Discovery: VHF/UHF Radio Installation

[Scott Brady]

I am pulling together all of my 12v power systems components, and will also be installing a mobil VHF in the Discovery. It will likely be a 2M/70cm unit with a detachable face plate.

My goals have been to keep the interior as clutter free as possible, which has me looking for the best mounting options for the mobile unit and remote face plate. I have seen several installations that use the overhead console, which I do like, but would also consider other options. I have considered installing the remote face in the center console, which would make it easily accessible, yet out of sight when the console is closed.

I would like to see any images all of you have of radio installations in the Discovery.

I would also be curious of how you have installed the antenna, run the wiring, etc.

Thanks!

 

[superpowerdave]

Scott-

I mounted mine in my 2000 DII where the stock slide-in cupholders were originally. Those cupholders were useless to me so I simply removed the tray itself and then used a Gadd (I think) mounting plate that I'd received with a 12v adapter at one point. It's clean, houses the Yaesu 7800 faceplate perfectly and then ran the box itself under the passenger seat.

These are the pictures I have of it here in a different thread. I would be more specific but the truck is in Idaho right now and I'm in Iraq so it's not as convenient as it might sound

I was really happy with the aesthetics of it and it works just fine for me. The antenna and speaker mount were two pieces of the install I didn't finish before I deployed but I do plan on doing as Craig did with his speakers and mounting them hidden in the a-pillars behind factory tweeter covers.

 

[kellymoe]

Check out Sinuhe's install, looks good but it's a little crooked:sombrero:

 

[Scott Brady]

Yeah, his install got me thinking in that direction.

I am going to pick-up a radio and antenna tomorrow.

 

[Scott Brady]

I picked up an IC-208H 2M and 70cm radio today, and Diamond antenna options for both the hood, rear door and rack. I am not sure which will be best, so I will take a little time for the test fit. Without a rack, I expect the hood mount will be the best, especially since I leave the factory radio antenna down all the time (I don't listen to AM/FM, just an Ipod).

I am going to evaluate what would be involved with mounting the radio face plate in the center console in addition to the overhead console.

More details soon. It will be good to have a mobile unit again.

 

[sven]

Scott, Im interested to see how you mount it near the hood/fender. I'm rackless and want to do the same. What mount did you get?

 

[Scott Brady]

I picked up an NR770HB Diamond Antenna, which is a 70cm/2m band unit. It is black and there is a hinge at the base for folding the antenna down. I like it, though the 1989 "car phone antenna" pigtail near the top bothers me a bit

I purchased two mounts, and will mock them both up, and post the images here.

The K400 Mount, which can be mounted to the hood, or to the rear door.

I also picked up the K550KM, which would work with the factory rack bars.

We will see which works out the best...

 

[Mike_rupp]

Before I got a roofrack, I had my antenna mounted to the factory roof bars. It looked horrible. I hated it every minute that it was mounted there.

Do yourself a favor and mount it without pulling any wires first.

 

[Scott Brady]

Before I got a roofrack, I had my antenna mounted to the factory roof bars. It looked horrible. I hated it every minute that it was mounted there.

I can see that. I am also concerned with it having a proper ground plane.

I had the hood mount on the Tacoma and liked it.

 

[gjackson]

Have you considered using the mount on your ARB? Should have an antenna mount on it.

cheers