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[KQ4CDO]

Hi, all.

I just passed my technician license exam, and I am the proud owner of a used Yaesu FT-7800R that I am trying to install into my 2013 Ford F150.  I'm running into all sorts of problems along the way (mostly because I have never done anything like this before), so I could really use some guidance.

First, I'm trying to figure out how to power the unit. The F150 has a battery drain monitor, and so you’re not supposed to connect directly to battery ground — you are supposed to be on the chassis side of the battery monitor, but I cannot find the battery monitor in my truck so I’m not sure where to get power.

Second, I cannot for the life of me figure out how to get through the firewall. Yes, there’s a grommet at the top of the firewall on the passenger side, but I have no idea how to get any cables I shove through that in the cabin side.

Third, I am trying to figure out how I can mount the 7800’s remote display. This is the best I’ve come up with so far, and I don’t like it … would love to get ideas about what to do there.

Fourth, I’m trying to figure out what to do for an antenna mount. For now I have a mag-mount dual-bander, so for now I’ll just run that around the door seal, but I really want a better antenna mount. I’m not sure where it’s safe and performant (I'm just learning about SWR) to mount a 2m/440 antenna on a truck. I don’t park in a garage, so rooftop would be fine, but I have neither the skill nor the tools to make a permanent installation there. Maybe with my skill level a fender mount would work, but, again, I’m not sure how to get that antenna cable to the radio. (See issue #2.)

Fifth, I’d like to mount the radio unit below the passenger side front seat (mine is a SuperCrew, and I fold up the rear seats all the time, so mounting below rear seats isn’t an option), and while I think i have located a good place for that, I don’t know how to actually get it to mount there — do I drill holes from below the seat, from the underside of the truck? I just have no idea.

I know I sound like a complete moron, and I’m really not, I’m just so far out of my element for now that I don’t know what to do.

Any and all constructive feedback and advice is appreciated.

Thanks.

[K6CPO]

This is the definitive resource for mobile installations.

https://www.k0bg.com/

[W6SWO]

Hey Daniel - congratulations on passing your test and welcome to the community! 

On getting through the firewall - I've done two different things:

1) Take a razor blade or utility knife and make a small slit on an existing grommet to pass cables through. You'll never get through the existing grommet because they are tight from the factory.
2) Buy a grommet kit either on Amazon or at a local auto parts dealer.  You'll have to drill a hole into the firewall, but the installation will be watertight and clean.  Don't pull cables through just a hole because the sharp edges of the hole will cut through your cables.  Use a grommet.

Same thing for anywhere else you have to pass cables, IE: from the bed or roof into the cabin.  Drill a hole and use a grommet.

On the antenna mount - If you don't have the skill or tools to drill a large hole into the top of your roof, you can ask around at a local ham club for some assistance, or you can go to a commercial radio installer and have them do it.  I have always stuck to mag mounts so that I can easily remove it when parking somewhere like an airport lot or any other place where the vehicle is unattended for long periods.  An installed antenna with a hole in the roof kinda advertises that you have radio gear installed that's worth stealing.  However, depending on the antenna model, you can unscrew the whip and stow it inside if you permanently install the base.

On mounting under the passenger seat - Yes, you drill holes into the floor pan.  I'd position the bracket where you want it in the cabin, then check underneath to make sure you're not going to drill into wires, brackets, etc.  Then, drill a small bit sized hole from the cabin, and follow up with the proper sized bit from underneath.

[K0UA]

Well, you don't live anywhere near Branson, Mo. so I can't be of much assistance. I have installed hundreds of mobile radios, but the difference is now that I am old and stiff and fat it just takes a lot more time now.   If you can find someone with experience I would highly recommend doing that even if it cost's you some bucks. As for piercing existing grommets I always liked to use an icepick. It makes a small round hole not a ragged hole that can tear. Then put some grease on the end of the coax or dual 12 volt wiring and push thru. It will make a good seal.

[W1MOW]

I have a 2014 F-150 that I keep in CT as a local use truck. I have 2 Kenwood comercial radios (VHF/UHF) installed in it.

I ran both the postive and negitive to the engine compartment. Attached the positive to the battery terminal, and the negitive to where the negitive power attaches to the motor. Mine is a 5.0 liter not sure what you have. Just don't attach it to the battery negitive terminal. If yours is like mine, you should see a round sensor that the negitive wires run through. I could be wrong, I believe that is the sensor that senses the battery charging/drain.

I also use the ice pick technique that James recommend to get from the engine compartment. I believe I used the groment located near the top on the passenger side. I will look when I go back to CT next week, but that might be too late.

