Mobile HAM radio installed - Writeup & DIY

[wyouger]

Here's one for you radio nerds. I received a new Anytone AT-778UV HAM and bingfu stubby antenna for Christmas. The install was surprisingly easy and only required two holes for the bracket and some small cuts.

All the tools needed were

- Allen keys which were supplied with the antenna kit
-an adjustable wrench or socket set
-A knife

I started by mounting the the Antenna to the hood. Pretty straight forward. Tighten the clamp screws on the mount once you have it placed where you like. (I went with the back edge on the hood near the passenger a pillar.) Feed antenna wire threads through the mount, tighten the jamb nut against the mount, and screw the antenna on.

I then fed the antenna wire through this flap on the cowl trim, and tucked the wire along the trim edge until I got to the driver side.

Ford intuitively placed a grommet to the right side of the brake booster on the firewall which is unused. It's the perfect spot to feed wires through. Especially if you plan on running things like subs or aftermarket fused switch panels.

All you have to do is pop the grommet out from under the dash, and cut a small X in the grommet where you want the wires to feed through, feed them and replace the grommet. I attached the radio power and ground to the battery terminals directly for now, but I plan to get an aux beam 8 gang switch panel later that I can run the radio to along with some offroad lights.

These next steps depend on how and where you want to mount your radio. For me, I like the idea of having the radio controls in the same location as the rest of my dash controls so I decided to mount it under the USB ports in the phone cubby since I have a phone mount that charges and holds my phone up higher next to the screen.(no oem wireless pad.) And mounting on the underside of this trim puts the holes In a spot not easily noticed if I decide to take it out later. Be warned that the placement I chose may not be right for everyone, it's worth mentioning; the radio does interfere with the ambient light that shines under the dash into this cubby. But to run this placement, I fed the wires behind the pedals and steering column. (I still need to secure them but I need to get more zip ties first. )

From there, I routed the wires behind the side of the center console trim. There's a small screw that holds this trim piece in (next to the accelerator pedal.) and then it just pops in and out with clips. After that I removed the phone cubby mat, where you'll find a small panel that pops out to gain access to the emergency gear selector. I fed the wires through that port, then took a knife and slightly enlarged the pry tab hole on the panel so the wires could fit without interference, although I may end up cutting a small notch on the back of the tab and in the mat as well to keep it sitting flush, but I haven't done that yet. Right now, I have the wires tucked under the mat coming out from behind.

At this point, all the wires have been run to where they need to be and all that's left is mounting the brack followed by the radio, after plugging your antenna and power cable in. I put the bracket as far to the left as I could and just in front of the diffuser for the cubby light. You'll note In the above picture that the left screw sits close to the side, but there is just enough room that I can still remove the radio after backing the left screw out and removing the right screw. After I found the placement I wanted, I just marked the trim panel where the bracket mount holes were and used the supplied screws to attach the bracket, then mounted the radio to it. The whole process took me a total of about 1.5 hours and I'm pleased with the results. I can still use that cubby and the radio looks right at home imo.

Great job and an informative post. I think I will mount a radio in the same location. I have a roof mount and an antenna I haven't mounted in my 2011 ranger. I plan to use them in the Maverick assuming I can get to the underside if the roof with out too much trouble.

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[Chris_G]

As already stated a license is still required. In 2007 the code requirement was eliminated entirely for all license classes. In the US. I can't speak for all countries. 73's

I'm glad! I sure as in hell can't do 20 wpm anymore.

 

[PapaDave]

A lot of good ideas here. I just got my GMRS license 2 weeks ago and plan on my HAM early this Spring. I like the antenna mount/3rd brake light, pretty cool.

 

[D Janke]

I did my GMRS radio install today, and Im amazed how clean and relatively easy it turned out to be!

Components: Browning BR 450 antenna - Diamond K400SNMO antenna mount and coax w/PL259 adapter - Kenwood 8180 radio / install kit included.

Diamond antenna mount attached to the passenger side of the hood, the RG-316 low loss coax is so thin and easy to conceal that I was able to attach it along the firewall with existing clips.
Coax passed through a perfectly located rubber grommet on the driver side firewall.
I then routed the coax around the steering to under the dashboard and fished it behind the center console to the passenger side. Went really easy and 13 ft of coax was perfect in length.

