UHF mounting - cabin

[Disomania]

I did a slightly silly thing - I bought an ICOM 400 pro radio and then bought the D4. Now I'm not sure where to mount the thing. I should have bought the new (but lust robust) 440 that I could have mounted under the seat.

As I have the 400, I need to put it somewhere, and was thinking on the passenger side of the centre console/bin, and for the power I'll run it in one of the two sockets up front (maybe even hide the wires and run it to the feed for one of them).

I'm not sure what antenna to get either - could go the ICOM kit or the GME kit with the 6 and 9 db antennae pieces, or maybe try one of these:

AERIAL's (http://www.radioworks.com.au/category4_1.htm) - choose the 4.5dbi linkg for a poor picture of one.

The joys of buying then setting up things in a new 4wd..... (I guess I could just use the hand held Icom with an adapter for an external antenna too - the hole in the console that I put the phone in would hold the hand held perfectly)

Anyway, back to the main point, where else could I mount a standard UHF?

[miky]

Am thinking of an overhead console for the Defender and putting the radios there.

[chuck]

I have just mounted a UHF radio in my D3 - it is one of the new small red GME units (TX3100 - 5 Watt Super Compact UHF CB Radio).
It is mounted on the side of the centre consol next to the drivers seat.
It is visible & in reach and when removed you will not be able to see the holes for the mounting bracket.
It also has the function which enables you to flip the control settings so that you can mount it with the speaker orientated in the best direction so that you dont have use a remote speaker.
Volume is adequate.
I used a glass mount antenna purchased from Time Plus Communication in Brunswick Victoria.
Someone on the forum fitted it for me as I was very nervous about fiddling with the D3 electrics.
He should be able to tell you where he picked up power & routed the cables etc..

After a recent weekend away up around the Thompson Dam I am very happy with the radio & its location.

Hope this helps

Regards

Chuck

[Disomania]

Overhead console would be good - if there was one! D4 is too new for that at the moment. A dash pod would work, but same issue.

I bought the Icom 400 as I intended to get a vehicle a little older than the D4 and mount it in an overhear or under dash location and this would have been ideal. When the shopping for the new 4wd started, I went driving and found that of all the 'trucks', only the Pajero and D4 felt right - there were no good D3's around at the time but I did consider them.

When I added all the options to the Pajero, it was the same price as the D4 but only a 5 speed auto, and not as nice riding (love the air suspension).

Now I've got the D4, the Icom and not sure how to fit it. Somebody will have done it and have a good solution, or I'll sort something out I guess.

Thanks for the info though.

[Dirty3]

Chuck, any chance to post pics of where you have mounted the radio?

[mowog]

I have a UHF I use to tuck into a cubby hole in the Territory when we were towing the van. In the D4 I just cant see a good temp spot for it. I don't want a permanent fixture with the UHF as I only really use it to talk to trucks when we are towing.

So I brought one of these.

:: Uniden Australia :: (http://www.uniden.com.au/AUSTRALIA/p_uh078sx_deluxe_index.asp)

That should sit nicely in a cup holder.

[Disomania]

Mowog,

I have a IC41S icom handheld that I can stick in the slot in the left front of the console (to the left of the terrain response thing).

I guess as it's 5 watts, I can put an external antenna on the car or one of the 'on glass' ones that will give me enough range for 4wd trips in convoy.

Problem then is what to do with 400pro radio.... I could always trade the wifes Astra on a Disco 1 TDI....... Plenty of room for a radio in one of those....

[mowog]

There is always ebay to get rid of the radio.

I think 5w would be more than enough for convoy work. You can always buy a high gain antenna for your hand held.

Tell me about the "on glass" antenna...

[Disomania]

Mowog,

Laser Antenna (http://www.laser-antenna.com/product.php?product_id=281)

This is the beasty. At 4.5dbi it's better than the small 3dbi, and still has a good radiation pattern and should provide a good compromise for most of what I want to do.

Here's hoping.

[Tote]

Here's a few pics of my setup, Icom IC 440 and a Benelec Antenna.

Handset mount, the clip is siliconed on to the fascia as double sided tape kept getting hot and falling off. I used the included extension cable for the mic lead and mounted the socket on the side of the console.

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y127/toteau/D3%20UHF/IMG_2831.jpg

The main unit is mounted on the plastic tray above the brake pedal.

