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Laughing Gas
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 1,008
Likes: 5
CQ CQ CQ
Replacing my aging Ford Excursion within the next two or so years with an F-150 PowerBoost Hybrid.
Wondering if anyone's mounted an amateur radio setup in their rig.
I've done many an install, as my day job a few years back was installing radios and other equipment in police and fleet vehicles for the Washington DC transit system and other local jurisdictional vehicles. There's no freakier feeling than going to the dealership to pick up a brand new $70g vehicle, taking it back to the shop, dropping the roofliner and side curtain air bags, and punching several 3/4 inch holes in the roof. But I'm sure it'll hit differently when it's MY vehicle and I don't have an on-site bodyman to help me if I slip up.
Looking for mounting ideas for the control head. All my older installs were in older vehicles. Now that I've got a 12 inch LCD screen and a full center console to contend with, mounting decisions get harder.
Wondering if anyone's mounted an amateur radio setup in their rig.
I've done many an install, as my day job a few years back was installing radios and other equipment in police and fleet vehicles for the Washington DC transit system and other local jurisdictional vehicles. There's no freakier feeling than going to the dealership to pick up a brand new $70g vehicle, taking it back to the shop, dropping the roofliner and side curtain air bags, and punching several 3/4 inch holes in the roof. But I'm sure it'll hit differently when it's MY vehicle and I don't have an on-site bodyman to help me if I slip up.
Looking for mounting ideas for the control head. All my older installs were in older vehicles. Now that I've got a 12 inch LCD screen and a full center console to contend with, mounting decisions get harder.
5th Wheeling
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 48
Likes: 12
From: Grandview
Bullet Proof Diesel
You might watch the YouTube video and see if that might work.
Watch "Bullet Proof Diesel Antenna Mount Install on 2017 Ford Raptor" on YouTube
I installed an old Alinco dual-band in a 2010 F350 CC but the truck has been sold and the radio put in a box. The main radio went behind the rear seat, the antenna was a mag-mount, and the remote head went to a gooseneck mount that I bolted to the driver's seat base rail.
Bullet Proof Diesel only lists brackets up to 2020, and it is pricy but you can contact them at your leisure.
73's
Ed/KC8RXQ
Watch "Bullet Proof Diesel Antenna Mount Install on 2017 Ford Raptor" on YouTube
I installed an old Alinco dual-band in a 2010 F350 CC but the truck has been sold and the radio put in a box. The main radio went behind the rear seat, the antenna was a mag-mount, and the remote head went to a gooseneck mount that I bolted to the driver's seat base rail.
Bullet Proof Diesel only lists brackets up to 2020, and it is pricy but you can contact them at your leisure.
73's
Ed/KC8RXQ
5th Wheeling
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 48
Likes: 12
From: Grandview
I guess I should stop multitasking and read the entire message. The control head mounting may require some creativity. It it weren't for the center console in my truck I would just mount the entire radio on the transmission hump.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 1,937
Likes: 1,221
From: Southern Crescent
There is this option for mounting mag-mount antennas on aluminum bodies with no holes and low budget. Also good for low tree limbs.
https://www.ruggedradios.com/collect...mounting-plate
Control heads can be mounted in the dash tray with this:
https://builtrightind.com/collection...17-f-250-f-350
I'll be moving my Kenwood TMV-701 over to the new truck when it gets here. I'll drill a small hole in the dash tray for the control head cable to run through and mount the radio under the passenger seat. Definitely going with the mag mount disc and seriously thinking about the built right bracket thing.
https://www.ruggedradios.com/collect...mounting-plate
Control heads can be mounted in the dash tray with this:
https://builtrightind.com/collection...17-f-250-f-350
I'll be moving my Kenwood TMV-701 over to the new truck when it gets here. I'll drill a small hole in the dash tray for the control head cable to run through and mount the radio under the passenger seat. Definitely going with the mag mount disc and seriously thinking about the built right bracket thing.
5th Wheeling
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 48
Likes: 12
From: Grandview
Those are good options. I knew about the mounting disc but I didn't think BuiltRight had something that versatile. My dualband has a remote head with a pretty long cable so there might be another upgrade coming. I just wish the truck had the upfitter switches that my 2010 F350 had. Just something else to keep my mind off of work!
Thanks,
Thanks,
Tuned
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 344
Likes: 5
From: North Shore MA
Adding myself here for additional replies, I'm also interested in mounting options. I used to run a stake pocket mount for CB (would not recommend) but didn't get much further as I've got a bit of an aversion to drilling into my vehicles 
I've seen a much less expense 3rd brake light mount from Larson that I've thought about getting, no personal experience with it though (yet).
-W1LES
I've seen a much less expense 3rd brake light mount from Larson that I've thought about getting, no personal experience with it though (yet).
-W1LES
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Cargo Master
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 2,898
Likes: 185
W5DWH here. I hate to say it but I don't even install mobile rigs in my vehicles any more. When I travel the highways seem dead as I very seldom hear anyone on 146.520 any more. I own a repeater and it gets lots of use but I can hit it with a HT so I just carry one with me
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 1,937
Likes: 1,221
From: Southern Crescent
And I had an LMO mount dead center in the roof of that truck. Got ripped out at least 3 times. Never again. Tacky ol' mag mounts with the coax going out the back door is the way to go. Even then I lost one to a tree limb, but it didn't damage my truck. We'll see how well that sticky disk from Rugged Radio works.
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cterrysgd
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Jan 11, 2015 05:07 PM