Ham radio install

[KHam]

@KHam I have the same Molle panel and want to mount a radio there too. Where did you run the power wiring to?

Also, from the bed area, all the antennas plus an extra power feed run through the bed plug, then down and back up through that same drain hole under the rear seat so all antennas (3 of them currently) and all power are there in one easy to get to spot under the rear seat.

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[arjeeper]

Just installed a radio in my JT yesterday. Opted for a single band, higher power 2 meter rig with the Yaesu FT-2980.

I have an Icom ID-5100a sitting around that was in my JKUR, but I never really liked the interface.

Installed in the JT using the “CB Bar” product. I lowered the windshield and routed the power and coax from the engine area through the cowl and up the windshield channels. Was pretty easy.

Update couple days in:

Pros: The bar mounts the radio very securely and I love how I can avoid a separate speaker as it’s so close to your head. It’s also very easy to access the radio while keeping your eyes on the road and body in a normal driving posture.

Cons: The radio is so close to your head that your head kind of feels “cramped” in the position it’s in. I’ve now hit my head on the bar twice while entering the vehicle—not cool.

I’m 5’10” and like many folks I sort of jump/launch up into the Jeep. Especially as I don’t want to drag my butt across the seats and scrape the leather. In my “jump entry” process I’ve now hit the bar twice in a couple days.

Time will tell if I chose to keep the location.

 

[arjeeper]

Also, from the bed area, all the antennas plus an extra power feed run through the bed plug, then down and back up through that same drain hole under the rear seat so all antennas (3 of them currently) and all power are there in one easy to get to spot under the rear seat.

Sweet antenna setup. How do you feel the Diamondback works as far as part of the ground plane/counterpoise?

 

[KHam]

Sweet antenna setup. How do you feel the Diamondback works as far as part of the ground plane/counterpoise?

It's done exceptionally well. I do have the lids ground strapped to the center piece, and the all-metal clamps that hold the center piece contact bare metal where they connect. I have an analyzer as well as a transmit SWR on the radio showing I'm able to easily hit 1.5 or less even down on 40 meters with 100 watts of power without a shunt coil on the screwdriver. I'm loving the whole setup.

 

[arjeeper]

Awesome! I ordered a Diamondback SE and you’ve inspired me to consider putting some HF back in my Jeep for the first time in a few years.

 

[bushmg]

I installed my Yaesu FT-7900 the other day, and I wanted to share the pics. I already had a 12 volt cigarette lighter socket wired from the battery to the driver's footwell. It was for powering the RVi Brake when I am towing the Jeep, so I decided to use it to power the radio.

I made a 60 degree angle bracket on the 3D printer and used it to mount the radio front panel in the small tray in the center console. My Overland didn't come with the accessory switches, so I had the full width to use.

I used a Topsy antenna mount and a 75WXST mic holder from Ebay.

Ran all the wires under the dash and along the center console, then dropped the radio in the center storage compartment. I was a little worried about the heat buildup, but the unit has a fan, and it will reduce power if it gets too hot internally.

Maybe not the neatest install, but there was no drilling at all, which was a plus for me.

 

[Artsifrtsi]

How' that antenna performing? I have a very similar quad band to install...

 

[bushmg]

How' that antenna performing? I have a very similar quad band to install...

It's performing very well on both bands. SWR is 1.1.

 

[Artsifrtsi]

Got the radio installed, now I just need a good load to test it out.

 

[Brojave22]

30A is going to be overkill, but I can't recall if other aux switches are rated any lower.

In the past Jeeps I've done CB/ham installs running 20 gauge wire direct to the battery, via the rubber grommet in the upper driver's side corner of the engine bay, where the wiper washer fluid tube goes through. This was a PITA to access from the inside of the cab, but with enough cursing and body twisting, you could fish the wires into the cabin.

Since you have the aux switches, I'd opt for those, because of the ease of installation alone.

The harder part might be finding space in the cabin to mount the 5100 Thinking a Ram style mount on the dashboard tray might be the way to go.

73 and enjoy your new rig.

This mount from quadratec is awesome, easy install and you can remove the radio when not in use and store it under the seat

 

[Blade1668]

Got the radio installed, now I just need a good load to test it out.

Well I guess we need to set up a good time for trying out our radio's.

 

[KHam]

Awesome! I ordered a Diamondback SE and you’ve inspired me to consider putting some HF back in my Jeep for the first time in a few years.

I should update this post quickly. On the screwdriver antenna mount to the Diamondback lid, I had originally installed it with the base it came with. After watching it move around I decided that the base was too small and most likely causing too much flex in the metal at the mount point, which can lead to metal fatigue and failure. So I ordered a larger aluminum base plate that's made for that antenna that spreads the load from it around a much larger surface, making it more stable and solid. The new base mounts with 4 bolts around the perimeter in addition to the main hole the center goes through. There's another plate underneath it that the bolts go through so it's plated on both sides. Purchased this from Breedlove who specializes in these and can custom make you any mount you want. If you're interested it's breedlovemounts.com.

Having said all that, this is the updated picture of the Tarheel screwdriver antenna with newer solid mount for it. It's rock solid now and even if the antenna takes abuse from some branches it'll be fine.

 

[arjeeper]

Nice update! I’ve ordered some mounts and various metal parts from Breedlove in the past and they were rock solid. In fact, that was years ago and they’re all still around in my garage even though the Jeeps they were on are long gone. 73

 

[W0PGK]

To show off my install and answer your question, here is what I did. First off, I installed an ICOM 5100a also. Though I decided to use the ignition lead that comes with switch bundle inside the cab, this way it frees up my switches. Since that lead is not rated for the max amps that the radio can pull, i just had it wired into a relay that was fed directly off the battery (through the firewall).

Mounted the face plate using a bulletpoint mounting solution. In this case the ICOM 5100a plate is AMPS Compatible, so I went with the short arm, and AMPS Compatible plate they offer.

Back side.

For the base station, I mounted that under the back seat on the drivers side. I removed the bolt bin that is used to store the bolts for the hard top and door, which left a few studs to mount directly too. (yes I have a husky).

For the antenna, I wanted my antennas to be as symmetrical as possible, so went with the Cool Tech Front Antenna Mount.

Mic was installed using the hardware that came with the radio. Find this location is easy to reach while driving.

Lastly I installed an old (no longer made) Radio shack external speaker on the center roll bar right behind the front seats facing forward.

Oh and not pictured is all the sneaking wiring all around the jeep. I used a few path ways through the firewall, as I didn't like the method of using drain plugs to run wiring.

 

[Mbryson]

Here's some pics of my recent Yaesu FTM-400 install.

A Topsy mount with a DIAMOND NR770HB

PowerWerx 12 guage connector with fuses on both sides direct to battery. PowerWerx connectors on both ends

The main unit mounted to bottom of overhead

....

I'm curious about your overhead rack. What is that? You fab it up or buy it?

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