Mounted the radio to the side of the console, angled to me for a view from the drivers seat.
12V battery being under the rear seat (Hybrid) made it simple to run power under the passenger side lower trim plastic, to the radio.
Trimmed the antenna to get an acceptable SWR reading (1.18), received a radio check of strong and full quieting on the repeater, and the job was completed.

This diamond NMO mount was recommended by online forums I was reading, and I'm telling you, it is awesome. Ran about $70, and for no hole drilling in a brand new Maverick, it really did the job well.

 

[paneubert]

Love this post/thread, but would have my amateur radio license revoked if I didn't yell into the void the required "It is ham, not HAM. Ham is not an acronym, so it is not capitalized" statement.

End of rant.

K7PMN

 

[A Dodge that drives Fords]

I'm not a HAM Radio person but I do have a CB Radio thanks for the pics of routing the antenna line. Will be using that rubber cover for my subwoofer power line.

 

[EMD_Driver]

Nice writeup and pics!

Guess I'll have to get my license now...

 

[D Janke]

Nice writeup and pics!

Guess I'll have to get my license now...

GMRS license is easy peasy. $70 paid to the FCC, no test, good for 10 years, good for the entire immediate family, and you'll get your call sign in a couple of days after they receive payment.
Locate local clubs to get started, is a great way to fast track things.
www.mygmrs.com has repeater listings in your area and indicated how to gain access to them.

The way I look at it is this: Ham is great for talking with people you don't know.
GMRS is great for talking with people you DO know

 

[nunucello]

Here's one for you radio nerds. I received a new Anytone AT-778UV HAM and bingfu stubby antenna for Christmas. The install was surprisingly easy and only required two holes for the bracket and some small cuts.

All the tools needed were

- Allen keys which were supplied with the antenna kit
-an adjustable wrench or socket set
-A knife

I started by mounting the the Antenna to the hood. Pretty straight forward. Tighten the clamp screws on the mount once you have it placed where you like. (I went with the back edge on the hood near the passenger a pillar.) Feed antenna wire threads through the mount, tighten the jamb nut against the mount, and screw the antenna on.

I then fed the antenna wire through this flap on the cowl trim, and tucked the wire along the trim edge until I got to the driver side.

Ford intuitively placed a grommet to the right side of the brake booster on the firewall which is unused. It's the perfect spot to feed wires through. Especially if you plan on running things like subs or aftermarket fused switch panels.

All you have to do is pop the grommet out from under the dash, and cut a small X in the grommet where you want the wires to feed through, feed them and replace the grommet. I attached the radio power and ground to the battery terminals directly for now, but I plan to get an aux beam 8 gang switch panel later that I can run the radio to along with some offroad lights.

These next steps depend on how and where you want to mount your radio. For me, I like the idea of having the radio controls in the same location as the rest of my dash controls so I decided to mount it under the USB ports in the phone cubby since I have a phone mount that charges and holds my phone up higher next to the screen.(no oem wireless pad.) And mounting on the underside of this trim puts the holes In a spot not easily noticed if I decide to take it out later. Be warned that the placement I chose may not be right for everyone, it's worth mentioning; the radio does interfere with the ambient light that shines under the dash into this cubby. But to run this placement, I fed the wires behind the pedals and steering column. (I still need to secure them but I need to get more zip ties first. )

From there, I routed the wires behind the side of the center console trim. There's a small screw that holds this trim piece in (next to the accelerator pedal.) and then it just pops in and out with clips. After that I removed the phone cubby mat, where you'll find a small panel that pops out to gain access to the emergency gear selector. I fed the wires through that port, then took a knife and slightly enlarged the pry tab hole on the panel so the wires could fit without interference, although I may end up cutting a small notch on the back of the tab and in the mat as well to keep it sitting flush, but I haven't done that yet. Right now, I have the wires tucked under the mat coming out from behind.

At this point, all the wires have been run to where they need to be and all that's left is mounting the brack followed by the radio, after plugging your antenna and power cable in. I put the bracket as far to the left as I could and just in front of the diffuser for the cubby light. You'll note In the above picture that the left screw sits close to the side, but there is just enough room that I can still remove the radio after backing the left screw out and removing the right screw. After I found the placement I wanted, I just marked the trim panel where the bracket mount holes were and used the supplied screws to attach the bracket, then mounted the radio to it. The whole process took me a total of about 1.5 hours and I'm pleased with the results. I can still use that cubby and the radio looks right at home imo.

