2006 Honda Accord & FT-7900 Install

[rescue161]

Here is my Wife’s Honda Accord. I promised her that I wouldn’t turn it into a mobile ham shack, so I tried my best to hide everything. I had an FT-7900 sitting around, not being used, so I thought I’d see if the control head would fit in the storage box in the center console. I did not like the way it would have to be fit inside, so I tried the sunglasses holder. Success! It fit and was still able to be closed. I did have to remove the black sponge material, as it was just too thick for the control head to completely clear the top. I just didn't want anything putting pressure on the radio knobs.

So, I started taking everything apart for the install.

Here is the sunglasses holder out of the car in the closed position.


Here it is in the open position.


Here is the control head test fit inside the holder.


Control head bracket mounted.


Control head mounted.


Control head mounted & sunglasses holder closed.


I decided to put the mic in the center console storage area.






I couldn’t find the 6 pin jack that I wanted to use, so I just used what I could find locally. This was the only location that I could put this type of mount. Anywhere else would not allow the door to function.






Radio chassis mounted under the back dash.




NMO mount being installed. Sorry, the camera kept focusing on the tree…




NMO installed.


Antenna mounted.




Sunglasses holder closed.


Sunglasses holder & control head working.


Storage console closed.


Storage area with mic.


Storage area – Mic in use.

[awattam]

I like that. I dont think I have seen anyone else use the sunglasses holder.

[rescue161]

Thanks! Once I knew the center console was a bad idea, I started looking elsewhere. I did have to make another cable for the mic extension, but it works out as I can remove the mic if someone else uses the car.

[ScanTN]

Clean install. Looks great! Did you just use one of the Leviton QuickPort connectors?

[rescue161]

Thank you. Yes, I wanted to use a smaller jack, but that was the only one I could find without having to order the smaller style. I just used a 6-pin jack. I painted the housing black. I wanted to paint the jack itself, but did not want to get paint on the pins, so I left it white.

[Dann]

Very Sharp Setup.Looks Great.

[W0JJK]

That is a great install. I like you drilled hole for the antenna.

[rescue161]

Thank you guys. I promised my Wife, and she approves too, so it is a success.

[03msc]

This is very impressive. One of the most discrete installs I've ever seen. If it weren't for the antenna, there'd be no indication at all that there is a radio installed anywhere in the vehicle. The time you took is admirable and impressive. Well done!

[Skypilot007]

Very nice. Your wife should be very happy with that install. It's like it's not even there. I'm impressed. Nice work!

[SouthSideScannerGuy]

Wow, very nice. Quite innovative as well.

[KC2OBW]

Very well thought out. Good job!


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[n1cyn]

Is that antenna a Larson 150/450/800 and if so are you using it to transmit ? I don't think that antenna is intended for tx on the ham bands.

[KC2OBW]

Originally Posted by n1cyn

Is that antenna a Larson 150/450/800 and if so are you using it to transmit ? I don't think that antenna is intended for tx on the ham bands.

A lot of Larson antennas look alike.


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[kf4uuz]

Terrific job. Neat, clean, and super professional.

[mmckenna]

Originally Posted by n1cyn

Is that antenna a Larson 150/450/800 and if so are you using it to transmit ? I don't think that antenna is intended for tx on the ham bands.

Larsen used to advertise it as RX only, but in the last year or two they've been advertising it as good for TX, I think up around 50 watts on VHF and UHF, so as a TX antenna on the ham band, they are supposed to work OK. With the FT-7900 having a wide RX, well up into the 800MHz band, this makes for a good combination.


The install looks really good. I love when people put the extra effort into the install to do it right. Nice short feed line run, also. Glad you drilled it. I think a properly installed antenna looks way better than a mag mount or trunk lip.

[VE7CFF]

Very impressive. You've put a great deal of thought and care in your install. I agree very discreet.

[rescue161]

Thanks for all of the comments!

Yes, the antenna is a Larson 150/450/800. I get okay results with it. I have a Larson 2/70 Short antenna that does better, but it is chrome. I may use some Plasti-Dip to make it black.

I rarely drive the car, unless we go on a trip, so I wanted to make it as much of a stealth install as I could.

[DaddyHam]

Fantastic. I wish my civic had the same sunglass holder. Very impressive job.

[k2radio]

Thats hows its done!