UHF Radio - Have you fitted one, and where?

[Aussie-John]

Hey all,

So we use UHF radios down here a lot for trucks etc on the road, and I have always had one in all of my trucks, but I am looking at the RAM and wondering not only where to install it, but how and where to mount the antenna!!

I am not mounting a Bull Bar on my rig, so that makes life tricky.

Anyone?

 

[hoe...]

Icom 450 , all controls are on the mic.
Mount the unit under dash.
Get a ground plane independent antenna and a gutter mount or mount a longer antenna on the tray behind the rear pillar.

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[Aussie-John]

Thanks man.

Yeah I have been looking at the tub. Although I have a cover coming so need to see what that looks like first I guess.

I also need to get the dash cam in, but the thing uses 5V so need to work that out too.

 

[Donutsahoy]

Look at DX engineering, they have a front fender mount that works really well and looks nice. I’ll post some pictures when I go out to my truck. I ran the cable through the driver side door actually. Picking up power from the lighter plug for now until I can figure the best place to pull it for a permanent set up.

For mounting in the cab I would try and go for a detachable head radio, that way you can leave the bulk of the radio under a seat and run a cable to the head.

FYI the lighter plug in the center console is actually supposed to be rated to something like 20 amps which will cover most radios.

Edit: When you say UHF are you talking CB? Or Amateur radio?

Edit 2: Pictures

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[hoe...]

We use UHF CB 477mhz in Australia.

The icom 450 I mentioned is a remote type radio with all controls on the mic.

It's an Australian only model, as nobody else uses that band for CB. Similarly your 27MHz radios are of no use outside the USA.

We used to use a 27mhz band close to the USA one, but only a few diehards use it now.

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[AFMoulton]

Here is what I did with my Yaesu FT-7800 UHF/VHF Amateur Radio.



Main unit of Radio under the rear seat.




2018 2500 6.4 4x4 4.10 Amsoil SS 0w-40, Softopper
Black Rhino Armory 18x9 +12mm
Cooper Stt MAXX LT295/70R18

2016 Durango 5.7 AWD 3.07 Amsoil SS 5W-30
1996 Nissan Altima 2.4 Amsoil SS 5W-30

 

[Donutsahoy]

Here is what I did with my Yaesu FT-7800 UHF/VHF Amateur Radio.



Main unit of Radio under the rear seat.




2018 2500 6.4 4x4 4.10 Amsoil SS 0w-40, Softopper
Black Rhino Armory 18x9 +12mm
Cooper Stt MAXX LT295/70R18

2016 Durango 5.7 AWD 3.07 Amsoil SS 5W-30
1996 Nissan Altima 2.4 Amsoil SS 5W-30

That looks awesome! I’m a ham as well, looking at a CS 800D for my next install.


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[AFMoulton]

I’m leaning towards the ICOM 5100. Where do you have your radio mounted?


2018 2500 6.4 4x4 4.10 Amsoil SS 0w-40, Softopper
Black Rhino Armory 18x9 +12mm
Cooper Stt MAXX LT295/70R18

2016 Durango 5.7 AWD 3.07 Amsoil SS 5W-30
1996 Nissan Altima 2.4 Amsoil SS 5W-30

 

[Aussie-John]

Thanks guys. I like the fender mount coming out from the bonnet. That looks the goods.

It’s the dash cam that’s a problem. Fark!!!

The only 12v socket is in the middle console which will be messy and untidy as the cam runs 5V which is USB. Looks like I might have to wire something up under the dash with a 12to5v converter.

 

[Donutsahoy]

Thanks guys. I like the fender mount coming out from the bonnet. That looks the goods.

It’s the dash cam that’s a problem. Fark!!!

The only 12v socket is in the middle console which will be messy and untidy as the cam runs 5V which is USB. Looks like I might have to wire something up under the dash with a 12to5v converter.

I know in some trucks there is a fuse box under the steering wheel, and there’s an open accessory fuse (I think) if you search around on the forum you should find it. That might also give you space for a converter.

Good luck!

Edit:

Here is the link to the site: https://www.dxengineering.com/?cm_m...MIq5Wc-Kbf3QIVHbjACh10vwkvEAAYASAAEgLb0_D_BwE

They might also have the DC power stuff you need, not sure.

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[hoe...]

There is power up in the mirror assembly as well.

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[Aussie-John]

Thanks guys. I’ll pull power from somewhere.

Also I noticed this little orange strap in the footwell of the passenger side, which looks designed to pull. But no idea what it is.

Anyone??




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[Aussie-John]

Ok.

Dash cam is in. Mounted to the HiBeam sensor cover and the cable then runs into the roof lining, behind the drivers side pillar and then into the back of the dash.

I then fed out of the back of the little rubber tray and into the console to grab power. Neat and plug and play.




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[AFMoulton]

Thanks guys. I’ll pull power from somewhere.

Also I noticed this little orange strap in the footwell of the passenger side, which looks designed to pull. But no idea what it is.

Anyone??

View attachment 142094


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That is your transmission emergency neutral pull (for lack of knowing the exact name). If the truck ever completely dies or you are in a wreck, tow truck driver can pull that to put it in neutral. Avoids destroying the trans.

I forget you are RHD down there, so had to think for a minute.


2018 2500 6.4 4x4 4.10 Amsoil SS 0w-40, Softopper
Black Rhino Armory 18x9 +12mm
Cooper Stt MAXX LT295/70R18

2016 Durango 5.7 AWD 3.07 Amsoil SS 5W-30
1996 Nissan Altima 2.4 Amsoil SS 5W-30

 

[Aussie-John]

Ahh. ****. Would have been nice for the dealer to tell me that one.

I did try and pull but it didn’t seem to want to budge. But I’ll leave it alone I think. Lol


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[W4ZWA]

Any idea how yo remove the pull out storage bin on the 4th gen 1500's? Would rather mount a ham radio in its place.

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[Aussie-John]

Which storage bin?

 

[AFMoulton]

Any idea how yo remove the pull out storage bin on the 4th gen 1500's? Would rather mount a ham radio in its place.

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Should just be able to pull it straight out, I would worry about air flow around the radio in there. My dash behind my radio and controls gets hot. That was first choice but I ran a test with a thermometer and was not happy with the results.


2018 2500 6.4 4x4 4.10 Amsoil SS 0w-40, Softopper
Black Rhino Armory 18x9 +12mm
Cooper Stt MAXX LT295/70R18

2016 Durango 5.7 AWD 3.07 Amsoil SS 5W-30
1996 Nissan Altima 2.4 Amsoil SS 5W-30

 

[W4ZWA]

Which storage bin?

Under the dash below the a.c. controls.


Not worried much about air flow, I listen more then I talk. Thought about mounting a scanner for the time being.

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[Donutsahoy]

This is on the drivers side by the drivers right leg, I HATED it there so I took it out, next radii is going to be mounted somewhere else lol.

I thought I wouldn’t mind it by my leg, but it drove me NUTS.


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