Radio Install

[codejockey]

All, I got my Radio installed this last weekend. It was an Icom 208H (2m/70cm) radio. I installed the radio body underneath the back seat, and the control head in the center console. I fabricated a small wooden mount for the faceplate and spray painted it black. The Antenna is a Larsen NMO 2/70 installed in the roof. Initial reports are excellent, although I don't like the cheesy / plasticy feel of the vfo knob on the control head. Other than that it's great.

Antenna


Radio


My plan was to install a small external speaker since the radio body was under the backseat; however, it's plenty loud for me to hear it without that. I will be adding a Cobra 75 WXST CB radio very soon, then it will be onto the lift & more fun mods.

[codejockey]

Oh, and I installed an rj45 surface mount keystone jack underneath the console to plug the mic into so that i can easily plug / unplug the mic should I ever want to remove it for anything. I'll try and snap a pic of that later on.

[teebes]

Nice setup! What kind of distance are you getting out of the radio/antenna setup?

[codejockey]

Nice setup! What kind of distance are you getting out of the radio/antenna setup?

I haven't had a lot of time to test that fully yet, but I talked 25 miles simplex last night and it was crystal clear, and I'm easily picking up repeaters 50 miles away.

[KE7WOX]

How did you mount the microphone? I have the exact same one but I'm using the stock hanger

[codejockey]

How did you mount the microphone? I have the exact same one but I'm using the stock hanger

Well, I bought the radio used and he didn't have the original clip, so I used a dashboard cell phone mount that I picked up at Best Buy for $10.00. Sorry for the dark pics, it was still early when I took these.

Dash Side:


Mic Side:

[Trail X]

Nice. I just hope you don't want to add a roof basket in the future... looks like you mounted the antenna right in the middle of the roof?

I like that radio though, very stealthy.

[codejockey]

Yeah I thought about the roof basket before I did it, but the truth is I don't plan to. If I do, I'll cap that antenna install and move it to another location, or I'll make a custom, shorter, roof basket.

[Zero]

Very nice man! Im looking at getting a boosted uniden to either 18w or 24w, with a wilson antenna.