Don’t have as many radios in mine, just a dual band ICOM, but you did some similar installation methods I did. I have an NMO on the roof in the same spot using the dome light for access. My RF deck is behind the rear seat. My controller head is mounted to a block of wood that I shaped to fit the front console pocket then painted it black. I removed the rubber pad and drill a small hole in the corner of the pocket to run a custom control cable thru. I have a speaker above the rear view mirror. I like clean installs.
You dont by chance live close to Western KY 😊 I have a '21 Titan and I need to install my radio in the console like you did, but the thought of trying to pull my console out gives me anxiety
@@theblindsharpshooter I’m in Florida. What kind of radio and where exactly are you trying to install it? I’m actually looking at a new Titan and trying to decide how I’d install an NMO on the roof with the moonroof. It leaves very little room in the back of the roof for an antenna install.
@@TravelRadioTech It is an AnyTone ham radio. I use it mainly for the fire dept, so it has to be "permanent". I have a '21 Titan. It's looking like it will fit in the storage area between the center console and the dash. The thing that's bothering me is running the power and coaxe under the storage area. I had it installed in the same location on my '08 Armada, but the center console was pretty easy to remove. I have a hood mount antenna that will go on in the same spot as before.
@@theblindsharpshooter unfortunately I don’t see a way for you to be able to run the power cables and coax into the center console without making a hole. I just traded my 19 in for a 24 so I’m going to need to reinstall my entire setup.
@@TravelRadioTech you're correct. It was actually easier than I thought. ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-_lwiNrUQLn0.htmlsi=zjyzfdDa5HtabfUU
@@TravelRadioTech I am in the middle of a DIY build, so the budget is shot. I was going to do something with a DPDT relay but decided against it. Had been searching the Interwebz for a DC transfer switch and was coming up empty. Al Gore's rhythm served your video up, thanks!
@@RobMedwed mic cable is run from the radio, then under the kick plate up to the driver’s seat and then under the carpet to the center console. I have the mic clip on the side of the center console between the driver’s seat.
In the EU, most likely , one may not pass the technical inspection. No "self installed" items are allowed above / on the windshield. I always remove all my visible radio gear from the car prior to inspection. You may ask for special technical check and obtain a certificate, but it would probably be too complicated and costly.
For anyone who found this video helpful, I am going to make a video in a few weeks detailing a new rack set up behind the backseat. I am ordering some different components to complete an entirely new setup which will include switching to power poles instead of the terminal connectors, a battery back up and a Powergate which will supply power to a new power distribution panel. It will take me a few weeks to order everything and set aside time to tackle the project but I hope to have the video up by early May. If this is something that interests you please subscribe and hit the notification bell so you're notified when it posts!
Can you list your hardware (with links if possible)? This is a great setup! Great job, clean install. Please do a follow up on your setup as well please.
Thank you! I have some links in the description to some of the items (full disclosure they are associate links). I think the only thing I did not post was the L-bracket used which I got from Home Depot. I placed it in a vice and bent the bottom half to about a 70 degree angle. Here's a link to the bracket. Just a tip, I sprayed mine with plastidip before affixing it to the windshield to help prevent it from scratching the glass. www.homedepot.com/p/Simpson-Strong-Tie-2-in-x-1-1-2-in-x-1-3-8-in-Galvanized-Angle-A21/100374951 Let me know if I left anything out or if you have any other questions.
Do you have any problem with the sun overheating the control head mounted in the window? I have a shelf on my 2008 Titan's dash. I would like to mount it there, but I don't know how to remove the plastic area around the radio to run the control cable into the dash. the sun gets intense on the windshield here in Idaho.
I am in Florida and have had this set up for over two years with no issues so far. I had my last Titan for 9 years and had a Yaesu control head mounted in the same spot on that one with no issues as well. If I remember correctly the shelf you're talking about is that little storage area above the radio on the dash, correct? I know some people have drilled a hole to run the cable through there and then mounted the control head over the hole so it's not visible. If you try to pry the dash panel out just be careful because it is very brittle on the older Titan's and is prone to crack.
I have 75% nano-ceramic tint on my windshield which blocks 99% of UV rays and I also use a sunshade on the windshield when parked for long periods of time which helps too.
Definitely something that should be considered but I have not experienced any issues in the two years I've had it installed in this one. I had the same set up in my previous truck for 9 years and did not have any issues either. Using tint and a sunshade when parked for long periods of time helps. Thanks!
