Installing the Yaesu FTM 400 XDR in my New Truck - 2023

In todays video I am installing my Yaesu FTM 400 XDR into my new truck. This has been a long time coming. It is a relatively easy install IF you plan it out first. Enjoy.
Links from the video:
Butane Soldering Iron: bit.ly/3Po1W5c
Diamond K400S SO-239 Antenna Mount: amzn.to/45WU3cE
Diamond NR770HA Antenna: www.dxengineer...
CHECK OUT MY AMAZON STORE BELOW
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My Current Shack Setup:
ICOM IC-7300
Yaesu FT-2980
DX Commander Classic
Comet GP-9
Diamond GZV4000 Power Supply
LDG AT200 PROII Tuner
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#hr4nt
#ki5npl
#hamradiofornontechies

[@tomwardell9113]

This is the way. Love the Mandolorian mythosaur emblem on the truck. Good, clean install. Thanks for sharing. 73, de KB5YUE

[@HR4NT]

LOL...caught that did ya? Glad you liked the install! Thanks for the comment and for watching. 73!!!!

[@mikeramsey9747]

Nice job, the only change I would had looked at putting the radio body under one of the car seats to just get it out of the way.

[@BBaldwin]

The only problem there is it might muffle the audio. That would definitely work with the 500 though, since it has a speaker in the control head.

[@HR4NT]

I don't mind the location. I worry with out climate here that being under the seat could introduce some cooling issues and I don't want anything blocking the cooling fan on the rear. Having it in the spot I put it in, it is right under the lower A/C vent to add extra cooling if needed. That is the main reason for that location. Thanks for the comment and for watching. 73!

[@HR4NT]

I have an external speaker attached to combat that issue with the audio. Thanks for the comment and for watching. 73!

[@kumasu]

Yours was the first channel I started watching when I became interested in all things ham. Since then, I've passed my Tech and General and am hoping to soon purchase a DX Commander. I look forward to your next video.

[@HR4NT]

That is awesome! Congratulations!!!!! I love hearing stories like this. You will absolutely love the DX Commander when you get one. Still my favorite antenna to this day. Thanks for the comment and for watching. 73!

[@diegow2drr255]

Glad to see you back in action.

[@HR4NT]

It is great to be back in action! That was a miserable few months! Thanks for watching and for the comment. 73!

[@athomeinthewoods8057]

g You had me at "Glock on Wheels"!

[@HR4NT]

LOL! Love it! Thanks for watching and for the comment. 73!

[@hamradiobasics]

Good to see you back Scott ! Enjoyed the video !

[@HR4NT]

Glad you enjoyed it! Thanks for watching and for the comment. 73!

[@KO4AFL]

great to see you back Scott. Glad the radio still works. Hope recovery is going well for you.

[@HR4NT]

Much appreciated. So far so good! Thanks for the comment and for watching. 73!!

[@ryank5tar]

I always lubricate every screw, bolt, nut, and wire with a liberal amount of profanity.

[@HR4NT]

You too? LOL It makes them hold better...at least that is what I tell myself...Thanks for the comment and for watching. 73!

[@Thordmz]

Nice job and excellent antenna choice.

[@HR4NT]

I love it! Thanks for watching and for the comment. 73!

[@larrynorris8775]

Good work Scott 🚙

[@HR4NT]

Glad you enjoyed it! Thanks for watching and for the comment. 73!

[@garyh8315]

Glad to see you are on the mend. Good to see you making vids again, 73

[@HR4NT]

I really appreciate that. I have some new stuff coming out soon. I'm BACK!!! Thanks for the comment and for watching. 73!

[@ubergeek318]

Good install bro

[@HR4NT]

Glad you like it! Thanks for the comment and for watching. 73!

[@matthewriley1563]

Glad to see you again!!! Your channel is by far my favorite ham radio channel. You’ve taught me so much. You’re just dang entertaining.

[@HR4NT]

If you are learning and laughing (with me or at me...LOL) then I am doin g my job! Thanks for the comment and for watching. 73!!

[@kenluning909]

Nice video. Yes it's been way to hot for most outdoor activities that require filming. Cameras and phones overheat in the Texas Summers and shut off. Like the ride. Glad to see ya rolling again.l

[@HR4NT]

Exactly! The weather has been miserable, but on the bright side, fall and winter are kinda coming (lol). As it gets cooler, I will venture outdoors a lot more. Thanks for the comment and for watching. 73!

[@michaelt.9372]

Glad you’re back at it Brother.

[@HR4NT]

Me too! It's been way too long. I have to get back into the habit of shooting more videos again. Thanks for the comment and for watching. 73!

