[nrv-hams] My Mobile Install

[Cam Coble]

Hey hams!

I just wrote up something for someone asking about my mobile installation
and thought I'd share with the group as well, so here it goes:

My original install just used hamsticks. It wasn't that bad performance
wise, but I did have to get out and change the antenna for each band.
It was much cheaper though, and got me to understand how much I actually
would enjoy mobile HF.

My system is this:
TYT-9800
Mag mount Tram base NMO mount with Tram 1180 2m/70cm antenna

Yaesu FT-857D
Yaesu MH-59A8J Remote Control Mic (really need this accessory!)
Tarheel 100A-HP w/Ameritron SDC-104Y antenna controller
or
Tundra fender antenna mount w/Firestik low profile mount w/coax
Hamstick or similar antenna, tuned per band.

Both radio heads are mounted with a custom mount on top of a car seat bolt
mount.

I also make use of FireStik K-1A Push-n-Twist quick disconnects for both
Tarheel and hamsticks (needed to go under things sometimes).

Both radio audio are piped through a system for mixing.
I combine through a 4-Channel Line Mixer into an amplifier, into a 4 1/2"
speaker in the center of the dashboard. My Tundra had a speaker hole built
into the dash under the grill in the middle (2011 Tundra).

Tundra fender mount -
https://www.rightchannelradios.com/products/toyota-cb-antenna-hood-mount-2007
Firestik Coax -
https://www.ebay.com/itm/FIRESTIK-K4-8R18-18-CB-RADIO-ANTENNA-FIRE-RING-COAX-WITH-STUD/183674932138
Quick disconnect -
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Firestik-K-1A-Quick-Disconnect-CB-Antenna-Mount-Removable-Quick-Push-n-Twist/371055543974
Car seat bolt mount -
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Car-Seat-Bolt-Extra-Long-22-Mount-for-Yaesu-FT-7900-FT-7800R-FT-857D-Radio-Head/401390528858
Microphone holder for mount -
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Icom-Kenwood-Yaesu-Microphone-Attachment-For-Lido-or-Arkon-Seat-Bolt-Mount/264694259855
Mixer -
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07QDN6Z83/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o09_s00

Amplifier similar to this -
https://www.amazon.com/Kinter-MA170-Channel-Digital-Amplifier/dp/B007TUSXEY/ref=sr_1_1

Here is a share of the pictures. Let me know if you need descriptions.
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1yy2nC6Wq_0vpgHdaLecoCk8IaNt4IUO5?usp=sharing

This has a lot of pictures of the refurbishing of the Tarheel antenna as
well.
The antenna mounting brackets were from Lowes. I think they were for deck
beams or something. Anyways, I drilled for them to connect together, and
drilled for mounting under the truck bed tie down. Some of the bed liner
had to be cut away. There are some pics from under the bed, showing the
bracket behind the mount as well.
Only 1 hold drilled for running the coax and control cable.

Running cables into the cab was done through an existing grommet just
inside the driver side frame at the mid-door pillar. Simple cutting in an X
and running the cables via coathanger toward the front of the vehicle
allowed the cable to exit the carpet just under the driver seat where all
the radio equipment is stored.

I'm still working on:
- grounding straps - really need to ground the bed and antenna better,
along with the rig itself.
- cable shortening - audio/power/controls/etc.
- cleaner install

73!
--
Cam, W4XXV