Mobile Ham Radio Installations : From Jeep Wrangler To Motorhome

[@ac2fv]

A Wrangler is a tough install for sure. I finally have mine situated to where I like it. But like you, it took 3X to do it. I now have Amateur radio, GMRS and CB accessible to me from the drivers seat. Love the channel, 73, de AC2FV

[@K7EGA]

This gave me some good ideas form my family rig. I really like the cellphone mag mount idea!

[@pat3034]

Bob, thanks for taking the time to film this. I'm in a leased F-150 so I have to go with the "temp" install. I've got the removable head "Ft-8900" on a Ram mount in the cup holder and the body of the radio under the passenger seat. I also have an separate speaker in the back due to the radio being under the seat. The antenna was a bit of a challenge. I ended up with a Diamond adhesive backed mount and snuck the coax through the door. It all works well but I would like something a little more permanent. Thanks again for the post!

[@RFMaster6]

I mounted the control head for my FT-857D in my Nissan Frontier King Cab. I fashioned the same lido mount as you have, in such a way that it doesn't interfere with the seat movement. I removed on of the in the way jump seats, and mounted the body of the radio to the back wall of the cab. If and when I get ready to trade it, the pickup that is, I just remove the radio, and replace the seat. Those two machine screw holes, hidden. I did drill into my rear chrome steel bumper. I used a Hustler ball mount with a trimmed 102" whip, down to 99". It's now perfect for 28.3-29.7 MHz. I can use an MFJ 902B for the USB bands above 10, although I mostly only use 10. I also have a hamstick for 40m. I'm considering a screwdriver, but I don't do much on other bands besides 10 & 40. Ten is great for local when skywave propagation isn't favorable. I'm interested in a mobile NVIS for 40 also but haven't gotten around to it yet. I use the same Diamond antenna on a similar mount as you have on the hood for 2m/70cm.

[@dougdaniels]

RigRunners are great in Jeeps and pickup trucks. One pair of fused wires from the battery, through the firewall to the RIgRunnner. Powerpoles on all the electronics. They're built like tanks. I've had the same one in the last three vehicles.

[@ChrisN8PEM]

Nice video as always Bob. I went through the pain and suffering of doing a rack mount on top of my fiberglass camper shell on my Silverado. Had to use the Comet SBB5 to overcome ground plane issues, but at least I can easily fold it over and park it in my garage. That little useless cubby is tailor made for radio/cell phone holder mounts!

[@user-mt2qn4yp8w]

Bob thank you for the great ideas. Also thank you for answering me on your last live stream about the coax. 73 Clark KG7LOI

[@sasines]

I also mounted my ID5100 radio under the seat of my Tundra using the rough side of some industrial Velcro. This was so secure I thought I was going to have to get a pry bar to get the radio out to reprogram. Solved my problem with a short coiled cord 3.5 audio extended cable. Now I just grab the coiled cable and pull it out so I can plug in my computer. Works great. Tried to include picture but looks like that’s not possible. Sorry. 73 Alan. W3AL

[@K6UDA]

Great idea.

[@tallmike6598]

Always enjoy your videos Bob they were instrumental in getting me back interested in Jeeps and amateur radio after many years away from both. I just ordered Lido cup holder mounts for both the 2016 JKU Back Country and 2020 Gladiator Overland. I have a Ft 400 for the Gladiator and a Ft 300 for the JKU. Both Jeeps have Comet lip mounts on the hood and Comet antennas. Thanks again for the informative videos. 73 Mike N2MWL

[@klahowya_capo]

Good tip Bob! I plan to mount my Kenwood in my Tundra very soon. Great timing for me! On a side note... I have a laptop holder mounted to pass side seat bolt. It works great and is actually very workable with a passenger in seat! However it does move and shake a fair amount while driving. Still working on a way to steady that more.

[@denniskimrey4129]

Great video. Nice to see difference ways to mount.

[@_PikeWxRadio]

YES! Can I take some credit for the inspiration behind this video haha jk. Thanks for the help Bob, it was good talking to you that night in the youtubers room. I was able to figure out a way to rig up my lido after buying some bolt adapters for my pick-up. Now I just have to make a bracket to mount the body of the ftm400 and I'll be golden. Great content as always. KD2RZW

[@TheFossilChannel]

i like the rode wireless lav systems. I worked on the side as a location sound recordist for fun and i have the rodefilmmaker and the newshooter kit and some sound devices recorders and mixers. I use that when im filming ham radio gear reviews. For portable work i use just one wireles lav and a zoom h6 plugged into a gh2. I like the audio in your videos! very well done bob! - De kc2bnw

[@K6UDA]

Lovin' the Rode Wireless Go.

[@TheFossilChannel]

@@K6UDA Its a good set. Good to see you doing the mobile installation kit! Im wokring on making a lighter weight sota kit with just the x5105 and a vhf uhf radio. It will be modular that i can put it into my car as a mobile qrp rig and I can plug and play when I've got to move.

