Ham Radio Install w/ Pics **Update 3 Years Later**

[DrPerez007]

Mounted the antenna on the driver's side:

Bill, nice set-up and the FTM-400XDR is one of my favorites. Query: How well does that COMPACtenna perform (and which specific model is it) and what shortcomings are you seeing with it, if any?

My plan was (and might still be) to mount the Yaesu FTM-400XDR and the Wouxun KG-1000G under the driver's seat. Maybe I need to use a piece of plywood, mount both radio bodies, then secure it under the driver's seat.

Don, on my ‘19 MOAB I mounted my Powerwerx Ham/GMRS/PS radio (remote), Uniden CB radio (remote), siren controller (for my volunteer rescue medic duties), Havis ChargeGuard, and Blue Sea power distribution box on a piece of plywood and then mounted it under the passenger seat. Unfortunately, I’m on the road in my Charger on business and can’t send you pics, but it butts up almost against the underseat vent on the front and extends to the seat mounts in the rear, then goes side-to-side (maybe something like 12x12 or 12x14?). Works fairly well with most everything screwed down to the plywood except the CB radio which (weighs virtually nothing) is Velcro’d to the top of the Blue Sea box (I ran out of real estate). I do not touch my vehicle wiring anywhere; I brought a 12ga stranded lead straight from the battery (and fused right there at the battery) thru the firewall and directly to the ChargeGuard (which is a dip switch programmable power shutoff timer) and then from there to the Blue Sea box (with its individual fuses). I master ground at the bottom of the passenger seat rear bolt (as I recall; it’s been two years since I did it) and all the radios and such are powered thru the Blue Sea (with the ChargeGuard shutting the Blue Sea down 15 minutes after I turn off the ignition). If I need to get into anything, I push the passenger seat all the way forward and I have pretty easy access from the back seat to everything (my recollection is that at original install, I loosened the front seat bolts and removed the rear seat bolts to slip the plywood in and the bottom of the plywood just has Velcro applied to prevent the board from sliding; but in reality, there is nowhere for it to go). All of my fog, driving, and warning lights (and Warn power interrupt kit for the winch) are thru a separate switched and fused weather resistant power distribution box under the hood with its own cable that runs into the passenger compartment to its master switch control. All work well.

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[wgwgoldwing]

Bill, nice set-up and the FTM-400XDR is one of my favorites. Query: How well does that COMPACtenna perform (and which specific model is it) and what shortcomings are you seeing with it, if any?

It's the 2M-440 model. No complaints. I have also tried a Comet CA-2x4SR and they seem to be pretty much equal in performance. Didn't do any formal performance testing, just normal use. The Comet is just too tall for my garage. The COMPACtenna fits my needs perfectly.

I forgot to mention, that I also installed the WIZ, because the under seat mounting location muffled the speaker too much. Couldn't get enough volume. I wired the WIZ into the driver's upper dash speaker. It's okay, but I think the lower dash speaker might produce a better sound. Debating on moving it or maybe even upgrading all the speakers.


Thanks,

WGW

 

[donmontalvo]

Bill, nice set-up and the FTM-400XDR is one of my favorites. Query: How well does that COMPACtenna perform (and which specific model is it) and what shortcomings are you seeing with it, if any?




