Mobile Amateur Radio Install (two-way radio Icom IC-7000)
This is my installation of an Icom IC-7000 UHF/VHF/HF radio, with the Icom AH-3 antenna coupler which is feeding a stainless steel 102" whip antenna. The IC-7000 has been modified to transmit on just about any frequency 400 Mhz and below (skipping the 200 Mhz band).
I first installed the actual radio under the passenger seat. This seemed like an OK area, plenty of room and easy access to hide all of the wires under the carpet and kick panels.
I then installed the detachable radio face somewhere it would be out of the way, yet easy to operate.
In order to use the HF band from at least 7 Mhz to 50 Mhz with out the need to swap 10 different antennas, I decided to go with a 102" whip and an antenna coupler. This way if i'm out and about, I can always just tie a long wire to the 102" whip and then to a tree or something for more efficient low frequency work.
Here is the base of the 102" whip. I'm using a Breedlove Mount HF Insulator bolted to the bumper. I feed the Breedlove mount with the high voltage RF out of the Icom AH-3 using some beefy silicone high voltage wire.
There was also a bunch of behind the scenes stuff I did that I didn't take pictures of. HF gets all over the place in a mobile install, so I have ferrite chokes all over the place, on the coax and control cables feeding the AH-3, on cables feeding the ECU (car computer), power cables, car alarm cables, any where I was experiencing RF issues. I also have ground strapped things like the rear hatch door, the hood to the body, the AH-3 to the frame, exhaust to the frame, all to help with noise and stray RF. The install of the 6 gauge wire from the radio to the battery, as well as a few other things.
For the UHF/VHF portion of the radio, I installed a wide band Comet CA-2X4SR search and rescue antenna. This antenna also uses a Breedlove model DE-SO239 antenna mount, mounted in the factory FM antenna hole so I didn't have to drill any new holes!
I also added this separate comms speaker right above my head, otherwise the speaker would be under the passenger seat! Now I can hear contacts while the AM/FM radio is going.
I first installed the actual radio under the passenger seat. This seemed like an OK area, plenty of room and easy access to hide all of the wires under the carpet and kick panels.
I then installed the detachable radio face somewhere it would be out of the way, yet easy to operate.
In order to use the HF band from at least 7 Mhz to 50 Mhz with out the need to swap 10 different antennas, I decided to go with a 102" whip and an antenna coupler. This way if i'm out and about, I can always just tie a long wire to the 102" whip and then to a tree or something for more efficient low frequency work.
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| Antenna with delrin roof clip so I can pull in the garage. |
Here is the base of the 102" whip. I'm using a Breedlove Mount HF Insulator bolted to the bumper. I feed the Breedlove mount with the high voltage RF out of the Icom AH-3 using some beefy silicone high voltage wire.
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| AH-3 "hidden" behind the license plate. |
Here is a shot of the 12 gauge silicone wire from CICOIL.. This stuff looks cool, super flexible and stays flexible in the middle of winter, withstands abrasions well, flame resistant, its just all around good stuff!
There was also a bunch of behind the scenes stuff I did that I didn't take pictures of. HF gets all over the place in a mobile install, so I have ferrite chokes all over the place, on the coax and control cables feeding the AH-3, on cables feeding the ECU (car computer), power cables, car alarm cables, any where I was experiencing RF issues. I also have ground strapped things like the rear hatch door, the hood to the body, the AH-3 to the frame, exhaust to the frame, all to help with noise and stray RF. The install of the 6 gauge wire from the radio to the battery, as well as a few other things.
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| One of the larger ferrite mix 43 chokes used on my ECU. |
For the UHF/VHF portion of the radio, I installed a wide band Comet CA-2X4SR search and rescue antenna. This antenna also uses a Breedlove model DE-SO239 antenna mount, mounted in the factory FM antenna hole so I didn't have to drill any new holes!
I also added this separate comms speaker right above my head, otherwise the speaker would be under the passenger seat! Now I can hear contacts while the AM/FM radio is going.
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