[@wushock92]

Thanks. Bob. I originally wanted something like a Havis public service console in my Suburban but those are pricey. Then I thought about custom building my own from wood. Still might. But for now, I just bit the bullet and screwed the 578 to the dash.

[@KK6USYHamRadioAdventures]

Good info Bob, just wondering what you did for antenna mount on the Motorhome?

[@K6UDA]

Mag mount. I did a video on that a few years ago.

[@KK6USYHamRadioAdventures]

@@K6UDA Thats right I saw that video.

[@Stevenfclark]

Not sure I’m a fan of the crotch shot, scared for life 🤣 73 de N1AD

[@jmriello]

Just maintain eye contact

[@davep3017]

The truck mount gave me an idea for my 2016 jku. I don’t have power windows so I have that useless tray thing in the dash.

[@sire24657]

Very relevant for me right now; trying to figure out how to install my FTM-400 in my 2017 Cherokee... Will probably use a mag mount for the antenna until I can get the Diamond you showed and run it through the firewall. Btw, what mount did you use? As always, thanks!!

[@PrecisionGroupYT]

Thanks for the video Bob! Do you have any Mobile HF rigs that you installed? 73 K4BBC

[@K6UDA]

I’m currently not doing any HF mobile, so no. At least right now.

[@Fireguy-]

Strong work there fella. Tram dual band antenna on the PU?

[@joekalilikani]

Hey Bob, I use an overhead console in my JKU that allows me to mount my HAM radio. It's a decent set-up and very clean application. Smittybilt and Molle Platform Solutions both have affordable and useful options. Joe

[@mojitojl8171]

Heading to rubicon trail 1-4 October. 2018 jl rubi. In Mojito green.

[@mojitojl8171]

Join if you can.

[@tombaffa9374]

Good ideas for my new Gladiator

[@n8tuwstevenewland933]

Nice J.O.B. Bob. Covered it all.

[@joewilson2258]

Great mounts for the uh/vh radios but not for the hf radios

[@mikehoff1595]

I have some old Toyotas, the smaller radios fit nicely where the ash tray was, I'm just trying to figure out where to put the Mic.

[@K2Kevin]

Get the Vector Offroad Bar for your jeep. Solve all your current and future mounting issues. DONE!

[@woodsbikes6130]

That's a good video. The mag mount in the motorhome gave me an idea for my 706mkiig head when I do my install. Thank you for the idea. Stay safe everyone de KB3KGA

[@thuff3207]

Not to bad of information. Thank you.

[@JamesHannibalKH2SR]

Great video Bob!

[@dcsubie21]

Bob I was thinking of installing my antenna on a ditch mount and wanted to ask will l lose any signal? I have a4runner but I have a roof rack so I don't have a lot of space up top. Thank you for all of your videos. KM6YSI

[@ArcticBlues1]

Good Job! Thank You :)

[@mikepansini4904]

Thanks for showing a 100% better mount: the all metal Ram mount. The LIDO mount has a major design flaw. The plastic junk foot that supports the mount brakes far too easy. The most important supporting/mounting foot is PLASTIC (CPVC or carbon fiber or whatever), it bolts to metal and the arm is, as you display SUPER stiff and difficult to adjust. Nice idea, but junk.

[@Falcon-ug5sk]

Make a video on all aluminum trucks.. Found out need new mounting system when my magnet 🧲 would wouldn’t stick..😂😂😂

[@hamradio1017]

The issue of my truck is the dash is so full of stuff that I don't have room to put something on the dash. I can put it on top of the dash in the windshield I was just hoping for something a little better for a longer-term solution but I don't think I have in this case

[@runliftthrow217]

I would like you to know I intentionally let the ads run for your video. So if you get 5 cents from a 13 MINUTE AD ON TOE NAIL FUNGUS... that was me. Also great ideas on mounting solutions.

[@K6UDA]

Thanks. Youda man.

[@dougg8280]

Looks like you are transitioning from dStar to C4FM

[@justinschmitz9833]

just broke my diamond antenna again wheelin at rubicon

[@oscaropont]

Just remember to put on the breaks on the jeep 😁😁😁.

[@K6UDA]

I’ll try and keep that in mind.

[@johnedney4005]

How about the antenna mount for the RV? what is needed

[@K6UDA]

I did a mag mount. Did a video on it a couple of years ago.

[@lowtek42]

Nice video man 👍

[@alpha6tango860]

Watching at 1.25 speed... only way

[@DE2TRF]

wow so geht es auch hamemr cool 73 de DE2TRF Like

[@michaeld.krochter5623]

still looking for how to mount my Kenwood 710 in my Kia Sedona...

[@Falcon-ug5sk]

Make a video on all aluminum trucks.. Found out need new mounting system when my magnet 🧲 would wouldn’t stick..😂😂😂