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y127/toteau/D3%20UHF/IMG_2832.jpg


The Antenna setup on the bull bar, I fabricated a bit of pipe to get the antenna above the bonnet. I'd say it now has 50% better coverage than it did when it was mounted on the bullbar directly.

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/


https://www.aulro.com/afvb/


Regards,
Tote

[chuck]

Please find attached photos of the GME radio fitted to my D3.

I have also included a photo of the glass mount antenna - this is the short version, a longer version was included with purchase.
The longer version (approx 2.5 times longer) is best suited to lower speeds ie in the bush.

As you can see plenty of space between me, the seat & the radio.

The microphone is stored in the little space between the power outlets.

Hope this helps.

Regards

Chuck

[Disomania]

Tote,

Interesting setup. Unfortunately, I bought the radio (IC400) intending to buy probably a DII but then found that to get a really good one I could get a DIII for similar money, which meant I started to look at Prado/Pajero/new Challenger.... then added the options I wanted and found the DIV cheaper!

Now I have no real place to put the IC400 I bought and am looking for a simple solution. Given my handheld is an IC 41S, it's a genuine 5 watts on a solid aluminium chassis. I can run power and an external/on glass antenna and still have my 40 channels (plus 20 odd programmables).

Nice install though.

[Disomania]

Chuck, nice pics thanks. I'm not sure what I'm going to do, but I have some ideas, including selling the IC400 and getting an IC440 and mounting the base under the dash/seat/in the roof lining.

Then I just have to mount the compressor under the bonnet!

[Nomad9]

Hi Discomania,
Well seeing everybody else is telling you what they fitted I thought I might join in, me I've gone for the GME TX3440, mounted the radio bit under the seat and have the hand piece to the left of the indicator stalk, works for me, looks tidy and no real unsightly marks to cover up if and when I ever sell. Roof console would be a good idea I always worry about feeding the wires around, me I just like the simple stuff. Mounting these bigger units in on or around the dash board on newer vehicles will always be a challenge. I've gone with the 5w hand held in my P38A, this is also a fairly good option in my opinion, it's handy for doing other activities as well, having a cigarette lighter charger covers the battery going flat issue.

[mowog]

There are certainly some locations there I didn't think of. But I have also decided on the 5w hand held unit. I have also ordered a magnetic base base adapter for the hand held UHF.

I just don't want or need a full time UHF fixture in the D4.

[Disomania]

Sounds like a plan. It's sort of what I'm leaning to doing, but with that glass mount antenna so I don't run the risk of marking the paint with the magnetic as I did with the Outack - even though I used polish to clean the area and then tried same with addition of a circle of that non-slip matting stuff. Either way there was a small ammount of movement, and you just can't get rid of ALL the dust is seems.

My external ae is 6.5db so the 4.5 of the 'on glass' is within the specs I need, and means I don't need to run a cable from inside to outside anywhere.

Now, to find a charging method for the handheld ICOM.... and a quick check of the ICOM web site says there's a cable the will do what I want - Woohoo!

I've used the ICOM for 20hrs straight without needing to recharge, so a couple of batteries in reserve should cover all eventuallities.

[mowog]

I used a magnetic base on the Territory. I didn't get any marks. Even if I do that roof is a long way up on the D4.

The plan is to try the hand held with its standard antenna first. If it works then all good. if not then the magnetic base goes on.

Main use is car to car comms on the June road trip. Plus for talking trucks around my slow old rig.

[Mully]

Yet more location pix as already fitted in my D3... if it's any help.

Here's where the headet is mounted and it works pretty good.. the mic could go somewhere better but it isn't a grief when bouncing through the fun stuff.
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2010/04/1347.jpg

Here's the antenna and I've got a high gain version on the 300TDi I can borrow whenever needed.
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2010/04/1348.jpg

[Mal_W]

"Here's where the headet is mounted and it works pretty good.. the mic could go somewhere better but it isn't a grief when bouncing through the fun stuff."

Mully, my handset is in a similar position, but I put it in a wetsuit material stubbyholder in the drink holder position. This cushions it but it is still readily available either side. When you stop you have a holder for the beer!

Mal

[Mully]

What a great idea. Mal.. got a spare stubby holder or five lying around too!

[Disomania]

Mully,

Nice install and would be good if I had D3. Unfortunately, the D4 is a little different and things will not fit like that.

Thanks anyway.

[Mully]

Fair call... good luck with the D4 BTW.. they look very impressive I have to say.
Cheers!