Started my Ham Radio install

Well, I finally made some progress. Got my antennas mounted. The true test will be this week to see how well the mount holds.


Yes I know my choke coil doesn't need to go around the mount......lol just hanging it there for now as I road test the mount.

Once this gets locked in, on to the mounting of the rigs.

 

I don't know a thing about HAM radio, but that looks cool.

 

Ditto

 

@MotoTundra @baylrballa , thanks.

For ham radio, think CB radio on crack, and those hand held family radios sold at Wal-mart on crack plus.

 

Nice!

 

Great job. What radio are you using, and whose antenna mounts are those? How about some interior pictures?

 

Haven't quite got to the inside yet. That is next once these mounts pass my Interstate test this week.

Radios are an Icom 706MKIIg and a TYT TH-9800.

Antennas are a Comet UHV-6 and a Comet UHV-4

Mounts. Ah, there it gets fun. I used this as a starting point:

$34 Tenq Car Antenna Mount Stainless Steel Car Clip Mount Trunk Lid Hatchback Mount Bracket for Mobile Vehicle Car Radio Car Two Way Radio Radio Antenna + 5m Antenna Cable

Tenq Car Antenna Mount Stainless Steel Car Clip Mount Trunk Lid Hatchback Mount Bracket for Mobile Vehicle Car Radio Car Two Way Radio Radio Antenna + 5m Antenna Cable



Took the base off



And drilled the hole out to 1/2". Then i got a 1/2" x 1" stainless steel carriage bolt, (2) 1/2" flat washers, (2) star washers, and a 1/2" stainless steel nut.



From here on, I forgot to take pics. But I ground/cut two edges off the carriage bolt head so it would slip in the factory side rail.

Slid the bolt into the rail, got it to the first notch, slipped on a flat washer, then a star washer, then the mount, the other star washer, the final flat washer, and then the nut.

Tighten till it don't want to wiggle and screw the antenna on.

I am worried at prolonged interstate speeds it may want to rotate, so I either have to figure out how to lock the unit from rotating, or move it to the rail at the front of the bed and have the antennas right at the cab. The latter is the absolute last resort.

Total cost to mount both, maybe $80. $35 each for the 2 mounts, and maybe $10 tops in stainless steel hardware. And the mounts came with coax, so that helps alleviate some cost.

Next step is to pull the back seat and mount the bodies, antenna tuner, 1 farad capacitor, and power distribution block.

3rd step is mounting the faces. But I think I have that fully figured out.

 

Stuff on crack is good... I think... just not people.

 

Looking good on the truck, sir...and totally digging the bedside decal!
I find HAM radio very intriguing...in the truck, at home and especially for a grid down SHTF scenario!
Getting a license seems like a worthy endeavor.
And you need 2 antennas, eh?

 

A) TY!!! Custom made goes well with my Deadpool costume.

B ) yeah, the license is not that hard, and it is a fun hobby.

C) well, I need 2 antennas because i am using 2 radios. But "technically" I really should be running 3. I've just combined 2 into 1.

 

Ok, suggestion. If you mount on the passenger side, all is good. If you mount on the driver side, either change to a nylon locking nut, change to a left-handed thread, or crank down on the nut like mad.

Other than that, I have driven about 500-600 miles at 60 to 80mph and they have held up well.

 

Looks awesome. I am still contemplating a vhf Mount. Can you send a pic of where you mounted your radio or control head.?

 

Haven't mounted the heads yet. So far, this is all I have done.

My "plan" is to use these parts to mount the faces:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0057JYEUG
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B002KO5XVU
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07FN11KM2

MOTOPOWER MP0609DA Composite Short Double Socket Arm for 1" Ball Bases

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B075V79QN6

Use the cup mount in the very front cup holder, then mount the ball on the back of the face. This lets me swing the faces where I want.

But, I haven't done it yet. Got to order the parts.

 

This is awesome. I want to put a CB in my truck since I do a lot of highway driving. Nice to know what is going on around you.

 

Oh yeah? Check this guy out.

 

Well, after driving over 1,500 miles on the interstate over a week, still had a little of the layover issue. But it was a ridiculously easy fix. The factory tie down points that slide in the rails? Yeah. They but right up next to the mount and keep them from rotating over. No cost fix.

I'll get a pic and post it.

 

Vader7071,
I wanted to take a moment to thank you for this forum post. I just purchased a 2022 Tundra and have been looking for an Antenna mount solution for the integrated rail, thus far this seems like the best solution.
Are you still using the mount in this configuration, and how has it held up to the testament of time?
-GuyA

 

Welcome from NY.
Vader hasn't been on here in over 3 years, FYI.

 

Well Darn....
Was really hoping that they would be able to respond. If anyone else has tried this, I would love to hear any feedback. (Or if there is another solution that anyone has tried. Ill keep looking too. )
Thanks Jim!

 

@TRDFerguson might be able to chime in on a rail mounted antenna as he's got one

 

I'm using this mount for my light whip, but it's very well made and heavy duty - should be no problem using it for radio antennas.
https://www.bayareametalfab.com/Bed-Rail-CB-Mount_p_54.html

Disregard the plastic chips from the bull ring install...

 

Is it mounted directly to the bed? (Drilled)
the link looks like it may work with the rail system, but not entirely sure.
thank you for the post, this looks very sturdy and looks well designed.

 

It works with the rail system. BAMF provides T-nuts that will work with the OEM bed rails, but I made DIY rails out of unistrut and had to use spring rail nuts instead.

 

This is Perfect!!!
Thank you TRDFerguson I just looked at your thread on your build and I have to say its inspiring. Congrats on an awesome build, and now I have something to get ideas for my 2022. I build my own batteries and was thinking about installing one of my larger cell batteries in the center console. its comprised of 12 40152 Headway batteries with a 100amp BMS. It would be nice to have a stand-alone power system to pull from along side the trucks system. Also looking at a number of upgrades and your thread is simply awesome.

Thank you again!
GuyA

 

Nice set up