VHF radio install pic's

[iSurvive]

Tips:

- it is actually two layers of plastic to drill through, remove the small carpet piece at the bottom of the console (it's just laying there), then drill a 1" whole thru the plastic, then drill another 1" hole in the layer below that

- watch Noah's or anyone's video on how to remove the center console (you don't need to completely remove it, but enough to lift the backend up to get your wires to the hole you drilled

- you will run your antenna wire, power wire, and optional speaker wire thru the hole. The speaker can be mounted under a front seat, the antenna wire can go under the rear floor mat and out the back of the truck thru the vent behind the rear seats, the power can run along the bottom of the console, up into the dash, and then thru the firewall.

- I also ran a LAN extension cable from the microphone jack thru the hole and under the driver's seat. Then I mounted my mic on the dash and plugged it into the extension cable.

- I think I screwed up my rear A/C by drilling the holes, because now no air comes from the rear vents. I still haven't invetsigated the issue fully. I might need to plug the holes enough to keep the air from escaping.

So good news, my rear a/c vents are working now. I reseated the console when I installed a new VHF antenna wire and all is well.

 

[Dutch451]

I just picked up the Yaesu FT-8900R, external speaker, mic relocator and the Larsen KG2/70CXPL glass mount antenna. Since the 8900 comes with the separation kit, I'll hopefully have enough room to mount the face plate by the sunglass holder like @jlatigo did, while hiding the main unit behind the rear seat. The external speaker should fit in the dash tray, and I'll run the mic jack by the steering wheel on the lower dash.

I'm not sure how well the antenna will work, but my buddy has a spare Diamond CR8900 antenna he said I could have if I need more range. I hate drilling through the body, and don't want anything mounted on the roof, but came up with a good plan to use the bigger Diamond antenna. Hopefully the glass mount works fine though, I won't know for sure until I get everything, install it, and go out on some expeditions, lol.

Unfortunately I still need to get my license. I'd be fine, but I let my FCC Operator license expire because I wasn't doing any comm work, but at least the tech/general license is cheap and easy to get, just waiting for my study guide to get here so I can get brushed up on everything, the next exam date isn't until Nov 7 anyway, so I have time

 

[memheli]

I just picked up the Yaesu FT-8900R, external speaker, mic relocator and the Larsen KG2/70CXPL glass mount antenna. Since the 8900 comes with the separation kit, I'll hopefully have enough room to mount the face plate by the sunglass holder like @jlatigo did, while hiding the main unit behind the rear seat. The external speaker should fit in the dash tray, and I'll run the mic jack by the steering wheel on the lower dash.

I'm not sure how well the antenna will work, but my buddy has a spare Diamond CR8900 antenna he said I could have if I need more range. I hate drilling through the body, and don't want anything mounted on the roof, but came up with a good plan to use the bigger Diamond antenna. Hopefully the glass mount works fine though, I won't know for sure until I get everything, install it, and go out on some expeditions, lol.

Unfortunately I still need to get my license. I'd be fine, but I let my FCC Operator license expire because I wasn't doing any comm work, but at least the tech/general license is cheap and easy to get, just waiting for my study guide to get here so I can get brushed up on everything, the next exam date isn't until Nov 7 anyway, so I have time

That's a neat rig! I haven't seen it before. Are you going to run a 6-meter antenna of some kind too? It's a fun band when it's in.
I've been following this thread for a year now, and still don't have a rig mounted in my truck. I've got the ICom 706 and really want to setup for UHF/VHF and HF with NMO mounts on the roof...just need something to push me to start the project. It's somewhat daunting to me to pull the headliner and drill the holes, but I know once it's done and all put back together properly I'll really enjoy it. Maybe this winter...

