Installing a Ham Radio in a 2023 Tacoma with no Drilling!!!! 

From Mick : Sounds like you have lots of toys and found a way to provide a clean install. I hope the “boss” is happy. Thanks for watching, 73’s

@@Portie2216 I haven't begun the install yet. Got to looking at it today. Still hesitant about cutting and drilling in the center storage area.

From Mick: try to run wires between plastic and floor carpet or come out rear seat vent or possibly in the center glove box and run wire out lid. I agree with you, minimize holes

From Mick: thanks for the comment - let us know how the install goes!

From Mick: thanks for the nice comments - let us know how the install goes- 73’s.

From Mick: Thank you for the feedback and you are 100% correct! The fuses are inside the fire wall protecting the radio. I will get a fuse at the battery to protect the truck ASAP! I was focused on pulling wires through the grommet and overlooked the fuse at the battery. So, when my truck is still going strong in ten years, I'll have you to thank!!! :)

Just looking out for my fellow Tacoma hams. My antenna is mounted in a similar location and I get some desensitization on 2M reception. I think it is the Toyota Safety Sense equipment located near the rearview mirror. When you get a chance, with the truck running, find a location where you receive a weak stationary signal. Then, turn the truck off and let all the electronics shut off and see if the 2M signal reception is suddenly improved. Mine resulted in desense, but the 2M repeaters are still being received well enough for my use. The 70cM band does not seem to be affected for mine.

From Mick: With the car running I hit a repeater at 147.14, 22.3 miles out with 5 watts but did not speak with anyone, clear line of sight, repeater on a high rise. I spoke with someone on 147.26, 21.3 miles out, over a hill at 50 watts. Guy said I was clear with a little bacon frying distortion. Got same comments using other building mounted antennas. I'll try and send distribution map for the repeater, I'm on the edge. I've tested SWR when I used the antenna as a mag mount, 2M better than 70 cM. I need to test SWR when installed on bracket. What frequency are you having problems with, I'll test. I thought only a camera was in front of the rearview mirror and radar was behind grill emblem. I'll have to look into that. Also, I'll try some repeaters that are hard to hit and see if I have better signal with car off. Thanks again on the fuse, I may not have drilled holes in my car, but could have burned it down!!!

The entire 2M band is affected with my truck. I think the camera behind the rear view mirror is to blame. I can transmit fine, but my radios reception is reduced when the truck ignition is on. With the truck running, if I park in a spot where I can barely receive a 2M repeater (or simplex station too), and then I turn the truck off, that results in the reception being greatly increased. The truck’s camera turns off and my ability to receive 2M signals is drastically improved.

From Mick: I tested some repeaters at 25 miles, through trees and over a hill and I did not see much difference with car running or off. I did loop five, 3-inch coils with the coax cable inside the cab to make a small choke for stray RF signals. You can buy some better metal chokes. If the car electronics are affecting reception only, maybe this is the issue. Do some research on antenna feed line choke, could be a cause. Good Luck!

From Mick: The antenna is noted as 2 meter and 70 cm bands. 70 cm generally goes from 420 MHz to 450 MHz while GMRS goes from 462.5625 MHz to 467.7250. This is close to 70 cm but I'm not sure how well suited it would be. I would check the SWR at those higher frequencies. In reading the specs on the antenna it says good to 450 MHz. I think I would search for an antenna rated for higher frequencies. 73's

@@Portie2216 Thanks for the quick reply Mick... :)

You bet! 👍🏻

From Mick: There was some vibration while driving and that is why I installed some foam padding to brace against the center console. If you do not like that look, I did find manufactured brackets that look much stiffer, but they were around $90. I'll look for them again and post links if I find them.

@@Portie2216 Thanks for the reply. I hope you don't feel I was being critical?

Oh no not at all - good question!

From Mick: Let us know how your install works. I used a flat stock of aluminum with plastie dip and some foam to press against the center console to limit vibration. Enjoy.

@@Portie2216 it went very well made a custum bracket out of aluminum for the tailgate I used a fuse tap instead of wiring to battery I am going to copy your foam idea since it does vibrate a lot

@@Portie2216 I did choose to drill a singular hole in the plastic sunglass holder thing so I could use a gear keeper I’m a truck driver so it drove me insane not to have one

From Mick: I hope the install works well for you, happy trucking! I need to find a mount for my hand mic.