[@michaelt.9372]

@@HR4NT btw. I was raised on Aug 12. Quite an incredible experience

[@marytryon8314]

So glad your radio survived-- and you!

[@HR4NT]

Thank you very much. As you can imagine, I am glad to still be around as well. Thanks for the comment and for watching. 73!

[@jpb5385]

Nice!

[@HR4NT]

Glad you enjoyed the video! Thanks for the comment and for watching. 73!

[@tdsmart5674]

Great video! Good to see you back in the saddle, again!

[@HR4NT]

Hey, thanks! There are more videos coming out soon! Thanks for the comment and for watching. 73!

[@hamradiopenpals]

Nice install bro!!

[@HR4NT]

Glad you enjoyed it! Thanks for the comment and for watching. 73!

[@Swamp-Fox]

Nice install! Glad you are back on the road!

[@HR4NT]

I appreciate that! More videos are coming. Thanks for the comment and for watching. 73!

[@jamesmichaelwoods2930]

Fraternal Greeting - new to channel SMIB

[@HR4NT]

Glad to have you on the channel! Thanks for watching and for the comment. 73!

[@jacksholkoff9859]

Great to see you back on line! Really enjoy the videos! Yours remain some of the best out there.

[@HR4NT]

Hey I really appreciate that! Glad you enjoyed the video! Thanks for watching and for the comment. 73!

[@ReedAB8AS]

Hey Scott great video. I have a 2022 4Runner and used same mount in that exact location for my antenna. Works great. Glad to see you are feeling good enough after the accident to be out installing the rig. I’m going to send you an email sometime this weekend. 73 Reed/AB8AS

[@HR4NT]

That's awesome! I look forward to your email! Thanks for watching and for the comment. 73!

[@cbulkley4117]

Cool solution for the antenna.

[@HR4NT]

Yeah it seems to work just fine. Thanks for the comment and for watching. 73!

[@brentjohnson6654]

Nice job! I am about to order radios for the truck. All the best from north Texas. 73 de KI5HXM

[@HR4NT]

Good luck! Not sure you can find a 400XDR anymore since the came out with the newer model, but I love mine! Thanks for watching and for the comment. 73!

[@brentjohnson6654]

@@HR4NT thanks. I am interested in mobile VHF but seems to be highly costly. (The juice isn’t worth the squeeze) One radio or 2 in the VHF world that intrigue me is this one and the one that ties to the repeaters database - now that is interesting where I don’t have to get on the computer and program all the repeaters in. I am more drawn to mobile HF. Currently I have a Kenwood home radio I lug into the truck which works okay for portable but not mobile. This hobby is enjoyable but takes a while to pile up money for another thing I may or may not use. All the best!

[@BigPaws8185]

Brother Scott, great to see you back at it. I don't have a mobile radio yet, but I was inspired by this setup and have at least gone to HRO and order what I need to get my HT a serious upgrade for inside my truck. When the mobile comes along the antenna and the mount will be done.

[@HR4NT]

That is awesome! As long as you plan the install for your vehicle and figure out where to run the wiring, it will al fall into place. Best of luck! Thanks for the comment and for watching. 73!!

[@mark12.31]

Nice job! The only thing I would change is I would have put the body of the radio under the front or back seat - out of sight, much cleaner in appearance, and out of the way. But that's just me. Glad you're back "mobiling" again after the accident!

[@HR4NT]

I considered that, but with the heat we have here, I wanted to maximize the air flow going into the base through the fan and having it right under the dash like that in front of an A/C vent, seemed to make sense. Glad you enjoyed the video! Thanks for the comment and for watching. 73!

[@mark12.31]

@@HR4NT Understood! Makes sense. I think you would still be OK (I am in Arkansas and have no issues) but I follow what you mean. Since heat rises, when operating you would probably have the a/c on helping to cool the air so I think you would be fine. But I do understand your train of thought for sure!

[@3henry214]

Great to see you back Scott! Question, if the edges of the hole that you ran your power wires through was so sharp that it cut you that bad, aren't you concerned about it cutting thought the insulation on the wires due to the movement/road vibration of the vehicle? 73 KN6VMK

[@HR4NT]

It wasn't the hole in the firewall that was sharp. There is another thing under there that I brushed up against when pulling the wire through that shredded my finger. I am glad to be back! Thanks for watching and for the comment. 73!

[@michaelcallahan7592]

I have a funny story. I've been watching your videos for about a year or so know. I'm a general class operator. On of my coworkers said she had a video conference of someone she thought I'd enjoy. When she showed me the video I instantly recognized your voice and face and pulled up your KZbin channel. It's a small world. Hopefully I'll get a radio around Christmas and can make contact With you. N5MJC. 73

[@HR4NT]

That is interesting...what video conference was it? I am curious now...LOL I am glad to have you on the channel and glad you enjoy the videos! Thanks for the comment and for watching. 73!

