VHF/UHF Radios

Does anyone have a VHF/UHF mounted in their Tundra? I've got a couple of Baofengs but, was thinking about mounting a proper unit in the Tundra. Was thinking of taking out the slide out cup holders and mounting it recessed there. Also, if you do have a radio, what are you doing for an antenna and how do you have it mounted? Thanks.

 

Do you mean a Mobile Radio as opposed to HTs?

I took the ashtray out and made a piece that slides into the place it was to hold a radio but I also made a console that sits on the center hump that can hold a radio as well.

 

Here's what I had in mind. I'm not looking for something too high brow. I rarely use it. Just looking for something more powerful than a baofeng with the same functionality.

 

OK so I will ask the same question again.
Do you mean a more high powered mobile radio in place of an HT?

 

https://www.tundras.com/threads/tundra-ham-radio.57715/

 

https://www.tundras.com/threads/gmrs-general-mobile-radio-service-thread.52937/

 

Thank you for those two links. The solution in this video from the thread seems pretty smart. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2R9BScedWRA&feature=emb_logo

I have found myself looking at Ram no-drill mounts. Looks like they make plenty of goodies to make it customizable for different needs.

Bench seats:

https://www.rammount.com/part/RAM-VB-133-SW1

Just the base:

https://www.rammount.com/part/RAM-VB-133

Bucket seats (says out of stock):

https://www.themountdepot.com/RAM_VB_137ST1_SW1_p/ram-vb-137st1-sw1.htm

Just the base:

https://www.themountdepot.com/RAM_VB_137ST1_p/ram-VB-137ST1.htm

This quick release system looks pretty cool.

https://www.themountdepot.com/RAM_VB_REM1_p/ram-vb-rem1.htm

 

As much as I use it, I'll probably just stick with my current Baofeng setup.

 

I don't really have any radio recommendations since I'm just using a different radio type all together for the time being, Galaxy 959 CB. I've been looking for something that secures my radio and navigation tablet. Radio is currently secured to the dash with velcro and 3M tape and tablet is suction mounted to windshield. Both affect my line of sight.

As for antenna mounting, mine is mounted right onto my drivers rear tail light assembly using this:

$24 FireStik SS-204A Adjustable Stainless Steel Vertical Door jamb Mount

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000X3EQ3G/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&th=1 Sticks through the tailgate gap. Not sure if this location would work though with the antennas required for your frequencies.

I have Rago Fabrication ditch light mounts that bolt to the hood hinges, but I don't have lights on them currently. I initially put my 4' firestik antenna on my driver's mount and achieved amazing results other than it violently whacking around when I hit tree branches.

 

Wow you actually quoted yourself?

Can you really not just explain in more detail what you are looking for?

Are the radios you use now an HT or a Mobile,pretty simple question. You know that Baofeng makes both so we have no real idea what you are asking.

Do you have bench or bucket seats?

Do you want a radio out in the open or more hidden?

Are you a Ham or will you just be listening?

What exactly does "Highbrow" mean?
I imagine it refers to real made in Japan Quality but just guessing?

Just trying to get you to help us help you.

 

Greetings all,
I just got my first HT (wouxun kg-uv9t(plus) and learning for Tech class license. This is to prepare for when SHTF and join a local net. My wife and I expect to be traveling in our RV trailer quite a bit and I eventually want to find a HF/VHF/UHF radio that can be removed from the truck and relocated in the RV when at camp. I saw a slide out solution ET850 that seems doable:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tBmR_z7F8tQ.

I have just begun researching this and would like any feedback for guidance on the subject. FYI, my truck is 2019, bucket seats, double cab. I want the radio out in the open and available to passenger or driver. BTW, my dash panel recess is already populated with an ICS mounting platform with Ram/amp-mounted gear (iphone holders & RV rear view camera monitor). I am thinking maybe overhead for CB radio w/mike, mobile radio located on center console in front of infotainment screen or in center console compartment where it could be hidden.

 

I would like a police radio in my truck.

Just for listening

 

Many of the mainstream multi band radios have a quick release mount kit available too so you could use that in each vehicle instead and they would be a lot more compact than that bracket you linked to.

In addition many radios have a separate control head and radio so the controls can be right in front of you but the radio stashed out of the way and both can easily be mounted for moving.

Maybe the bigger question though is what to do with an Antenna for moving between the truck and camper?
It might be simpler to leave everything in the truck and just operate from the camper.

Kenwood also offers remote operation of some of their rigs where you could just leave the radio in the truck but operate it from an HT in the trailer,2 birds,one stone!

 

Thanks ezdog. Appreciate the advice.

 

There is an App for that on your phone. Sometimes I hear Black Helicopters circling above so I flick it on just in case.

 

No problem I camp and do the same thing.

We also do relief work out of the trailer as needed and it is a lot nicer than being stuck outside depending on weather.

