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jlobaugh
05-03-2014, 11:54 AM
Finally got to wrap up the install of my Yeasu FT-7800 in its 4th vehicle in the 10 years I've owned it, and oddly enough, the oldest vehicle its ever been in. '01 Civic -> '02 Durango -> '11 Patriot -> '99 XJ. Since I had to do it bits at a time and it was usually dark and/or raining, I did not document the install itself, but I do have to replace the coax, so maybe I'll document that.

This was my best bet for a mounting location, it doesn't interfere with the operation of any controls, the glove box opens all of the way and I can pull the bezel if I pop the control head off of the mount (which consists of a 90-degree metal bracket from the hardware store and some high-bond locking tape)
https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-goT87IqSzFI/U2Ua09WIX1I/AAAAAAAAGRg/bJ0XI1JqJOw/w727-h545-no/IMG_5347.JPG

Here is a better shot of the bracket and the speaker. The speaker is connected with an 1/8" jack so that I can remove it, I have a 100' separation cable for emergency operations.
https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-9G852clkiH4/U2Ua3G3_5FI/AAAAAAAAGRo/icdQoUpjTWU/w727-h545-no/IMG_5350.JPG

The antenna is an MFJ-1422 on a comet RS-730. the coax has gone bad and I need to order a replacement :( so I won't be able to use my radio until next week.
https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-Gk-dL6KwiFc/U2Ua4WtFMqI/AAAAAAAAGRw/2urnDP11o6c/w409-h545-no/IMG_5352.JPG

And the radio itself. All wires are hidden to this point(except for 3 in in the back seat) and I must say, it was a total PITA running them back. so much so that I pulled two extra 10 ga and an extra CAT5 run. I plan on adding an inverter in the not too distant future, so that ought to make life easier.
https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-9Wal5HdmnQc/U2Ua5qW49iI/AAAAAAAAGR4/3Jtq66ti3m0/w727-h545-no/IMG_5355.JPG

Mudderoy
05-03-2014, 12:22 PM
Nice install. I have the AH4 antenna tuner behind that same quarter panel, the radio mounted to the back of the center console and put the control head at eye level.

5248

prerunner1982
05-03-2014, 02:36 PM
Nice install.

Here is my FT 8800r in my 93 XJ. Radio is under the passenger seat.

jlobaugh
05-04-2014, 03:27 PM
Looks good, I wish I had that room in my 99. I need to have a CB in there if I want to trail ride with the local jeep club. I have a Midland unit with a Lil' Wil in my company vehicle, but it rarely gets used. I don't travel as much as I used to and the cheap bastard in me wants to re-purpose it, but at the same time I kinda want to save the space and just get a Cobra 75 or a handheld unit.

I also stumbled across the inverter that I though I lost, so I'm glad I ran the extra wire. It took me less than 30 min. to install my Monster MCPI 300, which is a good thing, because if I had spent any more time wrenching on the Jeep this weekend, the wife was gonna choke me.
https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-qV5nFmA1hXM/U2abRgWjWWI/AAAAAAAAGSk/pv4SbnkA79E/w727-h545-no/IMG_5368.JPG

I haven't figured out how the remote works just yet, but I will. The wires are not terminated in this plug, i just didn't feel like pulling the panel again to run it later.
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-0ZjVpL-_TWA/U2abULMwgtI/AAAAAAAAGS0/lfMM7vIOxIM/w409-h545-no/IMG_5367.JPG

I just ran a small remote wire from the +12V connection and I will turn the inverter on/off with the main power switch until I get it figured out... there's not a lot of documentation about this thing.
https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-1oD9TvP1opI/U2abS8r_P6I/AAAAAAAAGSs/WsprgbdTR40/w409-h545-no/IMG_5366.JPG


:bacondance:

prerunner1982
05-04-2014, 05:34 PM
The remote connection is just for switched power so it comes on and off with the key.

jlobaugh
05-04-2014, 06:34 PM
The remote connection is just for switched power so it comes on and off with the key.

This model actually has two different remote connections, one can be switched by applying +12V from the ignition or a switch; The other connection has an RJ-45 and is switched on/off with a momentary push-button and there are 12V outputs for a 2-color LED to indicate power on/standby. I'm hoping that there is a 'latching' circuit that I can connect to the ignition and have the inverter power down when I shut off the Jeep... unless I push the button again. The inverter in my previous company vehicle worked exactly that way.

I bought this thing at a bargain outlet like 8 years ago for 30 dollars and it even came with all of the wire needed to connect it directly to the battery, which was essentially a decent amp wiring kit. It's largely under-appreciated. It once ran a small crock pot for 4 hours. We were on a road trip and put our meal in it before we pushed out and had an awesome picnic lunch with pulled pork sammiches. :D

downsy
08-19-2014, 12:15 AM
That's a nice setup. Ya'll will proabbly get a good laugh out of my dual band radio when I get it put in............total "high" power setting........10 watts ;) But it was 100 bucks so I'm not going to bitch too much. I've been able to hit repeaters 20+ miles away with my 4 watt Baofeng.

bluedragon436
08-25-2014, 12:22 AM
Looks good, I wish I had that room in my 99. I need to have a CB in there if I want to trail ride with the local jeep club. I have a Midland unit with a Lil' Wil in my company vehicle, but it rarely gets used. I don't travel as much as I used to and the cheap bastard in me wants to re-purpose it, but at the same time I kinda want to save the space and just get a Cobra 75 or a handheld unit.

