Mobile Install Part 2
With my weekend finally here I was able to spend about 4 hours in total to complete the installation of my Yaesu FT-857D along with a Diamond NR770HB (144/440) antenna. I am still amazed at how clean of install it was. All the wires are out of site so when sitting in the driver’s seat you see the control head and the microphone. The base unit is bolted to bracket on the floor located behind the driver’s seat.
The location for the unit was selected because it would allow for good air flow, as well as easy access from the back wall of the cable through a speaker cover (since there is no rear speaker) that is screwed into the wall. As mentioned in the first update the 144/440 antenna is mounted to the back window just under the cab tail light. The wiring enters this light housing and was routed through the ceiling and down the side of the cab and into the open speaker area.
There were two cables that needed to run the length of the cab from the base unit to the remote head and microphone connector. After removing the driver’s seat access under the floor covering was a snap! I removed only one piece of trim that was bolted with 4 screws and was able to pull both wires under the floor covering without any problems. The ends of the wires came up behind the foot pedals, where they were zip tied together and placed out of the way for safety. A small piece of double sided tape allowed me to stick the microphone connect near the floor vent.
Once the cables were run the microphone was mounted to the left of the center console, which is easily within reach while driving. I am still not fond of the final position of the control head it looks clean and is out of the way of other knobs and buttons. I suspect most of my time in the truck with the radio one will be monitoring HF rather than working contacts, so this position should work. If I find a better location that provides for easy mounting I might end up moving the control head.
While the ATAS-120A is not the final piece of the equation, I am still considering a mount for the antenna. Everyone continues to rave about the K400 from Diamond. I was not all that impressed with it when I looked at it at HRO last week. If I knew I could mount it on the lip of the toolbox I might consider it. Currently I am still leaning towards a K540, which is for a rail mount, but the mount can be adjusted so I could use 4 bolts to attach it to the rear facing side of the toolbox.
Once the antenna is installed it will be time to bond the pieces to the frame. I don’t think this will be any issue at all. I have been looking over the areas I will be bonds and nothing looks too difficult to accomplish. So hopefully by Friday I will have the ATAS-120A in position and be listening to HF during my commute to and from work.