I highly recommend you drill a 3/4" hole for an NMO mount in you roof to mount the antenna. Remove the 3rd brake light and drill your hole as far forward as you can see, you may have to push down some roof insulation. Mine is about a foot forward of the light. Get a mount WITHOUT a connector as it will be easier to snake the cable down to your mounting location. If you have never done this, it might be better to have a local radio shop, or help from your local club to do this. There are videos on youtube to help. Get a metal MNO mount cover, using a can touch up spray paint, paint the cover, and most people will never notice it. Put in on when you need to remove the antenna.

Do you know the the back of the rear seats fold down. I fashioned a couple of brackets that attach to the rear brackets of the seats, Attached some plywood, mounted the radios drawers and a multiplexer to run both radios to one antenna. Also I attached a fuse terminal strip from Bussman p/n 15600-04-20. Crimp and solder the connections. I use a 6 position terminal strip for the grounds, once again crimp and solder the connectors. Some people will tell you to Anderson Powerpoles, when they 1st came out we tried them on mobil installations only to have issues with vibrations. If you need powerpoles make a pigtail to use when you need it, otherwise don't use them in moblie installations.

Gary W1MOW

[K5LXP]

Back in the day (when I did installation of coal-fired radios) for Ford trucks there was a brace running across the roof where the dome light mounted.  So the standard procedure was to remove the dome light and dimple the roof from the inside just forward of the dome light/brace and then drill the hole from the top using the dimple mark.  The coax just about routes itself along the roof brace to the pillar.  Pop the trim there, pull the line down the pillar to the floor and route it to the dash, under a seat or wherever it needs to go.  In today's trucks with airbags everywhere it may not be as slam dunk as it used to but a few minutes poking behind the trim will reveal the best path from the roof.

Mark K5LXP
Albuquerque, NM

[K6SDW]

I no longer mount vhf/uhf antennas on the roof of car, a waste of time IMO. I buy the premade "L" bracket mounts with the NMO antenna adapter and RG58/59 cable installed and mount the bracket between the fender and hood (or rear fender and trunk). Unless the hood is open you can't see the holes which is really nice when you go to sell the car, no explaining to the buyer why there's a hole in the roof, years ago I've had the conversation....HI HI

I also have the 2013 F!50 truck and can email you a couple of photos if you like.

GL/73

[KQ4CDO]

Wow, I need to remember to check back -- I thought I'd get notified of replies to my post, but that's not how this forum works.

Also, many thanks for all the good tips.

K6CPO: I had found that site, and you are right on -- k0bg.com is excellent.

W6SWO: Thanks for the tips on mounting the radio under the seat. I hope to make some progress today with this.

W1MOW: Mine is the 3.5L twin turbo, but I expect I'll find the same ground you used. Also, I do know the rear seats fold down -- I added the quick-release tabs so that they can be easily folded down. I have lots of stuff back there, or I'd put the radio back there.  Maybe I should rearrange -- mounting the radio back there would certainly be easy, and there's not much space behind the passenger side rear seat, so that might be perfect.

K6SDW: I think that "fender mount" is exactly what I want to do. For now I'll use the mag-mount that I actually have, but I'd like to switch to a fender mount.

Again, thanks, all, for the suggestions. I hope to meet with success soon.

[AI5BC]

Do you want professional advice or sammy hammy? Cannot help you with sammy hammy ways, but if you want to do it correctly here is the bible of mobile installations. Completely contrary to what sammy hammy will tell you.

Motorola R56 Appendix G, Mobile Installation Standard and Guidelines. If you were to ever install radios commercially, all agencies require the installers to be certified and follow R56 to the letter or seek employment elsewhere at a ham or CB radio shop. 

https://www.sno911.org/images/Documents/WirelessTech/RRP/Policies/R56_Mobile_Installation_Standards_and_Techniques_2.pdf

[KQ4CDO]

Do you want professional advice or sammy hammy? Cannot help you with sammy hammy ways, but if you want to do it correctly here is the bible of mobile installations. Completely contrary to what sammy hammy will tell you.

Wow, thanks for that reference - it looks great!

[WA9AFM]

For the antenna mount, consider the Diamond K400.  It comes with a variety of antenna mounting options (NMO, SO-239, 3/8"-24).

[KQ4CDO]

For the antenna mount, consider the Diamond K400.  It comes with a variety of antenna mounting options (NMO, SO-239, 3/8"-24).

Thanks, looks nice.  My current thinking is an NMO mount on the top-center of the cab.  I'm hoping to buy that in October or November...