I also stumbled across the inverter that I though I lost, so I'm glad I ran the extra wire. It took me less than 30 min. to install my Monster MCPI 300, which is a good thing, because if I had spent any more time wrenching on the Jeep this weekend, the wife was gonna choke me.
https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-qV5nFmA1hXM/U2abRgWjWWI/AAAAAAAAGSk/pv4SbnkA79E/w727-h545-no/IMG_5368.JPG

I haven't figured out how the remote works just yet, but I will. The wires are not terminated in this plug, i just didn't feel like pulling the panel again to run it later.
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-0ZjVpL-_TWA/U2abULMwgtI/AAAAAAAAGS0/lfMM7vIOxIM/w409-h545-no/IMG_5367.JPG

I just ran a small remote wire from the +12V connection and I will turn the inverter on/off with the main power switch until I get it figured out... there's not a lot of documentation about this thing.
https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-1oD9TvP1opI/U2abS8r_P6I/AAAAAAAAGSs/WsprgbdTR40/w409-h545-no/IMG_5366.JPG


:bacondance:

The Remote wire that you jumped is to be hooked up to a power source that will switch on with the key, or a switch if you decide to do ti that way... it's the same three wire power setup that a audio amp for cars runs..

xjzaped
12-13-2014, 08:29 PM
I have my APRS tracker, based off a Motorola SM50, where OPs body is. I have an Anytone (Chinese clone of the Yaesu) under the back seat. Put the head on top or the dash. I have a cobra 25 where the OPs head is. It's coming out soon though.

prerunner1982
12-15-2014, 04:25 PM
Colin, what TNC are you using for your APRS? Think this may be my next project.

xjzaped
12-15-2014, 04:59 PM
Byonics Tiny Trak 3. Just a beacon.

Knowing what I know now, I'd use an Opentracker from Argent Data. It's the same price as the TT3, but has onboard USB and can be used as a Kiss TNC.

Here are the rig pictures for reference.

The dual bander. Thinking about going to a VX-5500/6500 on a remote mount (thank you TxDOT). And installing a UHF M1225 on the dash.
http://i1245.photobucket.com/albums/gg586/zap_uh_lack/null_zps5a3780df.jpg

The interior.
http://i1245.photobucket.com/albums/gg586/zap_uh_lack/Mobile%20Uploads/F4739079-FEBB-4B5E-AD2E-2FE7FC6E421E_zpsg3c7s6oc.jpg

The first iteration of the tracker (25W Maxtrac 50, 5 pin for those that know Radius radios). After blowing the voltage regulator in that Maxtrac 50, I attempted to use a Maxtrac 300 (again 5 pin) and have some shorts somewhere on the header where I pulled connections.

http://i1245.photobucket.com/albums/gg586/zap_uh_lack/null_zpsa1104daf.jpg

Current revision

http://i1245.photobucket.com/albums/gg586/zap_uh_lack/FD173CE2-A804-45B5-9EC1-BE7A5501CADC_zpskfezggfr.jpg

ArmyGuy45
12-15-2014, 10:44 PM
Byonics Tiny Trak 3. Just a beacon.

Knowing what I know now, I'd use an Opentracker from Argent Data. It's the same price as the TT3, but has onboard USB and can be used as a Kiss TNC.

Here are the rig pictures for reference.

The dual bander. Thinking about going to a VX-5500/6500 on a remote mount (thank you TxDOT). And installing a UHF M1225 on the dash.
http://i1245.photobucket.com/albums/gg586/zap_uh_lack/null_zps5a3780df.jpg

The interior.
http://i1245.photobucket.com/albums/gg586/zap_uh_lack/Mobile%20Uploads/F4739079-FEBB-4B5E-AD2E-2FE7FC6E421E_zpsg3c7s6oc.jpg

The first iteration of the tracker (25W Maxtrac 50, 5 pin for those that know Radius radios). After blowing the voltage regulator in that Maxtrac 50, I attempted to use a Maxtrac 300 (again 5 pin) and have some shorts somewhere on the header where I pulled connections.

http://i1245.photobucket.com/albums/gg586/zap_uh_lack/null_zpsa1104daf.jpg

Current revision

http://i1245.photobucket.com/albums/gg586/zap_uh_lack/FD173CE2-A804-45B5-9EC1-BE7A5501CADC_zpskfezggfr.jpg

So is your AR mounted in there or just resting?

xjzaped
12-16-2014, 08:51 AM
So is your AR mounted in there or just resting?

That's where I put it...it stays like that while driving though I don't have it hooked to anything.