FJ Cruisers of Northern California

Ham Radio

Anybody in the area done a ham radio install on an FJ before? I'm looking for some tips on the best antenna options and radio mounting locations.

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Permalink Reply by Sonof40 on December 28, 2012 at 8:30pm

I used a trunk mount installed top center of rear door. The radio is mounted upsidedown attached to the driver's seat. Controls and mic are mounted to a modded Mpac saddle.

Attachments:

Strobes 001.JPG, 1.9 MB

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Permalink Reply by Craig Stanley on December 28, 2012 at 8:48pm

What type of radio/antenna? How did you route the coax? Any photos?

Also, do you know of any swivel mount that would allow for a long antenna parallel to the roof that can then be extended into the uprigt position? I hav a small garage.

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Permalink Reply by Sonof40 on December 28, 2012 at 8:58pm

The antenna is NR770HB made by Diamond, which is a swivel. I took pics but damned if I can find them. Ran coax to hing side of door and down to join my CB cable run along the driver's side.

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Permalink Reply by ray gates on December 29, 2012 at 5:01pm

Go hand held. It is easier and of course more portable...

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Permalink Reply by Craig Stanley on December 29, 2012 at 5:16pm

I have a HT but range is poor from inside the FJ

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Permalink Reply by EYP on December 20, 2014 at 4:11am

Antenna Mount by BozTec. John gave me a real good deal.

Here are some end results. I rattle canned the spare tire cover, too.

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Permalink Reply by CV Kurt on December 20, 2014 at 5:17am

Didn't realize that this was a resurrection of an old thread... well, the info below is still valid.

If you get a radio with a detachable controller, you'll have a few more mounting options. I have my controller mounted just to right of the FM/AM radio using a PanaVise bracket specifically designed for the FJC. I have the radio itself mounted on the center module by the passenger's left knee (I wanted it easily accessible). If you have a radio with no detachable controller, most folks seem to go with either a mount right or left of the center console or above the mirror.

For antenna options, best RF wise is smack center of the roof. But there are reasonable other locations. One of the easiest options, would be to use a Boztec rear door hinge bracket for ham radio antenna... then you just run the cable into the cab up to where ever you put the radio unit.

I currently have my antenna on my front bumper. RF wise, this is not a great location. But with the right antenna, it works fine.

BTW, when I use to use an HT in the cab (bungied to the driver's side grab handle), I had a mag mount on my front bumper. That actually worked fairly well. It would rarely fall off. I don't recommend a mag mount on top as it surely will get knocked off by low branches.