Don, on my ‘19 MOAB I mounted my Powerwerx Ham/GMRS/PS radio (remote), Uniden CB radio (remote), siren controller (for my volunteer rescue medic duties), Havis ChargeGuard, and Blue Sea power distribution box on a piece of plywood and then mounted it under the passenger seat. Unfortunately, I’m on the road in my Charger on business and can’t send you pics, but it butts up almost against the underseat vent on the front and extends to the seat mounts in the rear, then goes side-to-side (maybe something like 12x12 or 12x14?). Works fairly well with most everything screwed down to the plywood except the CB radio which (weighs virtually nothing) is Velcro’d to the top of the Blue Sea box (I ran out of real estate). I do not touch my vehicle wiring anywhere; I brought a 12ga stranded lead straight from the battery (and fused right there at the battery) thru the firewall and directly to the ChargeGuard (which is a dip switch programmable power shutoff timer) and then from there to the Blue Sea box (with its individual fuses). I master ground at the bottom of the passenger seat rear bolt (as I recall; it’s been two years since I did it) and all the radios and such are powered thru the Blue Sea (with the ChargeGuard shutting the Blue Sea down 15 minutes after I turn off the ignition). If I need to get into anything, I push the passenger seat all the way forward and I have pretty easy access from the back seat to everything (my recollection is that at original install, I loosened the front seat bolts and removed the rear seat bolts to slip the plywood in and the bottom of the plywood just has Velcro applied to prevent the board from sliding; but in reality, there is nowhere for it to go). All of my fog, driving, and warning lights (and Warn power interrupt kit for the winch) are thru a separate switched and fused weather resistant power distribution box under the hood with its own cable that runs into the passenger compartment to its master switch control. All work well.

I'm sooo close to moving both HAM/GMRS radios to under the driver's seat. My only concern is dust/dirt/water/mud. I have a Goose Gear full plate in my JLUR, with cubby space behind both of the front seats. I've been thinking of mounting them back to back and standing them up in one of the cubby holes. If I do it, I'd sit the bracket (that they'd be attached to) in a plastic container, so they're protected from dirt/water.

The Goose Gear platform itself has plenty of gaps in the seams to allow air flow. Here's my updated blog post. I added more wiring info and pics. The electronics are in the small cubby hole by the fridge which is positioned opposite the Sub.

https://donmontalvo.com/2022/08/14/lido-radio-mount-ftw/

 

[Caveman044]

I'm a radio nerd and starting to rethink my plans. My original plan was to have a GMRS 50 watt mobile, 2 GMRS HT's, and a 2m/70cm HT. I've already taken most of the steps toward this. However, I'm now thinking I might just ditch the mobile GMRS unit, keep the GMRS HT's, and get a mobile 2m/70cm unit. Here's some pics of my current setup.

Yaesu FT-70D, jeepuniq mount, 67 designs arm, CMM ball. You can also hang a mic just below the HT which is where I originally thought the GMRS mic would go.

Just picked up these new bad boys, Wouxun KG-S88G. I really like that they charge through USB, I try to have all my gear sustainable from vehicle power, FT-70D uses a cigarette adapter.

They live in maxpedition RPD cases on the backseat. Average size adults fit comfortably without hitting them.

I do like this system but I would get more day to day enjoyment with ham primary and GMRS secondary.

 

[Ct_Formula]

I'm a radio nerd and starting to rethink my plans. My original plan was to have a GMRS 50 watt mobile, 2 GMRS HT's, and a 2m/70cm HT. I've already taken most of the steps toward this. However, I'm now thinking I might just ditch the mobile GMRS unit, keep the GMRS HT's, and get a mobile 2m/70cm unit. Here's some pics of my current setup.

Yaesu FT-70D, jeepuniq mount, 67 designs arm, CMM ball. You can also hang a mic just below the HT which is where I originally thought the GMRS mic would go.

Just picked up these new bad boys, Wouxun KG-S88G. I really like that they charge through USB, I try to have all my gear sustainable from vehicle power, FT-70D uses a cigarette adapter.

They live in maxpedition RPD cases on the backseat. Average size adults fit comfortably without hitting them.

I do like this system but I would get more day to day enjoyment with ham primary and GMRS secondary.

Sweet set up!! I'm only using radios .5% of the time in the rig and don't want to give up a bunch of real estate to one but want to have them onboard.

