Ham instal

[expat]

Well this was no esay feat.

I spent a good part of the day trying to work out where to put everything and making things fit.

In the end I placed the headunit in the storage pocket opposite the shifter.
The transciever I am putting in the rear panel where the bottle jack is. First I have to completely seal this area from dust. Then I will install inside the panel and also think I will install a small computer cooling fan in the access panel to get fresh air from the cabin circulating.

The speaker....well I scratched my head for ages on where to place this. I just could not fit a space with much room that would also give me clarity. Ham can be pretty echo orientated at times so I wanted the speaker in the open, but without sticking out from anywhere. So eventually I placed it in the cupholder on the passenger side.

The antenna was obviously easy - just pop it on top of the roof. I will do a similar instal of a female plug in the rear compartment on just a short lead. Just the same as my CB instal.

Still to do the power lines - that will have to wait till next week.

Overall, I'm 60% happy with the instal of the headunit in the compartment by the shifter. Its close for the microphone and easy to access at any time. It took a long time to cut out the majority of the holder and I lost the spare power socket (I have two extras under the armrest anyway) and the use of the lid is now redundant.

I was actually trying to do some brushed aluminium as a surround for the headunit but gave up when I could not get the piece to fit perfectly. I might have a go at this again later as it matched the surround for the shifter really nicely.

A couple of quick pictures....

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y93/expatozzie/Ham%20radio%20install/hamradioinstal001.jpg

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y93/expatozzie/Ham%20radio%20install/hamradioinstal006.jpg

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y93/expatozzie/Ham%20radio%20install/hamradioinstal007.jpg

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y93/expatozzie/Ham%20radio%20install/hamradioinstal005.jpg

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y93/expatozzie/Ham%20radio%20install/hamradioinstal003.jpg

[expat]

Today I installed a small cooling fan next to the unit in the rear storage compartment. The transciever has a small fan already but I was looking for alittle more help for it.

The fan is a generic CPU fan that works off 12V and flows 30CFM which I hope will
a) Bring cool air from the cabin into the storage area
b) Create some positive pressure that may prevent some dust from entering.

I chose a "bling" blue neon light fan so I can see day or night that the fan is on. I will wire a switch to the front to toggle off or on, although I am considering wiring it to the unit so when it's on, the fan will be on.

I also added a filter to the front to prevent any dust from the cabin being forced into the compartment.

Some happy snaps...

The finished article (the holes you see are from when I had the inverter mounted on the door of the storage compartment which I have since removed because I found out I was supposed to mount it flat - never got around to reinstalling it!)

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y93/expatozzie/Ham%20radio%20install/hamradioelectricfan011.jpg

when turned on you see a slight blue light during daylight

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y93/expatozzie/Ham%20radio%20install/hamradioelectricfan007.jpg

and at night its brighter but not noticeable when driving

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y93/expatozzie/Ham%20radio%20install/hamradioelectricfan008.jpg

a shot from the back

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y93/expatozzie/Ham%20radio%20install/hamradioelectricfan009.jpg

[my034runner]

As usual Mark, a very well thought out, very nice clean install. :rockon: :rockon:

[expat]

As usual Mark, a very well thought out, very nice clean install. :rockon: :rockon:

Thank you. Its fun. What I like about using various storage doors and compartments is that its easy to buy replacement parts without major cost.

[my034runner]

Is it typical for a ham unit to have so many pieces? It seems like a lot; a separate transceiver, separate head unit, and hand set, and speaker?:confused:

[expat]

The only thing extra to this unit is the separate head unit.

The basics are a transciever unit, microphone and speaker. Much the same as many CB's really.

Having the separate headunit probably provides a few options in mounting, although I really struggled to find locations. My other choices were either on the dashboard (yuk!) or on top of the steering column, in front of the gauge cluster (hmmm...ok I guess).

[my034runner]

The only thing extra to this unit is the separate head unit.

The basics are a transceiver unit, microphone and speaker. Much the same as many Cb's really.

Having the separate head-unit probably provides a few options in mounting, although I really struggled to find locations. My other choices were either on the dashboard (yuk!) or on top of the steering column, in front of the gauge cluster (hmmm...ok I guess).


There looked like a lot of controls, sort of like the Cobra. So what does the extra head unit do that the handset doesn't? Sorry for the stupid questions mate.;)

[Cruiserhead]

It is really a detatchable faceplate- for more mounting options. The buttons on the mic allow you to do stuff instead of having to mess with the faceplate controls.
For example, you can bump up the power level as you are talking if needed. Just makes it more convienent.

The unit has a built in speaker but a seperate speaker is need if your unit is mounted as mark did, in a place where you cannot hear it.

Basically, it just gives you a bunch more options with regard to mounting and use.

[bulldog]

Very nice!!!!

Like the bling lights onthe fan :D

Let us know how you like the handset placement, it looks like it might hit your leg ion a long drive.

[expat]

Let us know how you like the handset placement, it looks like it might hit your leg ion a long drive.


Drove to Palm Springs and back this weekend. Didn't even notice it.

[expat]

Been a good six months or more since installing the Ham. The mic does not get in the way of my leg.

I have replaced the mag mount antennas with ones mounted on the bullbar. See separate thread.

[Vegas Runner]

Mark,

I looked around but could not find the thread with your antennas on the bullbar. Can you post a link?

Ed

[Yabedude]

Ed,

I think this is what you were looking for:
http://www.toyota120.com/forum/showthread.php?t=2519