to mount mine, and it works great.

 

[johndjmix]

Hey ducatisps, i think i saw a pic of your mount on here somewhere. Cool. But for me, im going to cut the headliner and slide it in on the back so its visable where the bump is on that console.

Yes, I will be shaking when i cut the headliner and a screw up there would be bad.

--John

 

[Bilwil]

I want to do this same mounting location, but I am hoping my local audio guy can wire a PTT button on the wheel and then use the existing speakers and phone mic rather than the mic that came with the Kenwood. Has anyone done this before? Any advice will be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

Bill

 

[johndjmix]

Bilwil, give a call to PCI Race Radios. Talked to Roger over there today, great guy. I purchased an antenna from him and asked him quite a few questions about the radio (TK-790). He knew it all. After talking with him he told me from what i told him he thinks i can handle extending the mic myself, but I could also send the radio to them and have them do it (For a charge of course).

He also said if i have any questions feel free to call him. And this is all for a used radio i didnt even purchase from them! What a great company, which is why i bought the antenna from them.

Looks like for my install, acording to Roger, I can either solder and extend the mic, or use the connector in the back of the kenwood made for accessories...but this is more complex. Sounds like for your install that might be the way to go though!

--John

 

[Bilwil]

Bilwil, give a call to PCI Race Radios. Talked to Roger over there today, great guy. I purchased an antenna from him and asked him quite a few questions about the radio (TK-790). He knew it all. After talking with him he told me from what i told him he thinks i can handle extending the mic myself, but I could also send the radio to them and have them do it (For a charge of course).

He also said if i have any questions feel free to call him. And this is all for a used radio i didnt even purchase from them! What a great company, which is why i bought the antenna from them.

Looks like for my install, acording to Roger, I can either solder and extend the mic, or use the connector in the back of the kenwood made for accessories...but this is more complex. Sounds like for your install that might be the way to go though!

--John

Thanks I will give them a call

Bill

 

[All The Way]

To bad you weren't on this side of the us. I would fix you up.

 

[mpk1996]

To bad you weren't on this side of the us. I would fix you up.

sorry to revive an old thread, but did this ever get answered? The guy I talked to at PCI didn't really know.

Can you extend the mic on the 790h? is there a way to make a flush mount quick connect to attach/plug in the mic to the center console?

 

[Halo Raptor]

Ive never seen a mic cable before. Where did you buy the TK-790?

 

[johndjmix]

Bought all of mine used. Since I started this thread I’ve become an expert on the radios!

I now wire the mics to the rear jack on the radio to a flush mint rj45 jack on the dash. Very clean!

—john


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