Quote:
Originally Posted by GMAs
Hi new to the blog here. Just got a new Ford E350 wag and was wondering how you all mount the antenna through the roof and to the radio up between the two sunvisors. Is their a good way to do this. I am going to mount the Icom 706 remote w/mic up their but will use a headset that plugs into the radio mounted under the seat.
Thanks for the advise
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I am assuming you are just talking about the UHF/VHF side of your 706.
Pretty simple really. This is what i did.
Drill a hole smack dab in the middle of the roof right above the courtesy light. It sure is a tough thing to do, but... Mount the antenna with a NMO fitting. (I used a Larsons, never had a leak problem.) Run the coax above the headliner to the windshield. You will need to remove the SMB overhead shelf to get access to the coax above the headliner.
I have a FT8800 with the remote head mounted to the overhead. The radio is mounted behind the drivers seat. I ran a mic chord over to the "A" pillar" then down to the doghouse so I would not have a mic chord dangling down in front of me all the time.
I am not sure if I would mount the remote on the center of the overhead if I was to do it again. It isn't the easiest thing in the world to change settings while seated, let alone when driving. A more ergonomically placement would be better IMO. With a 706 you will have more things to look at an adjust than my FT8800. Also, your arm is going to get tired and it is hard to grab the right dial when you are on a bumpy road.
I have a little Kenwood 2m radio that is strictly for APRS. I built a custom bracket on the drivers side fender to mimic the passenger side AM antenna. Mounted a small Commet B-10 there. If you are queezy about drilling a hole in the roof, you might want to think about this as an alternative. Even with the small B-10 antenna, I can hit most of the repeaters.
I also have a Icom 7000, but only use the HF side when it is in the SMB and only then when it is parked. I have a High Sierra 1800 screwdriver mounted to the Aluminus box in the back. Works great.
Let me know if you have any other questions about mounting.