2001 Honda Accord

[WQAJ741]

Here is my install of my Yaesu FT7900 in my 01 Honda Accord. I've had the radio in the vehicle for over a year and have juggled with different options with regards to mounting locations. I've finally got something that I am comfortable with and looks pretty nice in my opinion. Nothing is permanently mounted so I can take it all out if the need arises. I used a face plate often used with public safety radio consoles and I was able to wedge that into the cubby. Behind the plate and farther back in the cubby is a Yaesu external speaker. Double sided foam tape was used to attach the radio to the plate and the power cable runs along the inside of the console and down under the seat where it meets the radio. The antenna is a Comet SBB5 on a Browning Trunk Lip mount. The mic is held by a goose neck mount attached to the bottom of the passenger seat.

 

[BoxAlarm187]

Nice use of space, and a clean install as well. Kudos!

 

[Durandal1224]

Don't know what your climate is, But in my CDM1550 Install I mounted the radio in the same location and found myself nervous about the floor vents potentially overheating the radio during the winter. I found the trunk was the best location in my case. Your mileage may vary.

 

[W9WSS]

Radio Mounted under Seats

Don't know what your climate is, But in my CDM1550 Install I mounted the radio in the same location and found myself nervous about the floor vents potentially overheating the radio during the winter. I found the trunk was the best location in my case. Your mileage may vary.

I've had my last three professional installs (over a period of 20 years) mounted the main radio units under front seats. I live in the Chicago area climate, so weather is extreme (from -20 below to 100+ degrees) and haven't had any issues with radios, siren units, or otherwise.

Maybe because my last three cars have been CVPI's, the installer(s) have used this method on many of the vehicles they serviced. Only downside is that it's nearly impossible to get to the radio units unless your a contortionist, or physically remove the seats to get to the units.

 

[Durandal1224]

I've had my last three professional installs (over a period of 20 years) mounted the main radio units under front seats. I live in the Chicago area climate, so weather is extreme (from -20 below to 100+ degrees) and haven't had any issues with radios, siren units, or otherwise.

Maybe because my last three cars have been CVPI's, the installer(s) have used this method on many of the vehicles they serviced. Only downside is that it's nearly impossible to get to the radio units unless your a contortionist, or physically remove the seats to get to the units.

Really? I stand corrected then. I always thought it was a bad place but now that I think of it I have never heard anyone say it was actually a bad spot. I just imagined the floor vent blowing hot air on my radio and I cringed.

Oh yeah. I run a CDM1550 and as you may or may not know you have to program from the radio and not the head. I hated nicking my hands on cables and springs trying to get the RIB plug in there only to have to plug the remote cable back in.

 

[W9WSS]

Really? I stand corrected then. I always thought it was a bad place but now that I think of it I have never heard anyone say it was actually a bad spot. I just imagined the floor vent blowing hot air on my radio and I cringed.

Oh yeah. I run a CDM1550 and as you may or may not know you have to program from the radio and not the head. I hated nicking my hands on cables and springs trying to get the RIB plug in there only to have to plug the remote cable back in.

I know where you're coming from. On regular commercial police / fire / EMS it's not an issue, because once the radios are programmed and installed, that's pretty much it.

But for us Ham operators and scanner enthusiasts who like to change things around (usually on a regular basis), I perfectly understand. Cables, sharp brackets, and general inconveniences of these mounting areas as a pain in the hands and arms.

On one of my radios mounted in the trunk of my CVPI, I have the programming cable permanently attached to the radio unit. Whenever I wish to change anything on this unit (Yaesu FT-857D), I grab the laptop and have to sit in a chair outside the rear bumper and program away. Only minor inconvenience is that I have to power the radio on and set it to program by holding multiple buttons down on the control head on the console inside the car. When I'm done, I roll up the cable, put a twist-tie on it, and tuck it back neatly in an area in the trunk near the radio unit.