See the link below for what I used. I bent it to the angle I needed and then affixed it to the windshield using RTV Silicone. www.homedepot.com/p/Simpson-Strong-Tie-2-in-x-1-1-2-in-x-1-3-8-in-Galvanized-Angle-A21/100374951
Very nice clean install, the issues with the mics would bother me. I installed my radio bodies on rear wall also. My mics are on my center console mounted near me while driving. I have my Gmrs and ftm500 bodies in the back and the stryker in the console.
Thanks! Which Stryker do you have? I like their radios but I wanted a 955 and it wouldn't fit in my center console area which is why I went with the Lincoln 2+.
It’s something to think about but in my experience it has not been an issue, at least here in Florida. I had a Yaesu control head mounted on the windshield in my truck before this for 9 years and that radio is still working as a base with no issues. Thanks!
Thanks for sharing your set up. I got my 2019 Titan back in November and since they’re not a “popular” truck, its hard to find a video like this on youtube. Great job.
It sure is. Im actually getting ready to install a Retevis RA86 GMRS radio and Im not sure which (drivers side firewall) grommet to use to run my antenna. Is it the large rubber one with the tab on it?
@@mikegardner1920 if you’re referring to the one above the driver’s floorboard, you want to use the one on the left which is just to the left of where the emergency brake cable comes in.
The problem with the mounting of the control head is the sun is going to kill it up there. If you can put some type of black plastic between it and the windshield. I tried this before and the sun killed in in just a few months
It’s definitely something to consider but this is the second truck I’ve set up like this and have not had an issue. My last truck had the control head in the windshield for 9 years and is still working. I do have nano-ceramic tint on this one which cuts the heat and 99% of UV rays plus I use a sunshade when parked which covers most of the back of the radio. Thanks!
now where do you have your rifle mount since your radio is not under your seat like mine and my little SUV? Perhaps under the rear pull up seat? You can't have a truck and 2 radios with out a rifle mount.
Props for using proper NMO mount on the roof. And those B-10 antennas are surprisingly good! I've been very surprised at how good it performs on 2m and 70cm. But, yeah, great install! Clever mounting of the Yaesu control head on the windshield. A very smart install. If all hams would do their installs with this level of attention they'd be happier in the long run.
as someone who used to work for Motorola and built police cars and ambulances and firetrucks for a living I would drill holes in all sorts of vehicles all the time. Never had one leak when installed properly by me. Can't speak for others installs. Follow the instructions and should never have a problem. They also make rubber grommets that seal the hole if you ever decide to take the antenna out and resale the vehicle.
@@TravelRadioTech Worked out really well! Thanks again for the idea. I ended up using industrial velcro, even though I bought some RTV for the job. Dodge Ram 2500. Maybe I'll figure out a way to post photos.
Great setup! How do you like that comet ss680 antenna? Do you run into an issues with it hitting stuff? I'm considering one instead of a 1/4 wave dual band.
Performance on it has been great. I would say it’s a compromise between a high gain whip and a low profile antenna. I’ve only hit light branches with it but it has held up so far and the spring definitely helps. Just be cautious if using it with an NMO mount on the roof if you hit something with less give it could cause the antenna to flex too much and bend the roof metal. Thanks!
Thank you for your input. I was going to use an nmo mount with it. I had a tram 1185 that worked pretty well and seemed to flex enough so far but I wasn't sure how a taller antenna would fare. @@TravelRadioTech
I bought the ss-680sbnmo and I am loving it so far. Mounted at the center of my suv roof. It seems to be the best compromise so far in terms of gain vs height. I also bought a EM wave MX0450 1/4 UHF antenna for GMRS use and I plan to swap over to that if the branches are too much of a risk. Thanks for your input earlier! @@TravelRadioTech
If you're not using that HF antenna on your pickup do like I do if you're not doing it I put a 3/8 x 24 screw with a rubber o-ring around it to seal out water to keep my threads from messing up in my connector on my truck mount
Thanks for the positive feedback, I appreciate that! Just trying to share ideas to hopefully help people who want to mount some radios in their vehicles. 73!
@TravelRadioTech back at you! I'll keep uploading my videos if you will. Ha. I'm getting better at this youtube thing as well. Whether or not people watch is a whole other story. Enjoy!