And as shown in my first post on this thread it is a lot better operating with just the control head in front of you than a stack of metal that really does not need to be in the middle of the truck cab like is pictured a few down from mine,or at least that is not my preference at all.

 

I think chyna has these CB’s rigged up with chips to surveil us in the coming ‘Dark Winter’. I’m relearning Navajo just in case.

 

Most of their systems are trunked and have been for years so you wouldn't hear most of it. I miss living in Montana where police scanners were legal in your vehicle (at least when I lived there). In FL, you have to have a HAM operators license or be volunteer fire department. The only other way around it is a police scanner app on your phone if they broadcast on it where you live.

 

@Tundra234 I figured by now they must have concealed their transmission in some way. My old neighbor had an old radio in his house, I spent many evenings drinking beer there and listening to what was going on in the area.

@Professional Hand Model I did have an app a few years ago but it was dependent on somebody broadcasting. I couldn't listen to specific stations at all times, had to find a station that was on. Not a bad alternative though.

 

Now many use Digital Trunked systems and the frequencies hop every transmission but there are scanners out there that will still tune and let you listen to many digital transmissions and I have never heard that it is illegal to monitor anything I don't think?
If it is too secret for public consumption then it should be encoded so no one else can listen like the Military now does.

I have 2 Uniden Scanners that will decode many newer systems and they keep adding capability as soon as the systems evolve if you want to pay for it.

 

For certain situations, Police are using now their Cell Phones instead of Publicly Broadcasting their movements to Antifa Types listening in.

 

I have a layer of tin foil on the headliner... just in case.

 

I’ve thought about doing this with Recycled Silver Insul Bubble Wrap. I wonder if it has the same properties needed?

 

And the laptop computers in the cars.

 

I want something to communicate with on the trail. Yesterday I was the only one without a CB. Is there a cheap portable option?

 

Handheld cb with a magnet roof mount antenna.

I think I have one somewhere.

 

I just use a handi with a 1/4 wave mag mount, with the HT plugged into the 12 volt aux socket. As long as you are working through repeaters, 5 watts or so, is sufficient, especially with the mag mount on the cab. You should be able to work a good distance on simplex as well, I can. Or look at mobiles with remote capabilities and put the body under the seat and the head somewhere up front. There are some neat head mounts now. As far as a more permanent antenna, I would look at a lip mount with some small diameter, low loss coax like LMR100 so you can get it in the cab easier than the larger feed line.

 

This is what I ended up doing for my Yaesu FT-991A all band radio:



Following are the list of parts with their links which are identified in the photo:

(1) Yaesu Tranceiver Mounting Bracket MMB-90: https://www.dxengineering.com/parts/ysu-mmb-90

(2) 1" Ball Socket Mounting plate (to bottom of tranceiver mounting bracket):

$12 ChargerCity 25mm/1" inch Ball socklet to AMPs Connection Adapter + Dual T Plate for 1" inch Ball Connection Mount and Arkon Robust Series Mount (25mm-AMPS-2T)

https://amazon.com/gp/product/B01MZI57EN/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_image_o03_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

(3) RAM Double 1" Ball Adapter:
https://amazon.com/gp/product/B001ES5D5Y/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_image_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

(4) RAM Double socket arm (7"):
https://amazon.com/gp/product/B000WJA5ZY/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_image?ie=UTF8&psc=1

(5) 20MM Metal Ball to 25MM (1') Ball adapter:

$18 ARKON 20mm Metal Ball to 25mm (1") Ball Adapter Retail Black (SP20MM25)

https://amazon.com/gp/product/B084DFXY7N/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_image_o02_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

(6) Heavy Duty Metal AMPS Hole Patter ELD Cup Holder:

$28 Heavy Duty Metal AMPS Hole Pattern ELD Drinks Cup Holder Mount Compatible with Ham CB Pro Satellite Radio & All Universal 2 & 4 Hole fit AMPS Pattern mounting Device

https://amazon.com/gp/product/B07YBKWYMM/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_image_o05_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

(7) 2"W x 3.5" DIA Rubber bands for drink holder grip (use 2):

$11 Grifiti Band Joes Grip Band 5 x 2" 5 Pack Long Lasting Silicone Bottle Grip Cooking Grade Heat Cold UV Chemical Resistant Grips for Tumblers, Thermoses, Travel Mugs, Water

https://amazon.com/gp/product/B07XYGXY17/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_image_o01_s01?ie=UTF8&psc=1

This works pretty well and will accommodate opening the center console storage when needed by maneuvering the ball mounts in a couple places. Unit can be positioned for front or back seat use. All wiring brought up through plug in floor board under the carpet. No tearing up or holes drilled. In my next post I will show the wiring from battery under the hood to the power supply under the driver seat as well as antennas and their mounts. All wiring is dressed up with either spiral wrap or loom from Harbor Freight Tools.
This might seem like a lot of ball joints in the mount, but it provides for allowing the radio to rest on the console top and is quite stable.

 

More photos as I promised:

 

Couple of free police scanner apps out there.