FT-857D Install

My name is Steve Goblirsch, KC0ORD, and I live in Minneapolis, MN. I recently was laid off from a job I had held for 6 years. I am a network and computer geek. I got a new job, but the new one was 60 miles one way from my house. I had a 1998 Isuzu Hombre (a Chevy S-10 pickup clone) and it was starting to get old. Also, my family could no longer fit into it as my son Andrew is now 15 and getting taller than his mom Beth.

I spoke with my bride, KC0PDS, and we decided to get a new car and a new radio, to give me something to do while driving. I purchased a 2008 Suzuki SX4 crossover for my new wheels. I also got my new Yaesu FT-857D from Radio City in Mounds View, MN. I purchased the radio during the promotion where they gave away the faceplate separation kit as part of the price.

One of my requirements on mounting the rig was to allow easy access to the radio head, while making it possible to remove the head and radio to use elsewhere, as I am not a rich HAM. I started by using the default wire harness from Yaesu and crimped (and soldered) a standard eyelet connector to the power end. I passed the wires through the firewall on the passenger side of the vehicle using the existing wire pass-through and a small pointed wire. I connected the eyelets to the battery terminals by unscrewing the entire works and screwing the connector by the head of the bolt. I felt this was more secure than just connecting it to the "nut" side of the assembly. The 2, 25 amp fuses in the Yaesu power cable assembly fit (with a little persuasion) into the battery hold down of the car. I passed the wires along the top motor cover and tied it with a couple of zip ties to keep it in place.

Installation Antenna

I mounted the 2m/70cm Comet antenna I had had on the truck for about the last year. I had the antenna on a NMO magnet mount and since I was now truly broke, will upgrade to a roof mount later.

For my HF antenna, I mounted a Wilson 5000 CB magnet mount antenna, again, until I have some more dough. I received the HF antenna from my "Elmer" KC0NDI. I ran the wires into the rear of the vehicle, and tied them with another zip tie. I then passed the wires along the body panels, under the rear door kick plate, and then under the "B" pillar plastic until it came out under the passenger seat. I grounded the HF antenna to cut down on the alternator noise. Three wires down now to mount the faceplate. In the pictures, the OEM AM/FM antenna is between the two ham radio antennas.

Installation Interior

I started with the power, fishing it through the center console and then under the passenger seat Now that the power and antennas were done, it was time for the faceplate. The faceplate kit contains three wire assemblies and a mount for the faceplate. The wires are the 6 wire control cable, the 8 wire microphone cable, and a 2 wire audio cable. I started with the audio cable, and since I already had a small external speaker with a wire attached, I left that wire in the plastic. The external speaker fit into the "map pocket" just under the cars AM/FM car radio. I am planning on purchasing an audio input to the car stereo and setting up a switch later, again when I have some money. The other two wire assemblies I ran along the speaker wire up to the location I mounted the speaker at. I also purchased a center armrest for the vehicle and while I had the console apart, mounted the bracket and armrest as I re-assembled the car.

I had been thinking about the mount for about 2 weeks. I looked all over the internet for mounts and finally stopped into Best Buy and picked up a generic mount that was meant to fit on the glass. It had a 9" stalk that was very stiff and yet flexible. I drilled three small holes into the console by the cup-holders, making sure that the cup-holders would still work, and screwed down the mount. I zip tied the microphone holder and microphone connector to the stalk and then mounted the faceplate mount to the stalk. The mount kit from Best Buy came with a generic cell phone holder as well as a "square" quick disconnect mount plate. I found that the holes already made into the faceplate mount fit exactly into the holes on this square mount. I used 4, 8-32, 3/8 long screws with 8-32 locknuts, and was pleased when the threads of the screws fit flush to the back of the locknuts when tight. Since the square plate was meant to be a quick disconnect, I drilled a hole into the square plate and mount, and screwed them together. A couple of more zip ties and I was done. After hanging the microphone, I did not like the way the wire hung from the clip, so I cut and bent a paperclip and, using the holes in the Yaesu faceplate mount, hung the wire from this clip.

Conclusion

The installation was complete in about 3 hours. I spent a lot of time as this will be a vehicle that will not only transport me daily, but transport others. I wanted to make sure the connections were done correctly, as failures can be prevented by doing it right. As with most HAM radio projects, this one is a work in progress. I wanted to be able to move my legs while having the head close while driving. I feel I have achieved my goals for the radio and look forward to getting my General ticket shortly so I can use more of this great radio's features. The only thing I would change about the installation, would have been the time of year I started this....dry ground, more flexible wires, and less clothing on would have helped greatly.

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