Where should I mount my HAM?

3443 Views 22 Replies 11 Participants Last post by radiorobwalker, May 9, 2008

Teejeaux

Discussion Starter · May 7, 2008

I just bought a Yeasu FT-8800R with a remote head. The head is really small, but I can't figure out a good place to mount it. It doesn't come with any kind of swivel mount, and Yeasu only makes a flat type mount. I've thought about buying a "bug" mount, but I'm not sure how solid it would be. Does anyone run the 8800R, and if so, where did you mount it?

Thanks!
Teejeaux

1 - 20 of 23 Posts

ebhudgens

· #2 · May 7, 2008

I've seen several on the forum who have mounted the remote head just beneath the switches on the center console. Also have seen a few mount the remote head on the vertical surface below the driver's side A/C vent.

When I get a newer radio, I will also go for a remote head. In the mean time, I have my OLD Kenwood TM721A sitting in the center console box facing to the front. Not great, but it works. Forked over the $$$ for the Bandi mount and installed a stacked dual band antenna - works great.

Fjamming

· #3 · May 7, 2008

I read the title and was going to suggest "between 2 pieces of bread", then I realized you were talking about amateur radio.

.

FJ Ollie has a pretty good write up on his. http://www.fjcruiserforums.com/forums/member-build-ups/50974-bugeater-fj-ollie-s-rig.html#post884017

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Mikey D.

· #4 · May 7, 2008

Instead of a permanent mount try using Velcro. Find a spot that is safe and accessible and mount the head there. You can remove and hide the head easily while leaving only a strip of Velcro exposed as opposed to a permanent mount for thieves to admire. A strip or two of Velcro will look rather innocuous compared to a big mounting device as well!

73 de,

Mike

Polar_Rescue

· #5 · May 7, 2008

I have a ICOM 706... I was thinking of mounting it on a ram mount in one of far "north" cup holder, just the head.. i have the remote head kit... plan to mount the transciever portion towards the rear hidden some where...

Where did you guys mount your antennas??

I have a Bandi Mount for my Outbacker ... but where to place the VHF antenna??

thanks in advance..

Chris
WZ3Q

frogeye

· #6 · May 7, 2008

I mounted my head unit under the seat and the detachable face on the left side of the dash.

hth

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Teejeaux

Discussion Starter · #7 · May 7, 2008

frogeye said:
I mounted my head unit under the seat and the detachable face on the left side of the dash.

hth

I like that! Frogeye, what did you use to mount that there? Just drill through the plastic? How solid is it? Does the mic cable get in the way?

Teejeaux

Discussion Starter · #8 · May 7, 2008

Mikey D. said:
Instead of a permanent mount try using Velcro. Find a spot that is safe and accessible and mount the head there. You can remove and hide the head easily while leaving only a strip of Velcro exposed as opposed to a permanent mount for thieves to admire. A strip or two of Velcro will look rather innocuous compared to a big mounting device as well!

73 de,

Mike

I don't know about velcro. I've got my Scangauge mounted on the steering column like Frogeye does, and it looks like it keeps trying to fall off. I don't know how solid velcro would be with the microphone sticking out of the side and being yanked around.

Mikey D.

· #9 · May 7, 2008

Polar_Rescue said:
I have a ICOM 706... I was thinking of mounting it on a ram mount in one of far "north" cup holder, just the head.. i have the remote head kit... plan to mount the transciever portion towards the rear hidden some where...

Where did you guys mount your antennas??

I have a Bandi Mount for my Outbacker ... but where to place the VHF antenna??

thanks in advance..

Chris
WZ3Q

Have any PIX of the antenna on the mount? Sounds interesting.

Mike

Mikey D.

· #10 · May 7, 2008

Teejeaux said:
I don't know about velcro. I've got my Scangauge mounted on the steering column like Frogeye does, and it looks like it keeps trying to fall off. I don't know how solid velcro would be with the microphone sticking out of the side and being yanked around.

You'll have to excuse me, I have a ICOM 207H - the head and mic are separate so mounting with Velcro wasn't a problem for me!

Mike

Teejeaux

Discussion Starter · #11 · May 7, 2008

Mikey D. said:
You'll have to excuse me, I have a ICOM 207H - the head and mic are separate so mounting with Velcro wasn't a problem for me!

