2006 Honda Accord & FT-7900 Install

[Rt169Radio]

Very nice setup, and cool idea.

[K9WSS]

As both of our signatures say, "HAMS AGAINST MAGNETIC MOUNTS!" Bravo on a perfect professional installation with an NMO mount that will work for many years!

[russellmaher]

Nice job inside and out! Very well thought out and a clean installation. Thanks for sharing.


Russell

[mmckenna]

Originally Posted by rescue161

I may use some Plasti-Dip to make it black.

Don't overlook black heat shrink tubing. I've done that on a few installs and it works pretty well. Hit it with some armor-all now and then to keep it looking shiny.

[rescue161]

Originally Posted by K9WSS

As both of our signatures say, "HAMS AGAINST MAGNETIC MOUNTS!" Bravo on a perfect professional installation with an NMO mount that will work for many years!

It's funny, because I used a magnet mount to test the setup before I drilled. I tried several different antennas before settling on the 150/450/800. It did well in all categories...lol Categories included appearance, SWR, and actual function. The only downside is that the SWR is a little high, but nothing to concerned over.

I guess magnet mounts have a place, but not on (my) personal cars! I make exceptions for rental cars/trucks, work vehicles, and the occassional refrigerator inside the hotel room.

[KJ4SJR]

Very nice install job. This was exactly what I was looking for. I have a 2005 Honda Accord and I'm about to install a brand new Yaesu FT-7900R, so imagine my surprise to find an almost identical install to what I'm planning. I have one quick question / observation. Perhaps I missed it, but what did you do about a remote mounted speaker?

[rescue161]

Originally Posted by KJ4SJR

Very nice install job. This was exactly what I was looking for. I have a 2005 Honda Accord and I'm about to install a brand new Yaesu FT-7900R, so imagine my surprise to find an almost identical install to what I'm planning. I have one quick question / observation. Perhaps I missed it, but what did you do about a remote mounted speaker?

AH! Yes, the remote mount speaker...

That was one detail that I forgot about, so I have to wait until this weekend to route the wire. In the meantime, I just folded the rear arm rest down. I still haven't decided on where to mount the speaker though. I'm leaning towards putting it directly behind the center console on the floor. I tested out that location and it is pretty loud.

One of the things that aggravates me about amateur radios is that they don’t offer an ignition switch. So if you run the main power to the battery, like you’re suppose to do, you have to manually turn the radio on/off or your battery can go dead. So I used a 30 amp relay to power the radio. There is a side panel between the driver’s door and the dash. The cover just pops off and that relay fit perfectly. I ran my wires (12V fused from Battery, 12V to FT-7900R, 12V switched, and ground) up to the relay and popped the cover back on. So when I turn the ignition on/off, the radio turns on/off too.

[AdamDaMan]

Thats really cool! I like how its nice and neat! Great setup!

[Kasmus]

I think that's actually the first time I have seen an install where it makes sense that the mic needs a seperate cable from the main unit - on a radio where it doesn't. Haha.

[rescue161]

Originally Posted by Kasmus

I think that's actually the first time I have seen an install where it makes sense that the mic needs a seperate cable from the main unit - on a radio where it doesn't. Haha.

Yep! That's why I originally wanted to put the control head and the mic in the center storage area, but it would have been awkward and not easy to see. I used black CAT5E stranded cable for the mic extension. I tried to find some 3-pair wire like what came with the remote kit, but could not find any locally. Come to think of it, I can't find anything I need locally...lol

I'm glad I finally put a mobile in the Wife's car though. I just wish I would have done it sooner.

[firemedic2150]

Something you might want to consider is putting a switch on the Switched B+ going into the trigger on the relay. I put one on mine that was SPDT with a center off. With the switch in the center off position when you take your car in for service the radio will not be going off and on as they use the ignition switch, also if you should ever have to jump start the car it is not connected. On the "A" side of the switch a feed the ignition like you have it so the radio will go off and on with the key, but on the "B" side I connected the constant hot from the battery so I could make the radio power up without the ignition when I was just sitting in the car monitoring.

MMc.

[rescue161]

If I ever have to take the car in for service, I'll just turn it off at the control head. This particular radio remembers the on/off state when applying power, so if I turn the radio off, then you can start the car and turn it off over and over and the radio will never turn on. Once I leave from having the car serviced, I'll just turn the radio back on.

I did this on my truck a long time ago and it worked great.

[W5JER]

Very creative and well thought out. A for effort

[rescue161]

Thanks!

[WX1SVR]

Probably one of the best installations I have seen!

[N8OHU]

Originally Posted by rescue161

It's funny, because I used a magnet mount to test the setup before I drilled. I tried several different antennas before settling on the 150/450/800. It did well in all categories...lol Categories included appearance, SWR, and actual function. The only downside is that the SWR is a little high, but nothing to concerned over.

I guess magnet mounts have a place, but not on (my) personal cars! I make exceptions for rental cars/trucks, work vehicles, and the occassional refrigerator inside the hotel room.

Nice installation and similar in concept to what I want to do with my Trailblazer; I will be using an NMO mount on my Chevy S-10 when I redo the radio installation in it, but my Trailblazer will continue to have an easily removable antenna (not a mag mount one), as I don't consider it something I own until I have the state issued title to it. Once that happens, then I will be drilling holes in the roof to mount an NMO antenna.