[ICOM] Mobile installations, Ford F-150's ?

[Jay]

My F-150 isn't as new as yours (mine's a 2000), but here's what I've found.

1.  My radio isn't "detachable face", but a CB "hump" mount was easy to
adapt to the radio's mounting bracket to put the whole rig on the top of the
tranny, mounted with a "tilt" so it's easy to see from the driver's seat (or
passenger's, my XYL and one of two teenage YL's are also licensed).  I'm
sure a similar thing could be done (but even neater) with a detachable face.

2.  I can't comment on that exact engine, but I get no noise whatsoever on 2
& 440 from my 5.4L V8.

3.  If you stick to the "center" of the under-dash, it's easy to get cables
(power or coax) under the edge of the heater plenum, then up under the dash.
There's a large grommet above the steering column, that comes through the
firewall centerline side of the brake booster - getting into the engine
compartment should be a piece of cake.

4.  There should be two "vents" for the flow through ventilation.  On mine,
they're about 2.5 x 4" (vertical orientation) where they exit the back of
the cab.  There are matching "punch outs" (plastic) in the bed itself, so
you can get ventilation to the bed if you have a shell on it.  These make a
great path for coax for the antenna.

5.  No comments on glass mounts - I usually use either an L-bracket (hood
lip or stake hole on the bed) or an NMO thru-hole, with the occasional mag
mount as a temp fix.

6.  For mobiles, I prefer Yaesu - I know this is the Icom list, but
generally, I've seen more "bang for the buck" with Icom or Yaesu compared
with Kenwood, and my friend that has several newer Icoms (2100H and 2720)
has all kinds of intermod problems in the city (near hospitals and such)
that I don't have with Yaesus (2600M 2m in the XYLs, 7800 dual-band in my
truck).

73,

Jay
AD5PE

-----Original Message-----
From: icom-bounces at mailman.qth.net [mailto:icom-bounces at mailman.qth.net] On
Behalf Of Phil Atchley
Sent: Saturday, December 24, 2005 03:18
To: Icom List
Subject: [ICOM] Mobile installations, Ford F-150's ?

Hi All,

I'm not sure that this is an entirely appropriate list for this post since
I'm not yet certain the radio I get will be an Icom.  But I don't know where
else to ask the questions (and there are a lot of mobile setups with Icom
radios out there).

First, as a note.  Over the years I have installed a LOT of CB equipment in
vehicles, both before I had my Ham license and when I worked in a CB shop
after getting my license.  But I haven't installed much VHF/UHF gear.  So,
in general I know how to do a 'quality" installation (and what to avoid
doing).  I want this to be a "one time shot", not a work in progress.

I'm considering installing a rig, probably a 2M/440 dual bander in my 2005
Ford F-150XLT "Super Crewcab" (4 large doors, seats 6).  So anyway, this is
the first vehicle that I've had in more years than I can remember that
'really' has enough room to do a decent radio installation of any kind.  The
ceiling mounted rig in my '86 Chevy C10 was a "head banger".  It is also the
first time in my life I've had a vehicle this nice and I don't want to start
"punching holes".  Besides, I don't want to become a homicide victim by
angering my XYL <grin>.  Though due to it's size, it's unlikely that she'll
drive the vehicle much if any.

I would like to hear of any experiences, good or bad that people have had
installing radios in a similar Ford vehicle.

Here's some ideas that I have in mind.

1.  Some sort of dual band rig with the radio proper mounted either behind
or under the rear seat.

2.  The control head mounted in one of the following locations.

    A.  On the face of the lower consol section beneath the dash (there is
even a pull out "cup holder" located there that may be taken out and the
space used). This is 'probably' the best choice.

    B.  The top of the large fold-down center armrest/storage bin (split
40-20-40 seat). This location may be in the way of arms trying to use the
armrest and require taking the eyes off the road (not a good safety
feature).

    C.  Possibly on TOP of the dash as there is a very large flat area there
with lots of room for CD's etc.  But this would be exposed to the sun in
VERY hot Central California, probably NOT a good idea.

3.  Antenna.  Even though they lose some efficiency, MOST LIKELY a glass
mount one, either in the top center of the windshield OR top Center of the
rear window. Is there much difference in the two locations (remember, this
crewcab has a LOT of roof area)?

Now the REAL questions.
1. Does anybody here know of any RFI issues with the 2005 F-150 (4.6L V8)? 
Either from the engine to the radio, or from the radio affecting engine
performance?  Again, we're talking 2M/440 here.

2.  What if any dual band (or even single band) radios with detachable
control panels should I avoid like the plague? Ones with know reliability
problems, keep in mind I'll probably be trying to get one used.


******************************************************
73 de Phil,  KO6BB
DX begins at the noise floor!

THE BEACONEER'S LAIR:  http://www.geocities.com/ko6bb/ QSL GALLERY:
http://photobucket.com/albums/y123/KO6BB/
Merced, Central California,    37.3N  120.48W  CM97sh

******************************************************

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