Amateur Radio/Antenna Installations

[Ranger #6]

Any chance of adding "Amateur-CB Radio/Antenna Installations" as a new Technical Section category? There are apparently a lot of hams on here, and that might help alleviate clutter in the Interior Mods, Exterior Mods and Electronics... categories.

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[t4thfavor]

Yeah, it might be nice to have an electronics install category at least.

 

[ZRanger]

Great idea Ranger #6.
I have gotten some helpful info in various areas (ordered the fascia and some switches from Lightforce). I am awaiting my Leer shell (should arrive this month), to explore antenna options.
Will be installing my usual complement of daily driver radios to include: Yaesu FTM-350 (mostly for APRS), iCOM ID5100 for VHF/UHF D STAR, and either the iCOM 7000 or 7100 for HF.
For HF I use a Little Tarheel II antenna, with a West Mountain Radio TARGET Tuner. I am considering putting it on the shell with a Tarheel Lift & Lay electric mount so I can lower from cab. Maybe operating a rail with all antennas attached. Previously used a bed mounted chase rack.

K6DHS

 

[Ranger #6]

Great idea Ranger #6.
I have gotten some helpful info in various areas (ordered the fascia and some switches from Lightforce). I am awaiting my Leer shell (should arrive this month), to explore antenna options.
Will be installing my usual complement of daily driver radios to include: Yaesu FTM-350 (mostly for APRS), iCOM ID5100 for VHF/UHF D STAR, and either the iCOM 7000 or 7100 for HF.
For HF I use a Little Tarheel II antenna, with a West Mountain Radio TARGET Tuner. I am considering putting it on the shell with a Tarheel Lift & Lay electric mount so I can lower from cab. Maybe operating a rail with all antennas attached. Previously used a bed mounted chase rack.

K6DHS

Nice. I will be interested in how all of those radios get integrated. I did a test fit of my FT-847 the other day; I would need to secure it to the tray somehow in order to restrain it from a "negative-g maneuver". The front airbags are to each side, so I don't think that will be a problem...

 

[Monty]

Putting the FT up there would make me nervous but it sure would be extra cool to have it in the truck.
- 73, KJ4WKL

 

[t4thfavor]

Yeah, it might be nice to have an electronics install category at least.

I should probably qualify my statement by adding that a more generic install category could definitely help a broader group of persons while still serving the intended purpose.

 

[JDCinVA]

 

[Fjsteven]

I think this would be a great idea! I know there are a lot of HAMs in the off road community.

 

[Ranger #6]

Putting the FT up there would make me nervous but it sure would be extra cool to have it in the truck.
- 73, KJ4WKL

Yeah, and it looks really cool all lit up.

Thanks everybody for the comments. Hopefully, the admins will consider the request; keeping my fingers crossed...

73,
Rob

 

[ZRanger]

Yeah, and it looks really cool all lit up.

Thanks everybody for the comments. Hopefully, the admins will consider the request; keeping my fingers crossed...

73,
Rob

Not sure how you're going to secure the 847 . I've been under the tray, and there is sheet metal beneath. I'm thinking I'll mount an "L" bracket there, and cut a slit in the bottom of the tray for the bracket to come up through. Then there will be a long bracket (horizontal) that will accomidate two heads. The HF will probable go down below at the front of the console.

 

[Ranger #6]

Did you have any trouble getting the tray out?

In the '06 (regular cab), I mounted the main unit of the IC-7000 to the sidewall behind the driver's seat, which was convenient because it allowed me to run most of the cabling down the shoulder belt opening (didn't interfere with belt). I mounted the head to an aluminum bracket, which was Velcro'd to the dash. The Velcro worked (sort of), but was impossible to clean up when I sold the truck; I pointed it out to the buyer, but he didn't seem to care.

 

[t4thfavor]

The tray comes out easy, I start at the back, pry up with a plastic pry tool, then reach in with a flat screwdriver or trim tool and push out the two center clips. I then lose one of them into the abyss that is the dash, and the tray comes right out. Be sure to put it back in front side first or you won't get it to clip down properly.

 

[rangerdanger]

@Administrator

 

[Fjsteven]

Tray comes out easily. Start at the back. Seems you should put it back in front first but I never got mine to sit back on perfectly. Can’t tell though on my install.

 

[t4thfavor]

Tray comes out easily. Start at the back. Seems you should put it back in front first but I never got mine to sit back on perfectly. Can’t tell though on my install.

Yes, mine looked just like yours until I clipped the front in first. there are two little clips on the front edge that need to go in first.

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