Yaesu FT-8800 Install

alvarorb

alvarorb

Adventurer
I've decided to upgrade my radio on my 80. I'd been wanting a dual bander for a while, plus the location where the FT-2800 was installed was not very "Poquita" friendly. She would step over the controls and change the frequency or turn the radio off completely. Plus the sound coming from the back is not always the best to understand.

With inspiration from James and Rick's installs. And the help of Ken Dean, I pull it off.
Here are some pics of the install:

http://web.mac.com/alvarorb/I_know_what_I_like/My_Albums/Pages/FT-8800_Install.html

I used one of the factory worthless tweeters as a speaker. I removed the capacitor on the speaker to increase the audio range (not limit it to high frequencies). I'm really surprised with the quality of the sound coming from the little speaker. Good for HAM, bad for HI-FI audio.

Now I can take full use of my dual band antennas. Here's a write up of that install:

http://web.mac.com/alvarorb/I_know_...s/2007/4/14_Mobile_Radio_Antenna_Install.html

Regards

Alvaro
 
1leg

1leg

Explorer
Very cool,
I went with the 7800 because it has Back lit control buttons. Let us know how it works for you not having back lit buttons.
 
alvarorb

alvarorb

Adventurer
I did notice that the buttons where not back light last night. However, since the radio is right under the map light, I can see the buttons very clearly.

When I operate my other radios, I usually move through stored memories. I usually don't set repeater frequencies as I drive (Can be dangerous). If I had to setup something on the radio, I'll pull over and turn the light on.

Regards

Alvaro
 
DaveInDenver

DaveInDenver

Middle Income Semi-Redneck
I changed out my 7800 for a 8800, I really miss the backlit buttons. Finding the scan and power level buttons (you do remember to always use the lowest power necessary to make contact, right?) is a feel-it-out thing and since there are now two times the number buttons, it's a pain. I like the 8800 OK, but I still think the 7800 is a much better interface for actual mobile operation. Bigger buttons, nice big tuning dial, easier to see at night.
 
Desertdude

Desertdude

Expedition Leader
Nicely done Alvaro.

:Astrologist: You are always ahead of the curve with the latest electronics.

I see "Poquita" is very happy now ;)
 
alvarorb

alvarorb

Adventurer
Pasquale,

Thanks.
I only wished I had 10% of your craftsman's skills.
I don't know if ahead of the curve. But I'd been eyeballing this radio for a while.

Regards

Alvaro

Desertdude said:
Nicely done Alvaro.

:Astrologist: You are always ahead of the curve with the latest electronics.

I see "Poquita" is very happy now ;)
Click to expand...
 
Cabrito

Cabrito

I come in Peace
Nice clean install

Alvaro,
You are going to love that radio. I have that one and yes the lack of back lit buttons can be a pain but your mounting location is awesome - right next to the light.
I can tweak mine by brail - meaning that I am used to finding the buttons without looking. You use the middle menu button to place your finger and then finding the scan button is easy.
You will love the dual display and dual monitoring. Don't get rid of the other radio you might regret it. Using it as a base at home is a great idea. I wish I could get my Katherine to get her Ham license so she could use a radio at home when we are not together.
Good job..
 
97kurt

97kurt

Adventurer
Sweet install. The factory location for that speaker is not fair :(

But I think I need to do the same kinda of extension for my microphone on my 208h.
 
alvarorb

alvarorb

Adventurer
New Speaker

About two weeks ago, I installed a Yaesu FT-8800 radio on my Cruiser. One of the nice things about the install is that the head unit of the radio is up by the rearview mirror. While the radio itself it’s under the driver’s seat. To make the radio audible, I used the left factory dash speaker as the FT-8000 speaker. It sounded great.... Until I was driving down the road and the little speaker could not overcome the road noise. Specially my tires. The faster I went, the less I could hear.
The little speaker is 4Ω. The radio calls for a 8Ω speaker.

2speakers.jpg


The solution was pretty simple. Get a good 8Ω speaker 4” or less in diameter.
So I looked online and found this speaker at All Electronics Corp - Parts, Supplies and Components. A couple of days latter it came in the mail and I tried to install it. The speaker was too big.

The metal plate behind the dashboard needed to be modified so that the speaker would fit. I removed the plate and yesterday I took it to the office. Gene, my coworker looked at it and said no problem. Today, Genes showed up with the modified metal plate. He had to grind off about 1/8 of an inch around. Plus he drilled additional holes, so I could secure the new speaker with nuts and bolts.

mountedspeaker.jpg


This evening all I did was assemble. It went in really easy.
Then I tuned to some repeaters. Now it sounds like it always should. Nice, clear and crisp. But must important, it sounds natural.


More pics of the radio install and new speaker here
 
T

travel dodge

Adventurer
so I can just connect a car speaker to my ham radio,, I would not of figured that one out on my own. I was about to post on what speaker to use in my in cab wiring.
How can I switch one shared speaker between my gps (garmin 276c), cb (not sure yet) and ham radio (yaesu FT-1802M). Most of the time I will not have everything running at once but would like the option. Any thoughts?
 
Terracoma

Terracoma

Adventurer
Alvaro,

Any change you can be convinced to divulge the part numbers for the RAM pieces that you used to mount the head?

I'm thinking of mounted an 8800R head unit in the exact same location in my Tacoma...
 
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