[@michaelcallahan7592]

I think it was a one on one with my friend Melissa

[@HR4NT]

@@michaelcallahan7592 yup...she just messaged me...lol. small world for sure!! 73!!

[@michaelcallahan7592]

Indeed. I'll keep in touch love watching your videos. Stay safe out there on the roads

[@richardwatsonjr.5067]

Hi Scott, good to see you're back. If you get bored, can you do an install in my 2014 Titan? 😂 Nice 4Runner! 73. WA3WAT

[@HR4NT]

LOL...Take your time, plan it out and it should go in easily. Best of luck! Thanks for the comment and for watching. 73!

[@richardwatsonjr.5067]

@@HR4NT It's a future project. I do want to install the FTM??? with Fusion capability.

[@hamradiotube]

Good think you had APRS!

[@HR4NT]

ROFL...I know how much you love and depend on APRS for your daily life activities...LOL Thanks for the comment and for watching. 73!

[@kyoshivp]

Glad to see you back, Scott! Hope you're healing well! I'm ridiculously impressed that the radio survived the roll-over! Granted this is probably vehicle specific, but in general, how hard is it to pop up/off the interior panels to run the antenna wire? I bought a '22 Bronco Sport earlier in the year where I've been wanting to install a radio.

[@HR4NT]

I need to research popping panels on my truck before I try it. I just don't want to damage my new truck before I get a chance to enjoy it a bit...LOL. The one thing I will say is get one of those panel popping kits that has the assortment of tools to various panels for cars. That make s a big difference when trying to install or hide wires in your vehicle. As for the survival of my radio, I think it was based on how the accident finished out an how and where I had it all installed in my old truck. When I did this install, I probably should have cleaned off all the glass dust and so on. I have since wiped the entire unit down. Thanks for the comment and for watching. 73!

[@edwymer2226]

I would have moved that sear back all the way for more room to work,

[@jameshardinki5wlt539]

Nice clean job my friend. I would like to show you my install in my f150 for your opinion. 73s, KI5WLT

[@HR4NT]

Please do! Email me through the website and you can attach some pics or just shoot a quick video and upload it to your KZbin. I am always interested to see other variations of radio installs. Thanks for the comment and for watching. 73!!

[@CrazyBossDK]

great work. I think its trouble to install radios in modern cars. I am not a HAM, going to be hopefully :) but got back to CB after 25 years break. I was wondering does you Radio there have automatic antenna tuner, cause did not see you checking SWR ? I installed my CB with a magnetic mount and the SWR was actually good. I recall 30 years ago when installing CB in my old car I had to adjust antenna and cable length to get SWR right. I also had the problem to get the RG58 cable in to the car, cause I feel the cable will get worn by the doors, so i did the same as you get it in from the back. But might go an try to find the same mount as you have there. The problem is my small Plugin Hybrid car, also generate a lot of QRM at 27Mhz. So dont know how much time and money i will invist in my project.

[@HR4NT]

Hey thanks for commenting. The antenna I use is plug and play, so no tuning required. Most mobile VHF/UHF radios do not have a tuner. If you are building your own antenna then you would use an antenna analyzer to tune it to the frequency you want to operate on. But the majority if not all mobile antennas are pre tuned for you. I think the coax on that mount is RG-316 and much easier to navigate into your car. You might have to put a few chokes on the coax to block that RFI from your car. I hope this helps. Again, thanks for watching and for the comment. 73!

[@chuckmartin6049]

Scott what gauge wire did you use from your battery? Thanks

[@HR4NT]

I believe it was 14 gauge to match what came with the radio wire attachment. Hope this helps. Thanks for the comment and for watching. 73!

[@chrisp3193]

What auxiliary did you put coming off the battery?

[@HR4NT]

It was from Amazon. Here is the link: amzn.to/3uOoF2W It works well and easy to install with your radio. I hope this helps. Thanks for the comment and for watching. 73!

[@Pops_607]

Do you use fusion ? If so how do you like it?

[@HR4NT]

I was hoping to but no. There are no fusion repeaters near me, so I gave up on that for now. Thanks for watching and for the comment. 73!

[@Screamingtut]

nice job Scott how you guys doing with all those fires down there? de N6KV

[@HR4NT]

Thank you very much! Th only fires I know of locally are a few grass fires and they were kept under control. I haven't experienced anything local to me that affected my day. Thanks for the comment and for watching. 73!

[@edwymer2226]

I would have moved that sear back all the way for more room to work,

[@HR4NT]

Probably should have...LOL Thanks for the comment and for watching. 73!