 

[Abramovich]

Don, on my ‘19 MOAB I mounted my Powerwerx Ham/GMRS/PS radio (remote), Uniden CB radio (remote), siren controller (for my volunteer rescue medic duties), Havis ChargeGuard, and Blue Sea power distribution box on a piece of plywood and then mounted it under the passenger seat. Unfortunately, I’m on the road in my Charger on business and can’t send you pics, but it butts up almost against the underseat vent on the front and extends to the seat mounts in the rear, then goes side-to-side (maybe something like 12x12 or 12x14?). Works fairly well with most everything screwed down to the plywood except the CB radio which (weighs virtually nothing) is Velcro’d to the top of the Blue Sea box (I ran out of real estate). I do not touch my vehicle wiring anywhere; I brought a 12ga stranded lead straight from the battery (and fused right there at the battery) thru the firewall and directly to the ChargeGuard (which is a dip switch programmable power shutoff timer) and then from there to the Blue Sea box (with its individual fuses). I master ground at the bottom of the passenger seat rear bolt (as I recall; it’s been two years since I did it) and all the radios and such are powered thru the Blue Sea (with the ChargeGuard shutting the Blue Sea down 15 minutes after I turn off the ignition). If I need to get into anything, I push the passenger seat all the way forward and I have pretty easy access from the back seat to everything (my recollection is that at original install, I loosened the front seat bolts and removed the rear seat bolts to slip the plywood in and the bottom of the plywood just has Velcro applied to prevent the board from sliding; but in reality, there is nowhere for it to go). All of my fog, driving, and warning lights (and Warn power interrupt kit for the winch) are thru a separate switched and fused weather resistant power distribution box under the hood with its own cable that runs into the passenger compartment to its master switch control. All work well.

@DrPerez007, can you post pics, please? It sounds like this is the perfect setup. Thank you!

 

[DrPerez007]

@DrPerez007, can you post pics, please? It sounds like this is the perfect setup. Thank you!

Since I haven’t been under there recently, I went back out today and looked it over. The board is 1/2” plywood painted black. It is 9” front-to-back and 13” side-to-side, although it looks like you could actually go 10” by 14” (or even slightly larger) which would make it very snug (although my board has never moved). Everything is Velcro’d or screwed to the board. Since hardly anyone ever rides in the back the airflow from under the seat is not really an issue. Once I got back under there, I recalled that I moved the siren controller to under the driver’s seat. I also use a portable radio for other (work like) purposes and if I need an external antenna I have one up under the dash I can pull down (again using a NGP antenna mounted on the right front MOPAR driving light mount).

Passenger seat with no visible telltale signs

Back seat looking down to passenger seat back and Jeep floor mat. Again, no telltale signs

Front passenger seat moved forward (and floor mat bent back) and you are looking at the Blue Sea power distribution box (lower left), CB remote radio Velcro’d on top of it, and the Powerwerx remote radio on right. The wiring looks messier than it really is . As mentioned, I run a fused 12ga stranded wire directly from the battery to the Blue Sea and grab a ground from the seat bolt. Antenna(s) for both radios come from rear tailgate (both NGP)

That’s the Blue Sea power box with CB removed and Havis ChargeGuard (with yellow indicator light) in background

CB back on top of Blue Sea power box

A poor picture from under the front of the passenger seat looking backwards. On your left is the Powerwerx radio with some excess cable coiled to the right

 

[Abramovich]

@DrPerez007,
Thank you so much, I believe that is the direction I will go.

 

[donmontalvo]

Here's how I mounted my HAM and GMRS under the driver's seat.

I should mention I have a full Goose Gear plate, and no back seats.

https://donmontalvo.com/2022/08/28/ham-and-gmrs-relocation/

 

[DrPerez007]

@DrPerez007,
Thank you so much, I believe that is the direction I will go.

One correction to note. I run the 12ga fused and stranded wire from the battery to the Havis ChargeGuard and then to the Blue Sea power distribution box. This also prevents parasitic draw from any of the devices when the ChargeGuard shuts down and powers off the Blue Sea. That ChargeGuard is adjustable and in the MOAB it is set for 15 minutes, but in my TJ, for example, it is set for an hour.

My personal opinion is that the under seat location (at least on the passenger side) is the best location on JLs (and likely JTs) to mount multiple items (using a board). Good room, out of the way, safe and dry (assuming you are not fording with water running into the passenger compartment), and not readily seen by anyone. Getting power there is relatively easy and ground is available.

