Member Since: 27 Mar 2008
Location: Riyadh, KSA
Posts: 3079
This weekend's job.. Ham Radio Install - Any D4 Examples?
Morning...
Have done a few searches for similar installs but as far as I can see there are only D3 examples so far. I'm fitting a dual-band Yaesu rig (detatchable head) into the D4 this weekend, but the lack of flat, unused areas on the D4 dash is puzzling me. Been putting it off since I got the D4 but I have a RAYNET event looming.
I'm pretty good at fashioning or adapting brackets, but has anyone got any example of a D4 install that's neat, airbag-safe and usable? The power and coax bit of the install is sorted already, it's just the placement that I'm struggling with.
Should be a picture in my gallery of a remote head fitted above the rear view mirror, D3 and D4 mirrors are much the same. Major reason for that spot is it does not need a refocus of the eyes to read it as one looks at the mirror anyway.A vaccine does not stop you catching a virus, or passing it on, or getting ill from it, really ill. It does reduce the likelyhood of you dying when really, really ill. Stay Alive - KEEP AWAY FROM PEOPLE.
4th Sep 2014 9:55 pm
James W
Member Since: 27 Mar 2008
Location: Riyadh, KSA
Posts: 3079
Wow - that's a small head unit Is that a Kenwood or Icom? My Yaesu FT7800 head wouldn't fit up there, it must be twice the size.
That is a very neat idea though...!
Thanks
5th Sep 2014 7:07 am
epninety
Member Since: 12 Oct 2012
Location: Hampshire
Posts: 329
I'm not familiar with the D4 dash, except a quick glance at some online photos...
These days I just use a small RAM gimbal mount for all small gizmos I fit in a vehicle. The 1" ball varieties are not *too* stupidly expensive, and it has the advantage you can swap over bits of kit without drilling any more holes, and it's so adjustable that you dan't have to get the mount in *exactly* the right place.
My FT8900 head fits in the cubby hole in front of the gearshift on my D3. The large round RAM flange is just stuck to the trim with number plate tape, the only casualty is a 2" round hole cut in the rubber insert, which could be replaced of course. The radio body is in the boot side 'locker', mounted on the cover, next to the rear aircon unit.
The Yaesu FTM-10 extension speaker is an excellent fit for the cupholder too!
Dave G1TVL
5th Sep 2014 11:34 am
James W
Member Since: 27 Mar 2008
Location: Riyadh, KSA
Posts: 3079
Thanks Dave, much appreciated. Unfortunately I don't have a space there. In the end I fabbed up a small metal bracket that just slides/wedges under the soft dash top. It's really sturdy and at a good height for operating.
The radio is working well, haven't done the APRS rig in the boot yet though.
James
7th Sep 2014 10:30 am
Robbie
Member Since: 05 Feb 2006
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Posts: 17932
I've seen a very similar installation above the vent to the right of the driver. It looks quite neat and discrete there and has the advantage of using an arm supported by the driver's door to do the twiddling, but is does preclude the passenger from operating it (which may or may not be desirable). There is a load of space behind there for excess cable and other stuff too.
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Member Since: 27 Mar 2008
Location: Riyadh, KSA
Posts: 3079
Robbie
Yes that's another good spot, but as you say the radio being in the middle allows any (licensed!) passengers to use it and I also already have my split charge display there
I wish Brodit did an A Pillar mount for the D4 like the did for my old TD5, it would be very handy indeed....
7th Sep 2014 12:09 pm
Boisee
Member Since: 03 Oct 2013
Location: Stonehaven
Posts: 180
James that looks quite neat. What are you doing for the antenna, how have you mounted that?
Paul
MM6MLT
7th Sep 2014 3:16 pm
James W
Member Since: 27 Mar 2008
Location: Riyadh, KSA
Posts: 3079
Hi Paul,
Antenna mounts are Diamond ones, one on each side (I run a separate rig for APRS). They aren't new I've had them for years but the wear is purely cosmetic. You can turn the knob on them so that the antenna fold down flat if height/access is required. They clamp to the Prospeed rack really well and the cables run down into the upper tailgate recess and then into the vents behind the rear lights (once removed).
The radio itself is mounted to the back of the drawer system in the boot. The cable to the head on the dash runs under the plastic sill panels and then up into the dash. The bracket just slides under the soft dash top, no damage.
7th Sep 2014 4:48 pm
Avalon
Member Since: 01 Apr 2013
Location: Bavaria
Posts: 83
Hi James,
I built a bracket to mount the head unit of my rig to the center console. It clamps to the upper section of the console and can can be removed without leaving any holes in the console:
The only drawback I have here, is that the display is somewhat hard to read under bright lighting conditions.
The main unit is mounted under the passenger seat:
Regards,
OlafDisco4 V6 SC HSE (MY2014)
10th Sep 2014 9:48 pm
Big Stu 12
Member Since: 15 May 2015
Location: Ipswich
Posts: 23
James W wrote:
Thanks Dave, much appreciated. Unfortunately I don't have a space there. In the end I fabbed up a small metal bracket that just slides/wedges under the soft dash top. It's really sturdy and at a good height for operating.
The radio is working well, haven't done the APRS rig in the boot yet though.
James
I've just purchased the Yaesu FT8900 with the removable head, now just got to install it in the D3, I like the idea of the head unit bracket that, have you got any pics of it before you put it in place as I would like to pinch the idea .
thinking about mounting the main unit in the cubby hole on the passenger side in the boot, anyone have an idea of the best route.... before I start to pull every thing apart..
That's very neat. I'm looking at making a pod to sit on top of the dash to allow two radios to be mounted side by side, but I'm not sure how to get the cables through so that it can be removed when my wife drives the car.
How did you get the cable under the dash panel?
My other alternative is to mount it on top of the centre console armrest.1972 Range Rover Classic 2 door V8
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10th Jul 2017 7:36 pm
James W
Member Since: 27 Mar 2008
Location: Riyadh, KSA
Posts: 3079
It's been a good solution and is still firmly in place. I'll try and remember to take some photos ASAP unfortunately I'm living in a hospital pretty much at the moment with expectant SWMBO! Feel free to bump this thread in a few days to remind me D4 XS, gone, much loved, never forgotten
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10th Jul 2017 7:46 pm
steam
Member Since: 02 Jun 2017
Location: Luxembourg
Posts: 9
James W wrote:
Thanks Dave, much appreciated. Unfortunately I don't have a space there. In the end I fabbed up a small metal bracket that just slides/wedges under the soft dash top. It's really sturdy and at a good height for operating.
The radio is working well, haven't done the APRS rig in the boot yet though.
James
this is the best solution I've ever seen, thank you for the sharing, I'll do the same way to my id-5100.
BTW, did you make the braket by yourself? May I know the thickness of the bracket?
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Is that a Kenwood or Icom? My Yaesu FT7800 head wouldn't fit up there, it must be twice the size.