73

 

[EMD_Driver]

GMRS license is easy peasy. $70 paid to the FCC, no test, good for 10 years, good for the entire immediate family, and you'll get your call sign in a couple of days after they receive payment.
Locate local clubs to get started, is a great way to fast track things.
www.mygmrs.com has repeater listings in your area and indicated how to gain access to them.

The way I look at it is this: Ham is great for talking with people you don't know.
GMRS is great for talking with people you DO know

GMRS applied for!

 

[Fire Alarm Guy]

Love this post/thread, but would have my amateur radio license revoked if I didn't yell into the void the required "It is ham, not HAM. Ham is not an acronym, so it is not capitalized" statement.

End of rant.

K7PMN

Can I get a ham sammich?
KG4AFM clear.

 

[Hardening2753]

I have a technician no code license from 1998. I just renew it for free every 10 years. I never really used it much. I was more into playing around with a CB radio in the 90s. Thought an amateur radio license would be cool to have in my box of tricks.

Do you have to retest or just pay?

 

[Fire Alarm Guy]

Do you have to retest or just pay?

Just pay. Should be info on the FCC website. Or just Google renew ham radio license.

 

[Palms]

Did anyone run the coax from the bed into the cab and how was it done? Thanks.

 

[Aherpa]

Here's one for you radio nerds. I received a new Anytone AT-778UV HAM and bingfu stubby antenna for Christmas. The install was surprisingly easy and only required two holes for the bracket and some small cuts.

All the tools needed were

- Allen keys which were supplied with the antenna kit
-an adjustable wrench or socket set
-A knife

I started by mounting the the Antenna to the hood. Pretty straight forward. Tighten the clamp screws on the mount once you have it placed where you like. (I went with the back edge on the hood near the passenger a pillar.) Feed antenna wire threads through the mount, tighten the jamb nut against the mount, and screw the antenna on.

I then fed the antenna wire through this flap on the cowl trim, and tucked the wire along the trim edge until I got to the driver side.

Ford intuitively placed a grommet to the right side of the brake booster on the firewall which is unused. It's the perfect spot to feed wires through. Especially if you plan on running things like subs or aftermarket fused switch panels.

All you have to do is pop the grommet out from under the dash, and cut a small X in the grommet where you want the wires to feed through, feed them and replace the grommet. I attached the radio power and ground to the battery terminals directly for now, but I plan to get an aux beam 8 gang switch panel later that I can run the radio to along with some offroad lights.

These next steps depend on how and where you want to mount your radio. For me, I like the idea of having the radio controls in the same location as the rest of my dash controls so I decided to mount it under the USB ports in the phone cubby since I have a phone mount that charges and holds my phone up higher next to the screen.(no oem wireless pad.) And mounting on the underside of this trim puts the holes In a spot not easily noticed if I decide to take it out later. Be warned that the placement I chose may not be right for everyone, it's worth mentioning; the radio does interfere with the ambient light that shines under the dash into this cubby. But to run this placement, I fed the wires behind the pedals and steering column. (I still need to secure them but I need to get more zip ties first. )

From there, I routed the wires behind the side of the center console trim. There's a small screw that holds this trim piece in (next to the accelerator pedal.) and then it just pops in and out with clips. After that I removed the phone cubby mat, where you'll find a small panel that pops out to gain access to the emergency gear selector. I fed the wires through that port, then took a knife and slightly enlarged the pry tab hole on the panel so the wires could fit without interference, although I may end up cutting a small notch on the back of the tab and in the mat as well to keep it sitting flush, but I haven't done that yet. Right now, I have the wires tucked under the mat coming out from behind.

At this point, all the wires have been run to where they need to be and all that's left is mounting the brack followed by the radio, after plugging your antenna and power cable in. I put the bracket as far to the left as I could and just in front of the diffuser for the cubby light. You'll note In the above picture that the left screw sits close to the side, but there is just enough room that I can still remove the radio after backing the left screw out and removing the right screw. After I found the placement I wanted, I just marked the trim panel where the bracket mount holes were and used the supplied screws to attach the bracket, then mounted the radio to it. The whole process took me a total of about 1.5 hours and I'm pleased with the results. I can still use that cubby and the radio looks right at home imo.

How's the reception and range are you getting with this setup?

Thanks

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