Best of luck to all.

 

[Bocephus]

One correction to note. I run the 12ga fused and stranded wire from the battery to the Havis ChargeGuard and then to the Blue Sea power distribution box. This also prevents parasitic draw from any of the devices when the ChargeGuard shuts down and powers off the Blue Sea. That ChargeGuard is adjustable and in the MOAB it is set for 15 minutes, but in my TJ, for example, it is set for an hour.

My personal opinion is that the under seat location (at least on the passenger side) is the best location on JLs (and likely JTs) to mount multiple items (using a board). Good room, out of the way, safe and dry (assuming you are not fording with water running into the passenger compartment), and not readily seen by anyone. Getting power there is relatively easy and ground is available.

Best of luck to all.

Is there a downside to under driver’s seat, in comparison to under passenger? Thanks

 

[DrPerez007]

Is there a downside to under driver’s seat, in comparison to under passenger? Thanks

Not per se that I am aware of, but then again I haven’t tried to mount a board under the driver’s seat, just a couple of other things Velcro’d to the carpet. The driver’s seat always gets used if the vehicle is in operation as opposed to the passenger seat which may only see the occasional derrière (or as we say in Wisconsin, “dairy air”). This means the daily driver, the alternate driver(s), and the occasional mechanic driver are all likely moving that seat, which runs the risk of catching something or, perhaps, exposing equipment to possible damage (whereas for me, the passenger seat is pushed all the way back and left that way). Because people track in the outdoor elements (snow, sand, mud, water, etc.), there is more of a chance in the driver’s seat that some of that will end up into the equipment. Because of limited real estate in the JL’s, I also mount a couple of speakers under the driver’s seat facing forward, so I prefer not to have them encumbered by a tray of other equipment.

Also, if I am somewhere working on the board where I don’t have access to a second vehicle and I need to run for a part or something, I don’t have to button-up the driver’s seat to drive it. While the driver’s seat is closer to the firewall access for power, running a few extra feet of 12ga wire from the battery to the passenger seat is of no moment.

All-in-all, I find the passenger side more advantageous.

 

[Bocephus]

Not per se that I am aware of, but then again I haven’t tried to mount a board under the driver’s seat, just a couple of other things Velcro’d to the carpet. The driver’s seat always gets used if the vehicle is in operation as opposed to the passenger seat which may only see the occasional derrière (or as we say in Wisconsin, “dairy air”). This means the daily driver, the alternate driver(s), and the occasional mechanic driver are all likely moving that seat, which runs the risk of catching something or, perhaps, exposing equipment to possible damage (whereas for me, the passenger seat is pushed all the way back and left that way). Because people track in the outdoor elements (snow, sand, mud, water, etc.), there is more of a chance in the driver’s seat that some of that will end up into the equipment. Because of limited real estate in the JL’s, I also mount a couple of speakers under the driver’s seat facing forward, so I prefer not to have them encumbered by a tray of other equipment.

Also, if I am somewhere working on the board where I don’t have access to a second vehicle and I need to run for a part or something, I don’t have to button-up the driver’s seat to drive it. While the driver’s seat is closer to the firewall access for power, running a few extra feet of 12ga wire from the battery to the passenger seat is of no moment.

All-in-all, I find the passenger side more advantageous.

Super helpful, thank you!

 

[VE3BBB]

Hello
May I ask: Where did you buy this white antenna mount?
Thanks

That radio looks familiar....

Here is how I mounted mine:

I usually unmount the face plate when I park and lock it up in the center console. The bulletpoint mount is just a spring type clamp. Holds the face plate well and easy to remove.

Radio is mounted under the driver's seat and I just keep the mic in the back seat cup holder. It's easily accessible while driving.

Mounted the antenna on the driver's side:

WGW
[/引用]

 

[wgwgoldwing]

My son made if for me. He has a CNC machine. It's made out of a solid piece of aluminum.

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