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Ham Radio Install: FTM-400 + 67D + Diamond + Powerwerx + Clean Dash

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I recently finished up my ham radio install.

Special thanks to Tom @ DX Engineering for his insanely fast responses over email and attention to detail.

Here are the parts I went with:
Instructions for interior panel removal (includes subwoofer):

Photos / Additional Details
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The hole on top of the dash was drilled out with a step drill bit and sized just over 1/2" until the grommet fit. With this size grommet I can easily fit the radio control panel cable and three USB cables through the hole. Underneath this panel you will find square plastic sections to reinforce the structure. I used center punch to estimate the center and checked underneath to see where it was hitting the plastic. You can punch a few times until you get it where you want it. You can always drill larger if need be, but it will be hard to go smaller! I did have to drop the windshield to get my drill in here. If you don't want to mess with your wipers, you can have someone hold the windshield upright for the 2 minutes that it will take to drill. I have the 67 Designs rail system installed and added some tape to protect it from any light hits with the drill.
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View from the engine compartment
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Nice install...how is the reception with the antenna in the rear?
I haven't had a chance to measure SWR or do a good technical test of range. I communicated with another station roughly 10 miles away and the call quality was great. My main interest will be using it for short range communication on the trails, but I'll continue to experiment with some longer range communication.
 

Bilymac

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I'm not real happy with my antenna mount. Who makes the bracket you attached your antenna base to?

Bill
 

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Thanks for the thorough write up. I have the same radio and was was planning on purchasing the 67 Designs rail to mount the controller. How did you mount it to the arm? If I remember correctly. The existing screw on the back is pretty small.

Instead, I was planning on using their universal phone mount. Do you think it can securely hold the controller?
 

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I'm not real happy with my antenna mount. Who makes the bracket you attached your antenna base to?

Bill
Bill, here is another option you might consider. I have a CB antenna mounted in back for occasions when we are with events that use CBs, so I mounted my HAM antenna above the front fender using cube light brackets.

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Bill, here is another option you might consider. I have a CB antenna mounted in back for occasions when we are with events that use CBs, so I mounted my HAM antenna above the front fender using cube light brackets.
That looks a lot better and a lot sturdier than most of the hood lip mounts I’ve seen. Which brackets are those?
 

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Thanks for the thorough write up. I have the same radio and was was planning on purchasing the 67 Designs rail to mount the controller. How did you mount it to the arm? If I remember correctly. The existing screw on the back is pretty small.

Instead, I was planning on using their universal phone mount. Do you think it can securely hold the controller?
This is the mount I used, it holds the controller fine using just the one screw.
https://www.67d.com/products/diamond-plate-alternative?_pos=1&_sid=725835825&_ss=r

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That looks a lot better and a lot sturdier than most of the hood lip mounts I’ve seen. Which brackets are those?
Yes, they are quite sturdy. They were from Maximus-3, but unfortunately it doesn’t look like they sell them any longer. Maybe they had problems when carrying the weight of cube lights, however I haven’t experienced any problems as an antenna mount.

you might try contacting the company directly to see if they might have some leftover.
 

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This is the mount I used, it holds the controller fine using just the one screw.
Thanks for your response. As an alternative, do you think the 67 designs phone mount will securely hold the Yeasu controller as well?
 

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Thanks for your response. As an alternative, do you think the 67 designs phone mount will securely hold the Yeasu controller as well?
Good question, if I can remember, I'll play with mine tomorrow and see if it works.

Bill
 

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Thanks for your response. As an alternative, do you think the 67 designs phone mount will securely hold the Yeasu controller as well?
Technically, the phone mount will "hold" the Control Head, but its far from secure.
 

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Technically, the phone mount will "hold" the Control Head, but its far from secure.
Thanks for taking time to check. I was afraid that may be the case. I was checking out their website and it looks like I might have a second option. Their descriptions tend to be a little vague, but it appears that the series 55 track ball should be able to screw directly into the back of the control unit. The screw is 5 mm versus the series 20 track ball (on the JL rail) which is 6 mm.
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