 

[Dutch451]

That's a neat rig! I haven't seen it before. Are you going to run a 6-meter antenna of some kind too? It's a fun band when it's in.
I've been following this thread for a year now, and still don't have a rig mounted in my truck. I've got the ICom 706 and really want to setup for UHF/VHF and HF with NMO mounts on the roof...just need something to push me to start the project. It's somewhat daunting to me to pull the headliner and drill the holes, but I know once it's done and all put back together properly I'll really enjoy it. Maybe this winter...

From what my buddy told me, if I do end up scrapping the window mount and going with the CR8900, that will be all I need to talk across all bands that the radio is capable of. After researching more, of course after I dropped $150 on the antenna, chances are pretty high that I'll end up with the CR8900 mounted on my bed rail. Yeah it's 5', but it folds down when not in use.

 

[memheli]

Hadn't seen that one before. Looks perfect for those bands.

 

[All The Way]

Don't worry about getting a antenna for 10m with that radio. Comet makes some nice tri band antenna that covers 2m/70cm/6m Tri-Band | Comet Antenna

If you haven't yet you will need to mod that radio to talk on the frequencies we use on the runs.

I have the 8800 which is the same radio minus 2 bands. My install thread http://www.fordraptorforum.com/f12/yaesu-ft-8800r-install-12575/

 

[Dutch451]

Don't worry about getting a antenna for 10m with that radio. Comet makes some nice tri band antenna that covers 2m/70cm/6m Tri-Band | Comet Antenna

If you haven't yet you will need to mod that radio to talk on the frequencies we use on the runs.

I have the 8800 which is the same radio minus 2 bands. My install thread http://www.fordraptorforum.com/f12/yaesu-ft-8800r-install-12575/

I read through your 8800 thread, and will probably read through it another couple times. For the time being, even though everything is supposed to come in today, I don't think I'll install it until I finish the exam for my license.

The only reason I keep bringing up the CR8900 is I'll be getting one for free, I'll just need to buy the mount. I'm not dead set on that antenna, just stoked about the price, lol. But if there's something that'll perform better for the intended use, I'm all ears

As far as modding it, is that something I can do myself, or will I need to send it off somewhere. Do you have a recommendation on who to send it to if that's the case?

Please forgive my ignorance, it's been about 8 years since I've messed with radios, but everything will come back to me in time as I freshen up my knowledge for the exam, lol.

 

[All The Way]

Here is a video on what to mod. I just used a xacto knife to pop it off.
That antenna will work. The reason I say go with a tri band antenna is you can only use 10m fm with that radio and you need a general ticked to use that portion of the band. Unfortunately 10m wont be open again for another 11 years during the next solar cycle.

 

[Dutch451]

Here is a video on what to mod. I just used a xacto knife to pop it off.
That antenna will work. The reason I say go with a tri band antenna is you can only use 10m fm with that radio and you need a general ticked to use that portion of the band. Unfortunately 10m wont be open again for another 11 years during the next solar cycle.

The video isn't there I guess as far as an antenna goes, it's an easy part to replace if I'm not happy with performance. I'm relatively sure the radio itself will give me everything I could want in a comm system, so it'll just be "fine tuning" it if you will.

I've been taking practice tests, and have the tech and general study guides, I've been consistently scoring above 90% on the tech licence practice exams, the general is kicking my ass though, lol. I have until Nov 7th to get it down though so I can take both exams. If I successfully pass the General, I might spend some time going after the Extra License.

 

[All The Way]

The video isn't there I guess as far as an antenna goes, it's an easy part to replace if I'm not happy with performance. I'm relatively sure the radio itself will give me everything I could want in a comm system, so it'll just be "fine tuning" it if you will.

I've been taking practice tests, and have the tech and general study guides, I've been consistently scoring above 90% on the tech licence practice exams, the general is kicking my ass though, lol. I have until Nov 7th to get it down though so I can take both exams. If I successfully pass the General, I might spend some time going after the Extra License.

Not sure what happened with the video. http://youtu.be/SmZ8aU9dpL0

This winter if i have the time i want to get my extra.