Mike

Ahh, yeah, if that was the case, it would be easy. I've got LOTS of places I could mount it if I didn't have to worry about the cord of the Mic hanging in my way.

MountainMan

· #12 · May 7, 2008

i have a 2.5" x 2.5" piece of heavy duty velcro on that little angled spot right in front of the eBrake where i stick my HT - if you get good quality heavy duty velcro it works good, grabs hard.

opg4759

· #13 · May 7, 2008

I used a suction mount to this windshield. I like this method since it's non-destructive.

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Teejeaux

Discussion Starter · #14 · May 7, 2008

opg4759 said:
I used a suction mount to this windshield. I like this method since it's non-destructive.

7800 install

What's the name of that mount? Where'd you get it?

frogeye

· #15 · May 7, 2008

Teejeaux said:
I like that! Frogeye, what did you use to mount that there? Just drill through the plastic? How solid is it? Does the mic cable get in the way?

All I did was drill two tiny holes and used the supplied nuts and bolts for the plate. It's very solid. The mic cable stays off to the left and isn't in my way.

OlyWaFJ

· #16 · May 7, 2008 (Edited)

4

Mounting capabilities and location is why I went with the ICOM-208H.

I've cleaned up the cabling since this photo was taken...

The Yaesu's mic has to connect to the remote head which is problematic for cable management. All the Icom's go back the radio which allows for a really clean install.

I put the external speaker under the rear seat on the drivers side facing forward, no photo but works very well.
:rocker:

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opg4759

· #17 · May 7, 2008 (Edited)

It's a metra universal gooseneck mount.

I got it at Circuit City

The trick is mount it low and then I also put rubber feet on the bottom of the radio face and the mount plate so it wouldn't rub on the dash. I've used this setup since I installed the radio and have been nothing but happy with it.

The only change I'm going the be making is I'm going to remote the mic to the center console.

Also if you haven't bought the remote kit yet, don't. You can order the nesting plate for the face for 5 bucks from the Yeasu parts department(i will look for the phone number, and the remote cable can be built with cat 5 and 2 6 pin RJ-25 connectors. I built my own remote mount kit for 30 buck with the mount. This would no different with a 8800 or 8900

Teejeaux

Discussion Starter · #18 · May 7, 2008

opg4759 said:
It's a metra universal gooseneck mount.

I got it at Circuit City

The trick is mount it low and then I also put rubber feet on the bottom of the radio face and the mount plate so it wouldn't rub on the dash. I've used this setup since I installed the radio and have been nothing but happy with it.

The only change I'm going the be making is I'm going to remote the mic to the center console.

Also if you haven't bought the remote kit yet, don't. You can order the nesting plate for the face for 5 bucks from the Yeasu parts department(i will look for the phone number, and the remote cable can be built with cat 5 and 2 6 pin RJ-25 connectors. I built my own remote mount kit for 30 buck with the mount. This would no different with a 8800 or 8900

The remote kit came with the radio. Hamcity has them for $350 including the remote kit. I like the 8800 because it has the dual monitoring capability on a dual band radio.

Polar_Rescue

· #19 · May 9, 2008

I have a question... are any of you using more then the Bandi mount for your antennas?

I have a ICOM 706... i need to mount two antennas... one for HF, on the Bandi mount.. I have a outback Perth Plus to go there... but i need a VHF antenna... is anyone mounting besides the rear bandi mount?

Is anyone trying a hood mount?

I actualy have a use for possiably a second VHF antenna.. I am involved with my township ema... help me out here guys.. i am sure i am not the only one with the need for two antennas..

Thanks
Chris
WZ3Q

frogeye

· #20 · May 9, 2008

Check out FJ Ollie's BugEater in the Members' rigs section of this forum. He's got bookoo antennas.

Polar_Rescue said:
I have a question... are any of you using more then the Bandi mount for your antennas?

I have a ICOM 706... i need to mount two antennas... one for HF, on the Bandi mount.. I have a outback Perth Plus to go there... but i need a VHF antenna... is anyone mounting besides the rear bandi mount?

Is anyone trying a hood mount?

I actualy have a use for possiably a second VHF antenna.. I am involved with my township ema... help me out here guys.. i am sure i am not the only one with the need for two antennas..

Thanks
Chris
WZ3Q

1 - 20 of 23 Posts

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